VFW to Host Memorial Day Tribute in Coronado

On Monday, the Veterans of Foreign Wars will host what has become an annual tradition in Coronado and across the nation—celebrating the men and women who fell while keeping this country safe. 

The Memorial Day tribute takes place at Star Park at 10 a.m.

Lt. Cmdr. Scott Adams of the U.S. Navy Chaplain Corps will deliver this year’s invocation. As the Colors are retired, long-time Coronado resident Sgt. Maj. John Clampitt will stand and deliver Maj. Gen. John A. Logan's Memorial Day Order, “General Order No. 11.”

This traditional speech, as presented by Clampitt, will explain how Waterloo, NY, is given official recognition as the birthplace of what was then called “Declaration Day,” as he builds into a dramatic telling of the “why” of Memorial 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.

The celebration of Memorial Day went national in 1868, when Logan, commander of a national organization of union veterans called “The Grand Army of the Republic,” took the local observances nationwide with his “General Order No. 11.”

That order officially designated the 30th day of May for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating, the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during “the late rebellion” (the Civil War).

Logan’s letter continued to say, “We are organized, comrades, as our regulations tell us, for the purpose, among other things, ‘of preserving and strengthening those kind and fraternal feelings which have bound together the soldiers, sailors and Marines who united to suppress the late rebellion.’”

What came next in Logan’s letter has become the foundation of pride that reverberates even today. Logan asked in his letter, “What can aid more to assure this result than by cherishing tenderly the memory of our heroic dead, who made their breasts a barricade between our country and its foes?

“Their soldier lives were the Reveille of freedom to a race in chains, and their deaths the tattoo of rebellious tyranny in arms. We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance. All that the consecrated wealth and taste of the nation can add to their adornment and security is but a fitting tribute to the memory of her slain defenders.”

This abbreviated text from Logan’s letter has survived the gauntlet of time. But more so, the spirit of his letter continues to resonate across this country as we prepare to celebrate the memory of our fallen military May 30. Star Park will be just such a celebration.

Following the Star Park salute everyone is invited to attend a floral tribute and refreshments at the , located at 557 Orange Ave. 

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 purchasing their place on the Memorial Wall. 

Coronado Post 2422 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars has announced there are still spaces available on the Memorial Wall. The wall memorializes time spent by the individual in the service. Retired, active and deceased military are eligible.

For more information on the Coronado VFW Memorial Service May 30 and the Salute To Service Wall, contact Michael Turner at (619) 865-4809 or mturner003@san.rr.com.

Submitted by Joe Ditler of Part-Time PR.