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Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Memorial Day Events in San Francisco -- Monday, May 31, 2010


About the photo: USS Pampanito (SS-383), highly decorated United Sates Navy submarine active in the Pacific during World War II. In this photo Pampanito enters San Francisco Bay beneath the Golden Gate Bridge. Read more about Pampanito below. Pampanito is permanently berthed at Fisherman's Wharf and is open daily for tours. Photo courtesy of the San Francisco Maritime Park Association

Here are the details of the three major Memorial Day events in San Francisco for 2010:
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1) San Francisco National Cemetery at the Presidio
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The premier Memorial Day event in San Francisco is the remembrance ceremonies at San Francisco National Cemetery at the Presidio. Located right on the spot where the Pacific Ocean meets San Francisco Bay at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge, the San Francisco National Cemetery is one of the nation's oldest and most beautiful.
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The Presidio is former Headquarters, U. S. Sixth Army. In 1846 the The U.S. Army first established itself on this site, but the Presidio has been a military post since 1776 when an expedition of Spanish soldiers accompanied Catholic Franciscan friars and some settlers to the area. The friars, under the direction of Father Junipero Serra, chose to live in the area later to be known as the sunny Mission District and established Misión San Francisco de Asís (today, known as Mission Dolores, it is the oldest building in San Francisco and is open daily for tours). The settlers drifted down the peninsula, but the soldiers chose the most strategic real estate: the Presidio.
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The annual ceremony at the cemetery honors all the men and women of the United States military from the nation's founding through to the latest casualty today. The ceremony involves civilian and military participants, various veterans organizations, military color guard and band. The branches of service - Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard - are all individually honored. Active units of the Navy, Army Reserve, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and National Guard often participate.
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It's a good mix of people: There are the old World War II vets. They're getting pretty old and fewer in number, but they still come to attention and render a hand salute - and many of them are very highly decorated - genuine American heroes. There are a lot of Vietnam - era vets and a fast growing number of Gulf War, Iraq and Afghanistan vets and their families. We even have some old WWII Russian Red Army vets who come with chests full of medals worn with great and obvious pride. They were our allies during WWII and they still show up to honor our lost. That's brotherhood and that's professionalism among warriors. They are always welcome.
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Veterans are encouraged (if you so choose) to wear uniforms, partial uniforms or caps to identify your branch of service and unit. Remember: veterans can now salute out of uniform (not hand over heart) at the raising and lowering of the national flag and during the playing of the National Anthem. Read the story here.
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In 1884, San Francisco National Cemetery became the first West Coast cemetery to be part of the national cemetery system. Soldiers were buried here at the post cemetery as early as 1849. Through time, the cemetery expanded from 9 acres to its present 27 acres and contains over 30,000 graves, including those of 35 congressional Medal of Honor recipients.

Where: San Francisco National Cemetery at the Presidio on Memorial Day. (map and direction links provided below)
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When: Monday, May 31, 2010
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10 AM: Arrive at the Presidio's Main Post Parade Ground at 10:00 AM. The parade will get underway at 10:30. Participants will march from the Parade Ground to San Francisco National Cemetery.

11 AM: The memorial service at San Francisco National Cemetery will commence at 11:00 AM. The cemetery occupies some of the most beautiful and spectacular real estate on the planet. The cemetery sits next to Golden Gate Bridge and offers a sweeping panoramic view of San Francisco Bay, the Golden Gate, the Marin Headlands and the Pacific Ocean. Get directions to the Cemetery here. Federal and state legislators, local community leaders, representatives of the military, veterans organizations and the families and friends of those we have lost will participate.The U. S. Army 75th Division, 5th Brigade will provide a 21-gun salute.

1 PM: The annual Interfaith Peace Service will commence at the Presidio Interfaith Chapel (formerly the Army's Main Post Chapel) near the cemetery. This annual service brings together various faiths to remember and celebrate those who have given their lives for us. The homily, “Honoring the Dead – Supporting the Living,” will be given by Bucky Peterson. Colonel Peterson is a retired U.S. Marine now involved with working to provide easy transition for veterans from active duty to full-time student in the California State University system. The Sausalito Presbyterian Choir will sing under the direction of Ralph Hooper. Refreshments start outside at noon, the service an hour later. You are invited!

