Heroes Hall Dedication Tomorrow At Fairgrounds

A WONDERFUL EVENT TOMORROW
While getting so wrapped up in local and national politics I neglected to tell you all about a wonderful event tomorrow, November 11, 2016 - Veteran's Day.

GET THERE EARLY
Tomorrow, at 1 p.m. at the Orange County Fair and Event Center there will be a ceremony to dedicate Heroes Hall Veterans Museum.  See the following announcement for the details.  Get there early - seating will begin at 12:30.

WITH GRATITUDE...
Thanks to all my fellow veterans for their service to our country, to perpetuate a system of government that allows elections like those that occurred on Tuesday to continue.  God Bless You All.

Saddened, Disappointed... And Really Angry!

NOT A DAY OF CELEBRATION FOR ME
In the last hour of this Veterans Day holiday I write with a heavy heart.  Veterans Day is usually not a day of celebration for me, but rather one of somber contemplation about the sacrifice my friends and relatives made for our country.  I'm usually more than a little melancholy on this holiday and spend a good part of this day contemplating my military service a half-century ago and the fine men I served with during the Vietnam Conflict.  Many of my flight school classmates did tours in that country and more than a few didn't return, losing their lives in the steaming jungles and rice paddies of that country, leaving behind families and an unfulfilled future in the service of our country.

 MY COUSIN...
And, I usually contemplate my cousin, Gary, who migrated from his Ohio home while I was away in the Army to live with my parents and attend a junior college in California, to get a running start on his education.  When I returned home he still had six months to go to finish his two years, so he kept my bedroom and I got the couch until I got a job that eventually took me to Orange County.  When he returned home to Ohio he enrolled at Kent State University and was promptly drafted.  Did you see the movie "Platoon"?  Well, then you have an idea of how Gary's tour in Vietnam as a rifleman turned out.  He basically lived the life depicted by Charlie Sheen in that movie.  He made it home with three (3) Purple Hearts pinned to his uniform and with stories that would shake you to your core that he shared with very few.

MY UNCLES...
I think of my uncles - two on my mother's side who served in the Army in World War II and my father's younger brother who served in the Navy.

MY FRIENDS...
I think of my friend, Joe Bell, who served as a pilot in the Navy during that war and of my friend, Sparks McClellan, who turns 94 later this month and also served as a Naval combat aviator, flying Hellcats off carriers in the Pacific.  I think of my ex-boss, Dwain Lengel, who flew Corsairs in both World War II and Korea.  These men were part of Tom Brokaw's "The Greatest Generation" - those who saw their duty and did it, then returned home to help re-start our nation.

ANGRY AND DISAPPOINTED
But this year I end this day very angry.  I'm angry with some of our elected leaders, who apparently have such a hard place in their hearts for organized labor - and such ignorant disregard for what military service means - that they officially ignored the county-wide celebration held at the Orange County Fair and Event Center today.  Although this event was widely publicized and, from all reports - like Bradley Zint's coverage in the Daily Pilot HERE - was very well attended, the only reference to this day by any "official" city source was a nice, brief piece by Dane Bora on the Costa Mesa Minute Monday.  And, the Costa Mesa Police Department, which has many men and women who serve in Reserve units, published a nice piece on its Facebook page which included a comment by Chief Rob Sharpnack.  I've reproduced it below.

ANTI-LABOR BIAS AT PLAY
I'm angry that there was no official pronouncement by any of our elected leaders about this holiday.  I suspect that was because they couldn't comment on it without observing the event across the street - the one sponsored by organized labor and veterans groups.  So deep is their apparent hatred of labor groups that it has clouded their official judgment.  Shame on them!  Nor was there any official pronouncement by our City Chief Executive Officer, Tom Hatch, that I could find.  He apparently has been muzzled by the council majority.

WHAT HAVE THEY DONE TO OUR CITY?
What kind of a City have they turned Costa Mesa into, when the veterans of our area are ignored on this day?  What kind of shallow, vindictive, mean-spirited men do we have leading this city that let their personal animus about organized labor prohibit them from acknowledging the men and women who proudly served our country in the military?  I get it that none of the members of the City Council, men or women, have seen military service, but for this kind of shunning of veterans is unconscionable!  It's my understanding that councilwomen Katrina Foley and Sandra Genis attended the event at the Fairgrounds - good for them!  However, there were no sightings reported of Mayor Steve Mensinger, Mayor Pro Tem Jim Righeimer nor councilman Gary Monahan, who was probably busy yanking beer taps at his pub.

