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As we head into October there are many exciting events happening at your museum this fall. Next weekend we are so fortunate to have the 1940's era Pin-ups on Tour with us for a one-night only show. In the middle of the month we are honored to host POW and Pearl Harbor Survivor Display Day, and all month long the calendar is packed with arts events to suit every generation and interest.
Our staff and volunteers are hard at work to make this year's San Diego County Veteran of the Year program a huge success. This week we extended the deadline for Veteran of the Year nominations to Oct. 8., so please submit a package for a deserving veteran, nonprofit org or corporation. The recognition luncheon is Friday, Nov. 4 and tickets, tables and sponsorships are on sale now.
The museum's donation boxes have been filling up for Operation Dress Code where we are helping to collect business clothes, shoes, accessories and purses for military women making the transition to civilian life. If you know a military woman who can benefit from this, have them sign up for Boutique Day.
Lastly, staff and volunteers put in countless hours to make some much-needed improvements to the museum. The Events and PR director's office received a makeover and the lower level of the museum received a good ol' fashioned "Field Day".
Stop by, say hello and let me know what you think.
Captain Sheldon Margolis
USN (Retired)
President and CEO
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What's going on at your museum?
(Museum events or museum partners)
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Oct. 2: Honor Flight San Diego Homecoming at Lindbergh Field, Terminal 2 baggage claim (1:30 p.m.)
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Oct. 2: Creative Arts for All (2 to 4 p.m.)
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Oct. 4: Improv for All (7 to 9 p.m.)
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Oct. 7: Operation Dress Code collection ends (drop off at the museum)
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Oct. 8: Pin-ups on Tour (8 p.m. show begins- 7 p.m. tours open)
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Oct. 9: Creative Arts for All (2 to 4 p.m.)
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Oct. 11: Free Tuesday admission to the museum for San Diego County residents
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Oct. 11: Arts for All (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.) and Improv for All (7 to 9 p.m.)
- Oct. 11: Ex-POW's and Pearl Harbor Survivor Display Day (10 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
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Oct. 15: Entwined Art Installation Workshop (10 a.m. to noon)
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Oct. 15: Operation Dress Code Boutique Day at American Legion Post 731
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Oct. 15-Dec. 15: Toys for Tots (drop off location at the museum)
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Oct. 16: Creative Arts for All (2 to 4 p.m.)
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Oct. 18: Improv for All (7 to 9 p.m.)
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Oct. 19: Sing2Inspire (6:30 to 8 p.m.)
- Oct. 22: United Veterans Council meeting (9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.)
- Oct. 22: San Diego County monthly veterans memorial service (noon)
- Oct. 22: Massing of the Colors and Service of Remembrance (10:30 to 11:30 a.m.)
- Oct. 23: Creative Arts for All (2 to 4 p.m.)
- Oct. 25: Improv for All (7 to 9 p.m.)
- Oct. 26: Sing2Inspire (6:30 to 8 p.m.)
- Oct. 29: 27th Annual Women's Military Luncheon
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Oct. 29: Roberto Limón, Classical Guitarist
Concert (6 to 7 p.m.)
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Oct. 30: Creative Arts for All (2 to 4 p.m.)
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Oct. 39: Entwined Art Installation (10 a.m. to noon)
- Nov. 3-6: Save the Date for "A Christmas Carol" play
- Nov. 4: Save the Date for 2016 Veteran of the Year Recognition Luncheon
- Nov. 11: Save the Date for the San Diego Veterans Day Parade
- Nov. 12: Save the Date for the American Red Cross "Holiday Cards for Heroes" card-making event
- Nov. 19, 20: Save the Date for "All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914" a benefit concert for The Veterans Museum
- Dec. 2-4: Save the Date for Balboa Park's December Nights
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Pin-ups on Tour is back for a second year!
We are very excited to have Pin-ups on Tour back at The Veterans Museum at Balboa Park! Please join us on Saturday, Oct. 8 to experience the magic of the Hollywood Canteen. Pin-Ups on Tour looks to re-create the magic of this 1940's drinking club, which offered dancing girls, drinks and comedy entertainment for the men getting ready to go overseas. Come enjoy the fun from this bygone era, which will include dancing Pin-Ups, Comedy, Variety Acts, Soulful Lounge Acts, raffle tickets and more!
