Oct 2009
American Veterans Traveling Tribute Arrives in Van Nuys - Free Event Honors Veterans and All Who Serve
Oct/21/2009 08:00 Filed in: Press Release
American Veterans Traveling Tribute Arrives in Van Nuys - Free Event Honors Veterans and All Who Serve
Release Date: 10/21/2009
Contacts:
Carolyn Blashek, Operation Gratitude
Phone: 818.789.0123, Cell: 818.406.5057
OpGrat@gmail.com
Don Allen, AVTT
Phone: 507-380-2465, donallen@avtt.org
For Immediate Release
Van Nuys, CA - October 14, 2009 - An 85 year old Veteran of three Wars will be the guest of honor at the Operation Gratitude-American Veterans Traveling Tribute Event this week: October 14-18 at the corner of Victory and Louise in Van Nuys.
MSGT (ret.) Edward Chema of Chatsworth, CA, served in World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam, where he was awarded the Bronze Star for valor. Fewer than 500 "Three-War American Veterans" are still alive today. MSGT. Chema will join Veteran and legendary Los Angeles TV Reporter, Stan Chambers, along with Veterans representing all conflicts from World War II through the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, in a Candlelighting Ceremony at 5:00 pm on Thursday October 15 at the Exhibit site. Four-time Olympic Gold Medalist in Swimming, John Naber will emcee the Ceremony, which will also include the laying of wreaths by Gold and Blue Star Mothers and by POW-MIA Son and Grandson, Bob and RC Ramsay.
Major General John Harrell, Commander of the Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base will speak at the Memorial Service on Sunday at 11:00am. MSGT (ret.) Chema will lead the Pledge of Allegiance and the "Ventura Girlz" will perform the National Anthem, followed by a Condor Fly-Over and a Parade of Honor past The Wall.
Operation Gratitude (www.OperationGratitude.com ) is partnering with The American Veterans Traveling Tribute (www.avtt.org) to present this free and unique opportunity for the Southern California community to pay respect to America's fallen heroes and at the same time express appreciation to our warriors currently serving in harm's way.
From October 14-18, the American Veterans Traveling Tribute will be on display in the large lot adjacent to the National Guard Armory at the corner of Victory and Louise in Van Nuys. The AVTT Exhibit includes a September 11 tribute, a Cost of Freedom display of Gold Dog Tags (identifying each service member killed since Vietnam), and the centerpiece of the exhibit: An exact replica of the Vietnam Memorial Wall (80% scale), displaying all 58,253 names of the men and women killed in the Vietnam War.
The entire event will be free to the public. All ages are invited and encouraged to attend this first-ever display of The AVTT Exhibit in Southern California.
Operation Gratitude volunteer activities will occur simultaneously inside the Armory in preparation for the assembly and shipment of Holiday packages the following weekend. AVTT Exhibit attendees (ages 12 and older) are invited to participate in all Operation Gratitude Prep and Assembly activities in the Armory.
Operation Gratitude will provide letter writing materials for children and adults to express their appreciation to Service Members deployed overseas during the Holidays. Snacks, volunteer information and scarf-making lessons will also be available at the Operation Gratitude tables at The Exhibit site.
Girl Scouts will be offering Trophy Nuts for donation to our troops through the Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles Gift of Caring Program.
