By Tom Morrow

Calling all veterans of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, as well as those veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. What the late Jim Downs started 24 years ago continues on Nov. 9, at Oceanside’s El Camino High School. The annual “Veterans Day” program is designed to recognize and honor those men and women who served our country. More importantly, the day is to educate high school students about those historic events and how it affects them today.
Sponsored by the San Luis Rey Rotary Club and El Camino High School, this program is the longest-running veterans’ program in San Diego County. The event was founded by Jim, himself a World War II veteran and retired high school teacher, to give high school students the opportunity to meet and hear, first-hand, some of the experiences lived by servicemen and women of all branches of the armed forces.
The event begins at 8 a.m., in Truax Theater on the ECHS campus. Veterans should show up around 7:45 a.m., for a cup of coffee before going into the auditorium. If you can still wear your uniform or any part thereof, feel free to put ‘em on.
“This year we are focusing primarily on the Vietnam era, the 50th year of the escalation of the war,” sez Rotarian Dennis Merchant. “Our featured speaker this year will be Tim Lickness who served as a platoon leader in both Korea and Vietnam and is also a Vietnam era historian.
Following the morning assembly, several of the veterans in attendance will visit individual classrooms to share their experiences with students who need to gain a better understanding of history and how veterans of all conflicts have influenced the lives the students live today.
If you are a veteran who would like to partake in this or future events, please contact Tom Voris at tom.voris@oside.net, or Dennis at 760-429-3449. It’s all open to the general public and is free of charge
WHERE ARE THEY NOW – Former Oceanside resident Ginny Tompkins dropped me a note to say “hi” from her home in Maricopa. She’s living with her daughter on a 60-acre timbered and rolling hills parcel at an elevation “about a mile high,” sez she. “I’m still painting but not as prolific, You can find me on the Internet.” She wants her friends to know her address: 323 Lockwood Valley Road, Maricopa, CA 93252.
And Brian Cook surfaced at Tarpon Springs on Florida’s west coast. He’s been down there for the past four years. Recently dodged a hurricane – just barely.
“We got blessed when it came to “Irma,” – Before she hit Tarpon Springs it took a right turn away from the Gulf.”
Jim Schroder just left Easter Island in the middle of the Pacific and winged over to Santiago, Chile for a few days so he can practice his Spanish. He’s passed the 155 mark in countries visited – he’s been to all seven continents, including Antarctica. Check out my feature on Jim elsewhere in OsideNews.com.
 
TRUISM — Getting through childhood on pins and needles got us to geezerhood, which we’re getting through on pills and needles. – Cecil Scaglione
 
Humorous or human-interest stories or notes for my OsideNews.com column can be forwarded via e-mail to me at: quotetaker@msn.com