A MISSED OPPORTUNITY
And, the City of Costa Mesa missed a great recruitment opportunity, too!  It's my understanding that other law enforcement agencies had booths at the Fairgrounds, ready to provide information to potential law enforcement officers.

ANGRY, SADDENED AND DISGUSTED
Tonight I am saddened and disgusted with the male members of our City Council.  Those of us who served this country - who willingly put our futures on hold and our lives on the line -  deserve better.  This heartless disregard for our veterans will not be forgotten.

Veterans Day - 2015

A DAY TO PAUSE TO THANK THE VETERANS IN YOUR LIFE
Wednesday, November 11, 2015 is Veterans Day - a day to stop and remember the men and women who have served, and are serving, in the armed forces of this wonderful country.  In case you're a little confused about what this day represents, click HERE for a site that will tell you what this day is all about.

THINKING OF NEPHEW NATE
Today I will pause to think about my many fellow veterans - my war was the Viet Nam conflict - and will pay special attention to our great-nephew, Nathan Harrison.  Nate joined the United States Army following high school to become an infantry soldier and serve in Afghanistan, which is exactly what happened.  Nate was a member of the 25th Infantry Division and served a tour in Afghanistan as a rifleman in an infantry squad.  He carried a "SAW" - a Squad Automatic Weapon - and was the one with the most fire power in the eight-man squad.

Nate mustered out of the Army after his 4-year tour ended and is now home in Northern Nevada where he's working and enrolled in college utilizing the GI Bill and, at last report, plans to use his education to support returning veterans.  We're VERY proud of Nate for his enthusiastic willingness to serve his country and wish him well as he moves on in his life.  Today we remember him fondly.

ORANGE COUNTY FAIR AND EVENT CENTER
There will be a FREE celebration of this day at the Orange County Fair and Event Center.  Here's the information provided about that event:

More than 7,000 expected at Veterans Day community celebration

Event at OC Fairgrounds is part of statewide “Veterans + Labor – Partners in Service” project sponsored by California’s unions

COSTA MESA – Southern California’s labor unions invite veterans, their families and the entire community to the OC Fair & Event Center Nov. 11 for a FREE community celebration to honor our nation’s heroes.

GREAT AUDIO AND VISUALS: Military vehicles and gear; live music from the Swing Cats (10-piece band), the Bob Seger tribute band “Turn the Page” and more; kids making “Thank you” cards for veterans.

SPECIAL PRESENTATION: At 2 p.m., the US Postal Service will host its West Coast unveiling ceremony of a special postage stamp commemorating the 50^th Anniversary of the Vietnam War – one of America’s longest conflicts. Vietnam veterans will be in attendance.

FOOD: Free hot dogs, chips and water for all plus discounted concessions from OC Market Place and Ovations. Veterans get one (1) free beer.

The celebration is part of the “Veterans + Labor – Partners in Service” project. Union members statewide will participate in volunteer projects and activities culminating with this special FREE Veterans Day community celebration. Kids can enjoy face painting, bounce houses and games. This is our third year of hosting the event. In 2014, we more than doubled our attendance and are expecting a turnout of 7,000 attendees on November 11.

WHO: Union members, local leaders, other coalition partners and the entire community

WHAT: FREE community celebration to honor veterans

WHEN: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Nov. 11, 2015

WHERE: OC Fair & Event Center, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa

SERVICES FOR VETERANS: Union members, community groups and veterans organizations will be on site to provide resources to veterans, including information about family-supporting jobs, health insurance benefits, counseling, college and legal assistance, health screenings and free clothing.

FOOD DRIVE: Please bring you non-perishable food donations to the event! Last year, we collected four tons of food for our former military men and women. Last year, four tons of food  were donated.

Other activities include:

VETERANS + LABOR MOTORCYCLE RUN

November 11th, 2015
10:30 am - 1:00 pm

Join veterans and union members in a motorcycle ride from the Orange County Labor Federation, 309 N. Rampart St, Orange, CA 92868 to the Veterans Day community celebration at the O.C. Fair & Event Center! For more information, contact: Gilbert Castillo at gilbertcastillo@teamsterhorseman42.org.

