Sunday afternoon not only will be Veterans Appreciation Day, celebrated with our weekly rally at the National Veterans Home in West L.A., but also the 123rd anniversary of the Land Grant Deed, cementing forever the status of our National Home.
Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 13, will host the star-quality all-afternoon program that begins at 1 o’clock.
Program Emcee: Dave Culmer, Retired, U.S. Marine Corp. Korean and Vietnam War Veteran, Dave is a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans, Chairman of the National Veterans Foundation; Service Director for the American Legion of the Los Angeles County Council; Greater Los Angeles Mental Health Consumer Advocacy Council; Past Chairman, Los Angeles County Veterans Advisory Commission.
• Presentation of our Nation's Colors by Steve Mackey, President, Vietnam Veterans of America, state of California.
• Pledge of Allegiance, led by Steve Palmer, World War ll Veteran.
• Singing of the National Anthem.
• Presentation of the POW / MIA Flag.
• Presentation of the Flags of our five branches of the United States Armed Forces
• Presentation of the “We Support Our Troops” flag.
• A moment of silence for POW / MIA, active duty troops, homeless Veterans.
• Invocation / Prayer by Chaplain Roger Reitan, Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 13, Retired Chief Petty Officer, Navy Seabees, 38 years of service.
• Acknowledgment of Veterans of the wars. Raise your hand and salute: World War ll, Korean War, Vietnam War, Gulf War, War on Terror (Afghanistan War, lraq War.
• Special tribute to World War II Veterans.
• Veteran Speakers:
Colonel John Fer, former Prisoner of War during the Vietnam War where he flew 54 combat missions before being shot down over North Vietnam, Feb. 4 1967. Col. Fer spent more than six torturous years as a POW at the Hanoi Hilton. Col. Fer is a graduate of the U.S Air Force Academy and fulfilled a distinguished 28-year career in the U.S. Air Force.
Larry Braezaele, Chairman, National Veterans Coalition.
• The reading from the 1887 Act of Congress for National Soldiers Homes
• The reading from the March 5, 1888, Deed to the Los Angeles National Veterans Home, the “Law of the Land.”
• Tribute and appreciation to the Land Grantors, Sen. John P. Jones and Arcadia B. de Baker.
• Reading of Proclamation for annual “Veterans Appreciation Day.”
• Comments and announcements – Led by Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 13, San Fernando Valley.
• Cake-cutting ceremony.
• Refreshments, music, friendship and camaraderie
Mr. Rosebrock may be contacted rrosebrock1@aol.com
