Al Jolson - Patton Museum

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Al Jolson Honored at
The General Patton Memorial Museum

On May 24, 2010, Al Jolson was honored at the General George Patton Museum with two beautifully framed photo groupings. David Miller, the IAJS Publicity Director, had contacted the museum, resulting in this material being added to the museum display. Since that time, further displays and enhancements have been added to the museum. Watch the video, below, for a tour of the facility.

With the placement of these photo collages of Al Jolson, he became the first entertainer honored at the museum. The displays have only grown since 2010. You can visit the General Patton Museum if you are in the southern California area.

11 Nov 12 Veterans Day Ceremony at Patton Museum

A beautiful day in the southeast desert of Southern California and the former locations of the Desert Training Center and Camp Young. The opening ceremony started with a WWII fly over by Warbirds West and four vintage fighter planes. Presentation of Colors by Fort Irwin Training Center, Pledge of Allegiance by Mike Pierson, Commander VFW Post, National Anthem by Coachella Valley High School and invocation by Captain Lowan, Chaplain, Fort Irwin Training Center.

The first presentation was the Founder's Award given to Riverside County Supervisor John Benoit.

The second presentation was the General Patton Award to The International Al Jolson Society presented to David Miller by Margit Chiriaco Rusche, co-founder. The final award to the IAJS was the Certificate Of Recognition given by Brian Nestande, Assemblyman 64th District. After receiving these beautiful awards, David Miller, Publicity Director of the IAJS, gave a detailed speech on Al Jolson and his love of his adopted country and his many accomplishments and devotion to the men and woman who tight for our freedom. Click to see a video of the presentation on the right.

Mr. Richard Halpern took the audience back to the 1940s with several Jolson songs and closed with "You're Grand Old Flag." He had people singing with him and the crowd loved it.

First Day Cover issued for the event

This first day cover, issued for the event.
We were taken back in time with impersonators of President Roosevelt and General McArthur. Closing was an Armed Forces Medley, closing prayer, and Mr. Halpern with the audience singing "God Bless America," followed by "Taps" and the Retiring of Colors.

After the ceremony there was a World War II re-enactment of battle in the tank yard, and with the museum open to the public, people were able to view all it has to offer. Special attention was brought to the two groupings of pictures during WWII and Korea of Al Jolson entertaining the troops that were presented to the museum in 2010 by the IAJS.

This was a wonderful Veterans Day with several hundred people learning just a little more about Al Jolson and his devotion to his country and to the many men and woman that help keep this country the land of the free. Many people went away from the ceremony understanding why, 62 years after his death, there was a Society that continues to keep Al Jolson's name alive.

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Updated 30 Nov 23