Veterans Day In Costa Mesa Tomorrow

HONORING THOSE WHO SERVED

Tomorrow the country celebrates Veterans Day - a day to say thank you to those who have served in the armed forces of our country.  If you don't know the difference between this day and Memorial Day, click HERE for some help.  Tomorrow is the day we recognize all veterans - including me.  Thank you for that.

 (Click on image to enlarge)

VETERANS AND LABOR TOGETHER TOMORROW
Tomorrow, beginning 10:00 a.m. at the Orange County Fair and Event Center ( Fairgrounds) there will be an event - a series of events, really - to commemorate this day.  It is free to the public, including free parking.  Several thousand people are expected to attend.  Here's a flier on the event.

(Click on the image to enlarge)

WHAT'S HAPPENING...
The community celebration runs from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. and includes live music and entertainment; free hot dogs; Korean War Medal of Honor stamp unveiling; veterans resource fair; job access for veterans; motorcycle ride; historic military vehicles; care packages and holiday cards; activities for kids; and more.

BRING FOOD DONATIONS
Bring your donations to the OC Fair and say "Thanks a ton!" to veterans by helping to raise more than 2,000 pounds of food and supplies for veterans in need.

MOTORCYCLE RIDE
At 10:30 a.m. join union members and veterans in a motorcycle ride from the Orange County Labor Federation in Orange to the Veterans Day celebration at the OC Fair in Costa Mesa.  Riders will arrive at noon for a featured entrance into the Veterans Day event.  Motorcycles will then be on display for the public to view during the event. RSVP to Gilbert Castillo at gilbertcastillo@teamstershorsemen42.org.

KOREAN WAR MEDAL OF HONOR STAMP UNVEILED

At 2 p.m. the U.S. Postal Service Korean War Medal of Honor stamp will be unveiled.  This stamp honors the 145 Korean War Medal of Honor recipients who served among 6.8 million in Korea from 1950 - 1953.  Korean War Medal of Honor recipient Corporal Tibor Ruben, and Army veteran from Garden Grove, will be honored along with nearly 50 other Korean War veterans, including several Buffalo Soldiers.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Here is the schedule of events for tomorrow at the Orange County Fair and Events Center:

10 a.m.   Swing Cats Big Band & Dancers
11 a.m.   Opening Ceremony with special performances
Noon      Arrival of Motorcycle Run participants from Orange County Labor Federation
12:30 p.m.  “Turn The Page”—Bob Seger Tribute Band
2 p.m.    Korean War Medal of Honor Stamp Ceremony
2:45 p.m.   Retiring of the Colors

SEE YOU THERE
Please join me as we recognize the contributions ALL veterans have made to this country.  See you there...

Fairview Park Committee Videos Available and Veterans Day

TODAY IS VETERANS DAY

Just a quick reminder, as you pause today - Veterans Day -  to remember those of us who served in the Armed Forces of this country, that most of us did so willingly and with pride.  This a wonderful country with freedoms that way too many of us take for granted and are able to do so because men and women in the Armed Forces are willing to lay their lives on the line to guarantee those freedoms.

FESTIVITIES AT THE FAIRGROUNDS TODAY

And, don't forget the celebration of this holiday at the Orange County Fair and Event Center.  Festivities run from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. and includes the introduction of the new United States Postal Service Medal of Honor: World War II stamp at 2:00 p.m.

LOTS OF STUFF FOR ALL
The ceremony caps a free community Veterans Day celebration that includes live music and entertainment, free hot dogs, information on resources and job opportunities for veterans, free wheelchairs, historic military vehicles and armament, children’s activities and an on-site history project to document stories and photos from veterans. The event also includes opportunities for families to give back by sending care packages overseas and making holiday cards for ailing vets.

