The Spirit of the Fourth committee is using a new way to raise the $70,000 needed for Rancho Bernardo’s July 4 celebration — corporate sponsorships.  Ashford University in Sabre Springs recently signed on as the 41st annual community event’s title sponsor.

“Ashford University is pleased to support the community of Rancho Bernardo in its celebration of the honor and service of our wounded warriors,” said Kenneth Haight, Ashford’s vice president of military and corporate development.

To see the complete article, please click on the following link:  http://pomeradonews.com/article/News/News/Spirit_of_the_Fourth_lands_title_sponsor/32836

The U.S. Marine Corps Recruit Depot Brass Quintet

led by SSgt. Jonathan Bley

This year, the Spirit of the Fourth celebration offers a unique way to kickoff Independence Day with a US Marine Corps Band Concert on July 3, 2010, in Webb Park. The free concert, a thank you to Freedom Club members, begins at 6:00 PM, so plan to bring a blanket or chair and gather around the lake to enjoy the patriotic music. Limited food and beverages will be available at the event.

For more information, please click on the recent article in the Rancho Bernardo News Journal:  http://www.pomeradonews.com/article/News/News/Concert_kicks_off_RBs_Independence_Day_celebration/33086

The 2010 Spirit of the Fourth Grand Marshals are:

BOBBY CHEATOM

Mr. Bobby Cheatom is a Korean War and Vietnam War veteran who was awarded his Purple Heart while serving with the 212^th Military Police Company, 519^th Infantry Battalion, of the 8^th Army in Korea.  Mr. Cheatom was wounded on March 19, 1953, while serving in North Korea, when his position was overrun.

Mr. Cheatom also served with the 101^st Airborne Division, 101^st Military Police Company, while stationed in Vietnam.

ERNEST H. COLLIER

Mr. Ernest H. Collier is a Korean War veteran whose Purple Heart was earned in South Korea in 1951.  The battle area was near Pusan, Korea.  The actual award was made by General Mark Clark at Letterman Hospital, in San Francisco, CA.

Mr. Collier has the distinction of entering the U.S. Army as a member of the 9^th Horse Calvary Regiment (otherwise known as the “Buffalo Soldiers”) in December 1942.

ESEQUIEL BRIONES LEOS

Mr. Esequiel Briones Leos is a Korean War veteran who was awarded his Purple Heart for wounds received on May 15, 1953.  Mr. Leos was stationed at an outpost called “Dale,” which was adjacent to the infamous location called “Pork Chop Hill,” Korea.  Mr. Briones received his award during a hospital ceremony in 1953.

GUNNERY SERGEANT PHILIP BISHOP

Gunnery Sergeant Philip Bishop, (ret.) has served 26 years in the U.S. Marine Corp and has seen duty in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.  Sergeant Bishop is the recipient of two (2) Purple Hearts.  He was awarded his first Purple Heart for wound received in Korea during October 1950.  His second Purple Heart was awarded for wounds received in Vietnam.

JOSEPH A. PETRINI

Mr. Joseph Petrini is a Vietnam War veteran who was awarded his awarded his Purple Heart while serving as a U.S. Marine.  Mr. Petrini was walking point in An Hoa Basin, Quang Nam Province, South Vietnam, when wounded on February 17, 1970.

Mr. Petrini and his family are residents of Rancho Bernardo since 1982. His real estate office is also in RB.

LIEUTENANT WILLIAM WHITEMAN

Lieutenant Will Whiteman, U.S. Navy, is an active duty Iraq Freedom veteran who serves as a Counter-Intelligence/Human Intelligence Officer with the Multi-National Force - Iraq C2 Team.  Lt. Whiteman has been awarded two (2) Purple Hearts for wounds incurred in battle.

Lt. Whiteman earned his first Purple Heart on April 1, 2006, at Mosul, Iraq, during Operation Enduring Freedom. He was awarded his second Purple Heart for wounds incurred on August 19, 2006, in Baghdad, Iraq, during Operation Enduring Freedom.

