Tag: memorials

Photos of Jerry Coleman public memorial service.

Jerry Coleman, a life well lived.
Jerry Coleman, a life well lived.

Today, an estimated 5000 people turned out for the public memorial service celebrating the life of the late Jerry Coleman.  The service took place at Petco Park, home of the San Diego Padres.  “The Colonel” had been the central figure in the Padres baseball organization for over four decades.  Jerry’s broadcasting voice will be missed by generations of fans.  An excellent argument can be made that he was the most loved public figure in the history of our city.

I apologize that my camera isn’t of the highest quality.  I do hope you enjoy a few images that I captured.

Crowd enters Petco Park for Jerry Coleman memorial service.
Crowd enters Petco Park for Jerry Coleman memorial service.
Petco Park screens show photos of Colonel Coleman.
Petco Park screens show photos of Colonel Coleman.
San Diegans fill Petco to demonstrate their love for Jerry.
San Diegans fill Petco to demonstrate their love for Jerry.
The colors are presented while everyone stands.
The colors are presented while everyone stands.
Dick Enberg remembers the late Jerry Coleman.
Dick Enberg remembers the late Jerry Coleman.

Dick Enberg noted that the stage was located on Jerry’s favorite spot: second base.  After the playing of the National Anthem by the Marine Band, F-18 fighter jets roared overhead in the missing man formation.

Fan holds up a star to honor Jerry Coleman.
Fan holds up a star to honor Jerry Coleman.
Tim Flannery sings his own composition about Jerry Coleman.
Tim Flannery sings his own composition about Jerry Coleman.

After speeches by Randy Jones, Bob Chandler, Ron Fowler and Ron Roberts, fan-favorite former Padres player Tim Flannery sang his own stirring composition about Jerry Coleman, the man who hung the stars.

Padres fan reads about a hero's many accomplishments.
Padres fan reads about a hero’s many accomplishments.
JC in a star on the scoreboard, and on next year's uniforms.
JC in a star on the scoreboard, and on next year’s uniforms.
Joe Torre represents Major League Baseball at Coleman memorial.
Joe Torre represents Major League Baseball at Coleman memorial.

Joe Torre received great applause when he related a few humorous and touching old Yankees stories, and spoke of Jerry Coleman’s heroism and humility.

Ted Leitner gives memorable and emotional keynote speech.
Ted Leitner gives memorable, emotional keynote speech.

Ted Leitner, Jerry’s broadcast partner for many years, brought laughter and tears with his intimate accounts of a baseball legend’s modest personality and funny quirks.  He concluded that Jerry Coleman was the best man he’d ever known.

Marines fire guns to salute a true hero.
Marines fire guns to salute a true hero.

After a salute by the Marine Corps, a T-6 SNJ aircraft from 1942, similar to the one Coleman flew in World War II passed overhead to honor the former Marine.

Jerry’s daughter Chelsea then spoke about her dad.  She said that all he really lived for was his country, the game of baseball, and the people he loved.  Dick Enberg concluded the memorial by saying that we all were fortunate to be part of the legacy of Jerry Coleman.

Celebrating a life well lived.
Celebrating a life well lived.

52 Boats Memorial at NTC Liberty Station.

52 Boats Memorial at NTC Liberty Station.
52 Boats Memorial at NTC Liberty Station.

52 U.S. Navy submarines were lost at sea during World War II.  3,505 submariners lost their lives.

At NTC Liberty Station, the 52 Boats Memorial remembers the sacrifice of these men.

The unique memorial runs along two beautiful walkways, and consists of 52 American Liberty Elm trees, 52 flags and 52 black granite markers.  The history of each submarine and the names of lost crew members are recounted for future generations to remember.

USS Grayling (SS-209) on eternal patrol.
USS Grayling (SS-209)  sunk in World War II is on eternal patrol.
American flag shelters one of the solemn black marble markers.
American flag shelters one of the solemn black marble markers.
USS Pompano (SS-181) on eternal patrol.
USS Pompano (SS-181) and crew remain on eternal patrol.
Beautiful bird of paradise flowers along pathway through 52 Boats Memorial.
Beautiful bird of paradise flowers along pathway through 52 Boats Memorial.
USS Runner (SS-275) on eternal patrol.
USS Runner (SS-275) remembered over half a century later.
Submariners who lost their lives in World War II in incidents that did not involve the loss of a boat.
Submariners who lost their lives in World War II in incidents that did not involve the loss of a boat.
A new plaque respectfully recounts those Boats and Men Lost at Times Other Than WWII. A faded, identical plaque has been replaced in this photo, which I took at a later time.
A new plaque respectfully recounts those Boats and Men Lost at Times Other Than WWII. A faded, identical plaque used to stand here.
Someone honors submariner heroes by leaving flowers beside a black granite marker that remembers the USS Pickerel (SS-177).
Someone honors submariner heroes by leaving flowers beside a black granite marker that remembers the USS Pickerel (SS-177).

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Rest in Peace hero Jerry Coleman, 1924-2014.

Hang a star on that hero! Thank you for everything Jerry!
Hang a star on that hero! Thank you for everything Jerry!

A great hero.

A great player.

A great broadcaster.

A great man.

Flowers mark the passing of San Diego's beloved Jerry Coleman.
Flowers mark the passing of San Diego’s beloved Jerry Coleman.

Taffy 3 and Battle of Leyte Gulf Memorial.

admiral sprague bust remembers leyte gulf battle

This is the bust of Vice Admiral Clifton Sprague. He commanded Task Unit 77.4.3, also known as Taffy 3, during World War II. The 13 ships and over 7000 men of Taffy 3 fought courageously in the Pacific, repulsing a vastly superior force of Japanese battleships, cruisers and destroyers in the Battle of Leyte Gulf. It was the war’s final and greatest battle between the two opposing fleets.

Behind the bust, the monument features thirteen black polished granite panels. Each one contains historical information about the American naval ships that participated.

The Battle of Leyte Gulf Memorial is located in the middle of the Greatest Generation Walk, just south of the USS Midway. It’s not far from the huge, iconic Unconditional Surrender statue, which people often dub The Kiss. You can see it there in the first photo’s background!

Republic of the Philippines Presidential Unit Citation.
Republic of the Philippines Presidential Unit Citation.
Admiral Clifton A. F. Sprague won many awards.
Admiral Clifton A. F. Sprague won many awards.
Few can compare with the courage, coolness and tactical genius.
Few can compare with the courage, coolness and tactical genius.
Looking at the memorial with Navy Broadway Complex in background.
Looking at the memorial with Navy Broadway Complex in background.
Tourist poses near bust of Vice Admiral Clifton Sprague.
Tourist poses near bust of Vice Admiral Clifton Sprague.