April 16, 2021
JOCM Joseph F. Ciokon, Jr., USN (Ret.) Interment
Dear USNPAA Members,
Master Chief Journalist Joe Ciokon was recently interred at the Miramar National Cemetery in San Diego. We have a video of the event for those of you who may be interested. Please have plenty of tissues at the ready.
Rest In Peace, Master Chief.
Tom Jurkowsky
President
March 17, 2021
Updated Funeral Arrangements for JOCM Joe Ciokon
Dear USNPAA Members,
We have another update to pass along regarding events to honor Joe Ciokon’s legacy.
There are four planned separate events throughout the San Diego area to be done in accordance with San Diego County's current COVID19 guidelines. Each event will have limited capacity so please keep that in mind. But each event will be live-streamed so that you may pay your respects where you are located.
Here are a few places you may support in lieu of flowers/gifts. You can, of course, choose your own:
Sincerely,
Dick Thompson
USNPAA Membership
March 11, 2021
Updated Funeral Arrangements for JOCM Joe Ciokon, USN (Ret)
Dear USNPAA Members,
We have a few updates to pass along regarding events commemorating the life and legacy of JOCM Joe Ciokon.
--VIEWING, Thursday March 18, 4pm-8pm, Poway-Bernardo Mortuary, 13243 Poway Rd, Poway, CA 92064. Limited to 25 individuals inside at a time but there is plenty of parking at facility and the neighboring Elk's Lodge. There will be a link for online memorial posting this Friday.
--MASS, Wednesday March 24, 10:30am, at St. Gabriel’s, 13734 Twin Peaks Rd, Poway, CA 92064. The limit on the number of individuals inside is unknown at this time. A link for a live feed will be available that day.
--INTERMENT at the Miramar National Cemetery, Monday, April 12th at 10:00am. Private gathering but live-feed link will be available that day.
--CELEBRATION OF LIFE, Date/Time TBD, Midway Museum. The limit on the number of personnel is unknown at this time. A live-feed link will be available that day.
Sincerely,
Tom Jurkowsky
President
March 7, 2021
Funeral Arrangements for JOCM Joseph Ciokon, USN (Ret)
Dear USNPAA Members:
The family of Master Chief Journalist Joe Ciokon has passed along the following information regarding events that will honor his life and legacy.
Four separate events are planned in the San Diego area and all will be done safely and in accordance with COVID 19 guidelines. Each event will be live streamed so that individuals can pay respects from where they are. The events are:
A. VIEWING, Date/Time TBD, Poway-Bernardo Mortuary, 13243 Poway Rd, Poway, CA 92064. Limited to 25 individuals inside at a time. The family will post a link Monday/Tuesday regarding updated information.
B. MASS, Date/Time TBD, at St. Gabriel’s, 13734 Twin Peaks Rd, Poway, CA 92064. The number of individuals limited to the church is unknown at this time.
C. INTERMENT at the Miramar National Cemetery, Monday, April 12th at 10:00 am. Private gathering.
D. CELEBRATION OF LIFE, Date/Time TBD, Midway Museum. The number of individuals limited to this event is also unknown at this time.
The family has suggested a few groups you may support in lieu of flowers/gifts:
— Veterans Village of San Diego (vvsd.net)
— Veterans Museum at Balboa Park (veteranmuseum.net)
— Warrior Foundation Freedom Station in San Diego
— Military Order of the Purple Heart
We will do our best to ensure any information is updated and provided to you.
Tom Jurkowsky
President
March 4, 2021
Teacher, Mentor, Leader
The Passing of JOCM Joseph Ciokon, USN (Ret)
Dear USNPAA Members:
It is with the deepest regret that I inform you about the loss of a shipmate—Master Chief Journalist Joe Ciokon. Joe fought valiantly over the past year with illness and unfortunately lost his battle on 4 March.
Those of us who knew and worked with Joe will agree that he was a Sailor’s Sailor—a leader, quintessential Navy journalist and quite simply, a legend. Joe was one of those individuals you wanted in the room with you when tough situations and problems arose. You could always trust his advice. You could go to the bank with it.