WHAT:
American Veterans Traveling Tribute Exhibit Hosted by Operation Gratitude
WHEN :
Wednesday October 14: RAIN OR SHINE: Motorcade Escort of The Traveling Wall
4:00pm: Muster at Airtel Plaza Hotel at 7277 Valjean Avenue, Van Nuys
5:30pm: Color Guard and Greetings; Condor Fly-Over (weather permitting)
Guest: Mitchell Englander, Chief of Staff for Councilman Greig Smith
6:00pm: Motorcade Departs for Exhibit Site led by Grand Marshall Stan Chambers
Thursday October 15:
9am-Noon: Volunteers Set up Exhibit
Noon-5pm: Open viewing
5pm-7pm: Opening Ceremony with Candle Lighting, Laying of Wreaths
Hosted by 4-Time Olympic Gold Medalist in Swimming: John Naber
Guests: City Councilmen Greig Smith, Tony Cardenas and Dennis Zine
Speaker: Stan Chambers
Friday October 16: Open 8am-8pm
9am-3pm: School Visits
11am-1pm: Share Your Lunchbreak with KKGO Country's Morning Co-Host Ashley Paige
3pm-8pm: Open Viewing
Saturday October 17: Family Day
8am-8pm: Musical Performances
12-3pm: Kogi BBQ Truck and Get Shaved Ice
1pm: Color Guard and Formal Greeting
Guests: City Controller Wendy Greuel, Gold Star Wives
Sunday October 18: Open 8am-6pm
11am: Memorial Service officiated by Rabbi Mordecai Finley of Ohr Hatorah Synagogue and Pastor Glen Kreun of Saddleback Church
Guests: Assemblyman Bob Blumenfield, Stan Chambers
Speaker: Major General John Harrell
Condor Flyover
12 Noon: Parade of Honor Past The Wall
1pm-6pm: Open Viewing
WHERE:
17330 Victory Boulevard: Van Nuys, CA 91406
Corner of Victory and Louise
Parking next door at the Skate Park and Encino Farmer's Market from 12 Noon-8 pm daily
Additional parking available at Birmingham High School
Handicapped parking available in the National Guard Armory Parking Lot
For more information about the American Veterans Traveling Tribute: www.avtt.org
For more information about Operation Gratitude:
www.OperationGratitude.com
For more information about the Operation Gratitude-AVTT Event:
OpGrat@gmail.com or ptmarty@aol.com
About Operation Gratitude
Operation Gratitude ( www.OperationGratitude.com) is the California- based 501 (c) (3) non-profit, volunteer organization that annually sends 100,000+ care packages of snacks, entertainment items and personal letters of appreciation addressed to individually named U.S. Service Members deployed in hostile regions such as Iraq and Afghanistan, and on Naval ships at sea. Its mission is to lift morale, bring a smile to a service member's face and to express to all our Armed Forces the appreciation and support of the American people. Each package contains donated product valued at ~$100 and costs the organization $11 to assemble and ship. By the end of 2009, Operation Gratitude will have shipped more than 500,000 packages to American Military deployed overseas.
About American Veterans Traveling Tribute ("AVTT")
AVTT (www.avtt.org) is a veteran-owned project that travels the USA to provide a forum for communities to HONOR-RESPECT-REMEMBER all who have sacrificed their lives for our country's freedom. In so doing, AVTT also honors all Veterans and those currently serving, by letting them know they will never be forgotten. AVTT is funded through sponsorship fees, donations, and sale of merchandise at events.
Release Date: 10/21/2009
Contacts:
Carolyn Blashek, Operation Gratitude
Phone: 818.789.0123, Cell: 818.406.5057
OpGrat@gmail.com
Don Allen, AVTT
Phone: 507-380-2465, donallen@avtt.org
For Immediate Release
Van Nuys, CA - October 14, 2009 - An 85 year old Veteran of three Wars will be the guest of honor at the Operation Gratitude-American Veterans Traveling Tribute Event this week: October 14-18 at the corner of Victory and Louise in Van Nuys.
MSGT (ret.) Edward Chema of Chatsworth, CA, served in World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam, where he was awarded the Bronze Star for valor. Fewer than 500 "Three-War American Veterans" are still alive today. MSGT. Chema will join Veteran and legendary Los Angeles TV Reporter, Stan Chambers, along with Veterans representing all conflicts from World War II through the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, in a Candlelighting Ceremony at 5:00 pm on Thursday October 15 at the Exhibit site. Four-time Olympic Gold Medalist in Swimming, John Naber will emcee the Ceremony, which will also include the laying of wreaths by Gold and Blue Star Mothers and by POW-MIA Son and Grandson, Bob and RC Ramsay.
Major General John Harrell, Commander of the Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base will speak at the Memorial Service on Sunday at 11:00am. MSGT (ret.) Chema will lead the Pledge of Allegiance and the "Ventura Girlz" will perform the National Anthem, followed by a Condor Fly-Over and a Parade of Honor past The Wall.
