HIGH SCHOOL OUTREACH
2010 NOV 08
During Veterans Week, Chapter 472 members visited the Liberty Charter School in La Mesa. LT Vicki Nenner, USAF had a sit down chat and spoke to some 150 high schoolers.
Accompanied by two Chapter members who spoke, Mr Robert E. Des Lauriers, a WWII combat warrior spoke to the teens of his exploits in the air over Germany. He is truly a hero of his day while his conversation was well received.
ORTIZ HEADLINES
2010 NOV 08
Ruben Ortiz, Chapter 472 member was headlined on the front page of the U/T during the Veterans Memorial Weekend. Chapter 472 is proud of the achievement of Ruben. As a recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal, he exemplifies the honor and integrity that make up our heroic side gunners who did their job above and beyond.
BROWN BERET
2010 NOV 08
Chapter 472 members were special guests of the Brown Beret Association at a nine course dinner held at Lee's Restaurant, on University Avenue. The military association gave a big surprise honor to Richard DeRosset for his many contributions to the Vietnamese clubs.
Over 200 applauded his "short" talk and Mrs. Kim Dang Trang spoke warmly of the Chapter's Artist and Historian. The Secretary Treasurer thanked the community for the invitation and applauded their patriotism and devotion to the Vietnam Veterans of America.
Diane Bruckman displays Richard DeRosset's medal that he received for being a nominee for VOY and for being the 2010-2011 Member of the Year for Chapter 472.
Mrs. Kim Dang Trang smiles as Eddie Martinez pins a brown beret UHY a Vietnam pin.
Senior Members of the Via Real retirement home were pleased to visit the museum and talk to the founder, Richard Lopez about the details of his work.
MEMORIAL ON WHEELS
2010 NOV 07
Patriot Richard Lopez and his wife Nancy of Tucson, AZ were on hand at the museum from 4 to 7 November. Richard travels all around the United States pulling a huge trailer filled with small cars airbrushed with famous faces as well as a muscle 1975 Nova totally filled with the events since 9-11. Richard pays his own expenses as he travels the USA. A member will assist Richard in locating donors and benefactors for this glorious endeavor of this Memorial on Wheels.
The beautifully air brushed memorial on wheel miniatures art surround the twelve large plaques that are inscribed with the names and photos of all those killed in Afghanistan and Iraq. Numbering over 4000, their photos and names are easily found by computer and displayed upon request. The small vehicles each honor an event in the history of the US as well as our patriots, presidents and the women who support these efforts.
Senior Members of the Via Real retirement home were pleased to visit the museum and talk to the founder, Richard Lopez about the details of his work.
VIETNAM VETERAN SEN. JOHN MCCAIN VISITS VVA472
2010 OCT 20
Everett Alavarez, who was in the Hanoi Hilton prison two years before Senator McCain, signed the POW mural with Senator McCain.
Senator John McCain of Arizona, warmly greeted Chapter 472's Vice President Don Barnard during the Senator's visit to the Veterans Museum & Memorial, in Balboa Park. He is seen placing his hand on the Chapter Vice President's shoulder after learning that Don was in the Airborne. Don was one of the twenty two motorcyclists that escorted the McCain entourage to the museum for a Veteran's Rally.
Senator John McCain graciously signed the magnificent mural "Triumph and Tragedy" at the Veterans Museum & Memorial. The Senator signed near the painted strands of tangled barbed wire next to the hundreds of other gallant servicemen who were prisoners of war from WWII to the present time. According to Richard DeRosset, the artist of this six year project and his personal gift to the museum and this fair city, there are no other museums anywhere that offers a unique mural where Prisoners of War may sign. It is one of a kind. It beautifully accompanies the adjacent mural where hundreds of Pearl Harbor survivors have signed the mural dedicated to that "day that will live in infamy".
CORREGIDOR SURVIVOR SCHLOAT PASSES
12 NOV 2010
Sadly it was learned that Mr. Don Schloat, a survivor of the Corregidor in WWII as well as the Palawan (Philippines) massacre where 147 of his friends were burned to death, has died at the age of 89. He died on October 31, 2010, some twelve days after visiting the museum where he visited a Vietnam Veteran friend. Mr. Schloat was born in Los Angeles, California on September 26, 1921. He was a Medical Corpsman in the US Army. He survived because he escaped, only to be captured and held in Bilibid prison in Manila.
