Individuals Associated with Vinson Hall Retirement Community, Who Survived Pearl Harbor Attack, to Participate in Navy Memorial Event ...( MCLEAN Va. Dec. 1 /- Two individuals ...),Health

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
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