| VJ DAY ICON PASSES
2010 JUN 23
Greeting Members,
Our VJDay icon Edith Shain passed away today at the age of 91. For those
who met her at the museum early last year, it was an honor and pleasure to
meet such a very nice lady who just happened to be in Times Square on VJ
Day and was (of course) swooped down upon.. by a sailor, kissed briefly,
but recorded on film forever. To this day, no one knows the sailor's name
and his whereabouts is unknown. Edith made many inquires as to his identity,
but to no avail.
Enjoy the attachment of Nurse Edith Shain, gone, but never to be forgotten.
So when you are in the neighborhood of the USS MIDWAY, stop for a minute
or two on the grounds near the port side of the ship and pay your respects
to a beloved icon now in sculpture form, and whom like the image on paper
will stand captured at that "decisive moment" in time, for many generations
to share.
Thank you, Nino Martinez.
DIGNITY MEMORIAL VIETNAM WALL
2010 APR 15
Greeting Members,
If you visited the Dignity Memorial Wall over the period of April 8 to the
morning of the 12th, you are one of the many who came to pay homage and honors
to the memory of the more than 58,200 men and women who died in the longest
war ever recorded for America.
The construction of the Memorial base was the responsibility of Chapter 472
and five companies and local businesses stepped up. LOWES provided some of
the materials while UNIVERSITY MECHANICAL provided a majority of the materials
and all of the hardware, tool and work truck, and construction workers and
laid the foundation after a Native American Blessing of the Grounds. Ronnie
Murphy and Eddie Martinez led the way on this April 7th first day.
The always caring and loving Vietnamese Community membership were at the
early morning blessing and their kindness in being with us is greatly
appreciated. At 930am the Dignity Memorial Vietnam Wall truck bearing the
panels was escorted by sixteen motorcyclists from the sponsor's Greenwood
Memorial and Glen Abbey Cemetery to the Veterans Memorial Museum Center.
Motorcyclists came from as far as Los Angeles.
At 1030am, RADM Rod Melendez accompanied by Sean Bulthuis, of the Dignity
delegation, opened the weekend activities and assisted former Chapter 472
President and Life Member, Jerry Stadtmiller in laying of the traditional
Purple Heart in the apex's foundation.
Mr Stadtmiller was a Marine and was severely wounded at Khe Sanh in May of
1968.
The next eight hours was spent putting down the walkway and the placing the
panels on the foundation by the Veterans Village, motorcyclists and finally
the Chapter although assisting throughout the day, completed the last fifty
feet of the panel placing.
Many of the members stayed until the early morning hours and departed. They
returned several hours later for the early morning blessing and ultimately
the 5pm opening ceremonies. The candlelight vigil was the following day on
Saturday, April 10 at 730pm.
The Dignity Memorial Vietnam Wall closing ceremonies were the following day
at six pm. Finally, the colors were lowered at 8am on Monday, April 12. The
offerings were catalogued and the disassembly began at nine am and was completely
done by 300pm.
The Chapter wants to acknowledge Paul Fusco for coordinating the event and
with the exception of a automatic sprinkler, a minor mishap, the event was
a total excellent.
Sincerely, Sal Pellerito, President Chapter 472 .
WELCOME HOME PICNIC
2010 MAR 27
Sixty plus members, friends, relatives, and children were on hand Saturday,
March 27th at the Adm Baker Recreational picnic grounds for a welcome home
picnic. There were games, a treasure hunt led by Don Leavitt.A fun raffle
was held with over $160 collected for the Chapter.
But the best was saved for last with the newest Associate joining the Chapter.
Little Ariana Francisco, age 3, is the great grand daughter of the Chapter's
eldest member, Charlie Saberton, and is the daughter Michelle and Alfredo
Francisco of Las Vegas, Nevada. She assisted the President Sal Pellerito
and Charlie Saberton cut a beautiful VVA Chapter 472 cake.
Thomas Gravelle was the generous donor of the cake. Many books, art work
by Richard Derosset, toys supplied by Don Leavitt and many other camping
items supplied by the President was a generous gesture on their part in helping
the Chapter gain some income. See
Gallery
SPEAKERS FORUM AT HIGH TECH SCHOOL
2010 MAR 17
The Speakers Forum members traveled in mid March to the Gary and Jerry-Ann
Jacobs High Tech School, San Diego, where a large class of eager students
listened to the Chapter 472 members of Don Armitage, Eddie Martinez, Don
Leavitt and Don Barnard.
The group were so informative that the school invited the veterans back in
the near future to talk to other classes. .
VIETNAM - NO REGRETS
2010 FEB 24
Chapter members attended a book signing by Vietnam Veteran Joel Richard WATKINS
in the museum. There was a question answer session afterward. The author,
currently residing in Brockton, Mass. joined the Chapter 472 on the spot.
