NewportBeachNow

FLAGS OF HONOR: 2012 FIELD OF HONOR OPENS TODAY IN NEWPORT BEACH

By Eric Longabardi

If you're in Newport Beach and you want to honor the men and women who have served in the U.S. military, as well as law enforcement, fire personnel and first responders, stop by the Castaways Park just above Coast Highway and Dover Drive this weekend.

The event coincides with Armed Forces Day and runs through the weekend.

The Newport Harbor Exchange Club annual 'Field of Honor' will be in place at the park from May 18-20th.  1,776 flags will pay tribute to our service members. You can dedicate a flag to honor someone yourself for $45. For more information click on the Exchange Club link above.

In respect to the 'Field of Honor' event and for Memorial Day 2011 I did this video last year to honor all those that have given the ultimate sacrifice. 

This video is specially dedicated to:

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Michael J. Longabardi (U.S. Army)
Died in service to his country in Vietnam
February 8, 1968

Stephen M. Mills (US Navy)
Died in service to his country in Afghanistan
August 11, 2011

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It also personally honors the service of the following:

Donald Martin, served in Ohio National Guard
Sam Millimet (US Army) - served in Korean War
Robert Pelletier Sr., (US Army) (d) served in Korean War
Paul Stowell, (US Navy) served as a corpsman/medic

 A second video below honors U.S. Navy Seal Matt Mills

THE JETMEN OF NEWPORT TAKE FLIGHT

by Eric Longabardi

I've seen a lot of new things over the years and have even tried a few of them myself. I'm no X-gen extreme sport athlete by any stretch, but there's a new 'sport' in town that may just have taken over the top slot of what constitutes the cutting edge of extreme sport.

It's a new flying machine and if you haven't seen it yet -- well simply put you have too. Words don't do it justice. 

The flying machine is called the JetLev. A new state-of-the-art water powered jet pack that turns you into a human flying machine.  The only requirement water, gas and some nerve. A little skill helps too!

So take a look and if you want to try it yourself give the guys down at Jetlev Newport Beach a call and they'll have you flying in no time.

I'm sure in the next X-Games they'll be racing across the channel to Catalina Island with modified suped up turbo charged versions, or maybe a gymnastics like water top routine set to music to show off the agility, style and finesse of a flying water dance!

Either way, who wouldn't be impressed with these amazing young men and their flying machine - I was, so will you!

AEGEAN SKIPPER INDENTIFIED: MISSING NEWPORT BEACH TO ENSENADA YACHT CAPTAIN FOUND

        Theo Mavromatis (2011)  Captain of 'Aegean'

By Eric Longabardi

The San Diego County Coroner has confirmed that a body found in the water near the Coronado Islands south of San Diego is that of Theo Mavromatis, 49 of Redondo Beach, CA.

Maveomatis was the captian and owner of the sailing yacht 'Aegean'.

According to the San Diego Coroner, Mavematis died of "multiple blunt force injuries".  Coast Guard and other investigations are still underway to try and determine what exactly happened that caused the boat to disappear from a GPS tracking system during the race and break up.

The 'Aegean' disappeared during the annual Newport to Ensenada yacht race late last month and three other crew members on board the yacht died and were previously recovered from the ocean and identifed.

The San Diego County Coroners Press Release:

The boat (seen below) was a 37-foot oceaning going yacht.