Veterans at Remington Club recognized for their service

By Elizabeth Marie Himchak

More than 70 veterans living at the Remington Club in Rancho Bernardo were recognized on Tuesday afternoon for their military service.

The annual event is coordinated by The Elizabeth Hospice, part of its outreach efforts to recognize those who served in wartime and during peace.

Since the program started in November 2012, 950 veterans have been honored in group or private ceremonies throughout San Diego and south Riverside counties, said spokeswoman Lisa Marcolongo. Sometimes the ceremonies are held near holidays, such as Veterans Day.

“Thank you for your commitment, service and dedication to our country,” said Kristen Kearnaghan, Remington Club’s executive director. “I am honored to have the privilege to work with you and hear your stories. You are all heroes in my mind.”

“Today we are here to honor all of you, who liberated countries from tyrants, despots and oppressors,” said Chaplain Frederick L. Johnson, who served in U.S. Air Force and now works with The Elizabeth Hospice. “Today we honor you, who fought to free people from oppression and bondage. Bondages that others could not free themselves from.”

During his closing remarks, Johnson said, “Thank you for stepping forward when others stepped back.”

The vast majority of those present served in World War II. Some were also veterans of the Korean and Vietnam wars, organizers said.

The ceremony started with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by Samuel Nehemiah singing the National Anthem. The event included reading aloud the names and service branches of the 73 Remington Club residents who served, followed by trumpeter Rachel Allen playing each branch’s hymn. While she played the residents were presented American flag pins by Johnson; retired Navy Chief Eddie Trotter, who now coordinates The Elizabeth Hospice’s Veterans Caring for Veterans volunteer program; and Red Ramos, an Elizabeth Hospice volunteer and Purple Heart recipient who served in Afghanistan.

Among the residents, there were 28 who served in the Navy, 20 in the Army plus two women in the Army Medical Corps and five more veterans who served in the Army Air Corps. There were also 13 from the Air Force, four in the Marine Corps and one in the Coast Guard. Each was given a certificate in addition to the flag pin.

Jennifer Bradford, Remington Club’s program director, said the senior residential facility holds the ceremony each year with The Elizabeth Hospice to honor the veterans and their years of service. It is repeated annually so new residents can be included.

Marcolongo said the free program is just part of its efforts to honor and thank veterans. It provides a variety of end-of-life services to veterans and their families that help them live as fully as possible at this stage in their lives.

For details on how to get a veteran recognized or other services available, call 760-737-2050.