MAJOR DUDLEY ELMORE

Major Dudley (Doug) Elmore is an Afghanistan War veteran who was awarded his Purple Heart for wounds received on July 2, 2002.  Major Elmore was on a medical mission while serving with the 1980 Forward Surgical Team (F.S.T.), 3^rd Brigade, 101^st Airborne Division, stationed at Kandahar, Afghanistan.

MASTER SERGEANT TORAIN S. KELLEY

MSgt. Torain S. Kelley is an active duty Marine who is an Iraqi War veteran.  MSgt. Kelley was wounded on November 11, 2004, while serving with the 1^st Battalion, 3^rd Marines.  He came under fire from rocket-propelled grenades while participating in “Operation Phantom Fury” near Fallujah, Iraq.

ORLOW F. (”Buzz”) GARRETT

Mr. Orlow F. Garrett is a World War II veteran who was awarded two (2) Purple Hearts.  Mr. Garrett was first wounded in “Operation Dragoon” near the city of Besancon, France, on September 7, 1944.  He was wounded a second time while fighting to liberate Germany on April 12, 1945, resulting in the award of his second Purple Heart.

It is very noteworthy that “Buzz” Garrett was recently awarded France’s highest honor medal, the French Legion of Honor, for the defense of France and the Allied effort.  The medal was awarded on May 8, 2010, at the French Consulate in Beverly Hills, CA.

ROBERT HOLLOWAY

Mr. Bob Holloway is a Korean War veteran who was awarded his Purple Heart for injuries incurred in battle in the Panmunjon area of central Korea.  Mr. Holloway had the distinct honor of having his Purple Heart pinned on his flax jacket, by his Commanding Officer, Brigadier General Chesty Puller of the 5^th Marines, 2^nd Battalion, Fox Company.  Bob’s award was on February 25, 1953.

SOLOMON K. ESPINDA

Mr. Solomon K. Espinda is an Iraqi War veteran.

ULYSSES MILLER, JR.

Mr. Ulysses Miller, Jr., is a Vietnam War veteran who was awarded the Purple Heart for injuries incurred while performing an Air Force Special Operations mission in Phouc Vinh, South Vietnam.  The medal was awarded by Headquarters, 7^th Air Force, A.P.O., San Francisco, CA, on 20 December 1969.

Mr. Miller is also the Commander of Chapter 0049 of the Military Order of the Purple Heart in San Diego.  Chapter 0049 is the largest Purple Heart chapter in the state of California.

A fundraiser for the Spirit of the Fourth –

North County’s largest Independence Day celebration

Enjoy the romantic charm of an evening at San Diego’s oldest operating vineyard and winery, the Bernardo Winery. The Spirit of the Fourth Committee is excited to provide the music of Eve Selis and her band on Friday, May 21, 2010, from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m.

The $35 tickets price includes champagne and desserts, and may be purchased online (see instructions below) or by calling 858-485-8502. All proceeds benefit the Spirit of the Fourth Committee, a 501 (c) 3 organization which funds and organizes the community event on July 4^th.

If you are interested in purchasing tickets for this fundraising event, please click the “DONATE” button.  Enter the amount to coincide with the number of $35 tickets you would like to purchase.  You will receive a follow-up email to confirm your ticket order and to select ticket receipt either at will call that evening or by mail beforehand.

Rancho Bernardo will begin its Independence Day celebration early, when it hosts a concert featuring a Marine Corps band.

The free concert of patriotic music will be held in Webb Park at 6 p.m. Saturday, July 3.

Freedom Club members (those who donated $125 or more to this year’s festivities) will receive reserved seating at the concert, said Steve DeMatteo, Spirit of the Fourth president.

All other concert attendees are encouraged to bring a blanket for grass seating or to purchase a special “Spirit of the Fourth” blanket at the concert for $20. Refreshments will also be available for purchase, DeMatteo said.

To see the complete article, please click on the following link:  http://www.pomeradonews.com/article/News/News/Concert_kicks_off_RBs_Independence_Day_celebration/33086

Spirit of the Fourth Lands Title Sponsor (Pomerado Newsgroup, Article by Elizabeth Himchek )

The Spirit of the Fourth committee is using a new way to raise the $70,000 needed for Rancho Bernardo’s July 4 celebration — corporate sponsorships.  Ashford University in Sabre Springs recently signed on as the 41st annual community event’s title sponsor.

