Dear Patrons, Members and Subscribers,

We hope everyone out there had a wonderful Holiday Season and Happy New Year! The museum enjoyed a very successful month with community partner, The American History Theater, as they presented the Vietnam War play, "A Piece of My Heart" Dec. 9-17. We were proud to have several Vietnam nurses come and participate in a Talkback after our last show, sharing some of the their personal experiences from the war. 

We also hosted our second Jazz and Juice, featuring our official poet laureate, Alyce Cooper Smith, and the jazz group, Musa Kaleem and the Vibrational Tones. If you didn't get the chance to catch this Jazz and Juice, that's quite alright, we'll be hosting many more in the future! 

As always, I'd be remiss if I didn't thank all our volunteers and staff for the work they do to ensure our continuing success. Without volunteerism, we wouldn't be able to do what we do. 

Lastly, I'd like to express my deepest condolences to the family and friends of our dear Rod Melendez, who we lost last week. We are all in shock, given Rod showed no signs of health issues. We are all beyond sorrowed at losing this beloved museum family member. A former executive director of the museum, Rod's hard work and dedication to our non-profit is paralelled by only a small few. His jovial attitude was always a delight, and I'm sure many remember him for his fun mustache. He will be missed We look back on our time with Rod as a gift that we were thankful to have. Please see our website for when we will host a special memorial for our dear friend. Each month, I know many of you enjoy our "From the Archives" section. Rod Melendez was responsible for this section, therefore it will not appear in our newsletter until we are able to arrange for someone else to update. Thank you for your patience as we work to fill in the gaps.                                                                                                  
Thank you to all our volunteers, board members, staff and veterans who put so much time and energy into keeping our military history alive. 

Captain Sheldon Margolis 
USN (Retired) 
President and CEO

  

What's going on at your museum? (Museum events or museum partners)
 
  • Jan. 19 - Music Night at the Museum 
  • Jan. 20 -  VIP screening of "Forgotten Hero of the Forgotten War"  
  • Save the Date: Feb. 10 - Veterans Support and Music Appreciation Concert
  • Save the Date: Mar. 17 - San Diego Enforcers Military Appreciation Football Game
This Month

Music Night at the Museum takes the stage again!
Jan. 20

Join VMBP and Louis Lacayo as we present our second night of "Music Night at the Musuem". We had a very successful run of this event in early November, so we wanted to treat our community to some live music once again! 

Lacayo is a musician, and sought to bring live music to the museum to entertain and honor our community's service members. We are honored to feature so many different musicians on our small stage, all there to simply share music with our veterans! 

We were also proud to feature our Poet Laureat, Alyce Smith Cooper, during our last show. Cooper, swept up with the music, was inspired to write a poem right then and there!  

This event is free to the public, although we encourage a donation upon entry. We invite all to come be inspired during our second Music Night! 

VIP screening of Korean-era film "The Forgotten Hero of the Forgotten War" - Jan. 20 

Did you miss this film during the G.I. Film Festival this fall? If so, you can join us for one night only for a special VIP screening. Join CAPT E. Royce Williams, USN, Retired, Director Vizcarra and the cast and crew on the red car pet, meet and greet, film showing and  panel discussion.

In 1952 while Korean War raged on, a U.S. Navy fighter pilot was forced to go against seven heavily armed Soviet MiG-15s secretly supporting the North Koreans. The Forgotten Hero is an espionage thriller of two superpowers at the brink of World War III.

We will be hosting a meet and greet with cocktails & hors d'oeuvres before and
after the screening.  The museum doors will open at 6 PM and the film will start at 6:30 PM.

Seating is limited so please purchase your ticket by going to: Forgotten Hero
Last Month
San Diego Veterans Coalition hosts Bridging the Generations 

Dec. 7 we were proud to host "Bridging the Generations". Hosted by the San Diego Veterans Coalition, this event was geared to share leaders' insights and life goals from some of our nation's finest service members.  

Panel members included SSG (RET) Sid Zimmerman, a WWII  Marine veteran and former tail gunner with countless missions over the Pacific during the war. LTC Susan Inot (RET), is an Army veteran who served on active duty from 1970-1973 and was then recalled in 1990 to fight in Desert Storm after 25 years of reserve service. MSG Charlie Inot (RET) is an U.S. Army veteran who served on active from 1964-1970, to include one tour in Vietnam. Lastly, NSW Operator Michael Branch, US Navy (RET), will join them to talk about his time working as a Navy SEAL. 

Thank you to all who attended and biggest thanks to the speakers and San Diego Veterans Coalition for putting it together. 

