RICHMOND, Va. (Nov. 14, 2019) -- Master Sgt. Juan Mendoza Jr. and Sgt. 1st Class Juana Torres with the Fort Lee Sergeant Audie Murphy Club performed an Honor Salute for a 100-year-old World War II Army veteran during a Veterans Day Wreath Ceremony Nov. 11 at Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond.
The John Marshall High School Cadet Alumni Association hosted the noon event honoring Ralph Coplan for his service from 1940-45. Mendoza and Torres presented Coplan with an American flag as part of the special ceremony, and Coplan stood to return their salute.
Paula Miller, a Richmond friend and neighbor of Coplan for about 20 years, introduced the special honoree and shared remarks describing his life and Army service.
“Ralph has been...
Fort Lee senior leaders – including Maj. Gen. Rodney D. Fogg, commanding general of the U.S. Army Combined Arms Support Command – served Thanksgiving dinner to nearly 10,000 Soldiers and other personnel at its dining facilities Nov. 22, 2018. This was be the first Thanksgiving away from home for many of the new Soldiers here for training.