Joel is pictured here with a surprise visitor, Mrs. Sybil STOCKDALE, at the
Liberty Station signing site on Wednesday. She was married to the late VADM
James B. STOCKDALE, a eight year POW in Vietnam. He was shot down over Vietnam
in 1965 and not released until 1973. Rather than go before the cameras while
in captivity, this brave office would cut and beat himself, knowing the enemy
would not put him on display for the world to see.
RADM STOCKDALE was selected by ROSS PEROT, as his Vice President selection
when he ran for President. The Admiral was one of the most decorated Vietnam
Veterans and a Medal of Honor recipient. He died July 5, 2005. Mrs STOCKDALE
currently resides in Coronado, Ca and was very active with her husband in
their cause for the POWs and Missing in Vietnam. The author was on tour with
his agent, Bettianne FLANDERS, a former resident of California and New Zealand.
She accompanied the author on a rare trip to California.
VVA 1031 AT TET
2010 FEB 24
Brother Chapter 1031 of Escondido volunteered to be the Color Guard at the
annual Lunar New Year TET Celebration held in Balboa Park on January 20th.
Led by Dan Papp, President are George Prather, Jr. and Ray Williams. The
Vietnamese Community Association and the Youth Alliance as well as the numerous
Color Guards of the Vietnamese Community were on hand for the morning ceremonies.
The Chapters joined the always generous and patriotic Association for lunch
after the ceremonies. .
BARNARD HONORED
2010 FEB 24
Don BARNARD was honored by the Veteran's Museum & Memorial Center when
he was awarded Volunteer of the Year for his service and volunteer work in
the museum. He received his award from Will Hayes, Executive Director of
the museum. Since there are many more volunteers, the musuem will host a
similar event the following week.
BREAKFAST FLOCK
2010 FEB 15
The Breakfast Flock met at the Family Restaurant in National City recently
for a sit down breakfast. The restaurant, known for their ample portions
of food did not disappoint the hungry jacks and jills that came in to chow
down. It was a success as you can see from the attached photograph. More
to come, so you all come.
VCA FLAG PRESENTATION
2010 FEB 15
The Vietnamese Community Association led by Mr Luc Nguyen and Mrs Kim Trang
Dang present the South Vietnamese flag to President PAPP of the Vietnam Veterans
of America, Chapter 1031 in recent ceremonies in Escondido, Ca. Chapter 472
lent a hand in assisting our brother Chapter along the way to Charter. A
large contingent of guests were present at the ceremonies that included a
reading of Old Glory by a WWII veteran.
MIRAMAR NATIONAL CEMETERY GROUNDBREAKING
2010 JAN 30
The Fort Rosecrans & Miramar National Cemetery held the much awaited
ground breaking on January 30th. In attendance were several Vietnam Veterans
led by Vice President Angel Aviles and Don Barnard. Tom Splitgerber was also
present. Don supplied the photos herein.
The support foundation of the National Cemetery was led by members of the
VFW with special guest, Medal of Honor Recipient 2nd LT Walter EHLERS, USA,
Gary Brown, Dale Smith and Jack Porath, all of District 1, VFW.
Dignitaries from all services were present at the Miramar National Cemetery
for ceremonies.
In the above picture, 2nd LT Walter EHLERS, USA, proudly stands near the
Commemorative Plaque for the newly dedicated Fort Rosecrans & Miramar
National Cemetery. See more pictures
in the Gallery
PURPLE HEART CEREMONY ON USS MIDWAY
2010 JAN 10
Fire Chief Lewis E. Myers of El Cajon, Ca., being congratulated by RADM William
French in ceremonies aboard USS MIDWAY after receiving two Purple Hearts
and a POW medal. Rep. Duncan Hunter witnessed the ceremony.
A federal employee and firefighter assigned to Vietnam in 1968 to train air
cash-suppression crews, Lew was captured by the North Vietnamese army and
Viet Cong during the TET offensive. He was wounded during a three day battle.
He spent five years as a POW in an area known as the Rockpile. He escaped
once but was recaptured. He came home in 1973.
Through the efforts of Ross Perot and Rep. Duncan Hunter, a civilian has
received these awards. Mr. Myers summed it all up by saying: "You don't have
to be in the military to serve your country. That's the duty of all of us".
U. Miller, the Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, welcomes
several Vietnam Veterans who were on hand to greet the new Purple Heart member.
Chapter 472 has more than fifteen Purple Heart recipients. Pictured here
are two recipients: Angel Aviles and Ulysses Miller. Not pictured but
on hand for the ceremonies was Joe Ciokon.
JAN MEETING
2010 JAN 09
Chapter 472 members gather around the Birthday Boys, President Sal Pellerito
and Board member Don Barnard who celebrate a total of 122 plus years of life!
The President announced that there will be six pot lucks to be held this
year along with many activities leading up to the November Casino Nite.
He also said there will be more contact with Veteran's groups this year to
make our presence know locally and at the State and National levels. A more
visible attendance of the membership in force is being called for by the
President in the local areas.
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