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SAN DIEGO -- Today, the Vietnam Veterans Motorcycle Club/Legacy Vets will remember Lance Cpl. Dennis R. Christie and Lance Cpl. Michael W. Havranek, who were listed as Missing in Action on June 11, 1967, in South Vietnam. There will be a motorcycle ride and presentation of "Forgotten Warrior" flags to the men's families. Both men were with 3rd Force Recon Company out of Camp Pendleton. The helicopter they were in went down while trying to insert Marines.

Riders can meet at San Diego Harley Davidson in Clairemont Mesa at 11 a.m. today and the bikes will leave at noon. The run will end at the Pala Community Center on the Pala Indian Reservation for the presentation of the flag, lunch and music.

These are the fourth and fifth "Forgotten Warrior" flags to be presented. The first flag was presented to the parents of Pfc. Thomas F. Green in Ramona during Labor Day weekend 2006. The second Pony Express flag was sent from Ramona to New Jersey and was presented to the brother and sister-in-law of SP4 John H. Hoeffs on Veterans Day weekend, Nov. 10. The third Pony Express flag was sent from Pala to Ocala, Fla., and will be presented to the family of Lt. j.g. Michael R. Zerbe on Nov. 18.

Christie joined the Marines from Imperial Beach and Lance Cpl. Michael W. Havranek was from Missoula, Mont. The fourth Pony Express run will begin that day to send the flag to Dennis' brother, Craig Christie, in Montana. Lance Cpl. Michael Havranek's flag will be presented to his uncle, retired Air Force Col. Delbert Hazelhorst. Information: (760) 443-9037.

Oceanside Elks to serve Thanksgiving dinner

The Oceanside Elks will serve Thanksgiving dinner Nov. 22 to active-duty military members and their families at no charge at 444 Country Club Lane. There will be a nominal fee of $8 for Elks' members and their guests. The Elks Lodge will open at 1 p.m. and a buffet dinner will be served from 2 to 5 p.m. For reservations, call (760) 433-1561 no later than Nov. 20.

'Battlefield to boardroom' is the topic

SAN MARCOS -- "From the Battlefield to the Boardroom: Applying Military Experience to Business Leadership," will be the theme of a panel discussion from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Nov. 21 in Room 125 of Markstein Hall at Cal State San Marcos. The free discussion will be presented by CSUSM's Center for Leadership Innovation and Mentorship Building. Jeff Campbell, former chief executive officer of Burger King, will moderate the panel, which will include Lt. Col. Kent Rideout, retired Col. George Reed and Jim Tiffany. Information: (760) 750-4012.

Heart Beat to hold holiday luncheon

CAMP PENDLETON -- Heart Beat, the auxiliary of Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton, will hold its holiday fundraiser luncheon Dec. 1 at the San Luis Rey Officers Club. Social hour will begin at 11 a.m., followed by lunch at noon. A donation of $25 per person is requested. Information: (760) 439-5457, (760) 729-5091.

Blue Star Mothers collect for troops

NORTH COUNTY -- The local chapter of the Blue Star Mothers of America is collecting donations for holiday care packages to be sent to troops serving in Afghanistan and Iraq. Items needed include candy canes, small Christmas ornaments, holiday greeting cards, New Year's hats and confetti, hot chocolate and apple cider packets, microwave popcorn, granola bars, lip balm, handheld games and small puzzle or wordbooks.

Donated items should be dropped off today at one of the following locations: Escondido Charter High School, Valley Center Roadrunner office, Valley Center High School or the American Legion post in Escondido. Pick-ups can also be arranged. Street addresses for the drop-off locations, as well as a list of additional items needed, can be found at the organization's Web site at http://www.sdncbluestarmothers.org.

Financial contributions to help offset the cost of postage are also welcome. Checks can be mailed to P.O. Box 301456, Escondido, CA 92030.

Blue Star Mothers of America is a nonprofit, nonpolitical support group of mothers whose children are serving in all branches of the military. In addition to providing moral and emotional support for one another, the organization sponsors many activities in support of military personnel, veterans groups and causes that directly benefit the armed forces. This includes participating in the Miramar Air Show and the San Diego Veterans Day parade, holding picnics and activities for the local wounded warriors, and acting as "huggers" at local deployment farewells and homecomings.

Meetings are held the second Saturday of each month at the American Legion in Escondido and all are welcome. For information, go to the Web site or call Kathryn Hood at (760) 594-4853.

Operation Homefront brings the holidays to military families

Operation Homefront is holding its annual holiday programs to bring the holidays to military families. The programs are:

- Adopt-A-Family: Donors have the chance to meet directly with military families, matched by Operation Homefront. This opportunity will let donors give families a holiday dinner and gifts for the children. Average donation is $250 per family. In 2006, 250 families celebrated the holidays, thanks to generous donors. Contact Naomi Rosen at ohsdnaomi@yahoo.com to participate.

- Gift to You: Gift bags laden with the makings of a holiday dinner are given to more than 1,000 families in December every year from Operation Homefront. A donation of $35 allows donors to sponsor one bag. Call the Operation Homefront office at (866) 424- 5210 or send donations to Operation Homefront, P.O. Box 26747, San Diego, CA 92196.

Those who wish may also donate nonperishable food for Operation Homefront families at any San Diego County Saturn Dealership by Dec. 9.

Operation Homefront is one of the nation's largest nonprofit organizations dedicated to assisting U.S. services members and wounded warriors returning home, as well as their families. San Diego is the oldest and largest of 31 chapters nationwide and has helped more than 12,000 military families since its inception in February 2002 with emergency aid such as food, baby care items, vehicle donation and repair, computer donations, financial assistance during times of personal crisis and social support during especially difficult deployments and holiday seasons.

Pearl Harbor survivors to meet

OCEANSIDE -- The North County Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, Chapter 31, meets at 9:30 a.m. the first Sunday of each month at the Oceanside Senior Center, 455 Country Club Lane. Guests are welcome. Information: Joe Walsh, (760) 728-4214; Ted Roosvall, (760) 744-8337.

Buddy Bowl gets $5K donation

TEMECULA -- Buddy Bowl Inc., a local nonprofit organization, recently received a contribution of $5,000 from MW Services. MW Services, located in Temecula, is a general contracting and building construction firm that specializes in federal construction contracts.

MW Services' contribution will be used to support challenged military athletes disabled in the line of duty as they find themselves on the road to recovery, as well as scholarships for children of U.S. Marines killed in recent conflicts.

Buddy Bowl Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising money for military, law enforcement and children's charities through an annual flag football tournament. The 2007 All Star Buddy Bowl will be played Nov. 24 at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. Information: http://www.buddybowl.org.