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Happy New Year to all our supporters. I hope that your holidays were filled with family and friends.
Last month we were honored that the San Diego Art Institute (SDAI) awarded the 7th Annual Community Impact award to our Arts Director, Anthony LoBue, a.k.a. "Tony the Vet". This award is given to an individual in honor of their generosity of spirit, dedication, and support of the visual arts while in pursuit of their own artistic excellence. Tony volunteers hundreds of hours every year for our arts program and we couldn't be more proud of his creativity and accomplishments!
As we kick off the new year, we are pleased to have The Bent Prop Project back for a special presentation. It was so well attended last year that they are doing a Saturday matinee and Wednesday evening presentation. They are a remarkable organization dedicated to finding the remains and artifacts from
WWII downed aircraft in Palau. I hope that you will join us to learn about what they found during their 2016 mission, talk about their 2017 mission and watch a short documentary.
See you during your next visit to YOUR museum!
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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Jan 10: Free Tuesday at the museum for all San Diego County residents - all day
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Jan. 21: The BentProp Project Presentation (2 to 4 p.m.)
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Jan. 25: The BentProp Project Presentation (7 to 9 p.m.)
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Jan. 28: United Veterans Council meeting (9:30 to 11:30 a.m.)
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Jan. 28: San Diego monthly memorial service (noon)
- Save the date - Feb. 11: Civic Chorale of Chula Vista to perform free concert
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The Bent Prop Project is back!!
Jan. 21 (2 p.m) and Jan. 25 (7 p.m.)
We were so fortunate to have The BentProp Project provide an educational presentation last year and it was so well-received that this will be the first monthly event of 2017. The organization has graciously agreed to another presentation and an update from the 2016 mission.
The Bent Prop Project is a nonprofit organization that conducts year-round research in support of their annual spring missions to the Palau Islands who are dedicated to locating and assisting with identifying American prisoners of war and missing in action from WWII. Their purpose is both to help bring closure to affected MIA families and to express our gratitude for these Americans lost in combat for their sacrifices in defense of our country, as well as for the consequent sacrifices of their families.
The BentProp Project consists of a small group of volunteers with varied backgrounds from across the country. Created over two decades ago, it has resulted in the repatriation of several missing Americans.
The event will be free and open to the public on Saturday, Jan. 21 at 2 p.m and Wednesday, Jan. 25 at 7 p.m. The presentation will provide an update to the recent missions and include a short documentary about the organization.
To view a video about Bent Prop, click: Here!
To learn more about the organization click: Here!
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KUSI News Showcases The Veterans Museum for the 75th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor
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Left: Rod Melendez, Center: Brad Perry, Right: Sheldon Margolis |
Early on Dec. 7, the museum opened it's doors to local ne
ws station KUSI Channel 9, for a very special morning news broadcast. Reporter Brad Perry took some time with our Director of Programs and Exhibits, Rod Melendez, and with o
ur Executive Director, Sheldon Margolis, to share with their viewers some of the stories from Pearl Harbor.
We also showcased a special Pearl Harbor Art Exhibit by Richard Saunders which was donated to the museum just one day prior. "It was donated at just
the perfect time," said Melendez. The exhibit featured paintings depicting the events of Pearl Harbor and paintings of the ships that were made famous during the attack. Melendez shared the historic
significance of several of the paintings along with information on the museum's usual Pearl Harbor relics.
Both Melendez and Margolis shared the stories, the courage and the honor of the men, women and families who suffered and fought on that infamous day.
Each year the museum usually holds a Pearl Harbor event in which our local Pearl Harbor survivors participate. But this year, our local survivors skipped town for Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, and journeyed back to the island of Oahu, Hawaii. There, they were greeted with and treated with deep honor by the local military and city officials. For this 75th Anniversary of the attacks on Pearl Harbor, we were honored to help perpetuate the memories and courage of our military men, women and even families on that day.
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Community Partner, American History Theater, Brings
Comedy to The Veterans Museum
Last month we were proud to showcase the work of fellow non-profit, American History
Theater. They presented the American classic, "The Odd Couple" on our small stage for two weekends. This uproarious comedy boasted a talented 8-person cast who brought us the story of slovenly "Olive" and overly clean and organized "Florence", who, in a twist of fate, become unlikely roommates. Some say opposites attract, but not this time!
The show was directed by Taberah Joy Holloway and starred local actresses Melissa Malloy as "Olive" and Kathryn Schellinger at "Florence". American History Theater looks to bring our nation's history to life through theatre, with a specific focus on its women. "The Odd Couple", originally written with two men as the leads, was re-written for women in the 1980's. AHT presented the female version, with a largely female cast.
