Forget Me Knot Memorial

Online, September 4, 2011 (Newswire.com) - The 6th Annual "Forget Me Knot" celebration to honor POW/MIA veterans and especially our WWII Veterans, will be held simultaneously on the Sacramento River in Old Sacramento, California and in Grafton and Alton, Illinois on the Illinois and Missouri rivers on September 17th at 1:pm

Our World War II veterans, affectionately defined as "the greatest generation" are dying at a rate of over 1200 per day. To commemorate their sacrifice, the Jefferson Barracks National Memorial Cemetery, and Classic Yachts from the Classic Yacht Association, The Honor Guard, The Del Campo High School Color Guard, Veterans and members of our community will commemorate all who gave so much and asked for so little from our country by laying wreaths on the rivers.

This year's event will have three memorial wreaths. The first wreath will be laid to honor all POW/MIA and WWII veterans. A second Forget Knot Wreath will be laid to honor all veterans. The final "Forget Me Knot Wreath will be laid to honor the loved ones that have passed on. As with last year's celebration, petals will be sprinkled from the Garden in Normandy France.

Special Considerations will be given to Lt. Virgil P. Kirkham, the last recorded American USAAF pilot killed in Europe during WWII. It was Lt. Kirkham's 82nd mission and one that he volunteered to go on.

At the time this 20 year old pilot's P-47 Thunderbolt plane was shot down, a young 14 year old Czech girl, Zdenka Sladkova, was so moved by his sacrifice she made a vow to care for him and his memory.

For 65 straight years, Zdenka, now 79 years old, took on the responsibility to care for　Virgil's crash site and memorial near her home.
　
On May 4th she was recognized by the Mayor of Zdenka's home town of Trhanova , Czech Republic , for her sacrifice and extraordinary effort to honor this American hero.

For more information or to get involved with the "Forget Me Knot" celebration, please contact (Sacramento, California: Les Cochren, Vice, Commodore Classic Yacht Association at (916) 932-6052

St. Louis, Mo. - Alvin Cochren, Veterans Administration Program Assistant (314) 845-8355 visit us at www.mycya.net.

About Northern California Fleet:
The Classic Yacht Association (CYA) is committed to preservation of power driven boats. The CYA is comprised of the Alaskan, the Pacific Northwest, the Northern and Southern California and the USA Fleets.

Contact Information
Northern California Fleet
Les Cochren, Vice Commodore
915 L Street PMB 361
Sacramento, California
95814
Phone: 915 932-6052
Email: myclassicyacht@msn.com