LCDR Paul Gannatal, 101, USN, (Ret) WWII/Korea
Janet M. Carpenter Gannatal, 96, USN, WWII
The family of Paul and Janet Mae Gannatal has invited the Patriot Guard Riders to be present to honor their heroes for their service to our country. It will be our privilege to do so.
Paul joined the Navy as an officer serving during WWII in China. After the war, he was in the reserves until retirement in 1974. He went back into active duty during the Korean War, 1950-54.
Paul earned a Masters of Arts at Stanford in 1949 where he also was an assistant coach for the Stanford football team. He met his wife-to-be, Janet, in 1949 while he was teaching and coaching at Coalinga Junior College. In 1954 Paul was recruited to Ventura Junior College as head football and baseball coach. Later in his career, he coached track and golf, also playing golf regularly at Saticoy Country Club where he and his wife were members until 2010. Paul was inducted into the Ventura College Athletic Hall of Fame. In retirement, he and his wife played golf on courses across the country.
Janet Mae Carpenter Gannatal was also a Navy WWII veteran achieving the rank of Chief Petty Officer Supply Clerk. Janet Mae graduated with honors from Forest Grove High School in 1942 and attended the University of Oregon in 1943. After finishing two years she joined the U.S. Navy as a WAVE. She proudly served our country in WWII. She returned to U of O where she graduated Phi Beta Kappa in 1947. She attended UCLA for graduate work (1947-1949) graduating with a California Teaching Certificate. With her husband, Janet established an athletic endowment at Ventura College.
Paul and Janet were married for 64 years, during which time they saw their four children graduate from college and marry.
They are survived by their four children, Toni Lynn Romano, Terri Gannatal Holcombe, Joseph Paul Gannatal, and Julie Anne Leonard. They also leave behind many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Janet passed away in June at the age of 96.
Paul and Janet are members of our “Greatest Generation” both proudly serving in the U.S. Navy in the Second World War.
The military funeral honoring these two American Heroes will be held at Miramar National Cemetery. May they rest in peace on these hallowed grounds.
The family is requesting an accompaniment to Miramar National Cemetery.
NOTE: There will be two services with military honors on both. The first service will be for Janet Mae Carpenter Gannatal. The second service will be for Paul Gannatal. These two services will be back to back at the same shelter.
NOTE: This mission posting is to facilitate your voluntary participation in honoring this Military Veteran. For those interested, and all PGR members are welcome, we will be accompanying the hero and his family from the mortuary to his final resting place. Please see the timetable if you would like to participate. For those who would rather go directly to the cemetery, we will meet you there.
The weather is predicted to be hot so please stay hydrated and don't forget to eat; it can make a difference with your ability to withstand the heat.
NOTE: Please observe the latest “COVID-19” restrictions.
Time Table for Monday 13 September 20210900 – Stage at the lower parking lot Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial, 6905 La Jolla Scenic Dr., La Jolla
https://goo.gl/maps/dgkLynkYsu8CTRPX60915 – Mission briefing
0930 – KSU to the family residence, approximately 2.5 miles, 5 minutes
0945 – Flag Line at family residence for honorable transfer to vehicle
1000 – KSU for accompaniment to Miramar National Cemetery, 5795 Noble Dr. San Diego
https://goo.gl/maps/7oQ3TqthpCT679KL71030 – Flag line for arrival at cemetery and honorable transfer to horse-drawn carriage.
1100 – Flag Line for Military Honors and Funeral Service for Janet Mae Gannatal.
Second mission for Paul Gannatal
1130 – Continuing in the same shelter, Flag Line for Military Honors and Funeral service.
1200 – Service ends.
First Mission RC
Stacey McCarthy
SoCal PGR Ride Captain
619-277-5176
smoerschell@yahoo.com
Second Mission RC
Paul McCarthy
SoCal PGR Ride Captain
619-838-9123
pmccarth1@gmail.com
You do not have to be a Veteran or a motorcycle rider to attend this mission. All PGR members are welcome. We encourage those who do not ride to attend in your car. If this will be your first mission go to the initial staging area and you will be briefed there by the R/C (Ride Captain). Dress for motorcycle riding or dress casually if you are driving a cage (car). Please feel free to attend any portion of this mission you can. Please ride/drive safely.
Please remember that our mission is to stand tall and silent, and with honor and respect for our Heroes. No talking, smoking, or cell phone use during the flag line or service. Please keep radios off and engine noise to a minimum. Remember, cemeteries are hallowed ground. Show respect to all who are there, not just the ones we are honoring.