Parking: Parking is available on the Presidio near the Presidio Officers’ Club, 50 Moraga Ave., Main Post area. (Download a .pdf Presidio map here)

Public Transit: SFMTA (Muni) provides bus transportation to the Presidio. Also read: Public Transit to the Presidio

Taxi Cabs: Before you jump in a San Francisco taxi, be sure you read this first: San Francisco Taxicab Scams: Read this Warning! Some of the larger, major SF taxi companies include Yellow Cab, Luxor Cab, Desoto Cab and Green Cab.

History of the Presidio: Here is a good source for quick, concise and accurate information about the rich and colorful history of the Presidio of San Francisco provided by the California State Military Museum.

Learn about the Presidio: The Presidio is under the jurisdiction of the Presidio Trust and the National Park Service. Visit the official Presidio Trust website here. Visit the National Park Service Presidio website here.

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Helpful links:
Presidio Golf Course and Clubhouse (very nice cafe, affordable menu, hearty cooking, great views)
LucasFilm Digital Arts Center at the Presidio (on the site of old Letterman Army Hospital))
Restaurants at the Presidio
Presidio Trails and Scenic Overlooks
Crissy Field
Golden Gate Bridge
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2) U.S.S. San Francisco (CA-38) Memorial at Land's End
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USS San Francisco (CA-38) was laid down on 9 September 1931 at the Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, launched on 9 March 1933. San Francisco earned 17 battle stars during World War II. For her participation in the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, she was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation. For the same action, three members of her crew were awarded the Medal of Honor: Lieutenant Commander Herbert E. Schonland, Lieutenant Commander Bruce McCandless, and Boatswain's Mate 1st Class Reinhardt J. Keppler (posthumous).

USS San Francisco (CA-38) Memorial Service:
Honoring
San Francisco's own and honoring the United States Navy and USN veterans
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Sunday, May 30, 2010 at 12 Noon
Lands End, Fort Miley, San Francisco
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This Memorial Service is dedicated to the 100 Sailors & 7 Marines killed in action during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal (photos of the battle here), November 12/13 - 1942. The “Frisco” saw action from 7 December 1941 at Pearl Harbor - A Date which will live in Infamy – to the final battle of World War ll. See this photo of the USS San Francisco (CA-38) entering San Francisco Bay beneath the Golden Gate Bride in December 1942. More photos are available here and here.
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For details, directions and Program of Service: http://www.usssanfrancisco.org/

USS San Francisco (SSN 771) -- San Francisco's own active-duty nuclear submarine:

USS SAN FRANCISCO is the 24th submarine in the LOS ANGELES class and the sixth ship of that class built by Newport News Shipbuilding in Newport News, Va. The USS San Francisco is the third ship in the Navy to bear the name. USS San Francisco (SSN 71) is currently on active duty with Submarine Force Pacific Fleet and is a part of COMSUBRON 11 based at Naval Base San Diego.
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3) Lost Boat Memorial at U.S.S. Pampanito (SS-383) honoring the United States Navy Submarine Service.
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Navy Lost Boat Memorial at USS Pampanito:
Honoring the
United States Navy Submarine Service and submariner veterans
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A long-standing U.S. Naval tradition, the Lost Boat Memorial, will take place on Memorial Day aboard USS Pampanito, a WWII submarine, which is permanently docked at Pier 45 near Fisherman's Wharf.

USS Pampanito (SS-383) is a World War II Balao class Fleet submarine museum and memorial that is open for visitors daily at San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf. Pampanito made six patrols in the Pacific during World War II during which she sank six Japanese ships and damaged four others.

The ceremony will likely take place around 5 PM, Memorial Day, Monday, May 31st (check with the Maritime Park Association for this year's hours and details: )

The ceremony is free of all charge to everyone who wants to attend and honor the lost sailors of the United States Navy Submarine Service. A performance of will be performed in honor of the 52 submarine boats lost along with the lives of 3,5000 brave American submariners.

