LONE SAILOR TURNS 20

The Satin Dollz sing the National Anthem at The Lone Sailor Memorial during a 20th anniversary celebration Sunday, Oct. 13. More than 100 people gathered at the bronze statue to mark 20 years since its installation on Ocean Boulevard and Paloma Avenue on Dec. 11, 2004. The Long Beach Community Band played patriotic tunes and the Satin Dollz sang hits from the 1940s during the one-hour event.

Guest speakers included Port of Long Beach Commissioner and former Third District Councilmember Frank Colonna, current Third District Councilmember Kristina Duggan, Second District Councilmember and Vice Mayor Cindy Allen and Retired Capt. Braden Phillips. “The next time you pledge allegiance to our flag, or go past a statue like our Lone Sailor, please pause for a second and think about what our country and your life might be like had it not been for men and women’s actions commemorated by that statue,” Phillips said. “We are blessed to live in the greatest country on earth, warts and all. And even in today’s polarized society, young men and women still volunteer to keep us safe. They represent a tiny percentage of our population and we owe them all the pride and gratitude we can muster up.”