THE SCHEDULE
The schedule of on stage events includes:
10 a.m.   Swing Cats Big Band & Dancers
11 a.m.   Opening Ceremony with special performances
12:30 p.m.   “Turn The Page”—Bob Seger Tribute Band
 2 p.m.   Stamp Dedication Ceremony
 2:30 p.m.   “Springsteen” – Bruce Springsteen Tribute Band
 3:45 p.m.   Traditional Honoring of Veterans by Community Native Americans & Retreat of the Colors

VIDEO'S AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING
While you're spending time observing this holiday I want to let you know that Barry Friedland, who owns the YouTube channel Costa Mesa Brief, has put up on that channel the video recordings of the recent Fairview Park Citizens Advisory Committee meeting from Wednesday, November 6th.

SPIRITED DISCUSSIONS

You will recall that this meeting was full of controversy and it ran more than double the anticipated time.  Much of that time dealt with issues discussed by member Anna Vrska, but also included discussions by what I referred to as "dueling archaeologists".  For the 100 or so of us in attendance it was quite an intersting evening.

WATCH THEM AS YOU HAVE TIME
For the rest of you, I hope you can carve out three hours from your busy schedules to view the video clips of that evening.  I confess that, because I spent the weekend away attending yet another out-of-town wedding, I have not done so.  I have skimmed each of the three videos, though, and am impressed with the quality of the production.  The audio is a little sketchy, but you can hear most of the speakers most of the time.

THREE SEGMENTS...

So, you can watch the first 46 minutes HERE, the middle segment HERE and the final segment - where some committee members take exception to Ms. Vrska's observations, HERE.

THANKS, BARRY...
Thanks to Mr. Frieland, who appears to be the official videographer for the current power elite in Costa Mesa,  for making this video record available to us.

Veterans Day - 2013

HONORING MY COMRADES

Once again we pause on Monday to remember the veterans who served our country proudly in times of strife.  As a veteran myself I've written about this day for several years.  For those of you a little fuzzy on what Veterans Day is, and how it evolved, you can read about it HERE.

AN EXCELLENT LOCAL CELEBRATION
This year at the Orange County Fair and Event Center on Monday there will be a large free  celebration of veterans hosted by many of California's  organized labor groups.

Workers host community celebration at Orange County Fairgrounds to Support Veterans

Action is part of the statewide “Veterans and Labor – Partners in Service” project sponsored by California’s unions

COSTA MESA – To honor our Country’s veterans, union members, community groups and veterans organizations from across Southern California will be hosting a FREE community celebration at the Orange County Fair and Events Center this Veterans Day.
Veterans, their families and the entire community are invited to celebrate our nation’s heroes with live music and entertainment, free hot dogs, and opportunities to give back by sending care packages overseas and making holiday cards for ailing vets.
The event will also include a special stamp unveiling by the U.S. Postal Service, as well as information about family-supporting jobs, free wheelchairs and access to services for veterans.
The event is being held in conjunction with the new “Veterans and Labor – Partners in Service” project launched earlier this year (www.veteransandlabor.com). Union members all around the state will be participating in volunteer projects and activities throughout the Veterans Day weekend, culminating with this very special “Honoring Our Heroes” veteran appreciation event.
Sponsored by California unions, “Veterans and Labor – Partners in Service” aims to support and raise up veterans on three fronts: providing volunteer service, opening doors to good jobs and a special Veterans Day event to honor our heroes for their service.
WHO: Union members, local leaders, other coalition partners
WHAT: FREE community celebration to honor veterans
WHEN: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 11, 2013
WHERE: OC Fair & Event Center, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa
WHY: Those who serve our country in uniform risk their lives to defend and protect the freedoms we all value. But far too often, our nation’s veterans don’t receive the support they’ve earned or the services they need when returning home. California’s labor unions are taking the lead to change that. Learn more at www.veteransandlabor.com.

REMEMBERING THE VETERANS IN YOUR LIVES
I leave you once again with this very moving video clip with lyrics by Norah Jones.  Find some time this weekend to thank the veterans in your lives.  They deserve your gratitude.

Veterans Day - 2012

HONORING THOSE WHO SERVED...
Today, Sunday November 11, 2012, again marks Veterans Day in the United States.  Many of you will celebrate this day as part of a long holiday weekend.  Others will simply ignore it.  Still others will attend one of the many services around our area that honors those men and women who have served our country proudly as members of the Armed Forces of the United States of America.

SO MANY...
I hope you will take a minute to honor my fellow veterans - those who served in the many military conflicts that have occurred in my lifetime - World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan and other places throughout the world where our military presence has helped keep the peace.