Following is a list of the boats and crews that will be honored at the ceremony. This list is provided courtesy of San Francisco Maritime National Park Association. Click on a boat name to read the names of the United States Navy submariners lost with their boat.

United States Navy submarine losses during WWII:

The decisive role played by the Silent Service during WW II is often overlooked, or the significance of their contribution is not fully understood. The Submarine Service represented only 1.6% of all Navy personnel during the war but they accounted for over 55% of all Japanese ships sunk, including one-third of the Imperial Japanese Navy.

Submariners paid a high price for this accomplishment, however, with the highest percentage causality rate of any branch of the service, almost 23%. Fifty-two U.S. submarines were lost during WW II with over 3,500 men. Forty additional men were lost either from gunfire or tragic mishap. It should always be remembered that these men were all volunteers.

Below is a list of each of the fifty-two submarines lost during WW II. Click on a boat name to read the names of the United States Navy submariners lost with their boat.

Lost on Patrol During World War II

1941
USS SEALION (SS-195)
1942
USS S-36 (SS-141)
USS S-26 (SS-131)
USS SHARK (SS-174)
USS PERCH (SS-176)
USS S-27 (SS-132)
USS S-39 (SS-144)
USS GRUNION (SS-216)
1943
USS ARGONAUT (SS-166)
USS AMBERJACK (SS-219)
USS GRAMPUS (SS-207)
USS TRITON (SS-201)
USS PICKEREL (SS-177)
USS GRENADIER (SS-210)
USS RUNNER (SS-275)
USS R-12 (SS-89)
USS GRAYLING (SS-209)
USS POMPANO (SS-181)
USS CISCO (SS-290)
USS S-44 (SS-155)
USS DORADO (SS-248)
USS WAHOO (SS-238)
USS CORVINA (SS-226)
USS SCULPIN (SS-191)
USS CAPELIN (SS-289)
1944
USS SCORPION (SS-278)
USS GRAYBACK (SS-208)
USS TROUT (SS-202)
USS TULIBEE (SS-284)
USS GUDGEON (SS-211)
USS HERRING (SS-233)
USS GOLET (SS-361)
USS S-28 (SS-133)
USS ROBALO (SS-273)
USS FLIER (SS-250)
USS HARDER (SS-257)
USS SEAWOLF (SS-197)
USS SHARK II (SS-314)
USS TANG (SS-306)
USS ESCOLAR (SS-294)
USS ALBACORE (SS-218)
USS GROWLER (SS-215)
USS DARTER (SS-227)
USS SCAMP (SS-277)
1945
USS SWORDFISH (SS-193)
USS BARBEL (SS-316)
USS KETE (SS-369)
USS TRIGGER (SS-237)
USS SNOOK (SS-279)
USS LAGARTO (SS-371)
USS BONEFISH (SS-223)
USS BULLHEAD (SS-332)
ADDITIONAL LOSSES

Are you Returning from Iraq or Afghanistan? Get help and connect with Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA).

Past Posts from Sam Spade's San Francisco that may interest you:
USS New Jersey passes under Golden Gate Bridge - great historic photo!
USS Laffey (DD-724) - the ship that would not die
Coast Guard receives last CPG: up next are the Fast Response Cutters
USS Stockdale (DDG 106) commissioning and opeational facts
Coast Guard joins Navy Safe Harbor program for wounded warriors
USCGC Polar Star gets $29-million refit


Medal of Honor recipients
buried at San Francisco National Cemetery:

First Sergeant William Allen (Indian Campaigns), Company I, 23rd U.S. Infantry. Turret Mountain, Ariz., March 27, 1873 (Section OS, Grave 48-2).

Chief Machinist’s Mate William Badders U.S. Navy. At sea following sinking of the U.S.S. Squalus, May 13, 1939 (Section A, Grave 788-A).

Major James Coey (Civil War), 147th New York Infantry. Hatchers Run, Va., Feb. 6, 1865 (Section OS, Grave 89-1).