The mission of the Pin-Ups on Tour is to provide low or no-cost entertainment to veterans as a morale boost. In addition to the fun and laughter, these girls also donate proceeds towards shows they take to VA hospitals to boost and encourage those who wouldn't get to have this sort of fun otherwise. Come grab a drink, grab a seat and get ready to step back into a time where we sent our boys off to war with memories of red-lipsticked lasses and big band tunes! We'll see you there!
For more information about Pin-ups on Tour or to purchase a ticket:
Click Here!
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Nomination deadline extended to Oct. 8 for San Diego County Veteran of the Year!
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Prior San Diego County Veterans of the Year congratulate the 2015 VOY selectee, Ed Berger
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Calling all veterans, supporters, nonprofit organizations and corporations - Have you submitted a nomination for that Veteran who has continued to serve after service? Or have you nominated your organization or corporation for for all YOU do for Veterans? If not, please
Click here to see how easy it is to nominate and submit the application.
The deadline to submit nominations is Oct. 8, 2016!
Once you have nominated your Veteran, organization or corporation, it is time to make your reservation for the Veteran of the Year luncheon, where we recognize all these Veterans and nominated organizations for their contributions. This luncheon is on Friday, Nov. 4, 2016 at the Scottish Rite Masonic Center in Mission Valley. The menu provides you a choice of chicken, beef, salmon or vegetarian dishes. The cost remains at $40 per person. To register electronically,
Click here!
The deadline to RSVP is Oct. 28, 2016.
You will be able to purchase individual tickets, a table of 10 seats or you can sponsor a table of ten persons, at the level of gold or platinum. We are also soliciting for one title event sponsor. With sponsorship comes benefits of priority seating, annual museum memberships, listing your logo in all VOY marketing and media, and posting to our website and on social media. To be a sponsor, contact the museum at (619)239-2300 or log on to
https://voyluncheon.eventbrite.com
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American Ex-POW's and Pearl Harbor Survivor Display Day - Oct. 11
Please join us and local Ex-POW's and Pearl Harbor Survivors as they display photos, artifacts and record from their service. Come out to hear their stories or just shake their hand and thank them for their service.
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The second annual GI Film Festival San Diego was a resounding success!
For five days and nights, 28 of the best films about and by service men and women premiered and showed throughout San Diego. This year attendance grew 25 percent from its inaugural year in 2015. Festival organizers estimated 1,600 tickets were issued, outpacing last year's ticket sales by more than 400. In addition to viewing the films, attendees also listened to panel discussions and could attend a Military Pitch Fest and Mixer. The films came from around the United States as well as here in San Diego and ranged from feature length films to shorts, which gave the audience an opportunity to view a variety of stories in a short amount of time. They were presented within themed blocks so audience members could fully immerse themselves in the festival experience.
Out of the 28 films selected at the GI Film Festival San Diego, 16 were presented at the GI Film Festival held in the Washington, D.C. area in May 2016, including several "Best of Fest" winners.
● Best Documentary Short - "American Umpire"
● Best Narrative Short - "The Light Once Captured"
● Best Documentary Feature, Local Choice Award, and Audience Choice Award - "USS Indianapolis: The Legacy"
● Best Student Film - "Love is No News"
The 2017 GI Film Festival San Diego is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 18 through Sunday, Oct. 22. For up-to-date information on the festival, visit gifilmfestivalsd.org.
Artist Richard DeRosset signs prints of his painting of the torpedoing of the USS Indianapolis for the GI Film Festival. |
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Second Annual Operation Dress Code - Sept. 20 to Oct. 7
"Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to clean out your closets for Operation Dress Code." The clothing drive is happening now through Friday, Oct 7 and the goal is to collect items for female veterans who are transitioning to civilian careers. Operation Dress Code is supported through CalVet, Courage to Call, San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and the culmination of the event will be hosted at American Legion Post 731.
Pink Dress Code bins will be available throughout the San Diego area
where supporters can drop off new or gently used professional women's clothing, shoes, jewelry, accessories, and handbags. The professional attire will be available to women who have served or who are serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, during a Dress Code Boutique Event on Saturday Oct. 15, 2016. Female veterans can pre-register for the event to receive a FREE, personalized shopping experience by Clicking Here!
