,
As a non-profit organization, the museum is fortunate to have many partners in the community. One of those partners is Honor Flight San Diego. Honor Flight raises money throughout the year to send veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit their memorials and Arlington National Cemetery. Priority is given to World War II veterans and those with terminal illnesses. This weekend 80 World War II veterans will be traveling to D.C. and will receive a heroes welcome on Sunday. The homecoming is at San Diego Airport, Terminal 2 baggage claim at 2 p.m. Active duty military will "man the rails" and deliver salutes to each veteran. The event is free and open to the public.

One of our favorite times of the year is the month of November when San Diego County veterans are recognized for their service. One of those way to honor veterans is through the Veteran of the Year (VOY) program. We have extended the deadline to submit nominations; the new deadline is Oct. 9.

The winner of the four VOY categories will be announced at the luncheon on Nov. 6 at the Scottish Rite Center in Mission Valley. The individual winner will participate in the San Diego  Veteran's Day parade and this year's theme is "70th Anniversary of World War II Victory and Peace."

Proud times for veterans in San Diego!

 
                                                                                        Captain Sheldon Margolis 
                                                                                        USN (retired) 
                                                                                        Executive Director 

 
What's going on at your museum? (Museum events or museum partners)
  • Oct. 2-4: Miramar Air Show (MCAS Miramar)
  • Oct. 4: Honor Flight Homecoming (SAN Terminal 2 - 2 p.m.) 
  • Oct. 4: WWII Marine Ace Col. Dean Caswell speaks at Del Mar Hilton (6 p.m.)
  • Oct. 9: Extended deadline to submit Veteran of the Year nominations
  • Oct. 13: Free Tuesday admission to the museum for San Diego County residents
  • Oct. 13: Arts for All (2 to 4 p.m.) and Arts for Veterans (6 to 8 p.m)
  • Oct. 13-18: San Diego G.I. Film Festival - KPBS (various locations) 
  • Oct. 16: Flowers From No Man's Land presentation and book signing
  • Oct. 17: Commemoration of the 70 Anniversary of the Victory of WWII, UCSD Price Center's West Theater (2-5:30 p.m.)
  • Oct. 31: Military Women's Luncheon (MCAS Miramar)
  • Nov. 6: San Diego County Veteran of the Year Luncheon (Scottish Rite Center)
  • Nov. 11: Veteran's Day Parade
USS San Diego CPO Pinning Ceremony
Last month
Events, events and more events!
Last month our special evening program was a history presentation about the signing of the instrument to formalize the end of World War II. 
It was a multi-media presentation delivered by Admiral Melendez (USN, retired) and well-attended by our members and guests.

Fun fact: Each month we host about 30 events including ceremonies (military retirements, change of command ceremonies, advancements and promotions), meetings, seminars, birthday parties and renewing of wedding vows plus the rehearsals and walk through appointments that go with each event. Every event is special to the unit, organization or individual and one of the most special events in September was the USN Chief Petty Officer pinning ceremonies. On Sept. 16 we were proud to host four ceremonies on one of the most significant days of a sailors career. Congratulations to all the new Chiefs!

This month
Book reading, presentation and signing!
Alfred Earl Jones served in the U.S. Army during World War I. He was assigned to the 82nd Division, First Army of the American Expeditionary Forces. He fought in the Saint-Mihiel Offensive and the battle that ended the war, the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. Alfred came home from combat and never spoke of the horrific things he witnessed during the war. He lived until the age of 91.

When the author's grandmother passed away (at almost 108 years old), the family found a mysterious bundle of letters tied together in the bottom on an old trunk. The letters were all addressed to Alfred's mother during his time spent on the front lines in World War I. Inside the bundle of letters there was a small bouquet of flowers pressed into tissue paper. The inscription read, "picked in no man's land" (referring to the territory between opposing trenches heavily defended by weapons and artillery).

Aleeta Renee Jones (granddaughter and author) and all four of Alfred's children will be traveling to San Diego to tell the family story, read some of the letters, answer questions and sign purchased books.

