By Joe Ditler
The Coronado Veterans of Foreign Wars is putting together a tremendous tribute to our military this Memorial Day, May 31st, and the public is invited to attend. The event takes place at Star Park in Coronado. The one-hour tribute begins at 10 a.m. and parking is free.
“There is no better time than now to pause in our daily routine, and dedicate a few moments to pay tribute to our military men and women,” said Michael Turner, spokesman for Coronado VFW Post 2422.
“They devote their lives to keeping our world free and safe. The least we here at home can do is to have an overflow crowd of people turn out for this Memorial Day Tribute.”
Following past protocol, Local Post Commander Chuck Lucas will call the event to order. A Presentation of Colors will take place, followed by the National Anthem.
Captain Emilo Marrero will lead the Invocation, followed by a host of speakers that will include Mayor Casey Tanaka and veterans from various branches of service. The guest speaker is Major General Thomas L. Conant, USMC.
Major General Conant is presently serving as the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Commanding General. He has participated in various operations overseas that include, noncombatant evacuation operations in Liberia (Operation Sharp Edge), contingency operations in Haiti (Operation Support Democracy) and peacekeeping operations in Somalia (Operation Restore Hope and UNOSOM).
Major General Conant recently served as the Director for Strategic Planning and Policy (J5), U.S. Pacific Command. He is a graduate of the USMC Amphibious Warfare School, USMC Command and Staff College,
and Marine Corps War College. His talk promises to be both moving and
informational.
Perhaps the most emotional moment at the Memorial Day Tribute is when the lone bugler stands to the rear of the assemblage and blows taps. This, perhaps more than anything else, symbolizes this country’s great military legacy.
There will be a light complimentary lunch at the VFW POST 2422, located at 557 Orange Avenue, immediately following the service, where visitors can view the Salute To Service Memorial.
The Salute To Service Memorial was unveiled last year, allowing veterans and active duty personnel to honor their families on etched memorial tiles that include names, branch and dates of service and rank. The
Memorial also includes a Heroes section and a SEAL Team section.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars can trace its roots back to 1899. By 1915 national membership had grown to 5,000. By 1936 it was nearly 200,000. Today there are more than 2.2 million members around the world.
For information on the Coronado VFW Memorial Service May 31, or on the Salute To Service Wall, contact Michael Turner at (619) 865-4809 or [email protected].
The Color Guard is seen here at last year’s Memorial Day ceremonies in Star Park. Organizers hope this year will have record crowds participating in the event.
Photo by Mike Coleman.
One of the special traditions celebrated in Coronado each year is the
Memorial Day gathering at Star Park to celebrate our military.
Photo by Joe Ditler.
A lone bugler plays taps to conclude the Memorial Day ceremonies –
always a moving experience. Photo by Joe Ditler.
