Please join us
99th BIRTHDAY/HONOR VEHICLE SALUTE
WWII US NAVY Veteran, James Donald Porter, Aviation Electrician 2nd Class Petty Officer

Our Hero enlisted in the US Navy on 11-19-42 and served on the USS St. George in Okinawa. Battle Station as a loader for a quad 40mm gun

They hit a Japanese plane that flew over his head and crashed on the deck.

It flew so close to him, that he could have touched the wing.

He was splintered with wood from the deck when the plane crashed but he refused to put in for a Purple Heart because he did not feel his injuries warranted it.

He saw the signing of the Japanese surrender on the USS Missouri from a distance. Interestingly, he was supposed to be assigned to a different ship but there was only one position available and two qualified sailors. He and the other sailor flipped a coin and the other sailor took the spot. That ship was sunk shortly after it arrived in the Pacific Theater.

DATE: Sunday, September 19th
LOCATION: Arroyo Grande
TIME: ARRIVE 2:30 pm to staging location

STAGING LOCATION: Harloe Elementary School, 901 Fairoaks, AG
Please back into parking spaces

BRIEFING: (You must attend briefing)

FYI:

Please “BACK IN” to the parking spaces.
DETAILS/SAFETY MEASURES

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1. MISSION UPDATE #: Always call our Mission Update # for the latest details/changes that may happen to each mission. 805-242-0536
2. MASK REQUIREMENTS: Due to recent mandates, we are requesting that a mask is worn, regardless of vaccination status, when we are doing our presentation to Veteran. If you can’t wear a mask for medical reasons, then please remain a safe distance away from our Veteran. Thank you for understanding.
3. BRIEFING: You must attend the briefing to be part of this event.
4. DEPARTURE: After the briefing, we will line up the caravan/convoy in order and depart.
5. HEADLIGHTS/HAZARD LIGHTS:**** Please turn them on when we line up to exit the staging area. DRIVE SLOW.
6. EXITING PARKING LOT: Follow all traffic laws.
7. Birthday / Thank you for your service cards will need to be given to our Mail Call Lady.
8. IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING FLAGS: Welcome Home Military Heroes is a veteran non-profit organization. To remain in good standing with our non-profit status, we cannot fly political flags of any kind. You may fly our American Flag, Birthday Flags or Military Branch of Service Flags. Thank you for understanding!
DECORATE YOUR VEHICLES: You may decorate if you want.

POINT OF CONTACT:

Cheryl @ 805.249.9125