Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Kim McLendon | Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Christi Ward, Navy Reserve Operational Health Support...... read more read more
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CANOGA PARK, Calif. - Ventura County celebrated the life and history of World War II veterans during a Spirit of '45 event held at Topanga Park Retirement Living, an assisted living and hospice care home.
Spirit of '45 commemorates the end of World War II 67 years ago and recognizes the generation of service men and women who served during World War II. They are the nation’s oldest group of veterans.
“Honoring our fellow service men and women of past wars and conflicts is intrinsic to our ethos and core values,” said Capt. Ronald Oswald, commanding officer, NAVOPSPTCEN Ventura County.
NOSC Ventura County color guard had the challenging task of changing the venue from the outside to indoors as the outside heat reached 99 F. Strategically maneuvering through the dining hall, they kept the American and Navy flags from hitting the ceiling.
Builder 1st Class Douglas Hoffman, NAVOPSPTCEN Ventura County, petty officer in charge of color guard, felt it was worth the time and effort.
“It is my humble opinion that if we fail to respect and recognize these veterans, it would be as if contribution and sacrifice was in vain,” said Hoffman. “One day, I may be that guy.”
The group of sailors included two hospital corpsmen, one full-time support sailor who is studying for her Bachelor of Science for nursing and one Reservist that traveled over 130 miles to volunteer her time.
Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Reina Reyes, NAVOPSPTCEN Ventura County, performed in the color guard and stayed after to visit with the veterans and senior citizens.
“It is important to recognize their service,” said Reyes, who gave up her study time to be with the veterans. “We are following them, continuing the path of freedom for our country.”
The national anthem was sung by Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Christi Ward, Operational Health Support Unit, Camp Pendleton, Calif. Ward lives in Arroyo Grande, Calif., and works as an emergency medical technician in San Luis Obispo. She drove the 130 miles south to volunteer her time to not only sing for the Navy but to get the opportunity to sing in public.
“I get an adrenaline rush and my heart races,” said Ward.
Before singing, she prays for a strong voice and to not forget the words. She had help at this event when the seniors, both veterans and civilians, patriotically joined in.
“It felt good to hear the audience sing along,” she said.
Expressing his gratitude for the service and sacrifice these veterans faced, Oswald personally thanked each veteran and said he felt humbled to be with them. He took time to hear their experiences, where and when they served.
“Visiting our veterans connects our newest generation of sailors to those who have gone before us. It is amazing to watch the eyes of a World War II veteran light up when they are speaking to a young sailor about their experiences,” said Oswald.
He feels it makes the older veteran feel young and the young sailor feel that what they are currently doing will have a positive and lasting effect on our military and our society.
Engine Order Mechanic 3rd Class Samuel Haberman, originally from McKeesport, Pa., served on USS Los Angeles and was a Korean conflict veteran. He thanked Ward for coming and bringing back the memories.
Attending the event, Yeoman 2nd Class Jacqueline Foster, NAVOPSPTCEN Ventura County, remembers the impact of meeting veterans when she was in grade school.
“It’s cool hearing the stories,” said Foster. “It’s important to know their stories because there won’t be any World War II veterans much longer, and we will lose this part of history.”
Master of Ceremonies Lyndsey Hale, the veterans’ community liaison for VITAS Innovative Hospice Care, said at VITAS "every day is Veterans Day" because in hospice we are seeing first hand just how quickly we are losing our veterans ... especially our World War II veterans.
Hale is descended from two generations of military service. Both her father and grandfather served, and she is a Navy spouse whose husband was recently deployed. According to Hale, the youngest World War II veteran is about 85 years of age this year if he joined at 18 years old. She mentions many joined younger but would still be in their 80s, and the nation is losing close to 1,000 every day.
“By visiting our veteran's in hospice, we demonstrate our commitment and camaraderie to those who have taken the oath of service, worn the uniform of the United States, and sacrificed to ensure the freedom and security of generations to come,” said Oswald. “Though the simple gift of our time, we are saying that we remember, we care, and we still stand beside you as fellow service members.”
For further information visit www.spiritof45.org for details on the Spirit of '45 movement.
| Date Taken: | 10.16.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 10.20.2012 03:16 |
| Story ID: | 96496 |
| Location: | CANOGA PARK, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 153 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Local military celebrates World War II veterans for Spirit of '45, by PO1 Kim McLendon, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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