Sergeant James Congdon (served under the name James Madison) (Civil War), Company E, 8th New York Cavalry. Waynesboro, Va., March 2, 1865 (Section OSA, Grave 15-7).

Second Lieutenant Matthias W. Day (Indian Campaigns), 9th U.S. Cavalry. Las Animas Canyon, N.M., Sept. 18, 1879 (Section OS, Grave 2-11).

Major General William F. Dean (Korean War), U.S. Army, commanding general, 24th Infantry Division. Taejon, Korea, July 20 – 21, 1950 (Section GHT, Grave 353-B).

Captain Reginald B. Desiderio (Korean War), U.S. Army, commanding officer, Company E, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. Near Ipsok, Korea, Nov. 27, 1950 (Section OS, Grave 128-20).

Lieutenant Abraham DeSomer (Mexican Campaign), U.S. Navy, U.S.S. Utah. Vera Cruz, Mexico, April 21 – 22, 1914 (Section MA, Grave 15).

Colonel Kern W. Dunagan (Vietnam War), U.S. Army, Company A, 1st Battalion, 46 Infantry, American Division. Republic of Vietnam, May 13, 1969 (Section WS, Grave 117-I).

Sergeant William Foster (Indian Campaigns), Company F, 4th U.S. Cavalry. Red River, Tex., Sept. 29, 1872 (Section WS, Grave 197).

Colonel Frederick Funston, Sr., (Philippine Insurrection), 20th Kansas Volunteer Infantry. Rio Grande de la Pampanga, Luzon, Philippine Islands, April 27, 1899 (Section OS, Grave 68-3).

Seaman Rade Grbitch U.S. Navy. On board the U.S.S. Bennington, July 21, 1905 (Section A, Grave 44).

Major Oliver D. Greene (Civil War), U.S. Army. Antietam, Md., Sept. 17, 1862 (Section OS, Grave 49-8).

First Lieutenant John Chowning Gresham (Indian Campaigns), 7th U.S. Cavalry. Wounded Knee Creek, S.D., Dec. 29, 1890 (Section OS, Row 4-A Grave 5).

Chief Carpenter’s Mate Franz Anton Itrich (Spanish-American War), U.S. Navy. On board the U.S.S. Petrel, May 1, 1898 (Section OSA, Grave 83-5).

Staff Sergeant Robert S. Kennemore (Korean War), U.S. Marine Corps, Company E, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division. North of Yudam-ni, Korea, Nov. 27 – 28, 1950 (Section H, Grave CA- 404).

Sergeant John Sterling Lawton (Indian Campaigns), Company D, 5th U.S. Cavalry. Milk River, Colo., Sept. 29, 1879 (Section NAWS, Grave 1392).

Private Cornelius J. Leahy (Philippine Insurrection), Company A, 36th Infantry, U.S. Volunteers. Near Porac, Luzon, Philippine Islands, Sept. 3, 1899 (Section NA, Grave 970).

First Sergeant John Mitchell (Indian Campaigns), Company I, 5th U.S. Infantry. Upper Washita, Tex., Sept. 9-11, 1874 (Section NAWS, Grave 411).

Private Albert Moore (Spanish-American War), U.S. Marine Corps. Peking, China, July 21 – Aug. 17, 1900 (Section WS, Grave 1032-A).

Second Lieutenant Louis Clinton Mosher (Philippine Insurrection), Philippine Scouts. Gagsak Mountain, Jolo, Philippine Islands, June 11, 1913 (Section NA, Gave 1408).

Private Adam Neder (Indian Campaigns), Company A, 7th U.S. Cavalry. Sioux Campaign, December 1890 (Section NAWS, Grave 1805).

First Lieutenant William R. Parnell (Indian Campaigns), 1st U.S. Cavalry. White Bird Canyon, Idaho, June 17, 1877 (Section OS, Grave 68-8).

Corporal Reuben Jasper Phillips (Boxer Rebellion), U.S. Marine Corps. China, June 1900 (Section OSD, Grave 3).

Corporal Norman W. Ressler (Spanish-American War), Company D, 17th U.S. Infantry. El Caney, Cuba, July 1, 1898 (Section WS, Grave 134-A).