Operation Gratitude (www.OperationGratitude.com ) is partnering with The American Veterans Traveling Tribute (www.avtt.org) to present this free and unique opportunity for the Southern California community to pay respect to America's fallen heroes and at the same time express appreciation to our warriors currently serving in harm's way.
From October 14-18, the American Veterans Traveling Tribute will be on display in the large lot adjacent to the National Guard Armory at the corner of Victory and Louise in Van Nuys. The AVTT Exhibit includes a September 11 tribute, a Cost of Freedom display of Gold Dog Tags (identifying each service member killed since Vietnam), and the centerpiece of the exhibit: An exact replica of the Vietnam Memorial Wall (80% scale), displaying all 58,253 names of the men and women killed in the Vietnam War.
The entire event will be free to the public. All ages are invited and encouraged to attend this first-ever display of The AVTT Exhibit in Southern California.
Operation Gratitude volunteer activities will occur simultaneously inside the Armory in preparation for the assembly and shipment of Holiday packages the following weekend. AVTT Exhibit attendees (ages 12 and older) are invited to participate in all Operation Gratitude Prep and Assembly activities in the Armory.
Operation Gratitude will provide letter writing materials for children and adults to express their appreciation to Service Members deployed overseas during the Holidays. Snacks, volunteer information and scarf-making lessons will also be available at the Operation Gratitude tables at The Exhibit site.
Girl Scouts will be offering Trophy Nuts for donation to our troops through the Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles Gift of Caring Program.
WHAT:
American Veterans Traveling Tribute Exhibit Hosted by Operation Gratitude
WHEN :
Wednesday October 14: RAIN OR SHINE: Motorcade Escort of The Traveling Wall
4:00pm: Muster at Airtel Plaza Hotel at 7277 Valjean Avenue, Van Nuys
5:30pm: Color Guard and Greetings; Condor Fly-Over (weather permitting)
Guest: Mitchell Englander, Chief of Staff for Councilman Greig Smith
6:00pm: Motorcade Departs for Exhibit Site led by Grand Marshall Stan Chambers
Thursday October 15:
9am-Noon: Volunteers Set up Exhibit
Noon-5pm: Open viewing
5pm-7pm: Opening Ceremony with Candle Lighting, Laying of Wreaths
Hosted by 4-Time Olympic Gold Medalist in Swimming: John Naber
Guests: City Councilmen Greig Smith, Tony Cardenas and Dennis Zine
Speaker: Stan Chambers
Friday October 16: Open 8am-8pm
9am-3pm: School Visits
11am-1pm: Share Your Lunchbreak with KKGO Country's Morning Co-Host Ashley Paige
3pm-8pm: Open Viewing
Saturday October 17: Family Day
8am-8pm: Musical Performances
12-3pm: Kogi BBQ Truck and Get Shaved Ice
1pm: Color Guard and Formal Greeting
Guests: City Controller Wendy Greuel, Gold Star Wives
Sunday October 18: Open 8am-6pm
11am: Memorial Service officiated by Rabbi Mordecai Finley of Ohr Hatorah Synagogue and Pastor Glen Kreun of Saddleback Church
Guests: Assemblyman Bob Blumenfield, Stan Chambers
Speaker: Major General John Harrell
Condor Flyover
12 Noon: Parade of Honor Past The Wall
1pm-6pm: Open Viewing
WHERE:
17330 Victory Boulevard: Van Nuys, CA 91406
Corner of Victory and Louise
Parking next door at the Skate Park and Encino Farmer's Market from 12 Noon-8 pm daily
Additional parking available at Birmingham High School
Handicapped parking available in the National Guard Armory Parking Lot
For more information about the American Veterans Traveling Tribute: www.avtt.org
For more information about Operation Gratitude:
www.OperationGratitude.com
For more information about the Operation Gratitude-AVTT Event:
OpGrat@gmail.com or ptmarty@aol.com
About Operation Gratitude
Operation Gratitude ( www.OperationGratitude.com) is the California- based 501 (c) (3) non-profit, volunteer organization that annually sends 100,000+ care packages of snacks, entertainment items and personal letters of appreciation addressed to individually named U.S. Service Members deployed in hostile regions such as Iraq and Afghanistan, and on Naval ships at sea. Its mission is to lift morale, bring a smile to a service member's face and to express to all our Armed Forces the appreciation and support of the American people. Each package contains donated product valued at ~$100 and costs the organization $11 to assemble and ship. By the end of 2009, Operation Gratitude will have shipped more than 500,000 packages to American Military deployed overseas.