REMEMBERING MY COMRADES IN ARMS
It's been more than four decades since I served this country proudly during the time of the Vietnam conflict.  I remember with great fondness those folks with whom I served, several of which were among the more than 58,000 who gave their lives.  If you wish, you can read other remembrances I've written about this day, beginning with the one I wrote last year, HERE.  Follow the links on that one to previous entries.

THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT
Thanks for supporting all of us who served this country.  Hug a veteran today...  And now, Norah Jones will leave us with a little video clip to help mark this day.

Thank You, My Fellow Veterans

REMEMBERING BRAVERY AND SACRIFICEOnce again we celebrate Veterans Day - a day when we should pause to remember the men and women who have served our country with pride and valor, both during times of war and in peace time. This link may help you understand this holiday. And, if you need a little more information, this short video clip from the History Channel will help you understand what this day is all about - it's not just another day off from work.



PREVIOUS ENTRIES
For the past several years I've written about this holiday around this time of the year. Here are links to what I wrote in 2007, 2008 and 2009. There are other links on some of those sites and I hope what you read and see there will help you appreciate the sacrifices made for our freedoms.

VETERANS DAY, 2011
Finally, this video clip will give you some current perspective on this day. Take some time out to tell a veteran "Thank You" over this weekend.

Veteran's Day

Today, November 11, 2009, is Veteran's Day. Please take a few moments to remember those brave men and women who have served this country with honor and bravery and those who continue to do so.

I've provided a couple short clips to help you remember the sacrifice each of our men and women in uniform make to defend this wonderful country.

REMEMBER THEM - AND THANK THEM

REMEMBER THE BRAVE
Please take a moment today, even if it's in the quiet of your own home, to pause and remember the brave men and women who have fought for our country.

90TH ANNIVERSARY
This Veteran's Day, November 11, 2008, is the 90th anniversary of the signing of the armistice in World War I. Fifty-four years ago President Eisenhower signed into law the act that created this day of remembrance.

HONOR THEM
Honor the men and women who serve in our armed forces throughout the world, and particularly those who fight in Afghanistan and Iraq.

PRAY FOR OUR LEADERS
Please also take a moment to say a few words for our President-elect - a man with no military experience who, in just a few short weeks, will become our Commander-in-Chief. Say a few words for him, for the men and women who will serve under him and for all of us..

HALLOWED GROUND
This photo is of the Florence, Italy, American Military Cemetery and Memorial, where more than 4400 Americans who fought and died in World War II are buried. I've been to this site and find it impossible to describe the emotions of that day.

REMEMBER THEM AND HONOR THEM

REMEMBERING AND HONORING THE BRAVE

Sunday, November 11, 2007, we will once again celebrate Veterans Day. This day was set aside initially to honor surviving veterans from World War I, but has been expanded to honor all surviving American veterans from every war. For more information you can find details at these sites, here, here and here and elsewhere on the web.

It's my experience that most folks have no clue about Veterans Day, except it sometimes results in them having a three-day weekend. Except for those of us who are veterans, most people don't even give the reason for the "holiday" a second thought, much less fly a flag or attend an event commemorating the day.

Many of us are so wrapped up in local issues - saving the critters, weeds and dirt at Fairview Park or fending off efforts of those who plan to "poison us" with fluoride in our water, for example - that we seldom take time to remember the veterans of our wars and their sacrifices for us.

I hope, sometime this weekend, in between football games or after you've dried off from your morning surfing session, you'll take a moment to seek out a veteran of our many conflicts and thank him or her for their sacrifice for our country. Today, with so many brave volunteers serving in hostile places in the Middle East and elsewhere in the world, it is especially important to show your support for their efforts to protect our country through their military service. Regardless of how you might feel about the validity of our presence in Iraq and Afghanistan, the brave men and women who chose to serve this country in dangerous, far away places deserve your respect and support.

We live in perilous times - when events even more horrendous than those of September 11, 2001 could happen here on our soil at any time. There are elements in this world who have vowed to exterminate us. What stands between us and more violence here at home is the bravery and vigilance of our men and women in the armed forces and local law enforcement departments.

Take some time this weekend to hug a veteran - we deserve it.