Sergeant Lloyd Martin Seibert (World War I), U.S. Army, Company F, 364th Infantry, 91st Division. Near Epinonville, France, Sept. 26, 1918 (Section OS, Grave 128-10).

First Lieutenant William Rufus Shafter (Civil War), Company I, 7th Michigan Infantry. Fair Oaks, Va., May 31, 1862 (Section OS, Grave 30-2).

Private George Matthew Shelton, Sr., (Philippine Insurrection), Company I, 23rd U.S. Infantry. La Paz, Leyte, Philippine Islands, April 26, 1900 (Section OSD, Grave 799).

Gunner’s Mate Second Class Andrew V. Stoltenberg (Philippine Insurrection), U.S. Navy. Katbalogan, Samar, Philippine Islands, July 16, 1900 (Section A, Grave 242).

Sergeant Bernard Taylor (Indian Campaigns), Company A, 5th U.S. Cavalry. Near Sunset Pass, Ariz., Nov. 1, 1874 (Section WS, Grave 1090).

Coxswain Karl Thomas (Boxer Rebellion), U.S. Navy. China, July 18, 1900 (Section NA, Grave 369).

Private William H. Thompkins (Spanish-American War), Troop G, 10th U.S. Cavalry. Tayabacoa, Cuba, June 30, 1898 (Section WS, Grave 1036-A).

Captain Charles A. Varnum (Indian Campaigns), Company B, 7th U.S. Cavalry. White Clay Creek, S. D., Dec. 30, 1890 (Section OS, Grave 3-3-A).

Second Lieutenant George W. Wallace (Philippine Insurrection), 9th U.S. Infantry. Tinuba, Luzon, Philippine Islands, March 4, 1900 (Section OS, ROW 39A, Grave 1).

Seaman Axel Westermark (Boxer Rebellion), U.S. Navy. Peking, China June 28 – Aug. 17, 1900 (Section A, Grave 32).

Sergeant William Wilson (Indian Campaigns), Company I, 4th U.S. Cavalry. Colorado Valley, Texas, March 28, 1872 and Red River, Texas, Sept. 29, 1872 (Section WS, Grave 527).

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HEADQUARTERS GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC

General Orders No.11, WASHINGTON, D.C., May 5, 1868

  1. The 30th day of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet church-yard in the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.

    We are organized, comrades, as our regulations tell us, for the purpose among other things, "of preserving and strengthening those kind and fraternal feelings which have bound together the soldiers, sailors, and marines who united to suppress the late rebellion." What can aid more to assure this result than cherishing tenderly the memory of our heroic dead, who made their breasts a barricade between our country and its foes? Their soldier lives were the reveille of freedom to a race in chains, and their deaths the tattoo of rebellious tyranny in arms. We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance. All that the consecrated wealth and taste of the nation can add to their adornment and security is but a fitting tribute to the memory of her slain defenders. Let no wanton foot tread rudely on such hallowed grounds. Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no vandalism of avarice or neglect, no ravages of time testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic.

    If other eyes grow dull, other hands slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of life remain to us.

    Let us, then, at the time appointed gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with the choicest flowers of spring-time; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved from hishonor; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us a sacred charge upon a nation's gratitude, the soldier's and sailor's widow and orphan.

  2. It is the purpose of the Commander-in-Chief to inaugurate this observance with the hope that it will be kept up from year to year, while a survivor of the war remains to honor the memory of his departed comrades. He earnestly desires the public press to lend its friendly aid in bringing to the notice of comrades in all parts of the country in time for simultaneous compliance therewith.
  3. Department commanders will use efforts to make this order effective.

    By order of

    JOHN A. LOGAN,
    Commander-in-Chief

    N.P. CHIPMAN,
    Adjutant General

    Official:
    WM. T. COLLINS, A.A.G.


Other Memorial Day resources from The Veterans Administration:

Also, veterans may want to download this Guide to Veterans Services in San Francisco provided by Nancy Pelosi's office. (in .pdf format)

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1 comments:

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