Page 28 - DFCS NEWS MAGAZINE 2020-1

DFC Memorial Dedicated – Phase One Complete!
A Commemoration and a Celebration at Miramar National Cemetery
By Bill Heard, PIO, MNC Support Foundation. Photos by Stuart Paul Hartley and MNC Support Foundation
The black granite monument, emblazoned with the red, white, blue and gold DFC medal, honors those who have received the nation’s highest award for “heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight.” It stands among seven other monuments to veterans on the cemetery’s Memorial Walk.
“Most of our members are ordinary Americans who have accomplished extraordinary things under extremely difficult conditions while in flight,” said national DFCS President and retired Navy Commander Chuck Sweeney, recipient of three DFCs, in closing remarks. “We don’t consider ourselves heroes, we were just doing what we were trained to do and happened to be at the wrong place at the right time...or vice versa!”
Charlie Inot, a Special Forces veteran of Vietnam who wears the Bronze Star Medal, opened the ceremony by noting that; “Recipients of this prestigious award represent a diversity of backgrounds, ethnicity, military rank, and gender.”
“Their aerial achievements are chronicled in their contributions to the advancement of aviation knowledge and technology, to the chaos of aerial combat, to epic rescues, and out to the very edges of space,” he said.
Inot is President and CEO of the Miramar National Cemetery Support Foundation, which worked closely with the DFC Society to place the memorial in the cemetery.
Chuck Sweeney, President DFCS and Gene Alfaro, President, SD Lindbergh Chapter.
Army Special Forces Veteran and President and CEO of the Miramar National Cemetery Support Foundation Charlie Inot provided opening remarks. Soloist Siena Haustein did a beautiful performance singing the National Anthem. Air Force and Navy Chaplains Colonel Rick Blank and Lieutenant Gary Moore offered the Invocation and pronounced the Benediction.
28 / DFCS News Magazine / SUMMER 2020