Mercer-Prieto VFW Post 2043 Memorial Day observance Monday

May 26, 2004
Santa Paula News

Santa Paulans are marking their calendars to be sure to attend the Mercer-Prieto VFW Post 2043 annual Memorial Day services to be held Monday, May 31 at 10:30 a.m. at Santa Paula Cemetery.

By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesSanta Paulans are marking their calendars to be sure to attend the Mercer-Prieto VFW Post 2043 annual Memorial Day services to be held Monday, May 31 at 10:30 a.m. at Santa Paula Cemetery.This year’s observance at Santa Paula Cemetery will feature the Isbell Middle School Band with Lou Lingo conducting patriotic songs. Mercer-Prieto VFW Post Commander Ralph Leon will serve as Master of Ceremonies. Ty Woods, general manager of Santa Paula Cemetery will offer the welcome and VFW Post 2043 Post Chaplain Delton L. Johnson will provide the invocation. Pastor Mike Slagle will offer the benediction.Commander Leon said that Col. Jerome L. Hess USMC (Rt.) is the featured speaker at the Memorial Day observance, which was founded after the Civil War by relatives of those who lost their lives in battle. In 1971 the United States government expanded Memorial Day to honor those Americans who lost their lives in all wars and declared it a national holiday, Commander Leon noted.Mercer-Prieto VFW Post 2043 holds its annual Memorial Day observance by the Grand Army of the Republic monument, the organization that initiated Memorial Day, said Commander Leon.
Col. Hess had a 33-year military career, including seven years in the Navy and 26 years as a commissioned officer and aviator in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was also a fighter weapons systems project officer and was Commanding Officer of the Marine Aviation Detachment.A fighter pilot in the Vietnam War, he flew 221 combat missions in support of military ground operations. Col. Hess’ decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal and Air Medal, among others.During the Memorial Day observance the traditional Placing of the Wreaths, marking the sacrifices of those who lost their lives over generations of war, will be followed by a salute to departed comrades by the Mercer-Prieto VFW Post 2043 and Korean War Veterans Post 56 Rifle Squad. Bugler Sammy Solace will play the poignant “Taps” to close the program.Mercer-Prieto VFW Post 2043 has staged the Memorial Day program for decades; the observance draws hundreds of people to Santa Paula Cemetery, which is decorated with American flags for the short patriotic ceremony. This year the program is being co-sponsored by Pierce Brothers Stetler Santa Paula Cemetery.



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