The City of La Mirada and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9148 invite the community to its 62nd Memorial Day Service on Monday, May 30th at 10:00 a.m. The Service is at Olive Lawn Memorial Park, 13926 La Mirada Blvd., La Mirada, CA.
The Service will include vocal tributes, special tributes to fallen soldiers, quest speakers, placing of memorial wreaths and flowers by VFW Post 9148 and Auxiliary, City of La Mirada, and community organizations including Ebell, Kiwanis, Rotary, and Union Army of the West.
This year’s keynote speaker is Chaplain Ed Choi, who deployed to Iraq from 2003-2004 and 2006-2007, and to Afghanistan from 2011-2012. Some of Chaplain Choi’s awards include the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Iraq Campaign Medal with Two Campaign Stars, Army Commendation Medal (5th Award), Army Achievement Medal (4th Award), Meritorious Unit Commendation, USA Presidential Unit Citation, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (6th Award), Combat Action Badge, Parachutist Badge. and Air Assault Badge.
He is currently serving as a pastor at Thanksgiving Church and chaplain for Buena Park Police, and Birdwell Foundation for PTSD as the California Chapter Director. Choi graduated from Biola University (Biblical Studies-1991), Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary (Masters Divinity-1998), and the Command and General College. Army Chaplain (Retired-2014 as Major).
The Service provides a venue for all ages to give thanks for our military’s sacrifices. The significance of the cost our soldiers have come to bear to preserve our way of life and the freedoms granted by their choices will never be forgotten. We asked them to give their all…. they did. They ask to be remembered one day a year, and we will.
Seating is limited so guests are encouraged to bring their own blanket or lawn chair for seating.
For over 60 years, overseas veterans of America’s wars have shared comradeship and community service through their membership in Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9148. The roster of the organization has included overseas military veterans of World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, and the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. The post was established even before La Mirada became a city. It started in 1959, meeting at Gardenhill School, with 43 veterans from World War II.
For more information about the Memorial Day Service call La Mirada VFW Post 9148 at (562) 903-1185, Olive Lawn Memorial Park at (562)943-1718, or the City of La Mirada Community Services at (562)943-7277. Click here to download a flyer for the event.
Source: La Mirada Veterans Coordinating Council (LMVCC)