Please join them on Friday, Oct. 16 at 7 p.m. at the museum. 

Current SD County Veteran of the Year, Bill York (former U.S. Army)
Next Month
Honoring Veterans in San Diego - 
San Diego County Veteran of the Year!
One of the best times each November is honoring all the military veterans, active duty and reservists throughout the U.S. during Veteran's Day events. In San Diego County we have have about 240,000 veterans and one will be chosen to be the next Veteran of the Year and another veteran will be selected as the Lifetime Supporter of Veterans. 
The selection panel will also choose a San Diego County non-profit organization and for-profit organization of the year as well. Past attendance shows about 300 people will attend the luncheon and there are ranging opportunities to be a sponsor of the program.
The luncheon will be held on Friday, November 6 at the Scottish Rite Center in Mission Valley and all four categories will be announced then.  Tickets are $40 and can be purchased by emailing the museum at info@veteranmuseum.org or calling (619)239-2300 to request an invitation an RSVP card.
The deadline to submit nominations has been extended to October 9 . To get nomination forms, please email by clicking on, vmmc.marketing@pacbell.net or info@veteranmuseum.org

Military Women's Luncheon - October 31
 
The kick-off to Veteran's Day events each year is the annual Military Women's Luncheon. It is attended by 100-150 people and women from every generation and era from WWII to today. There will be an all-female ROTC color guard and the keynote speaker is being confirmed but she is a trailblazer!

The luncheon will be held on October 31 at MCAS Miramar Officer's Club. The cost is $25.00 and RSVP's are required in advance. Email vmmc.marketing@pacbell.net to have a flyer and invitation sent to you. 
Stories from Museum
Capt. Don Kader with his aerial camera used to capture combat action from B-29 bombing raids over Korea, c 1952.
Archives:  Don Kader, Combat Photographer in the Korean War 
By Rick Appleton, museum's oral historian
 
Captain Sheldon "Don" Kader, USAFR (Ret.) served honorably in both World War II and Korea. At the end of the war he was a radio operator with the 441st TC Group, 9th Air Force, Troop Carrier Command stationed in Wiesbaden, Germany. Leaving the Army Air Force in 1946, Don was later called up for the Korean War, received his commission and served with the USAF 2nd Combat Camera Unit, 2nd Photographic Squadron stationed both in Japan at Yokota AFB and in Korea mostly at Kimpo and Suwon AFBs.
  
Don Kader at home, c. 2008
Don recorded significant action through the lenses of his cameras both from the air and on the ground at the Line of Resistance. As part of his Combat Camera Unit, Don also helped prepare documentaries and training films as well as documentary footage of the peace talks at Panmunjom prior to the truce of the Korean War.
  
Don's story can be read in the museum library's oral history collection.

If you would like to record your personal story to be transcribed and sent to the Veterans History Project in the Library of Congress, call the museum at (619) 239-2300 and make an appointment with Rick and his team.
WWII Marine Ace to speak  
 at Del Mar Hilton, Sunday  
Oct. 4 at 6 PM
 
  Col Caswell, USMC Ace and former Blue Angel will tell his amazing stories and take questions at the Del Mar Hilton, 15575 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar on Sunday, the 6th of October.

Admission is Free, all Veterans will be honored and are encouraged to attend. 
 
  

San Diego GI Film Festival: Oct. 13-18
 
The museum staff participated on the advisory committee for first-ever San Diego GI Film Festival. The committee selected short-films, documentaries and full-length films to interest every demographic. Some showings are family-friendly, some are free, some have special panels and events and some have appearances by the filmmaker.

For a full line-up of films and events or to purchase tickets,  Click here  

Commemoration of the
70th anniversary of the
Victory of WWII
 
Oct. 17 at UCSD 
 
You are invited to a Commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the Victory of WWII to remember and honor those who fought and even sacrificed their lives against aggressors in Asia and Europe to bring the war to an end and restore the peace to the world.  This forum is hosted by Association for Preserving Historical Accuracy of Foreign Invasions in China (APHAFIC), the Chinese Students and Scholars  Assoc. at UCSD, and many organizations of the San Diego Chinese Community. 