AHT also works to raise awareness around veterans' issues, with a focus on women veterans. For more on what this organization has planned for 2017,
Click Here
! We will continue to partner with AHT in the Spring and Fall of the upcoming year, so keep an eye on our calendar to see what other productions AHT will bring to our small stage!
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Denny Schoville Gives Christmas Gift Baskets to Military and Combat Nurses, Honoring "Unsung Hero of the Battlefield"
For the last eight years, Denny Schoville has delivered Christm
as basket
s to military/combat nurses across San Diego. He served in the Army as a helicopter pilot during Vietnam. Wounded three times, it was combat nurses who saved his life. Each year Schoville meets with local business owner, Amy Lind, who runs a small g
ift bask
et business in Alpine, called The Basket Corner. Each year, Lind, who used to be a nurse,
assembles
upwards of 40 baskets for Schoville to deliver locally at locations such as Camp Pendleton and Balboa Naval Hospital and ships them to hospitals overseas.
We were exceptionally excited to see this story get some well-deserved publicity this holiday season. Fox News Channel 5 met us in Alpine at The Basket Corner to share the story of Lind and Schoville teaming up for the last eight years to bring military and combat
nurses some Christmas cheer.
"I don't think that military nurses get the recognition they deserve," said Schoville. His feeling of indebtedness to combat/military nurses has propelled him to continue to send out the baskets each year, ensuring these "unsung heroes" understand they are truly appreciated for what they do. He even makes sure nurses who are deployed receive gift baskets, working with Lind to send gift baskets to Kuwait, Afghanistan and Iraq.
Schoville raises donations throughout the year for this project. To give specifically to this project, you can donate by Clicking Here! and selecting "Combat Nurses".
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| Amy Lind and Denny Schoville at The Basket Corner in Alpine. |
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| Gordon Parks Exhibit Attracts Large Numbers, Dates Extended 
We were proud to feature the Gordon Parks exhibit for an extended length of time last month and into January. Initially slated to run until Dec. 15, we extended the exhibit date due to the large numbers it attracted. The exhibit remained up until Jan 3. We were glad to partner with The San Diego African American Fine Art Museum for this project. We sought to draw attention to an African American icon who expertly and artistically chronicled a time in history when African American's were struggling for their American identity. Parks took a special interest in African American service members during this time, some of whom were serving their country in wartime overseas, but upon their return to the states, were denied the right to take part in many of the freedoms they fought for.
We hope to expound on this exhibit in the future and bring this portion of history, and more of Parks' work, further into our local limelight. A big thanks to The San Diego African American Fine Arts Museum for the collaboration!
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Stories from the Archives
Seaman Apprentice Davy Coke, Memphis, TN, c. 1970.
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Aviation Machinist Mate 2
Davy Coke Served in Vietnam
Davy Coke was born in Jamaica, West Indies, attended Roosevelt High School in Bronx, NY, and enlisted in the US Navy in 1970. He scored in the top 5 percentile on his tests and qualified for aviation ratings after boot camp. He attended Aviation Machinist Mate's Jet Mechanic 'A' school in Memphis TN and was assigned to NAS China Lake, CA. He then reported aboard the USS Cleveland (LPD-7) supporting Helicopter operations where he performed operational safety and readiness duties in addition to being a lead mechanic and Crew Chief.
USS Cleveland (LPD-7
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USS Midway (CV-41)
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He was also assigned to the USS Midway supporting rescue crew operations. During this period Davy had the honor to work under the first African American to command an aircraft carrier, CAPT Lawrence Chambers, a decorated combat pilot who would go on to become the first African American Naval Academy Graduate to be promoted to Admiral. These were tough times and racial strife was not uncommon in a large community like an aircraft carrier. When some on the ship began to request transfer after CAPT Chambers reported aboard, Admiral Harris, the Battle Group Commander, called all the officers and crew together and said he would not approve any transfers, instead he would only accept permanent resignations without pensions or retirement pay. Admiral Harris also stated that he would not have assigned Captain Chambers this duty unless he was highly qualified; and made a declaration that U.S. Navy was not for some Americans but it was for all, and if the officers and men had a problem with serving under a Black Captain that they would not be welcomed in his Navy.
AD-2 Coke on the flight deck aboard the Midway.
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Davy (green shirt) at Steel Beach Picnic.
