Several years ago, a banner flew proudly on Brookhurst Street honoring Gregg Horibe, a United State Army veteran who happens to be my stepson.
Several years ago, the city and the Fountain Valley Community Foundation joined to offer a military banner program, in which Fountain Valley servicemen and servicewomen are honored on banners attached to light poles throughout the city.
My stepson, Gregg, had his own pole back in 2013. At the time, Gregg was serving in Iraq. You could see Gregg’s banner in front of what then was Orchard Supply Hardware. In fact, my wife, Lynn, enjoyed just pulling into the Orchard parking lot now and then – OK, almost every other day – to proudly visit his banner.
Prior to joining the Army, Gregg spent most his waking hours playing computer games in which he shot down or destroyed something in a way only a teen-ager could achieve.
It’s no surprise the Army sent Gregg to Baghdad where his job was to sit in one of Saddam Hussein’s captured palaces and shoot down things with a computer. Gregg spent four years in the Army, was honorably discharged and now lives in Texas.
I bring this up because on Monday, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9557 and its auxiliary will hold their annual Memorial Day observance at 10 a.m. at the city’s Veterans Memorial next to the library, 17635 Los Alamos St.
The annual ceremony usually attracts several hundred residents.
This year’s keynote speaker is Roderick Kurtz, a retired Navy lieutenant commander. He was raised in Fountain Valley and graduated from Fountain Valley High School. His parents still live in town.
The ceremony will also feature addresses by several dignitaries.
And new to this year’s event is a pancake breakfast, which will be held at Heritage Park, on the other side of the Fountain Valley Library, opposite of Veterans Park. The breakfast is set for 8:30 to 9:45 a.m.
A breakfast of pancakes, sausage, juice and coffee will be served for $5 with the money raised going to the Fountain Valley Community Foundation’s Honored Heroes Banner program – the same program that recognized my stepson several years ago.
So, come on out Monday, have breakfast to support a great cause and remember those we have lost fighting for our country.
More information on the Community Foundation: www.fvcommunityfoundation.org
And mark your calendars for another patriotic event.
Fountain Valley Boy Scout Troop 567 and Cub Scout Troop 567 will hold a flag retirement ceremony at 7 p.m. on June 14 at The Fount Church.
Residents who are interested can bring a flag to the church on the day of the event to be retired or recycled by the Scouts.
In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a presidential proclamation establishing a national Flag Day on June 14. The day commemorates the adoption of the Stars and Stripes as the official flag of our country.
A flag is retired “when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display,” according to the U.S. Flag Code. The code also calls for the retirement of an American flag “in a dignified way, preferably by burning.”
Refreshments will be served following the flag retirement ceremony. The Fount Church is at 18225 Bushard St.
For more information, call Gail Dyer at 714-716-7672.