“Ashford University is pleased to support the community of Rancho Bernardo in its celebration of the honor and service of our wounded warriors,” said Kenneth Haight, Ashford’s vice president of military and corporate development.

To see the complete article, please click on the following link:  http://pomeradonews.com/article/News/News/Spirit_of_the_Fourth_lands_title_sponsor/32836

Schedule of July 4th events in Rancho Bernardo (Rancho Bernardo News Journal, 7/1/10)

The Spirit of the Fourth Committee in Rancho Bernardo announces the return of the RB Idol Talent Competition for the Webb Park’s 4^th of July festivities. The talent competition is open to any student who attends a Poway Unified School from ages 8 through 18 and is limited to the first 20 contestants to fill out the contest application and return it to The RB Idol Coordinator, Rebecca Burgess. You may mail your application to Rebecca Burgess PO Box 270734 San Diego, CA 92198 or e-mail your completed application to: Rebeccaburgess@sbcglobal.net.  PLEASE NOTE:  The 2010 RB Idol Competition is full.  We encourage you to apply next year if you are interested in participating.  And please come and enjoy the show!

There will be a 5-minute time limit to each act which includes any special set up they may need. 3 cash prizes will be awarded: 1^st place - $500.00, 2^nd place - $200.00, 3^rd place - $100.00. Also the top three place finishers will be invited to perform their winning number at the evening’s fireworks festivities located at the RBHS/BHMS Soccer Fields. This talent competition is for any talent whether it is singing, instrumental, drama, or dance. If you have any questions, please contact Rebecca Burgess by e-mailing her at Rebeccaburgess@sbcglobal.net and she will respond to your questions with 24 hours.

Opening the contest and also serving as a judge will be hometown sensation Molly Jenson.

Download Rules & Information.

Download Official Entry Form.

The Spirit of the Fourth Committee is off to an early and exciting start, looking forward to an old-fashioned Independence Day celebration for Rancho Bernardo, including a pancake breakfast, a Festival in the Park, a veterans memorial service, the parade and, to top things off, an evening of entertainment and fireworks.

Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher of the 75th Assembly District will be the parade grand marshal this year, the 40th for the Spirit of the Fourth celebration.

Problems with the economy have reduced the amount of donations usually received from service groups and government agencies so the Spirit of the Fourth Committee is asking for donations of any size to assist their efforts this year. If you can donate $125 or more, you’ll become a member of the Freedom Club, which will grant you: VIP parking and seating before the parade and the evening entertainment and fireworks, an invitation to the VIP reception at 1 p.m. on the Fourth and more. Please make your check payable to “Spirit of the Fourth, Inc.”, which is a 501c(3) nonprofit organization, making your contribution tax-deductible.

Getting into the Spirit will make you feel good and help one of Rancho Bernardo’s hardest-working committees.

Seating is on the grass and it is suggested that those attending bring blankets or lawn chairs. There is reserved seating and parking for Freedom Club members. Parking is free in the student parking lot off Avenida Venusto.  Food and refreshments will be available for purchase at the event.

The 2010 Spirit of the Fourth Grand Marshals are all Purple Heart Recipients.

BOBBY CHEATOM

Mr. Bobby Cheatom is a Korean War and Vietnam War veteran who was awarded his Purple Heart while serving with the 212^th Military Police Company, 519^th Infantry Battalion, of the 8^th Army in Korea.  Mr. Cheatom was wounded on March 19, 1953, while serving in North Korea, when his position was overrun.

Mr. Cheatom also served with the 101^st Airborne Division, 101^st Military Police Company, while stationed in Vietnam.

ERNEST H. COLLIER

Mr. Ernest H. Collier is a Korean War veteran whose Purple Heart was earned in South Korea in 1951.  The battle area was near Pusan, Korea.  The actual award was made by General Mark Clark at Letterman Hospital, in San Francisco, CA.

Mr. Collier has the distinction of entering the U.S. Army as a member of the 9^th Horse Calvary Regiment (otherwise known as the “Buffalo Soldiers”) in December 1942.

