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Spring has sprung in San Diego and there is no better time to get out and enjoy our beautiful southern California weather! There is so much going in Balboa Park and I hope that you will come out to see what's new at YOUR museum.
Last month we had a special evening program to celebrate Black History Month. We were so fortunate to have WWII Army Veteran, Martin Simms at the museum to share some thoughts. He was truly delightful to listen to and everyone enjoyed his stories. He thrilled audiences when he was interviewed by channel 10 news and sang some of his favorite songs on air.
As this month rolls in, we will celebrate Military Women's History Month. Please join us on Saturday, March 26 for a reception and mixer as we rededicate the women's history exhibit. Our director of exhibits has been updating the displays for the grand re-opening, so please come out and join the celebration!
Captain Sheldon Margolis
USN (Retired)
Executive Director
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What's going on at your museum? (Museum events or museum partners)
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Mar. 8: Free Tuesday admission to the museum for San Diego County residents
- Mar. 8: Arts for All (2 to 4 p.m.) and Arts for Veterans (6 to 8 p.m.)
- Mar. 8: War Dogs to Recovery Therapy Dogs (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
- Mar. 9: Movie day at the museum (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
- Mar 12-13: Thursday Club rummage sale
- Mar. 26: United Veterans Council meeting (9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.)
- Mar. 26: San Diego County monthly veterans memorial service (noon)
- Mar. 26: Rededicate women's military exhibit (5 to 7 p.m.)
- Apr. 21: USS Kirk presentation
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This month
Military Women's History Month
Please join us Saturday, Mar. 26 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. for a reception and mixer.We will celebrate Military Women's History Month by r
ededicating the updated Women's History Exhibit. Guests will be be able to mingle with some of San Diego's finest military women and hear short stories by active duty members and veterans.
The event is FREE and open to the public!
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Last month
Black History Month
We kicked off our 2016 evening presentation series with a documentary, guest speaker and presentation about how African American service men and women changed the course of history.
We were so fortunate to have WWII veteran Martin Simms (second from right above) as our guest speaker. Martin is now 95 years young. After WWII he got married, started a family, earned two masters degrees, became the first African American Postmaster for Jamaica, New York, and then Washington, D.C. and watched his children graduate college and raise their own families.
One of our SDSU history interns, Kenley Hansen, delivered a
presentation about the triumphant story of Carl Brashear's naval career and how he is considered a pioneer in the U.S. Navy diving community. Carl Brashear joined the Navy in 1948 and after many trials and tribulations achieved Master Diver. He was the first African American Master Diver in the Navy, as well as the first amputee to re-enlist and return to full duty.
We celebrate the accomplishments of these fine gentlemen and all the trails they blazed with their fellow service brothers and sisters!
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Thursday Club Rummage Sale benefits our museum this year - March 12 -13
The museum was selected as one of the 18 local charities to receive a portion of the proceeds from the weekend rummage sale. San Diego's largest rummage sale, started in 1927, will be held March 12 and 13 in the Activity Center (2145 Park Blvd., east side of Balboa Park) in Balboa Park. New and gently-used merchandise, including antiques, furniture, sporting equipment, holiday décor, kitchen appliances, toys, computer ware, books and clothing will be sold. More than $120,000 was returned to the community through last year's sale.
The Thursday Club, a group of volunteers dedicated to educational, cultural and civic community involvement and leadership for more than 90 years in San Diego, has returned well over $2 million to the community through club activities. Each year members of the non-profit organization assess community needs to reach as many groups as possible. Our goal this year is to raise more than $120,000 to help those in need.
Saturday, March 12 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sunday, March 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Clean out your closets, donate items and bring cash to shop! For more information or to donate call (619) 224-5264.
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Save the date - April 21
USS Kirk presentation
In April we will remember the
fall of Saigon, as well as the USS Kirk's heroic mission to transport and save thousands of Vietnamese refugees.
On April 30, 1975, North Vietnamese troops entered the deserted streets of Saigon. Tanks crashed through the gates of the presidential palace and soldiers hoisted the yellow and red flag of the Viet Cong. Just hours before, the last Americans had been evacuated, rescued and flown on Marine helicopters to U.S. Navy aircraft carriers waiting off the coast.
The Vietnam War was officially over. Now those Navy ships were steaming away from Vietnam. There was one exception. That night, the captain of a small destroyer escort, the USS Kirk, got a mysterious order to head back to Vietnam.
Please join us to welcome the Commanding Officer of the USS Kirk to the museum for an evening presentation.
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Do you know about FREE Tuesday in Balboa Park and all the activities at the Veterans Museum?
Balboa Park is a wonderful place to visit each month, especially every Tuesday! Every month more than 16 Balboa Park museums and cottages offer FREE admission to San Diego residents and active duty military.
To find out which museum is offering free admission: Click Here!
So what do we do at the Veterans Museum? Our FREE Tuesday is always the second Tuesday of the month. We have Fleet and Family Support Services with an information table, we show a movie, have art classes and puppet shows and have therapy dogs at the museum!
