Military tradition

Annual fete at Hotel Del celebrates local service members, remembers POWs

By MICHELLE DELANEY

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War and the return of the POWs. With these milestones in mind, the Coronado Chamber of Commerce is staging its 37th annual Salute to the Military Ball on April 15 at the Hotel del Coronado.

The theme this year is “Homecoming: Reconnecting and Reuniting,” and a special acknowledgement will be given to the return of Vietnam prisoners of war.

The black-tie event, which is expected to be attended by about 400, includes more than 100 active-duty couples as well as spouses of deployed service members, all of which are sponsored by the community. Since its beginning in 1986, the ball has been presented by the city of Coronado and the chamber as an opportunity for residents and businesses the opportunity to show their support and gratitude for local military personnel and their families.

“Our goal is to create an event where active-duty service members can experience something they might otherwise not be able to: a memorable gala at the Hotel Del, an evening like no other full of festivities, dinner and dancing. We want our active duty to be able to celebrate a night out, while at the same time, give Coronado the opportunity to share this event with them in giving thanks,” said Michael Woiwode, who is a veteran and chairperson of the chamber’s board.

Keynote speakers at the event have included Sen. John McCain, retired Gen. James Mattis, who also served as the U.S. Secretary of Defense, and Jon Huntsman, a former ambassador to China. This year's keynote speaker was not available at press time.

The presentation of three awards is a centerpiece of the ball’s program.

The Capt. Harry T. Jenkins Memorial Award, an award for lifetime achievement, is named in honor of Jenkins, a naval aviator, Vietnam POW and Coronado resident. An active-duty service member is selected based on character and leadership qualities exemplified by Jenkins. The Vice Adm. James and Sybil Stockdale Award is presented to a military couple who are role models in the community. The third award, which debuted in 2019, is the Vice Adm. Edward H. Martin Distinguished Service Award. Martin, also a POW, was a huge supporter of all things Coronado and one of the founders of the Salute to the Military Ball. This award is given by the city of Coronado to an individual who has worked to strengthen the relationship between the city and the military.

For many, the highlight of the ball is the joy felt throughout the evening.

“It is really special to see what a great night it is for the spouses who are currently living through deployment. They are all together, going through the same challenges day to day,” said Rena Clancy, executive director of the chamber. “But at the ball, they are all there together, laughing, dancing, celebrating and taking one carefree evening off for just themselves. It is truly special to witness this.”

After the first ball in 1986, Capt. Buddie Penn, commanding officer of North Island Naval Air Station, told the Coronado Eagle and Journal that he hoped the special evening would be repeated next year. It has turned into a Coronado tradition.

For information on the Salute the Military Ball, visit coronadochamber.com. ■