thedrifter
10-05-07, 03:21 PM
Temecula corn-field maze salutes former guide's path
10:21 AM PDT on Friday, October 5, 2007
By JOE VARGO
The Press-Enterprise
http://www.pe.com/imagesdaily/2007/10-05/maze05_400.jpg
Special to The Press-Enterprise
Every year, the maze depicts an image that salutes the military. This year's tribute includes the slogan "For honor. For country. For Dan."
This one's for Dan.
For 14 years, Dan Jackman was a mainstay at the annual "maze craze" at Big Horse Feed and Mercantile on Highway 79 South in Temecula. Jackman drove kids around the 8-acre ranch on a horse-drawn wagon, explaining that produce, milk and meat come from the farm, not the supermarket.
Quiet and unassuming, Jackman carried himself ramrod straight, a reminder of his career with the Marines that saw him fight in three wars, earn five Purple Hearts for combat wounds and retire as a first sergeant.
Jackman, who lived in Victorville, died this year of a brain hemorrhage, and organizers considered canceling the maze tours out of respect. But then Rose Corona, one of the owners of Big Horse, decided to carry on the tradition in Jackman's honor.
This year's maze features a likeness of the retired leatherneck carved among the rows of corn.
"He was quite a guy," Corona said. "He lived quite a life. Creating this tribute to him was a no-brainer."
The maze is open every weekend in October. Activities include tours of a pumpkin patch, hay rides, pumpkin hunts and face painting.
Every year, the maze depicts an image that salutes the military. In 2005, the image depicted the raising of the flag on Iwo Jima during World War II. Last year, it showed an eagle holding an American flag.
This year's tribute includes the slogan "For honor. For country. For Dan." An American flag that flew over the U.S. Capitol will be presented to Jackman's widow, Jo Jackman, and other relatives during a special ceremony at noon Saturday.
Dan Jackman was born in Utah and enlisted in the Marines when he was 16. He spent the final months of World War II in the Mediterranean.
During the Korean War, Jackman served as a machine-gun squad leader in Able Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines.
He fought under legendary Marine Gen. Lewis "Chesty" Puller and was wounded three times, Jo Jackman said.
He fought at the Chosin Reservoir and was part of the Marine contingent that was trapped and cut off by hundreds of thousands of Chinese army troops. Marines battled their way across the Korean peninsula in an 80-mile withdrawal until they were evacuated to safety. Jackman almost lost his right arm to an enemy gunshot. But his spirit never waned.
Returning to California, he was named the Marine Corps "Drill Instructor of the Year" in 1958 and later served in Vietnam, where he was wounded two more times in action.
By the time he retired, Dan Jackman sported 25 campaign ribbons and personal citations and 14 medals, his widow said.
Jo Jackman said she is overwhelmed by this weekend's tribute to her husband.
"He was extremely patriotic and he loved this country," she said. "I can't even express the emotions that are in my heart."
http://www.pe.com/imagesdaily/2007/10-05/maze05jackman_369.jpg
Ellie
10:21 AM PDT on Friday, October 5, 2007
By JOE VARGO
The Press-Enterprise
http://www.pe.com/imagesdaily/2007/10-05/maze05_400.jpg
Special to The Press-Enterprise
Every year, the maze depicts an image that salutes the military. This year's tribute includes the slogan "For honor. For country. For Dan."
This one's for Dan.
For 14 years, Dan Jackman was a mainstay at the annual "maze craze" at Big Horse Feed and Mercantile on Highway 79 South in Temecula. Jackman drove kids around the 8-acre ranch on a horse-drawn wagon, explaining that produce, milk and meat come from the farm, not the supermarket.
Quiet and unassuming, Jackman carried himself ramrod straight, a reminder of his career with the Marines that saw him fight in three wars, earn five Purple Hearts for combat wounds and retire as a first sergeant.
Jackman, who lived in Victorville, died this year of a brain hemorrhage, and organizers considered canceling the maze tours out of respect. But then Rose Corona, one of the owners of Big Horse, decided to carry on the tradition in Jackman's honor.
This year's maze features a likeness of the retired leatherneck carved among the rows of corn.
"He was quite a guy," Corona said. "He lived quite a life. Creating this tribute to him was a no-brainer."
The maze is open every weekend in October. Activities include tours of a pumpkin patch, hay rides, pumpkin hunts and face painting.
Every year, the maze depicts an image that salutes the military. In 2005, the image depicted the raising of the flag on Iwo Jima during World War II. Last year, it showed an eagle holding an American flag.
This year's tribute includes the slogan "For honor. For country. For Dan." An American flag that flew over the U.S. Capitol will be presented to Jackman's widow, Jo Jackman, and other relatives during a special ceremony at noon Saturday.
Dan Jackman was born in Utah and enlisted in the Marines when he was 16. He spent the final months of World War II in the Mediterranean.
During the Korean War, Jackman served as a machine-gun squad leader in Able Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines.
He fought under legendary Marine Gen. Lewis "Chesty" Puller and was wounded three times, Jo Jackman said.
He fought at the Chosin Reservoir and was part of the Marine contingent that was trapped and cut off by hundreds of thousands of Chinese army troops. Marines battled their way across the Korean peninsula in an 80-mile withdrawal until they were evacuated to safety. Jackman almost lost his right arm to an enemy gunshot. But his spirit never waned.
Returning to California, he was named the Marine Corps "Drill Instructor of the Year" in 1958 and later served in Vietnam, where he was wounded two more times in action.
By the time he retired, Dan Jackman sported 25 campaign ribbons and personal citations and 14 medals, his widow said.
Jo Jackman said she is overwhelmed by this weekend's tribute to her husband.
"He was extremely patriotic and he loved this country," she said. "I can't even express the emotions that are in my heart."
http://www.pe.com/imagesdaily/2007/10-05/maze05jackman_369.jpg
Ellie