Joe was one of the early Navy journalists to work with the Armed Forces Vietnam Network in Saigon. He set the standard for broadcasters—even though most there wore Army green. His combat seasoning continued when the BEQ came under attack in Beirut, Lebanon in October 1983. In both theaters, Joe was not afraid to get blood on his hands. In Vietnam during the Tet Offensive, he ran from the AFVN studios to the American Embassy when he heard it was under attack. And during the Beirut attack, Joe assisted with the casualties. He was awarded the Purple Heart for his actions. As one shipmate said about serving with Joe in Vietnam, “Had he been on the river with me, I would have trusted him with my life, my boat, my shotgun and my beer.” That statement alone speaks volumes about Joe Ciokon’s character.
Joe was a great mentor and teacher to those younger members of the community. This made him an ideal instructor at DINFOS, and it should come as no surprise that his students learned so much from his sea stories.
After completing his active duty, Joe continued his public affairs career as a civilian public affairs specialist where he continued to lead, mentor, teach and provide wise counsel. His final professional position was as the public affairs officer for the USS MIDWAY Museum in San Diego. And, of course, those who knew Joe appropriately and affectionately referred to him as “Judo Joe.” His commitment to the sport was extraordinary.
Although a legend in the public affairs community, Joe was also a dedicated family man. And that legend will live on. Joe’s daughter Lisa just put on her Chief’s hat in January. One can only imagine Joe’s pride in seeing that happen.
Joe’s passing leaves a deep void. On behalf of the entire Navy Public Affairs Association, our thoughts and prayers are with the Ciokon family.
Tom Jurkowsky
President
Obituary posted by the Poway-Bernardo Mortuary
More Notes from the Admiral
JOCM Joseph F. Ciokon, Jr., USN (Ret.) Interment
Dear USNPAA Members,
Master Chief Journalist Joe Ciokon was recently interred at the Miramar National Cemetery in San Diego. We have a video of the event for those of you who may be interested. Please have plenty of tissues at the ready.
Rest In Peace, Master Chief.
Tom Jurkowsky
President
March 17, 2021
Updated Funeral Arrangements for JOCM Joe Ciokon
Dear USNPAA Members,
We have another update to pass along regarding events to honor Joe Ciokon’s legacy.
There are four planned separate events throughout the San Diego area to be done in accordance with San Diego County's current COVID19 guidelines. Each event will have limited capacity so please keep that in mind. But each event will be live-streamed so that you may pay your respects where you are located.
- VIEWING: Thursday, March 18, 4 to 8 p.m., Poway-Bernardo Mortuary, 13243 Poway Rd, Poway, CA 92064. The event is limited to 25 people inside the mortuary at a time. Here is a link to continue sharing photos/videos/memories.
- MASS: Wednesday, March 24, 10:30 a.m., at St. Gabriel’s, 13734 Twin Peaks Rd, Poway, CA 92064. A link for live-feed will be available that day.
- INTERMENT: Monday, April 12, 10 a.m., at the Miramar National Cemetery, 5795 Nobel Drive San Diego, CA 92122. The gathering has to be limited as of today's regulations. You may come with no invite but the family asks that you maintain a safe distance from the group during services. A live-feed link will be available that day.
- CELEBRATION OF LIFE: Monday, April 12, 1 to 2 p.m. onboard the Midway Museum. Admission as guest is free until max capacity for the ceremony. Again, due to regulations, this is limited to 50 people. For safety and convenience, a live-feed link will be available that day. The family is hoping that additional people will be allowed on board if COVID restrictions can be modified or lifted.
Here are a few places you may support in lieu of flowers/gifts. You can, of course, choose your own:
- Veterans Village of San Diego
- Veterans Museum at Balboa Park
- Warrior Foundation Freedom Station
- Military Order of the Purple Heart
- Vietnam Veterans of America
- Bugles Across America
Sincerely,
Dick Thompson
USNPAA Membership
March 11, 2021
Updated Funeral Arrangements for JOCM Joe Ciokon, USN (Ret)
Dear USNPAA Members,
We have a few updates to pass along regarding events commemorating the life and legacy of JOCM Joe Ciokon.
--VIEWING, Thursday March 18, 4pm-8pm, Poway-Bernardo Mortuary, 13243 Poway Rd, Poway, CA 92064. Limited to 25 individuals inside at a time but there is plenty of parking at facility and the neighboring Elk's Lodge. There will be a link for online memorial posting this Friday.