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Davy completed three deployments to Vietnam and completed 6 more years in the Navy including assignments with Helicopter Squadron 8 flying the new SH-3D Sea King aboard the USS Kitty Hawk homeported in Yokosuka, Japan. Medically retired from NAS North Island in 1980, he went on to complete 21 years in the defense aerospace industry and provided volunteer peer support for patients at the San Diego VA Hospital and was a member of the Veterans Administration's Advisory Committee on Women Veterans that worked to improve healthcare and access for women veterans.
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Amazon Smile!! 
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.
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FREE Creative Arts for the public - No skill required and drop-ins welcome!
Join us for Family Fun on Free Tuesday!
Lower Level
3 to 5 p.m. - Arts for All Forum
Every Tuesday
6 to 9 p.m.
Workshops: ARTS FOR VETERANS
Lower Level
Reservations required! Limited seating!
1. Bronze Casting by Veterans Art Project
Free: Only for Veterans, Military and Spouses.
2. Artwork Preparation for National Veterans Creative Arts Festival (NVCAF) 2017 at VA La Jolla Hospital on 2-16-17 with entries needed by 2-13-17.
Free: Only for Veterans enrolled in the VA San Diego Healthcare System.
6 to 9 p.m.
Workshops:
ARTS FOR ALL
Lower Level
1. One Act Play Festival Production Team: Actors, Directors, Crew, Promotion, Public Relations and Script Readers FREE! PUBLIC! RESERVATIONS REQUIRED!
Performance Schedule:
Friday-Sunday
21-23 April 2017
Katie Turner, PhD Theatre
Artist in Residence
2. Playwriting for One Act Play Competition (OAPC):
Open to the public. All Skill Levels.
Enrollment & Donation/Tuition required! Scholarships available only for qualified Veterans.
3. Call for One Act Plays (10-page, 10-minute, minimalist, any genre and "VET/FAM" theme: US Veterans and their Families)
Deadline: Tuesday, 31 January 2017. $10. Submission Fee per Entry. Limit 5 entries per Author. Email only. AUTHOR retains copyright.
***Events subject to change without notice
Call for Interns & Volunteers!
- Assistant Art Director
- Ambassadors for Make-A-Card for VA Hospital Patients Program
- Artists in Residence
- Promotion
- Public Relations
Arts Director
Cell: 619-806-2075
ArtsDirector@veteranmuseum.org
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Recent Donations the Museum
December 2016
Carlos and Nancy Hadaway of Fountain Hills AZ
donated a collection of his Navy Cartoons drawn for the US Naval Training Center's base newspaper, The Hoist, from 1961-1962. San Diego High graduate Carlos Hadaway was a seaman apprentice in 1961 when a superior told him about a contest being held by the Padres who were looking for a mascot. Hadaway wanted to do something with a Padre swinging a bat, and using his cartoon background drawing a comic strip called 'Square dat Hadaway' for the Hoist, and he came up with a few sketches of a brown-robed friar. His Chief chose two of them and submitted them to the Padres on his behalf. His design was chosen and you can see the photo below with Padres Management. After his tour in the Navy Carlos went on to become a noted western artist based in Arizona.
Carlos Hadaway with his winning Padres Friar design, c. 1961
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Two Hadaway cartoon strips from the NTC Hoist in c. 1961.
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Larry Lamb of San Diego
donated two boxes of 35mm color slides and three magazines from Vietnam.
Sheldon Margolis of San Diego
donated four books and a complete DVD set of "Victory at Sea" documentary from WWII.
Shizue Maruyama of Chula Vista
donated the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Combat Medical Badge, and expert and sharpshooter marksmanship pins worn by her husband, then Pvt Hideo Maruyama, during his service with the Medical Company of the famous Nisei 442nd Regimental Combat Team during WWII. The 442nd RCT was awarded seven (7) Distinguished Unit Citations during their combat tour in the European Theater.
Hideo Maruyama's Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Combat Medic Badge & rifle & bayonet proficiency badges.
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442 Regimental Combat Team shoulder patch and "Go For Broke" regimental pin.
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Lynda Meacham of Hemet, CA
donated 25 recordings produced by Armed Forces Radio Service "The Voice of Information and Education"
William Jensen of San Diego
donated his grandfather's WWI medical field kit and canvas leggings from WWI; Dr. James L. Jensen, MD, served in WWI and led two ambulance corps in France at the front lines. Additionally, he donated Navy uniforms and equipment from his father, Ensign William Jensen's, service as an enlisted sailor and then an officer in WWII.
