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Individuals associated with Vinson Hall
Retirement Community, who survived Pearl
Harbor Attack, to participate in Navy
Memorial Event December 7
MCLEAN,
Va., Dec. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Two individuals
associated with Vinson Hall Retirement
Community (VHRC), in McLean, VA, who
survived the Pearl Harbor attack, will
participate in a commemoration of the event
Sunday, December 7, 2008 at the U.S. Navy
Memorial in Washington, D.C.
One was a naval officer during the attack, another just a
young boy. VHRC is home to many military
veterans and spouses and a national showcase
for new methods and technologies for serving
seniors.
The survivor and VHRC resident, Commander John Budzik,
retired after 28 years in the Navy where he
won the Bronze Star. Rear Admiral Edward K.
"Ted" Walker Jr. USN (Ret) serves on the
board of the U.S. Navy Memorial and is
Chairman of the Vinson Hall Corporation
Board of Directors.
As a nine-year old boy and the son of a naval officer
stationed at Pearl Harbor, Walker witnessed
the attack.
Another survivor who will be at the event -- USNR (Ret)
Signalman 1st Class Bert Falardeau -- is not
a VHRC resident. He authored four books
about his Navy experiences.
Also participating will be students from Chesterbrook
Middle School in McLean. Chesterbrook and
VHRC have a longstanding relationship that
includes many intergenerational educational
activities.
The event is free and open to the public. The Memorial is
at 701 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington,
DC 20004.
The ceremony will begin at 1:00 p.m. Activities include:
-- A wreath laying
-- A ceremony to make CDR Budzik an honorary crewmember of
the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson. The
ship has a longstanding relationship with
VHRC.
-- Comments by RADM Kathleen L. Martin USN (Ret), CEO of
VHRC who is also former Deputy Surgeon
General of the Navy; Rear Admiral Richard A.
Buchanan, USN (Ret.) president and CEO of
the U.S. Navy Memorial; and CAPT Steve
Koehler, executive officer of USS Carl
Vinson (CVN-70).
-- A panel discussion with Pearl Harbor survivors and
witnesses
-- A reception with refreshments following the ceremony,
courtesy of Vinson Hall Retirement Community
"We're very proud of our association with the U.S. Navy
Memorial, the USS Carl Vinson, Chesterbrook
Middle School and many other organizations,"
said Martin. "Pearl Harbor Day is a special
commemoration in our nation's history and
we're honored to participate and recognize
the heroes of that event."
About Vinson Hall Retirement Community (VHRC)
VHRC is a non-profit continuing care retirement community
with a 40-year history of offering a broad
range of services, activities and care.
In addition to providing state of the art service and care
for its residents, VHRC is instrumental in
bringing together many of the nation's
experts on aging and healthcare to showcase
ways innovative practices and new technology
can be of benefit to our nation's seniors.
VHRC is located at 6251 Old Dominion Drive
McLean, VA 22101.
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