Programs includes five presentations on WWII in Asia and Europe and will honor WWII veterans, and victims of Nanking massacre, 731 Unit, Bataan death march, slave laborers, and comfort women.  There will also be music and dance performances, poster displays, and book sales on WWII history.

For WWII veterans who require transportation, there is limited availability for those in need; for assistance or information contact Dr. Nancy Lo at 858-459-7313, nancylo@san.rr.com, or visit their website, click here.

70th Commemoration of the End of WWII
L ocation: West Theater, Price Center, UCSD
When: Saturday, October 17, from 2:00-5:30 pm 
 

Museum News
Amazon Smile Supports the Veterans Museum with Donations
Did you know that you can support the Veterans Museum every time you shop online at Amazon.com by signing up with AmazonSmile?  It is a simple and automatic way for you to support the Veterans Museum  at no cost to you. By signing up and shopping at smile.amazon.com, you'll find the exact same low prices with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to the Veterans Museum.

To shop at AmazonSmile simply go to smile.amazon.com from the web browser on your computer or mobile device with your existing Amazon.com account or create a new account.  You will need select the charity of you choice and we encourage you to type in and select the Veterans Museum and Memorial Center.  Amazon will remember your selection and then every eligible purchase you make at smile.amazon.com will result in a donation to our museum.

You may also want to add a bookmark to smile.amazon.com to make it even easier to return and start your shopping at AmazonSmile.

 

Search our Museum Library Catalog 
Working on a project?  You can explore our Military History Reference Library catalog to see what is in our library.  
Did you know that the museum has a military history reference library with over 10,000 volumes including multimedia available to our members and researchers?  You must be a museum member to access the library.  It is not a lending library, but a resource to be used and explored.
Click on this  link or enter this address: 
 
Museum Loans WWII Uniforms to Coronado Navy Week Speed Festival 
WWII uniforms from all services were on display
  Coronado
Coronado Fleet Week Speed Festival honors WWII Veterans
 
Uniforms and Artifacts from WWII were on display at the entrance to the Coronado Fleet Week Speed Festival at North Island Naval Air Station last month.  Men and Women's uniforms from the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Army Air Corps and Coast Guard created a lot of interest from the attendees.  Additionally, our ship's bell from the USS Rocky Mount (AGC-3 ), the command and control ship for the amphibious operations on Kawajalein, Eniwetok, and the Marianas and Philippines was on display as well as several items from the quarter deck of the USS Proteus (AS-19).
 
A former USS Proteus sailor (wearing a USS Proteus hat) was blown away when he got to the Speed Festival and discovered the USS Proteus (AS-19) sign and Quarter Deck items on display at the entrance.
 
Arts for All and Arts for Veterans - New workshop in October!
The second Tuesday of every month, Tony the Vet holds two free sessions. From 2 to 4 p.m., children and families are invited to make cards for veterans and view a free puppet show.
 
From 6 to 8 p.m., our museum hosts free creative art classes (literary, performing and visual arts) for veterans. These classes are facilitated by Tony LoBue, Veteran, artist, and teacher of the creative arts and will include guest artists and speakers.

In October, there will be a FREE workshop titled, "How to Self-publish Your Book." The workshop will be presented by Bradley Zink, local children's book author who was featured on "Good Morning,  San Diego" and the San Diego County Fair.

 
To register, contact Tony at (619) 806-2075 or via email at Tony@tonythevet.org
 

We want you...to volunteer!
The museum would not operate without the support of its volunteers. Groups and organizations volunteer to do day projects such as organizing museum archives, painting, etc...  Individuals volunteer each month as docents, in the library and gift shop, to do research and be oral historians as well as administrative and event work. No matter where your skills lie, there is a volunteer job waiting for you!

We would like to thank Kappa Lamba Chi military fraternity and Kappa Epsilon PSI military sorority as recent volunteers to the museum. We appreciate the time you gave us!! 