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Ens, William Jensen's WWII Navy Gray Uniform
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Dr. James Jensen's Army field medical kit he used in France during WWI.
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Barbara Gieskes of Del Mar
donated a Navy Nurse's Cape, two hats, and a Navy Nurse Plaque belonging to LCDR Mary Jane Carthers who served from 1954 to 1973 and was a plank owner of Camp Pendelton Naval Hospital.
Navy Nurse Corps' Plaque: "Lest We Forget The White Shoe Navy Supports the Fleet". A Plaque like this could be found in every Navy Officer's Club world wide.
From the Mary Jane Carthers donation.
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Navy Life Raft First Aid Kit donated by Herman Ratliff.
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Herman Ratliff of Chula Vista
donated a WWII era Navy Life Raft First Aid Kit.
Calan Rawleigh of Oceanside
donated three Vietnam era Oral History DVDs and transcripts completed as part of his Eagle Scout Project.
Mike Rigdon of San Diego
donated a framed battle flag flown on the USS Thornhill (DE-195) during operations in WWII 1945.
Dr. Abe Schragge of the KDI School of Public Management in Korea
donated recordings the B-24 60th Anniversary Reunion, December 11th, 1999 including recordings of seminars featuring panel discussions and short talks by former B-24 flight crew members.
Stewart Gregory of San Diego
donated 20 paintings by Richard Saunders including six of Pearl Harbor on 7 Dec 1941, and the remainder of various ships and battles from WWII. Richard Saunders was an illustrator and lived in San Diego for many years and was scout master for San Diego Troop 266 during his tenure. His father served on the USS Nevada and Richard had walked the decks of many of the ships that were badly damaged during the Pearl Harbor attack.
USS West Virginia BB-48 with OS2U Kingfisher 1945, by Richard Saunders.
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USS Arizona's last sortie November 1941 by Richard Saunders
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USS Saratoga & a Dauntless Dive Bomber, September 1944, by Richard Saunders.
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USS Tautog and USS Gudgeon with a Catalina PBY-2 flying overhead, by Richard Saunders.
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Richard Wiernik of San Diego
donated a framed print of the USS Chicago and 16 additional custom made frames.
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New and Renewing Members
| Robert & Mary Jane Altman* |
Allen Beddoe |
| Terry & Jonette Briers Family |
Jo Anne Bryan |
| Gary & Linda Clark Family |
Ransey & Judy Clark Family |
| Nicholas Dirkx* |
Debbie Emery Flores Family |
| Dick Fisher* |
Richard & Rebecca Flanagan Family |
| Lue Hintz Family |
Patricia Johnston Family |
| J. F. "Brillo" Licari Family |
Patricia Louis Family |
| Marilyn Marshall Family |
Mel & Joan Mayuiers Family |
| David & Laurie Miller Family |
Hank Schanstra |
| Nancy Nelson Family |
Amy Overton-Buck Family |
| Jacquelyn Owens Family |
Kathy Owens Family |
| Delores & Deb Parks Family |
James & Patricia Reily* |
| Mary Jane Rimes Family |
John & Cathie Robbins Family |
| Diane Sandoval Family |
John Sothras* |
| William Tunstall* |
Allen & Jan Turner Family |
| Catherine Watkins Family |
Goldie Wollman Family |
| Larry & Sandra Zinn Family |
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* Life Member
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Save the date - Saturday, Feb. 11
Military Order of the World Wars and The Veterans Museum at Balboa Park Sponsor First Annual
Veterans Support Youth & Music Appreciation Concert
Free Concert open to the public f
eaturing
Civic Chorale of Chula Vista, led by Ms. Teresa Russell
and
San Ysidro High School Mariachi Mitzli, led by Ms. Wendy Charines
Schedule of Events
1 pm - American Flag posted by color guard
Civic Chorale sings National Anthem
1:10 pm - Civic Chorale presents Music of America
2 pm - Intermission
2:10 pm - San Ysidro High School Mariachi Mitzli presents award winning selections
3 pm- Conclusion
For more information about Military Order of the World Wars,
Click Here!
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Courage to Call to host food distribution
Saturday, Jan. 14 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Courage to Call in conjunction with Feeding America is doing a Food Distribution twice a month for all active duty, veterans, guard, reservists and their families.
The next one is:
January 14, 2017: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 9465 Farnham Street, San Diego (Courage to Call offices)
RSVP to: CouragetoCall@mhsinc.org
For more information about Courage to Call and their services, Click Here!
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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
| (619)239-2300 |
info@veteranmuseum.org |
www.veteranmuseum.org
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