Health & Fitness
Memorial Day Services, Monday, Star Park, 10 a.m.
One of Coronado's great traditions, Memorial Day Services at Star Park. Bring the entire family.
CORONADO – One of Coronado’s most distinguished and cherished traditions takes place on Monday, May 27 – Memorial Day ceremonies at Star Park Circle.
This event has grown in popularity recently. Just a few years ago a couple hundred people attended the event. Last year people were overflowing into the street as the mid-morning affair has turned into a gathering of children, parents and grandparents, and in some cases great grandparents.
Local Boy Scouts will be handing out small American flags to children attending Memorial Day ceremonies as a visual reminder of patriotic pride.
Memorial Day is, afterall, a time to pause in our daily lives to proudly fly our country’s colors. It’s a day to remember our veterans and to celebrate our active duty military.
This event is sponsored and hosted by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (Coronado Post 2422); the United States Navy League; Coronado Council; and Military Officers’ Assoication of America (Silver Strand Chapter). Retired Navy Rear Adm. Michael Giorgione is the guest of honor, and Navy Chaplain, Lt. David Carlson will deliver the Benediction.
This Memorial Day tribute takes place at Coronado’s Star Park from 10-11 a.m. There is parking on adjacent streets, but more and more people choose to walk or ride their bikes.
The ceremony will be called to order by VFW Cmdr. Chuck Lucas. Cadet Lt. Cmdr. John Wilson will present the Colors and Cadet Ensign Kayla Keough will lead guests in the National Anthem.
Marine Sergeant Maj. John Clampitt will deliver “General Logan’s General Order No. 11,” followed by comments from Coronado Mayor Casey Tanaka.
A reading of the 23rd Psalm by retired Navy Lt. Cmdr. Mike Turner will be followed by an audience singing of “The Navy Hymn,” as led by Cadet Ensign Kayla Keough. At that point, Turner places a wreath at the foot of the memorial flagpole, and US Army Chaplain, Brigadier General Wayne Hoffmann recognizes veterans in attendance, who are asked to stand to represent their branch of the service.
Perhaps the core of the Memorial Day service is John Clampitt’s reading of General John A. Logan's Memorial Day Order, “General Order No. 11.” Clampitt shares Logan’s original speech explaining the birth of Memorial Day - how Waterloo, New York is given official recognition as the birthplace of what was then called “Declaration Day.”
That first service was held May 5, 1866, and over so many years, decades and centuries, the spirit of Memorial Day has not been forgotten, even if the details of it might have faded a little with time. Clampitt delivers a dramatic telling of the “why” of Memorial Day, which always serves as the backbone of this very special salute.
Subtleties abound at this well-orchestrated and meaningful ceremony. But there is nothing subtle about the closing 21-gun rifle salute, the playing of Taps, or the group singing of “God Bless America.”
Behind the scenes, numerous individuals and groups work hard to make Memorial Day services so special. Among them are Boy Scout Troop 801, Troop 806, Coronado High School’s N.J.R.O.T.C., Marine Corp Band San Diego, and the Recruit Depot Honor Guard.
Following the Star Park salute everyone is invited to attend a floral tribute and light lunch at the VFW Hall, located at 557 Orange Avenue. While at the VFW Hall, visitors can take time to reflect on the Salute To Service Memorial Wall. Many Coronado veterans and veteran families have chosen to be remembered in this respectful tribute by securing their place, or that of a loved one, on the Memorial Wall.
For more information on the Coronado VFW Memorial Service May 27, contact Michael Turner at (619) 865-4809 or mturner003@san.rr.com.
This release created by Joe Ditler and Part-Time PR, serving Coronado's public relations needs. For more information call (619) 435-0767 or write josephditler@san.rr.com.