Your museum is proud to support female veterans and a clothing bin will be located inside the front door of the museum. There will be many more bins located throughout San Diego County and they can be located by
Clicking Here!
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RSVP for the 27th Annual Military Women's Luncheon - Oct. 29, 2016!
With over 240,000 military veterans in San Diego County, Veterans Day is a special time to honor each and every one, so we start with our female veterans. The kick-off to Veterans Day week each year is the Military Women's Luncheon where military women from every era from WWII to today's active duty attend this luncheon.
The luncheon is held at the MCAS Mi
ramar Officer's Club and more than 100 women will be in attendance. Doors open at 1100 and lunch is served at 1200 with a program to follow. The keynote speaker is Kathy Hansen, a retired U.S. Navy Command Master Chief and now a local small business owner.
The deadline for reservations is Friday, October 21, 2016.
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Toys for Tots Collection Site from Oct. 15-Dec. 15
For the second year, your Veterans Museum will host a donation box to collect Toys for Tots for the US Marine Corps Reserve annual drive. Come down and bring a new unwrapped toy for a boy or girl and drop it in our box from Oct. 15 to Dec 15.
For more information about Toys for Tots or to see other drop off locations, Click Here!
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FREE Creative Arts for the public - Drop-ins welcome!
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Stories from the Archives
Robert Lewis Markham
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Robert Lewis Markham, Korea 1953
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What happens when an Art Student goes into the Army and gets sent to Korea in 1953?
When Robert Markham joined the Army in 1953 he completed 8 weeks of Wiring School and was sent to Chunchon Korea, in the exact center of the Korean peninsula, just 30 miles from the front lines. He reported to personnel and at his in-processing interview they discovered that he went to Art School, and was asked if he could type, do drafting, paint murals, and even paint nudes? When he said yes to all the above, that stopped the whole process and he was pulled out of line while the rest of the new arrivals were processed. He was then sent to the "Club" (a tent on the outside...lined with plywood and rice mats inside) to work on nude murals and where a Major Rosemark told him not to paint any nudes. But the major was over ruled and he painted nudes on the plywood using scantly clad women on playing cards as models. After that, he had his job in Korea and became the local artist working with public relations for the USO and other projects.
Robert did the posters and billboards for
The Ink Spots (l-r) Jimmy Holmes, Essix Scott, Herman Fairtell, Harold Jackson, and Charles Fuqua, do an impromptu roadside performance for the troops, Korea, 1954.
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the USO shows coming to Korea and was backstage during the performances. In 1954 the Ink Spots (Jimmy Holmes, Essix Scott, Herman Fairtell, Harold Jackson, and Charles Fuqua) came to town; poor weather grounded the aircraft so they had to go by 30 miles of road to their performance location and Robert was sent to meet and bring them. The Ink spots stopped for lunch at a chow hall and put on a show for anyone available before continuing on; they received a standing ovation and then went on to their big show.
In February of 1954, Robert, and the camp, received word of a "special appearance." All pandemonium broke loose! Everyone had to have a finger in this one...especially Officers! Marilyn Monroe was coming to perform. He documented this visit as follows:
"The scene was an ocean of parkas and faces engulfing the entire valley up to the top of the hills...and trees. No one cared that it was snowing. The MPs roped off a ten-foot area in front of the stage..."
"Marilyn arrived by helicopter "snow and dust swirled at their faces as the big bird settled into a small space that remained of the clearing. The hatch opened to reveal a glorious head of flaxen hair above a dark blue air Force jacket. A pale arm managed to wave toward the crowd, just before it was swept down into the engulfing officers."
"I witnessed a crew of brave "protectors" pry her free from the onslaught and rush her bodily to the on-stage door. The sound throughout the valley was that of a ferocious and menacing tornado. Marilyn Monroe had arrived."
"I stood silently, not moving, in utter amazement, and green with envy, near the on-stage door. Probably because I was the only inanimate object in sight, she smiled and offered "Hello" as she brushed by, on her way to the dressing room. Her eyes were wild and dancing, and her voice was completely unexpected; warm, mellow and real."
"The next time I saw her, she was bracing her entrance through the curtained door as the drowned out MC attempted to announce her arrival on stage. With her hand on my shoulder, she inquired, in that firm mellow voice, "Is this the way out?"