--MASS, Wednesday March 24, 10:30am, at St. Gabriel’s, 13734 Twin Peaks Rd, Poway, CA 92064. The limit on the number of individuals inside is unknown at this time. A link for a live feed will be available that day.
--INTERMENT at the Miramar National Cemetery, Monday, April 12th at 10:00am. Private gathering but live-feed link will be available that day.
--CELEBRATION OF LIFE, Date/Time TBD, Midway Museum. The limit on the number of personnel is unknown at this time. A live-feed link will be available that day.
Sincerely,
Tom Jurkowsky
President
March 7, 2021
Funeral Arrangements for JOCM Joseph Ciokon, USN (Ret)
Dear USNPAA Members:
The family of Master Chief Journalist Joe Ciokon has passed along the following information regarding events that will honor his life and legacy.
Four separate events are planned in the San Diego area and all will be done safely and in accordance with COVID 19 guidelines. Each event will be live streamed so that individuals can pay respects from where they are. The events are:
A. VIEWING, Date/Time TBD, Poway-Bernardo Mortuary, 13243 Poway Rd, Poway, CA 92064. Limited to 25 individuals inside at a time. The family will post a link Monday/Tuesday regarding updated information.
B. MASS, Date/Time TBD, at St. Gabriel’s, 13734 Twin Peaks Rd, Poway, CA 92064. The number of individuals limited to the church is unknown at this time.
C. INTERMENT at the Miramar National Cemetery, Monday, April 12th at 10:00 am. Private gathering.
D. CELEBRATION OF LIFE, Date/Time TBD, Midway Museum. The number of individuals limited to this event is also unknown at this time.
The family has suggested a few groups you may support in lieu of flowers/gifts:
— Veterans Village of San Diego (vvsd.net)
— Veterans Museum at Balboa Park (veteranmuseum.net)
— Warrior Foundation Freedom Station in San Diego
— Military Order of the Purple Heart
We will do our best to ensure any information is updated and provided to you.
Tom Jurkowsky
President
March 4, 2021
Teacher, Mentor, Leader
The Passing of JOCM Joseph Ciokon, USN (Ret)
Dear USNPAA Members:
It is with the deepest regret that I inform you about the loss of a shipmate—Master Chief Journalist Joe Ciokon. Joe fought valiantly over the past year with illness and unfortunately lost his battle on 4 March.
Those of us who knew and worked with Joe will agree that he was a Sailor’s Sailor—a leader, quintessential Navy journalist and quite simply, a legend. Joe was one of those individuals you wanted in the room with you when tough situations and problems arose. You could always trust his advice. You could go to the bank with it.
Joe was one of the early Navy journalists to work with the Armed Forces Vietnam Network in Saigon. He set the standard for broadcasters—even though most there wore Army green. His combat seasoning continued when the BEQ came under attack in Beirut, Lebanon in October 1983. In both theaters, Joe was not afraid to get blood on his hands. In Vietnam during the Tet Offensive, he ran from the AFVN studios to the American Embassy when he heard it was under attack. And during the Beirut attack, Joe assisted with the casualties. He was awarded the Purple Heart for his actions. As one shipmate said about serving with Joe in Vietnam, “Had he been on the river with me, I would have trusted him with my life, my boat, my shotgun and my beer.” That statement alone speaks volumes about Joe Ciokon’s character.
Joe was a great mentor and teacher to those younger members of the community. This made him an ideal instructor at DINFOS, and it should come as no surprise that his students learned so much from his sea stories.
After completing his active duty, Joe continued his public affairs career as a civilian public affairs specialist where he continued to lead, mentor, teach and provide wise counsel. His final professional position was as the public affairs officer for the USS MIDWAY Museum in San Diego. And, of course, those who knew Joe appropriately and affectionately referred to him as “Judo Joe.” His commitment to the sport was extraordinary.
Although a legend in the public affairs community, Joe was also a dedicated family man. And that legend will live on. Joe’s daughter Lisa just put on her Chief’s hat in January. One can only imagine Joe’s pride in seeing that happen.
Joe’s passing leaves a deep void. On behalf of the entire Navy Public Affairs Association, our thoughts and prayers are with the Ciokon family.
Tom Jurkowsky
President
Obituary posted by the Poway-Bernardo Mortuary
More Notes from the Admiral