About American Veterans Traveling Tribute ("AVTT")
AVTT (www.avtt.org) is a veteran-owned project that travels the USA to provide a forum for communities to HONOR-RESPECT-REMEMBER all who have sacrificed their lives for our country's freedom. In so doing, AVTT also honors all Veterans and those currently serving, by letting them know they will never be forgotten. AVTT is funded through sponsorship fees, donations, and sale of merchandise at events.
The American Veterans Traveling Tribute Exhibit Arrives at Van Nuys National Guard Armory
Oct/14/2009 08:00 Filed in: News Article
| For Operation Gratitude founder Carolyn Blashek, seeing the motorcade escort of the Traveling Wall arrive at their Van Nuys headquarters is such an emotional experience that it leaves her speechless. Joining her to receive the exhibit will be a two star General and Chatsworth resident, Msgt. Edward Chema, 85, a retired bronze star veteran of three wars, WWII, Korea and Vietnam. While millions of people travel to Washington D. C. to see the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial, starting today, a traveling exhibit of the wall will be in Van Nuys coinciding with Operation Gratitude's upcoming care package drive. "When anybody sees this exhibit, I have to tell you, it's just extraordinarily moving." The first time Blashek saw the traveling exhibit was in Shasta. She said she was so overwhelmed, she couldn't stop crying. "It's so beautiful and so emotional. One of the things that makes this particular exhibit so unique, it's not just the Viet Nam Memorial display, it's also The Cost of Freedom display that are these raised display cases with gold dog tags for every person who's perished since Viet Nam, Blashek described seeing 58,000 names as staggering. As Blashek walked along the wall, she said she didn't have names in particular that she was looking for and wasn't aware the exhibit included names from current wars or artifacts like dog tags, medals and boots. "I started walking around and I see these raised cases and I don't know what they are. I start walking by them, I'm seeing names and thought, wait a minute, I know those names. I started to realize what it was. I recognized the names because these were people we had sent care packages to." Seeing the names she knew, Blashek said, "went through her whole being." Among what looked like an endless number of names, she began to look for the names of family members and children of Operation Gratitude volunteers, the people she felt so close to. "I thought, 'there's no way I'll find those.' And don't you know, as I was walking by, every single one of them just popped up at me. I'm really speechless about it because it was such an extraordinary moment for me." Blashek said finding the names she recognized on the display of fallen soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan gave her an opportunity she didn't have before. "I had not been able to attend their funerals or memorials. I knew so many of them, now I was able to [stand before their dog tags, their names] and pay my respect," she said. "It was such an important moment for me, it was a very personal experience." She found the names of the five fallen service members that Operation Gratitude had paid tribute to by painting a mural on the hood of the jeep to mark the 300,000th package. "When we presented the jeep, we had a tribute on the hood of the car with the names of the fallen soldiers from our recipient's unit, which is what he had asked to do. It was a beautiful hand painted mural on the car." Said Blashek. "They were very important to me in Operation Gratitude because they played a role in a very significant milestone in our organization, so when I found the names of all five of the service members, I felt I had an opportunity to speak to them, in a sense, to be there, to touch their names, to touch their dog tags, to emote, to express my emotions about their service and their sacrifice," she said. Blashek said she also viewed finding their names so unexpectedly was also an uplifting experience. "To know that these people who perished knew how much we cared and appreciated them because they did receive our care packages. At least we got to say 'Thank You' to them while they were alive. " | IF YOU GO