"Once through the door, the wiggle began, with the breathless voice raised up a level or two, for effect. It was lost in the wind and sea." "The Tornado increased upon itself, and the MP line, backs to the stage, pushed with their feet in a solid line across the stage, against the rope, and a tidal wave of "men".
Marilyn Monroe sings Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend to soldiers at Green Valley in Korea, February 1954
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"She wore a "skin-tight" purple print jersey dress, held up by shoe-string straps. I was positive she wore no underwear."
"On bare feet, she wore thin-strapped silver spiked heels...and two enormous silver earrings dangled halfway down her neck."
"Falling snow melted before it hit the sea..."
"She sang "Diamonds are a girl's best friend..."
"No one heard, beyond the stage..."
"When she finished; she blew more kisses and left the stage, to don the blue Air Force jacket. MPs whisked her back into the big bird..."
"And, she flew away."
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What a story, what a memory, touched by Marilyn Monroe in the dead of winter in Korea. Robert Lewis Markham passed away in April 2015 after a career as a stage set designer. The museum recently received two notebooks of his drawings, paintings, photographs, and remembrances.
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RECENT DONATIONS TO THE MUSEUM
September 2016
Rick Appleton of Carlsbad donated 11 books on military history to our Library.
Don Armitage of San Diego donated 45 Books and a large unit plaque from HSL-43 (Det-9), The Desert Cats, deployed aboard the USS Chancellorsville (CV-62), March 1991 - Sept 1991 as part of Operation Desert Storm.
HSL-43 (Det-9) plaque with names of all members donated by Don Armitage.
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WWI Aviator Statue by Gorman donated by Alicia Benbough.
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Alicia Benbough of Chula Vista donated a 13" statue of a WWI aviator by Gorman.
Rae Berry of Carmel, CA donated Luggage tag from Hotel Caravelle, Saigon (Vietnam War Era) and a set of Navy campaign ribbons (NUC, MUC, ND, AFEM, VCM, RVNCM), Navy LT bars and Naval Aviator Wings.
Harold Chiasson of Sierra Madre, CA donated his USMC uniforms from the 1964-70 service.
Susan Davis of San Diego donated a collection of WWII era large (3'x4') newsprint posters including 5 large Army Training Charts and I8 double sided WWII Newsmaps including one illustrated by Dr. Seuss.
Newsmap from the week of Sept 13, 1943
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Newsmap from the week of Nov 15, 1943
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Jay Lott of Oceanside donated two USMC cold weather field jackets.
Alan Nibbs of San Marcos donated a collection of Diving & Salvage Artifacts, photos and plaques, including a Mark V diving knife, and a brass ships porthole, and his grandfather's WWI Army helmet.
Portia Northrup of San Diego donated WWII WAC artifacts including uniforms of Myra C. Watson and photos of Velma Hazel Watson.
Mary Pearce of Oceanside donated family WWI and WWII souvenirs including a WWII Army Air Force Silk scarf with 12th Air Force, planes and names of planes; WWII era Army Medical Department First Aid metal box, WWI canvas pouch marked "June 1917, Mills"; WWII Handbook of First Aid, US Office of Civilian Defense; Photo of WWI soldiers from Co. A, 310th Inf., 78th Division.
Emily Phelps of San Diego donated a WWII WAVES raincoat and blouse.
Jane and Bill Spencer of Encinitas donated Artifacts and correspondence from their father, Raymond Spencer who served in the US Army in WWII, including German Army pins, patches, banners, daggers, and souvenirs, her father's photo album, letters to the family, documents, 10 prints made by a fellow soldier, Coleman Rosen, and a book on the history of the 102nd Infantry Division.
V-mail letter from Raymond Spencer to his mother dated Oct 1944
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Letter from Raymond Spencer to his mother dated Aug 1945.
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Clinton R. Steed of Chula Vista transferred a loaned bronze bust of a WWII Seabee Chief rendering a salute to the permanent collection of the museum. The Chief is on display adjacent to the stage area in the main gallery of the museum.
Brian Storck of Imperial Beach donated a WWII era CAMCO #229 electrician's pocket knife
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David Suminski
of Bristol WI
and the USS Joseph Hewes Reunion Association donated 24 reconnaissance photos from Richard Cooper, who was an USAF Photo Recon Officer during the Vietnam War and a set of eight flags for the Veterans Memorial Garden.