ESEQUIEL BRIONES LEOS

Mr. Esequiel Briones Leos is a Korean War veteran who was awarded his Purple Heart for wounds received on May 15, 1953.  Mr. Leos was stationed at an outpost called “Dale,” which was adjacent to the infamous location called “Pork Chop Hill,” Korea.  Mr. Briones received his award during a hospital ceremony in 1953.

GUNNERY SERGEANT PHILIP BISHOP

Gunnery Sergeant Philip Bishop, (ret.) has served 26 years in the U.S. Marine Corp and has seen duty in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.  Sergeant Bishop is the recipient of two (2) Purple Hearts.  He was awarded his first Purple Heart for wound received in Korea during October 1950.  His second Purple Heart was awarded for wounds received in Vietnam.

JOSEPH A. PETRINI

Mr. Joseph Petrini is a Vietnam War veteran who was awarded his awarded his Purple Heart while serving as a U.S. Marine.  Mr. Petrini was walking point in An Hoa Basin, Quang Nam Province, South Vietnam, when wounded on February 17, 1970.

Mr. Petrini and his family are residents of Rancho Bernardo since 1982. His real estate office is also in RB.

LIEUTENANT WILLIAM WHITEMAN

Lieutenant Will Whiteman, U.S. Navy, is an active duty Iraq Freedom veteran who serves as a Counter-Intelligence/Human Intelligence Officer with the Multi-National Force - Iraq C2 Team.  Lt. Whiteman has been awarded two (2) Purple Hearts for wounds incurred in battle.

Lt. Whiteman earned his first Purple Heart on April 1, 2006, at Mosul, Iraq, during Operation Enduring Freedom. He was awarded his second Purple Heart for wounds incurred on August 19, 2006, in Baghdad, Iraq, during Operation Enduring Freedom.

MAJOR DUDLEY ELMORE

Major Dudley (Doug) Elmore is an Afghanistan War veteran who was awarded his Purple Heart for wounds received on July 2, 2002.  Major Elmore was on a medical mission while serving with the 1980 Forward Surgical Team (F.S.T.), 3^rd Brigade, 101^st Airborne Division, stationed at Kandahar, Afghanistan.

MASTER SERGEANT TORAIN S. KELLEY

MSgt. Torain S. Kelley is an active duty Marine who is an Iraqi War veteran.  MSgt. Kelley was wounded on November 11, 2004, while serving with the 1^st Battalion, 3^rd Marines.  He came under fire from rocket-propelled grenades while participating in “Operation Phantom Fury” near Fallujah, Iraq.

ORLOW F. (”Buzz”) GARRETT

Mr. Orlow F. Garrett is a World War II veteran who was awarded two (2) Purple Hearts.  Mr. Garrett was first wounded in “Operation Dragoon” near the city of Besancon, France, on September 7, 1944.  He was wounded a second time while fighting to liberate Germany on April 12, 1945, resulting in the award of his second Purple Heart.

It is very noteworthy that “Buzz” Garrett was recently awarded France’s highest honor medal, the French Legion of Honor, for the defense of France and the Allied effort.  The medal was awarded on May 8, 2010, at the French Consulate in Beverly Hills, CA.

ROBERT HOLLOWAY

Mr. Bob Holloway is a Korean War veteran who was awarded his Purple Heart for injuries incurred in battle in the Panmunjon area of central Korea.  Mr. Holloway had the distinct honor of having his Purple Heart pinned on his flax jacket, by his Commanding Officer, Brigadier General Chesty Puller of the 5^th Marines, 2^nd Battalion, Fox Company.  Bob’s award was on February 25, 1953.

SOLOMON K. ESPINDA

Mr. Solomon K. Espinda is an Iraqi War veteran.

ULYSSES MILLER, JR.

Mr. Ulysses Miller, Jr., is a Vietnam War veteran who was awarded the Purple Heart for injuries incurred while performing an Air Force Special Operations mission in Phouc Vinh, South Vietnam.  The medal was awarded by Headquarters, 7^th Air Force, A.P.O., San Francisco, CA, on 20 December 1969.

Mr. Miller is also the Commander of Chapter 0049 of the Military Order of the Purple Heart in San Diego.  Chapter 0049 is the largest Purple Heart chapter in the state of California.