The Memorial/Dedication was wonderful. Father Charles Fuld's invocation was very appropriate and inspiring (see text below). The idea of the dedication ceremony being a celebration of the lives of all who have served on Hopewell was well received. The plaque is dedicated to all who have served on Hopewell and especially to those who died in combat at Corregidor, the ultimate sacrifice spoken of in the Gospels.
Here is Father Fuld's invocation:"Eternal Father -- Lord God of all -- we come together here to give you thanks and to remember.
We thank you for the many gifts we have received: your love, our families, our country, our shipmates, our families. We thank you for being with us in rough seas and in our sheltered moments here at home.
We remember the times you protected us from storms and hostile fire. We remember the care you gave our families when we were far away. We remember the long night watches under the stars when you touched our souls. We remember the men who stood watch with us then, and who stand with us still now. We remember those who have died: shipmates and loved ones too. Keep them -- and all of us -- always safe in your love. And when our time here too comes to an end, let it be in your loving care for ever and ever.....AMEN"
Father Fuld then blessed and dedicated our plaque.
In addition to the first verse of the Navy Hymn, a somewhat modifed alternate to the original Hymn, was read by Ed Chew as follows:
O Father, King of earth and sea,
We dedicated this ship to thee.
In faith we sent her on her way;
In faith to thee we humbly prayed:
You heard from heaven our sailor's cry
To watch and guard her from on high!
And now that her faithful course is run,
Her work for home and country done,
Of all the souls that in her sailed
Let not one life in thee have failed;
But hear from heaven our sailor's cry,
And grant eternal life on high!
-- Author and date unknown slightly amended by EChew2008 to reflect the past tense of the dedication.
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The USS Hopewell Memorial Service was held at Mount Soledad Veterans' Memorial on Thursday, March 20th, 2008, at 1400, under the auspices of the American Legion Post 275. Carl Dustin, VP of the Veterans' Memorial Association will be our Host.
USS HOPEWELL DD-681
MT. SOLEDAD MEMORIAL
THURSDAY, 20 MARCH 2008 Times approx.
1400 ASSEMBLE FOR GROUP PHOTO
1408
WELCOME BY OUR HOST – CARL
DUSTIN, V.P.
MT.
SOLEDAD MEMORIAL ASSOCIATION
1413
INTRODUCE MC – Ed Chew, Bosn. USS HOPEWELL
REUNION
ASSOCIATION
‘TO
THE COLORS’ BUGLER – CARL DUSTIN 1418 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - LED BY Ed Chew
1420
UNVEILING OF THE USS HOPEWELL PLAQUE –
ANNOUNCED
BY Ed Chew 1422 INTRODUCTION OF Chaplain AND BRIEF REMARKS – Ed Chew 1425
INVOCATION AND DEDICATION OF THE PLAQUE– Father Charles Fuld
1432THE NAVY HYMN – FIRST VERSE SUNG BY THE ASSEMBLAGE led by Ed Chew
1436 TAPS BUGLER – CARL DUSTIN
LOWERING
OF FLAG – BRAD MILLS
READING OF THE LIST OF RECENTLY DEPARTED SHIPMATES - ED CHEW TOLLING
THE MEMORY BELL – Almando Cecchi
RELEASING
OF WHITE DOVES – FRED DASKOSKI
1445 DISMISSAL, PHOTO OPS WITH PLAQUE AND MEMORIAL TOUR OF MT. SOLEDAD
1520 ALL ABOARD – RETURN HANDLERY HOTEL
Driving Directions to the Memorial Below
I am providing driving directions from the Handlery Hotel to MT Soledad for those who will be driving themselves rather than going on the bus with the group. There is adequate parking, although some may have to walk a little ways up the hill. The buses will drop us right in front.
Driving Directions from 950 Hotel Cir N, San Diego, CA to 6905 La Jolla Scenic Dr S, La Jolla, CA