Last Week, our Sunrise Veterans Discussed Their Service to Our Country.
Our meeting of November 12, 2020 was dedicated to Veteran’s Day and presented by Sunrise’s own veterans, including moderator Ezbon Jen, M.J. Girard, Peter Treleaven, Del Raby, and Steve Olsen. This presentation was made in lieu of our usual Veteran’s Day celebration at the Veteran’s Memorial building in Santa Rosa. Our vets each gave us an overview of why they joined the service and details of that service.
M.J. joined the service in 1969 in Ukiah and served for 3 years. He joined out of a sense of patriotism and to fight for freedom. M.J. believes in our country and our citizens and was willing to fight to protect our rights! Peter Treleaven joined the Marine Corps in 1968 at the age of 18. A portion of John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address guided Peter’s decision to join the service.
Peter served as an officer in combat in Vietnam and Thailand. He recalls being ordered to defend a ridgeline and knowing that he would probably die on that hill. Thank goodness for Major John Ripley, who blew up a bridge and stopped the N. Vietnamese offensive!
Del joined out of a respect for country, flag, and the Pledge of Allegiance. He believes that everyone should know and follow the traditions of our country. Del tried to enlist during WWII but they refused to allow him because he was too close to the draft. He was drafted and was assigned to Fort Hood, TX, quickly becoming a squad leader. Del had a buddy who wanted to join the parachute group. When he was asked to do so, “he jumped at the chance.” (pun probably intended!) Del never found out what happened to his buddy. Del’s squad was sent to Okinawa, but he did not see combat. Del is proud of his service, proud to be an American, and happy to be with us.
Steve Olsen joined the U.S. Navy and served primarily on the U.S.S. Little Rock in the Mediterranean Sea. The Little Rock was the flagship for the 6th Fleet. Steve never expected to serve in the military but he felt that he had to answer the call because we have responsibilities that go along with our rights and freedoms. He was proud to be on the 6th Fleet’s flagship because he felt that showing the flag in the Mediterranean countries was an important part of the job. His service remains an important part of his life. He still receives the ship’s magazine and keeps track of his former shipmates. Steve was proud to have served our country, was glad it happened, and would not have had it any other way.
Ezbon was born in Hong Kong to American parents. He was on his way to Oregon to study Marine Biology when he got his induction letter. His girlfriend told him that her father owned land in Canada and he could live there instead of serving. Ezbon told her that doing so would be betraying himself and his country. He trained as a medic at Fort Sam Houston and ended up in Vietnam in the Mekong Delta. Ezbon’s goal in Vietnam was to help others, including villagers. He made a practice of going to villages and treating people. He gave a shout out to the great American nurses, who treated soldiers as if they were their sisters or moms. Ezbon’s experience in Vietnam was positive. It taught him service and brotherhood and instilled him with a new goal; to help train compassionate and competent health care professionals (Ezbon’s life’s work)! His service motivated him to obtain 2 master’s degrees and a doctorate before the age of 30! He was fortunate enough to not lose a single brother when he was in Vietnam! His fellow service members were his brothers. It was a very ethnically diverse group, but everyone got along and protected one another; race was not an issue. Vietnam taught him service above self, which made him a natural Rotarian. He firmly believes that if you work to help others your own life will be stronger.
Special thanks also to Veterans George Kemmerer and former member Hugh Helms for adding their own comments about service.
You guys did a great job and, of course, thank you for your service and your dedication to our country. Well done!. What a great meeting
