Veterans from all branches of the military will be recognized with tributes to their service during a Memorial Day ceremony at Dearborn Memorial Park in Poway.
The event hosted by the Fleet Reserve Association Branch 70 starts at 11 a.m. Monday, May 26 at the cemetery, 14361 Tierra Bonita Road.
Al Ruiz, vice president of Fleet Reserve Branch 70 in Poway, said military veterans who served during World War II, the Vietnam War, Korean War and other conflicts should be ed with gratitude.
“The bottom line is, we know people who have ed away and we should honor them,” said Ruiz, a retired U.S. Navy officer who had served for 30 years until his retirement in September 2022. “Sometimes service comes with a price. We have an opportunity to stop what we’re doing and take a moment to reflect on what they’ve done for our country.”
Ruiz will attend the Memorial Day ceremony along with representatives of other military organizations, such as the Poway Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7907 and the Poway American Legion Post 479.
The ceremony will feature an inspirational speech by retired U.S. Navy Rear . John Ring, who works as the aircraft carrier maintenance program manager for Newport News Shipbuilding Detachment San Diego.
The San Diego native was commissioned in 1988 through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps, University of Arizona after receiving a bachelor’s degree in economics and political science. He holds master’s degrees in strategic studies from the Air Command and Staff College, and in public istration from Auburn University. He was designated as a naval flight officer in May 1990.
Ring’s command tours have included the USS Nimitz (CVN 68), USS Comstock (LSD 45) and the Black Eagles of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW 113). Ring served at sea with VAW-123 on board the USS America (CV 66) during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
During the ceremony, Fleet Reserve Association Branch 70 Secretary Jerry Miranda will read the names of local veterans who have died within the past year. The honorees were of Branch 70 at the time of their death, Miranda said.
“The event will give recognition to veterans who have worked so hard to let us enjoy the freedom we have today,” Miranda said.
Michael Timson of Escondido and “shadow bugler” Emmanuel Hill Borda of Poway will perform an “Echo Taps” during the ceremony. The 24 notes signifiy the end of a day, a period of remembrance and the honoring of military .
When performed on military bases in the evening or on the battlefield at the end of the day, the tune signifies a time for rest, Timson said. When the somber melody is performed at a ceremony, it symbolizes a three-way communication between people left on Earth, the main bugler, and the shadow bugler who represents the fallen soldier in heaven thanking attendees for their tribute, he said.
“The third person echoes me in the spirit of the veteran overlooking us,” said Timson, 62, who has been performing “Taps” since he was 10. “He is in the distance like a spirit talking back to us from heaven. He echoes the message, ‘Thank you for doing this. I’m OK and I’m at rest.’”
Timson, a volunteer member of Bugles Across America, will also be giving “Echo Taps” performances with different student buglers at six masses held Memorial Day weekend at St. Gabriel Catholic Church, 13734 Twin Peaks Road in Poway. The masses are set for 5 p.m. Saturday, May 24; 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. Sunday, May 25; and at 9 a.m. Monday, May 26.
“We have to honor the veterans but also let them know they’re here with us every day,” said Timson, whose father served in WWII, uncle and brother served in the Korean War, and another brother served in the Vietnam War.
Also contributing to the Memorial Day ceremony are local Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, who will be placing flags on the military gravesites at Dearborn Memorial Park, and the American Heritage Girls, who will perform the color guard during the ceremony.
After the ceremony, attendees are invited to have food and beverages at the Fleet Reserve Association’s Club 70 at 14231 Garden Road, Suite 9 in Poway.
A separate Memorial Day celebration in Poway is scheduled for Saturday, May 24.
The public is invited to attend the Memorial Day Observance of the Sgt. William Pittenger Camp of the Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War. The event will be held at 10 a.m. at Dearborn Memorial Park.
The SUVCW was founded in 1881 and currently has 31 departments and more than 200 community-based camps in the nation. Every year, the Sgt. William Pittenger Camp in San Diego honors a hero of the Union Army during its annual Memorial Day observance.
This year, Dexter Parker is being recognized at his gravesite. Parker served in the 105th Illinois Regiment for just under three years before his death in 1914. He was also a deacon of the Escondido Congregational Church and served as commander of the Escondido Post of the Grand Army of the Republic.
For more information about the Fleet Reserve Association event, call Club 70 at 858-486-2300.
For more information about the Sgt. William Pittenger Camp, visit the website, suvpac.org.
