LA MESA WAR MEMORIAL VANDALIZED
Printer-friendly version March 15, 2015 (La Mesa) – A war memorial in La Mesa has been vandalized for the second time in two years. The memorial is located next to the Veterans of Foreign Wars hall. On Monday, 10 News reports that last week, vandals tried to pry off two metal plaques honoring East County Vietnam veterans. Back in 2013, thieves did steal two plaques, which were replaced with help from community donations. Oresta Johnson’s father was the stone mason who built the memorial 45 years ago. She called the vandalism “disheartening” and noted that the plaques do not have much monetary value. But they do have great emotional value for the families of loved ones who gave their lives for their country. Johnson told 10 News that La Mesa’s memorial was built to honor all who sacrificed their lives, adding that it’s “cherished by so many people.” The La Mesa Police Department is investigating this crime. Meanwhile, families hope new security cameras in the area will deter future vandals. The memorial was created by the Heartland Youth for Decency group back in 1970, which was started by Ellis and Virginia Evers and included many local high school students. It was among the first memorials in the nation to honor veterans of the Vietnam conflict. Donations to help maintain the monument may be made to the Heartland Youth for Decency organization, which has a website at www.hyfd.org. Printer-friendly version
CROWD FLOCKS TO MOTHER GOOSE PARADE ALONG NEW ROUTE
Printer-friendly version Story and photos by Robert Gehr © 2014 November 24, 2014 (El Cajon)–Traditionally held on the Sunday before Thanksgiving, this year’s Mother Goose Parade in El Cajon was exciting. The day was lightly overcast with a slight breeze, providing a little relief from the warm midday sun. Thousands of spectators showed up to watch this well known parade, which had a major route change this year, crowding Main St. from Ballantyne to Johnson, ending at Parkway Plaza with a Carnival. Many participants made this year’s event a joy to watch – from eye-catching beauty queens including Miss California Cassandra Kunze riding in a white horse drawn carriage, to some rugged and honored veterans of foreign wars who served this country and fought for our freedom. There were marching bands from several local schools, local news station Fox 5’s Shally Zamorodi with Raoul Martinez & Chrissy Russo with Brad Wills. Included in the parade were gymnasts, low rider cars exhibiting tricks via hydraulic systems, a few antique cars, many floats, clowns, Al Bahr Shriners, St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center, various girl & boy scout groups, a variety of equestrians including the Winchester Widows and the Sheriff‘s department Mounted Patrol, the iconic Mother Goose and of course the last float signaling the end: Santa Claus. It lasted about three hours, beginning at about 12:00 p.m. and ending around 3:00 p.m. Despite the NFL football game being played at the time, the parade was attended by many from San Diego and beyond. (The Chargers narrowly won 27-24 after a lightning strike interception by the Chargers at their own goal line, which prevented the Rams from a touchdown that would have cost the Chargers the game. Go Bolts!) Printer-friendly version
SPORT CLIPS HAIRCUTS IN SANTEE KICKS OFF EFFORT TO HELP HEROES CALL HOME
Printer-friendly version National mens’ and boys’ hair care chain teams up with VFW Operation Uplink™ to make calls home possible for U .S. service members overseas East County News Service (October 13, 2010) – Beginning Sunday, October 17, Sport Clips in The Marketplace at Santee and in La Jolla will join the franchise’s over 700 stores across the country to kick off their annual “Help A Hero” fundraising campaign. The effort supports the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ (VFW) Operation Uplink™. Now in its fourth year, Operation Uplink offers free call days for deployed and hospitalized American service members. Sport Clips hopes to raise $300,000. “We’ll be taking part in Sport Clips’ ‘Biggest Haircut Day of the Year’ cut-a-thon on Veterans Day, Thursday, November 11, when stores nationwide will donate a dollar from every haircut service to Operation Uplink,” says Terry Klinker at Sport Clips in Santee. “Donations to ‘Help A Hero’ will be collected at our store and online at www.SportClips.com through November 13.” Klinker’s store will also raise funds through a variety of other means in the Santee area, including a presence at the Chargers game next Sunday morning. Sport Clips’ Founder and CEO Gordon Logan, who is a veteran and lifetime member of the VFW, says, “More than 344,508 connections with family and loved ones were made last year through the efforts of our team members and clients. They’ve generously given their time, enthusiasm, and means to sponsor free call days on Christmas, New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Veterans Day.” “Since 2007, Sport Clips’ amazing record of generosity has enabled them to sponsor numerous VFW Operation Uplink™ ‘Free Call Days,’ totaling 7,280,065 minutes worth of free calls home for soldiers and hospitalized veterans,” says VFW National Commander-in-Chief Richard Eubank. “Their ‘Help A Hero’ campaign is a tremendous testament to their remarkable efforts toward demonstrating appreciation and gratitude to our nation’s service members, veterans and their families. The VFW is deeply grateful to the Sport Clips family of managers and employees who understand the significant debt we all owe to America’s defenders.” Sport Clips is now the VFW’s largest single-donation “free call day” sponsor, having donated almost $500,000 to Operation Uplink since 2007. For more information, visit the Sport Clips store at 9349 Mission Gorge Road (next to the new Henry’s) or go to www.SportClips.com. Sport Clips is headquartered in Georgetown, Texas and was established in 1995 by founder and CEO Gordon Logan. The franchise ranked in the top 100 overall and top 50 in growth for the sixth straight year in Entrepreneur Magazine’s “Franchise 500” and in the top 50 in Dun & Bradstreet’s AllBusiness.com “2010 AllBusiness AllStars.” Sport Clips is the “Official Haircutter” of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and offers veterans preferential pricing on haircuts and franchises. Sport Clips is a proud sponsor of Joe Gibbs Racing’s NASCAR driver, Joey Logano, and holds partnerships with several teams in the National Basketball Association (NBA), Major League Baseball (MLB), and National Hockey League (NHL). For media resources and additional information on Sport Clips, visit SportClipsMedia.com. To learn about franchise opportunities click here, and for locations throughout the United States, visit www.SportClips.com. Print out the coupon at right to receive a discount on haircuts at Sport Clips in Santee: Printer-friendly version
HORSING AROUND: MAGIC HORSE ART SHOW FEATURES ART CREATED BY THE HORSES
Printer-friendly versionThe Magic Horse Therapeutic Riding Center hosts an art fair and live auction on Sunday, December 13th from 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m. at the Lakeside VFW Hall, 12650 Lindo Lane, Lakeside 92040. Admission and meal costs $25, or reserve a table for six including wine for $150. The event includes a live auction, opportunity drawing, creative activities for children, and T-shirt. Auction and drawin include items donated by local businesses and art by local artists, and artwork created by the horses! The Magic Horse provides life-enhancing differences for disabled people and their families. Owner/instructor Robin Pawl has helpd youngsters make amazing improvements in their abilities to sit, speak, and walk. A no-host bar supports the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). Contact Robin Pawl at (619)672-6935 to contribute auction or drawing items, sponsor a rider or horse, contribute to a scholarship fund, buy tickets ot obtain more information. Printer-friendly version