To download a volunteer application form, Click here

You can also find out more information by contacting the volunteer coordinator at: vmmcvolunteers@gmail.com.


Recent Donations to the Museum's Artifact Collection  
Mary Bauer of San Diego donated WWII USMC uniforms photographs and artifacts from John F. Fenton who served with VMF-324 on Midway Island.
Marcy Beaty of San Diego donated pre-WWII Navy Uniform & sword belt, post-WWII Navy uniforms, books and USS John F. Kennedy memorabilia.
Julie Finnegan of San Diego donated the WWII uniforms, books, photos and artifacts from Thomas L. Finnegan.
Jerry Frazier of San Diego donated a collection of WWII Army patches and insignia.
WWII Patches
WWII Army and Army Air Corps patches donated by Jerry Frazier.
James Grutowski of San Diego donated two WWI medals from Edwin F. Snowden.
Barry Hickey of Manassas, VA donated a Prayer Book and a Veteran's Medal from the Spanish American War.

2015.086
Spanish American War Veterans Medal
2015.086 2015.086
Prayer Book given to Pvt Micahel Joseph at Chicamuga Park, GA, 1898, donated by Barry Hickey
Navy Nurse Corps Association of San Diego donated four pictures of Navy Nurses in Balboa Park during WWII.
Nurses in BP
Navy Nurses relaxing in Balboa Park, c. 1943 donated by the Navy Nurse Corps Assoc. of San Diego
Taide Pereyra of San Diego donated photos of Robetrt W. Marden's from Korea and Vietnam.
Edgar Tye of San Diego donated books, documents and letters from WWI and WWII.
Dr. Peter Umekubo of Bonita donated his father's Korean War Army uniform.
Michael Witt of San Diego donated seven large drawings of naval ships.
New and Renewing Members
Katie Brigham
Jonathan Cantero
Eugene Chappee*   
Robert Gonzalez
Maxim Gurney*
J. F. "Brillo" Licari
Angie Lockwood  
Suman Nayak
Dudley Oatman Jr. Family
James & Pat Reily Family
Raynaldo Rio
Bob Santos
Walter Valintine*

                                                             * Life Member                           
Click here to Become a Museum Member
 
Current exhibits at your museum
 
The Military & Naval Hospital in Balboa Park
  WMHR
Women's Military History Exhibit
Vietnam Vientam
Vietnam Remembered Retrospective
  • Vietnam Remembered: A 50th Anniversary Retrospective
  • Presidio to Pacific Powerhouse: The Military in Balboa Park 1915 to 1945
  • "Hold at All Costs"  - The last battle of the Korean War
  • World War I
  • China Burma India
  • World War II
  • B-24 Gallery
  • Iraq
  • UDT-SEALS Operations Past & Present
  • San Diego's Medal of Honor Recipients 
  • Dennis Schoville Vietnam Veteran
  • USS Orleck (DD-886)
  • Adam Sustackek, U.S. Coast Guard - Search and Rescue
  • Women's Military History
  • 5 Murals by Richard DeRosset
  • USS Missouri & Japanese Surrender Ceremony - Sept. 2, 1945

 

SeaWorld Waves of Honor: Free admission for veteran and three guests
Extended to  Dec. 31

 

SeaWorld® San Diego is honoring the men and women who have previously served as members of the U.S. armed services with a special admissions program.  Starting July 16 through Dec. 31, the park is offering complimentary admission to military veterans and up to three additional guests.


 

Veterans must register online at www.WavesofHonor.com in advance, and verify their proof of service through the ID.me qualification process.  SeaWorld is working with ID.me to provide an online verification of former military personnel in a secure and privacy-enhancing manner.


 

Once veterans and their guests have registered online, they can bring their e-tickets directly to the park's entrance turnstiles. Tickets must be obtained and redeemed by Dec. 31, 2015.

 

To register for your free tickets on their website, Click here

 

 
Know someone who would like to see this email?
To donate to the museum:
The Veterans Museum at Balboa Park, 2115 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101
| (619)239-2300 | info@veteranmuseum.org | www.veteranmuseum.org