The American History Theater presents the Vietnam War classic, "A Piece of My Heart" 
 
 This December 8, 9, 10 and 15, 16, 17 we presented, with local non-profit, The American History Theater, "A Piece of My Heart", the story of six women who deploy to the Vietnam War. Hailed by the Vietnam Veterans Association of America as one of the best depictions of the Vietnam conflict, this play will show for two weekends this month. 

This show was made possible by a grant from The California Arts Council, attained in partnership with The Amerian History Theater.   With the help of a grant, American History Theater has been able to put on their most in-depth play to date.

"The play really sheds light on how badly Vietnam veterans were treated when they returned," said Berry. 
 
We also featured a talkback with director, cast and real-life Vietnam nurses. The Talkback gave cast members the opportunity to bond with the women who experienced first hand what they so expertly portrayed. A big thanks to everyone who attended and to all who made this grant-funded project such a success. 
 

"Join the Discussion: Evolution of Military Women" encourages women vets to talk without shame 



This year has been a progressive year for women. We were proud to keep the conversation about women's rights and women's strength going at the museum during a discussion workshop Dec. 9."Join the Discussion: The Evolution of Military Women" was a two-hour event in conjunction with The American History Theater's presentation of "A Piece of My Heart". 


 Denise Aburto with the Chula Vista Vet Center shared what Veterans Centers are capable of for veterans. She also addressed issues such as the new anti-harassment campaign with the Veterans Administration and how the #MeToo movement is affecting the armed services. Big thank 
Museum News!
Did you keep the watch at Cabrillo National Monument?

Cabrillo National Monument is looking to conduct twenty-five videotaped oral history interviews with individuals or descendants of those who were directly involved in, eyewitness to, or affected by military activities in San Diego (from Fort Rosecrans, WWI and WWII) AND individuals who
were part of the Point Loma Lighthouse Service history. The interviews will become part of the park's permanent archives and shall be used in future interpretive and educational efforts.

If you have a story to tell, we would love to hear from you. To nominate yourself, family member, friend or neighbor please email Eileen Martinez at eileen_martinez@nps.gov or call (619)557-5450 x 4572. For more information, go to:  Cabrillo National Monument
You are invited to the 7th Annual Veteran's Appreciation Dinner on Sunday, Jan. 28!  

Veterans, Active Duty Personnel, and their families will be treated to a free dinner at Fast Times in Clairemont.

Menu includes turkey, ham, roast beef, gumbo, and other great side dishes and desserts.

Sponsored by: NOLAH, Fast Times, King Technologies, County of San Diego, Courage to Call, Abbey Party Rental, San Diego Saints Fans and the Mira Mesa Lions Club.

Reservations are recommended, as seating is limited. Seating times are 1200, 1300, 1400 and 1500. To reserve a time, go to:  Dinner reservation!
Second Annual Veterans Support and Music Appreciation Concert 
Feb. 10  

The Military Order of the World Wars San Diego Chapter and the Veterans Museum at Balboa Park invite you to Veterans Support Youth & Music Appreciation Concert. This free concert will be held on Saturday, Feb. 10 from 1-3 PM. 

The concert will feature  San Ysidro High School Mariachi Mitzli, led by Ms. Wendy Charines
and Southwestern College Chamber Singers, led by Dr. Teresa Russell  



US4Warriors hosts Golf4Warriors to give back to our local military - Feb. 10  

This annual tournament brings warriors together with supporters to not only have an enriching day giving back to our military, but also one that boosts our causes supporting the troops, veterans and their families year around.

This year's tournament will be held at the beautiful Crossings at Carlsbad on Saturday, Feb. 1o.  Registration  begins at 0900  with a s hotgun  start at 1030. The f ormat is Best Ball (Lone Ranger Format). 

Each player receives a goodie bag, commemorative golf apparel, complimentary range balls, 1 free raffle ticket (need not be present to win) and complimentary dinner (at post tournament awards dinner).

All proceeds from this event support  Us for Warriors Foundation(Us4Warriors), a 501(c)3 tax exempt non-profit charity comprised of uncompensated veterans helping warriors live stronger lives. As the San Diego County Veterans Non-Profit of the Year of 2016, Us4Warriors strives to bring a fantastic day to all participants!

To learn more or to sign up as an individual or as a team, go to:  Battle Bogey
Hot off the presses - The January edition of Homeland Magazine

If you haven't read Homeland Magazine or subscribed to get it every month in your mailbox, you are missing out! Every month there are new, interesting and intriguing articles about the military. 

Homeland is a San Diego trusted resource reaching over 200,000 San Diego veterans, active duty, military families & 3.5 million nationwide.

Take a moment to get to know their magazine as it features resources, support and inspiration to active duty, veterans, and the families who keep it all together. You can read their current and past issues by clicking: Here!

For more information email:  mikemiller@homelandmagazine.com
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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