Air Force KC-135 refueling 5 F4s
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8 F4s dropping bombs in Vietnam
Bomb damage assessment photo.
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Chuck Symonds of San Diego donated two WWI books with photos of the trenches in WWI and the Navy up to 1916.
Linda Van Deusen of Wolcott, NY
donated the memoirs, drawings and photographs of her stepfather, Robert Lewis Markham, who served in Korea with the Army in 1953-1954.
Robert Lewis Markham had attended art school before being called into the Army. He documented his 1953-54 tour in Korea in notebooks filled with drawings, notes, and photographs.
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On board a troop ship going to Korea.
Herbert Suckow, Jr., at Fort Lewis c. 1953
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Korean Village outside compound.
Koreans washing clothes at the river near Markham's compound.
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Waitress at Japanese Hotel, 1954.
Korean Village outside compound.
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New and Renewing Members
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Mary Chalfour*
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Paul H. Davis*
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James Downing*
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Ralph Schierhold*
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* Life Member
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Please join in welcoming home the fall "Tour of Honor" Flight on Sunday, Oct. 2!
On Friday, Sept. 30 the fall "Tour of Honor" flight took off from Lindbergh Field with 79 WWII veterans and a Vietnam Veteran bound for Washington, DC. The "Tour of Honor" flight includes a 99-year old WWII veteran, a former POW and three female WWII veterans including a Rosie the Riveter. The three-day trip will include visits to the National World War II, Vietnam, Korea and Iwo Jima war memorials, U.S. Air Force memorial and U.S. Navy Yard museum. The veterans will stop at Arlington National Cemetery and witness changing of the guard ceremony and the female veterans will tour the Women in Military Service for America National Memorial.
They will arrive back at Lindbergh Field at 1:30 p.m. (Plan to be there by 1:00 p.m in case they are early) on Sunday, Oct. 2nd. You won't miss the huge homecoming crowd at Terminal 2 baggage claim as hundreds dressed in red, white and blue and waving American flags welcome home these heroes. Active duty military will "man the rails" and salute each veteran and thank them for their service. For some, they are getting the homecoming they never received over 70 years ago.
Attendees should plan to carpool as construction in the terminal 2 parking lot is ongoing. You can park in the lot off McCain Road and golf cart shuttles will be available for transportation. Parking is free for the event.
The veterans travel at no cost to them due to fundraising events and generous donations. One of the fundraisers is the Aloha Run on Sunday, Oct. 9 at Mission Bay. Proceeds from the run will directly support Honor Flight San Diego. Volunteers are needed to make this run a success. To volunteer, contact MaryLou Scott at (619)405-1150 or via email at: 4mlscott@gmail.com.
To learn more about the run or to register, Click Here!
If you can't make the fundraiser but want to donate to Honor Flight San Diego, Click Here! Honor Flight San Diego is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and all donations are tax deductible.
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Military Order of the World Wars (MOWW) and
Massing of the Colors - Oct. 22, 2016
The Military Order of the World Wars (MOWW) is a patriotic service organization who believe in America and live by the motto, " It is nobler to serve than be served." They are a group of patriotic US Federally commissioned officers (active, retired and former) from all uniformed services, our spouses, and descendants. They are passionate about continuing to serve our nation and all of its people. They do this through outreach programs, which include memorial, patriotic education, support for Scouting and JROTC/ROTC, and recognition of public serve.
The 60th annual Massing of the Colors and Service of Remembrance will be held on Saturday, October 22, 2016 from 10:30 -11:30 a.m. at the Spreckles Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park. The event is free and open to the public.
This traditional ceremony honors the flag of our country and those, living and deceased, who fought to gain and preserve our freedoms. The ceremony is also designed to instill and foster patriotism and love-of-country. Please come out and join the celebration with members of our armed forces, veterans organizations, law-enforcement agencies, civic and youth groups.
Color Guards are needed and wanted! Register today with your contact information and color guard name at www.SanDiego-MOWW.org
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STAY CONNECTED ON UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON OUR
SOCIAL MEDIA SITES
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Know someone who would like to see this email?
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The Veterans Museum at Balboa Park, 2115 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101
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info@veteranmuseum.org |
www.veteranmuseum.org
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