Community Corner

Gone But Never Forgotten

Put on by veterans, the annual Seal Beach Memorial Day ceremony holds special significance.

For all his love of words Bill Thomas, a Rossmoor poet and novelist, is really a man of action.

When it comes to the military men and women who died in the line of duty, many of whom he served with in World War II, Thomas is succinct.

“In the War, we had a saying, ‘When your time is up. It’s up,” he said. “As for the guys who died, you hope they served as valiantly as they could. Nobody was looking to earn medals. They had a job to do, and they did it the best they could.”

Find out what's happening in Los Alamitos-Seal Beachwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

But his actions speak for his commitment to the soldiers willing to sacrifice everything for the country. Thomas and his friends with the American Legion Post 857 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4048, visit the hospital beds of dying veterans.

To honor the men and women who died in the line of service, Thomas founded and organizes an annual Memorial program at Eisenhower Park. The service will take place Monday at 1 p.m., and it will include guest speaker Congressman Dana Rohrabacher, a color guard, the singing of the national anthem, a POW-MIA ceremony, laying of the wreath, numerous songs and a bugle performance of taps. Put on by men and women who served in wars from WWII to the Vietnam War, the ceremony holds a personal significance as many of them lost friends and loved ones in combat.

Find out what's happening in Los Alamitos-Seal Beachwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

A gunner and forward observer who fought in six major battles in World War II in North Africa, Italy, France and Germany, Thomas fought a different kind of war than the ones American soldiers are dying in today, he said.

“When we fought our war, we had an enemy we could see. We had an enemy that wore a uniform, had a flag and land they were trying to take,” said Thomas. “Today in Iraq, it can be a little boy used by terrorists and wired with explosives.”

For the men and women oversees today, Thomas has a simple message.

“Thank you for your service, and hopefully you come back in one piece,” he said.

Thomas recommends that everyone take this holiday as a reminder to think about the sacrifices of those who died and an opportunity to thank those willing to serve.

“Walk up and thank them. I think the veteran’s would be grateful to be acknowledged,” he said.

MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY
Eisenhower Park, Seal Beach
Main Street and Ocean Blvd.
1 p.m. Monday

Memorial Event Program

  • Pre-Program Entertainment: Eddie Montana, Rob Roy, Christine Lynn.
  • Program Introduction: Esther Kenyon, Seal Beach Chamber of Commerce Operations Director
  • Opening Ceremonies:   Master of Ceremonies, Commander Beverly Bonney
  • Walk-ins: Post Members - American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars
  • Color Guard U S Naval Sea Cadets, Seal Beach Battalion
  • Pledge of Allegiance
  • Invocation:  Pastor Don Shoemaker
  • National Anthem: Jenna Welch, Student
  • Opening Address: Master of Ceremonies Commander. Beverly Bonney
  • Acknowledgment: Ed Bond, Commander  VFW Post 4048
  • Acknowledgment: American Legion Post 857 Ladies Auxilery President Charlene Nattress
  • Acknowledgment: Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4048 Ladies Auxilery President Chris Schmaltz
  • POW-MIA Ceremony” Peter Ormsby, Historian, American Legion Post 857
  • Memorial Wreath: Both Post Commanders
  • "In Flanders Field" poem read by Charlene NattressStory of "TAPS": Paul Pudenz, Adjutant, American Legion Post 857
  • 'TAPS" BUGLER: Talon Werner, Life Scout, Boy Scout Troop 558
  • "Sing-along:" Pastor Don Shoemaker, Conductor
  • Military Songs: Eddie Montana, Rob Roy, Christine Lynn (Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard)
  • "God Bless America:” Jenna Welch, Student
  • "America The Beautiful:" Esther Kenyon
  • Speaker: Congressman Dana Rohrabacher, 46th District, California
  • Speaker: Pastor Don Shoemaker, Grace Community Church
  • Benediction: Pastor Don Shoemaker, Grace Community Church
  • Retire The Colors: U S Naval Sea Cadets, Seal Beach Battalion
  • Master of Ceremonies: Beverly Bonni


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here