Bonita Veterans' Memorial

Bonita Veterans' Memorial

“IN HONOR OF THOSE WHO SERVED – IN MEMORY OF THOSE WHO DIED”

History of the Flags Flown Over the Bonita Veterans' Memorial

September 1, 2005 –

at 10:30 a.m. the first flag was raised over the Bonita Veterans’ Memorial. Bob and Sue Sutherland had provided the funds for the memorial. Bob was a veteran of the Vietnam War, having served as a US Navy Corpsman with the 3^rd Marine Battalion as a part of a re-con team. He had been wounded in combat. The Official History of the dedication ceremony on November 12, 2005 contains the details of the event itself. The flag raised this day was dedicated in remembrance of the Battle of Iwo Jima in February, 1945.

December 7, 2005 – at 9:30 a.m. the second flag was raised and then immediately lowered to half-staff for the remainder of the day as required by the Federal Flag Code. On the 8^th it was return to full staff. This flag was dedicated in remembrance of the men and women who served at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The World War II Veterans who had the honor of raising this flag were Doyle V. Mckee, an enlisted man who served at Ford Island; Jack Currier who was serving on the USS Dobbin (AO-3) on December 7^th 1941; and Ken Milburn, a Master Chief who served in WWII, Korea and Vietnam as an AP (Navy enlisted pilot). When Ken retired after 29 years of service, he was the second-to-last US Navy enlisted pilot still on Active Duty. Also present were Tom Pocklington and his son Matthew who assisted in the ceremony and took photos. On June 4, 2006, Tom Pocklington presented the flag to Lt. Wes Modder, Chaplain USN, at the Naval Base Coronado, Protestant Worship Service. The worship service was Lt. Modder’s last official duty as the Chaplain for the Chapel from the Sea, Naval Amphibious Base, before being transferred to sea duty aboard the USS Bunker Hill. The Chaplain’s wife, Beth, and their three children were also present for the ceremony. Active duty personnel presented the flag to the Chaplain while the remainder of the congregation came forward, held the 12’ by 18’ flag, and sang God Bless America during the presentation.

April 11, 2006 – Bob Chicca, USMC and Dan Jordan, USN, raised the third flag. Bob served on board the USS Pueblo as the senior enlisted Marine, was taken prisoner by the North Koreans, and held as a POW for almost a year. Dan was taken prisoner during the Korean War (1950-1953) while on a special mission to obtain intelligence on North Korean positions for Naval Gunfire Support from US Navy ships operating in support of United Nation operations in the area. On April 9, 2006, President George W. Bush, by Presidential proclamation, declared April 11,2006 to be National Former POW Recognition Day. The flag hoisted this day was dedicated in remembrance of all Former POW’s. Tom Pocklington and his son Matthew assisted in the ceremony and took photos.

July 4, 2006 – the fourth flag was raised at 11:00 a.m. Three Veterans shared in the honor of raising the flag on this occasion. Tom Davis, Captain (USN-Ret.) is a Vietnam veteran and served in the Navy from 1956-1980 with two Commands at Sea and one ashore. Dan Bodie served in Korea with the US Army from 1953-54 as a Corporal. Donald F. Armstrong, US Navy (Ret.), served with Seal Teams 1, 3 and 5, including three tours in Vietnam during his active duty service from 1967 to 1994. This Flag was dedicated to the American Independence Day of 1776 celebrating 230 years of freedom for the citizens of the USA. The Bonita Optimist Club represented by Roy Hammond, and Bill Sears of the Bonita Kiwanis provided Hot Dogs, Popcorn and Lemonade for over 100 people from the community who took part in this great celebration. Tom Pocklington and his son Matthew assisted in the ceremony and took photos.

October 16, 2006 –

the fifth flag was raised at 10:00 a.m. and was dedicated to all veterans who served in Vietnam. Veteran’s who had the honor of raising this flag were (L - R):

	CDR John Leach who served in five different squadrons as a Naval Aviator and retired from active duty in 1980. In addition to flying in operational squadrons, he also served in Special Operations in South East Asia, attended Armed Forces Staff College, served in several Staffs and is a former Commanding Officer of HS-6. After serving on active duty for 20 years, John started a second career with AT&T and then a third successful career in his own business – John Leach Associates in Corporate Organizational Effectiveness.
	Captain Gene Pellerin was designated a Naval Helicopter Pilot in 1958 and assigned to Helicopter Utility Squadron Two in Lakehurst, New Jersey. Following several helicopter squadron tours of duty, he was assigned to the Naval Safety Center, Norfolk, Virginia. From the Safety Center he reported to Helicopter Attack (Light) Three in Viet Nam. As Commanding Officer of HS-6, he led the flight team during the recovery of the Apollo crew following the Apollo-Soyuz space mission. Captain Pellerin served as Commanding Officer of the USS Vancouver during 1982 through 1983. He retired in 1986 following duty as the Chief-of-Staff, Commander Antisubmarine Warfare Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet. He is currently serving on the Chula Vista Veterans Advisory Commission, the Chula Vista Veterans Home Support Foundation, and is a member of VFW Post 2111. His awards include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star with Combat "V", and the Air Medal with 9 Strike Flight Awards for over 300 combat missions.
	Russ McKay entered the Navy as an Airman Recruit in June 1955 and advanced to ATC in June 1965, having flown as an aircrewman in P2V-7 and countermeasures configured A-1 and S-2 aircraft. He was commissioned as Warrant Officer in August 1966, advanced to LDO in 1969, became a Restricted Line Maintenance Specialist in 1973 and retired as LCDR in 1979. He served three tours in HS squadrons including HS-6, a tour in the F-14 Tomcat training squadron, and was the Maintenance Officer of VC-7(A-4 aircraft) at retirement.
	Jon Jentz was a helicopter pilot and a Lt. In the US Navy between 1966 and 1972. During his first tour in HS-6 the squadron was deployed to Vietnam from March 1968 to September 1968. After leaving the service Jon started his own Real Estate office and many other Business activities in and out of the state of California.

Also present was Tom Pocklington who helped and took photos of the event. He had had the pleasure of severing with all four of these veterans while attached to HS-6 Helicopter Squadron.