He left the Army and worked for Walt Disney in Los Angeles. He is noted for his dramatic art. It is little known that he painted portraits in abstract of each of his fellow prisoners. The art is now in a museum in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
The VMMC is fortunate to have one of the four sculptures; a beautiful piece showing an American Prisoner of War rising from the tangle of barbed wire, body dramatically arched rising from the flames. The dramatic position of his body depicts the true American spirit; starved, beaten, but still rising above it all, depicting survival and defiance.
This piece can be viewed in the main sanctuary of the museum next to his signature near by on the mural,
The sculpture's dramatic dimensional barbed wire leads directly to the barbed wire in the mural where hundreds of POW's have signed their names between the rows of wire.
Other oils can be viewed in the POW room at the VMMC.
Don visited the museum on October 19 and spoke of having little or no family and that he was thinking of going back to the Philippines to live. He spoke of his "second home" in the Philippines and the wonderful friends he made during the three trips he made; the last in March 2009 where a Memorial was built in Puerto Princessa, Palawan. The grateful city paid the expenses for the building of the monument.
Private services were held at Fort Rosecrans and there were no details in the tiny obit published in the local newspaper. A dear friend, he will be missed. Rest In Peace.
BUCHER SIGNS MURAL
12 OCT 2010
The Veterans Museum & Memorial welcomed Mrs. Rose D. Bucher to sign the Triumph & Tragedy mural several weeks ago. She is seen pictured with her son, Mike. She is a very gracious lady and said that her husband Lloyd was also an artist of some accomplishment. His work will be available at the Christmas Party on December 11 for all to see.
VETERAN OF THE YEAR
2010 NOV 05
Vietnam Veteran Life Member Joe Waldo Brunner was named Veteran of the Year for 2010-2011 at the annual luncheon held November 5 at the Scottish Rite Center, Mission Valley. Over 25 veterans were nominated this year and included Member of the Year of Chapter 472, Captain Richard W. DeRossett, who competed against three other Chapter members. This year the Nominating Committee asked membership via e mail were invited to choose this year's member of the year. This was all concluded in a vote that included the present membership at a September meeting. The Chapter is very proud of this year's nominees and subsequent VOY. Congratulations to All. Fifteen friends joined our nominee at the luncheon this year; our largest turn out for the VOY luncheon.
Also present was Angel Aviles, who was nominated by a North County organization as well as the Charity of the Year nominee, Heroes to Hometown, represented by Chapter member Sunny Farrand, also of the American Legion.
Stu Headly receives high honors for his work from Congresswoman Susan Davis.
Melanie Bruce, Events coordinator of the VMMC congratulates Pearl Harbor Survivor Stu Headly on his achievement award as head of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association.
Joe Brunner receives the honor of being named Veteran of the Year 2010-2011 in award ceremonies conducted by Adm Rod Melendez and Will Hayes of the VMMC.
Congresswoman Susan Davis is flanked by Vicki Nenner, Al Milefsky and Chaplain Darcy Pavich.
Richard DeRossett and
Diane Bruckman are visited by Rocky Chavez during the luncheon of the VOY.
Congressman Bob Filner presents friendly Richard DeRosset with a commendation for his Member of the Year and nominee for Veteran of the Year.
Angel Aviles receives his commendation at the VOY ceremonies.
Congresswoman Susan Davis presents Richard Sunny Farrand with a commendation for his work with Heroes for Hometown and the charity's nomination for Charity of the Year.
CHARLIE SABERTON MEMORIALIZED
2010 NOV 01
Our oldest Korean/Vietnam Veteran member, Charles Saberton died recently in Las Vegas, Nevada. His family and children were nearby as he passed on. Charlie was the oldest member of Chapter 472 and briefly shared this honor with his grand daughter, Aviana, age 3, probably one of the youngest members of the AVVA in the United States at the time.
Because of his failing health, Charlie's extended family moved him to Las Vegas to be closer to the family. He lived in his new home for only three months. He is survived by his step daughter, Cici, and her husband, Joe Miller of the home. Mr. Saberton was close to his 90th birthday and will receive full military funeral honors on November 11, 2010, in Las Vegas,NV.
A member will represent the Chapter. The Chapter will honor his memory on November 6th at the final regular meeting for the year 2010. Charlie will be sorely missed but his memory will most certainly always be with us that knew him. .