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Individuals Associated with Vinson Hall Retirement Community, Who Survived Pearl Harbor Attack, to Participate in Navy Memorial Event December 7

Posted on: Monday, 1 December 2008, 08:30 CST

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. For more information, visit: http://www.navymemorial.org/Events/PearlHarborDay/tabid/119/Default.aspx

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.

SOURCE Vinson Hall Retirement Community

Source: PR Newswire

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