Our most recent partnership is with
Aztec Doberman Pinscher Club of San Diego  who does a program called, "War Dogs to Recovery." The display and information describes the history of how dogs have helped our soldiers, from the first platoons of Dobermans used officially in WWII to how we use dogs in war today. This program also explains how dogs are helping in the recovery effort after war. Service Dogs and Therapy Dogs play such an important part in recovery. Come meet some of these dogs in person, every second Tuesday of the month!
To find more information on Aztec Doberman Pinscher Club of San Diego: Click Here!
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Arts for All and Arts for Veterans!
The second Tuesday of each month, also known as FREE Tuesday, Anthony "Tony The Vet" LoBue, Artist and Educator facilitates FREE creative arts activities for the public. Here is a description of the programs he offers:
2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Arts for All (on upper level):
Activities for all ages regardless of skill level include Craft Kit giveaways, Children's Puppet Show and Make-A-Card for VA Patients.
6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Arts for Veterans (on lower level):
Activities for adults regardless of skill level. This month's Open Forum presents the "New Plays Production Program (NP3)" by A.A. LoBue and performance of a one-act play by Patrick Castaneda (Vietnam combat veteran). Actors, directors, playwrights and producers are welcome!
For more information on the museums arts programs,
contact Tony at (619) 806-2075 or via email at [email protected]
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Recent Donations to the Museum's Artifact Collection
Annonymous donation of photograph albums from Chief Boastswain Mate Richard Kong from his service aboard the USS Constillation, Ticonderoga, including photos of the recovery of the Apollo Skylab recovery in June 1973.
William Beal of Sun City West, AZ donated books, photographs, Navy Service Record, documents and letters from his father, John Wesley Beal who served in the US Navy from 1918 through 1944.
Allen Beddoe of San Diego donated a Crossing the Line certificate earned during the search for Amelia Earhart search in the Pacific on July 7, 1937.
Mary Jane Cascino of Skokie, IL donated a collection of books, documents, photographs and artifacts from Jerome F. Cascino who served in the Merchant Marine and the Army Transportation Corps during WWII.
Georgia Crowne donated this photo of 2LT I. H. Crowne,US Air Service, c. 1919.
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Georgia Crowne of San Diego donated her father-in-law's WWI US Air Service photo and his WWII uniforms and documents.
Steve Fahrlender of National City donated a cruise book from Mobile construction Battalion 3 for 1983-1984.
Gene Gilbert of San Diego donated photographs from Vietnam of Helicopter Combat Support Squadron 7 (HC-7) [Sea Devils], and articles on their history.
Meridth Kent of San Diego donated a collection of newspaper clippings, journals, letters photographs, and artifacts from her uncle, Jim Britt, who served with the 29th Infantry Division during WWII.
Jim Britt in unform, 1943. He served with the 115th Inf Rgmt, 29 Division. |
Jim and two friends in France in 1944, they all landed at Normandy on D-Day. |
Clark Kholos of San Diego donated his Air Force dress white uniform and several photos.
Tom Splitgerber of San Diego donated several books to our library.
Dennis Sullivan of Poway donated his USCG working uniform and photographs.
Ann Rogers of Chula Vista donated the 1919-1926 photo album of John McShane who served in the Navy and was home ported in San Diego.
Electrician 3rd class John McShane and unknown lady in San Diego, c. 1920. Donated by Anne Rogers.
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John McShane and his section after a Saturday morning inspection, USS Stoddert, DD-302, San Diego, c. 1920. John is in front row without hat.
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Robert Wada of Los Angeles donated a copy his book "From Internment to Solitude" to our Military History Research Library.
Jayce Wright of San Diego donated postcards, books, multimedia and artifacts.
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New and Renewing Members
| David Moran |
James D. Davy* |
* Life Member
Click here to
Become a Museum Member
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Veteran Golfers Association -
2016 tour launched Mar. 1st
The VGA Tour is the largest, most authentic amateur golf tour in North America for military veterans and their family members of all ages and skill levels. With more than 650 active members, the VGA Tour offers more than 80 stroke-play tournaments, including 4 super regional qualifiers, all leading to the VGA Championship at Pinehurst No. 2 during Veterans Day week each year.
Launching in March of 2016, the VGA Tour is a 5-month national competitive golf league that is broken down into three divisions: veterans, combat wounded veterans, and family members. Each VGA Tour event will consist of a two-day, 36 hole tournament where participants will earn points to qualify for post season play throughout the year.
VGA Members from across North America compete at military, public, private, and semi-private golf courses such as Pinehurst, Chambers Bay, Black Wolf Run at Whistling Straits, Queenstown Harbour, Fallen Oak and many more.
To learn more about Veteran Golfers Association,
Click Here!
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The Veterans Museum at Balboa Park, 2115 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101
| (619)239-2300 |
[email protected] |
www.veteranmuseum.org
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