Naval Postgraduate School honors Memorial Day

World War II veterans, Joe Pintacura and Stanley Giles, sang inside the historic Del Monte Hotel at the Naval Postgraduate School, Sunday.

KION spoke with the pair. They said the chance to spend Memorial Day weekend, on campus, is special. “It’s a real honor to sing here. This is a historic place. Since we’re navy guys it’s an extra boost,” said Pintacura.

Pintacura said seeing the grounds from the inside doesn’t happen often. NPS is strictly reserved for students, personnel, and 20 year retired veterans, on a normal day. Sunday, it was open to the public.

“A lot of the community will walk by the base and think it’s Wonka. They see that they can’t get inside the gates. We’ve got to have a way in which the community can come into the gates,” said Naval Support Activity Commanding Officer, Rich Wiley.

Providing a place to remember the service men and women that are no longer with us is the main reason Wiley opened the gates, Sunday.

Pintacura and Giles said this weekend they honor family and fellow soldiers. “My three brothers were in the military and they’re all up in heaven now,” said Pintacura.

“I had three brothers, also, that were in the service. They have all passed on. I’m the only one left,” said Giles.

Those that came to watch their performance were thinking of their loved ones. “When i was in Vietnam I lost a couple of troops in combat. I’ll remember them,” said attendee and Vietnam veteran, Craig Noke.

NPS officials said they plan to honor Memorial Day alongside the community for years to come. “It’s all in memory of those that did not come home. Those are the real heros,” said Pintacura.