On Nov. 10, the West LA VA, together with Congressman Ted Lieu, invited several Veterans to speak about their service at a Veterans Day event at the Wadsworth Theater. As each veteran spoke, a photo of them wearing their uniform was projected above them.
Scott Fisher recalled being on a sinking submarine that somehow made it back up the surface. He described the dials spinning backwards as the ship went down at a 10 degree angle – and the eventual relief when the boat was righted again. I felt like I was right there with him.
Richard Valdez, a Marine who served in Vietnam, was in charge of a roomful of computers in 1970 designed to calculate the safe return of Apollo 13. His job was to keep the computers up and running, no matter what. He later advised President Reagan during the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT).
Another Vietnam Marine, Francisco Juarez, told how one of his colleagues put a grenade to his head and pulled the pin – but kept his hand wrapped around the grenade so it wouldn’t explode – at least not immediately.
Juarez managed to get the man to hand over the grenade after reading a letter Juarez had received from home with bad news, showing his colleague that everyone has problems.
George Stanley, 92, served during World War II. He remarked that these days a World War II veteran dies every 65 minutes. He checked his watch to ensure he was still here, to the laughter of all.
The most harrowing story came from Aretta Gottke, who was excited to ship off to her first Naval assignment at 17. But immediately upon her arrival, her new teammates – all male – assaulted her for three and a half hours. They tossed her over a pier onto some sharp barnacles below. The trauma has stayed with her to this day. Gottke said it has been exceedingly difficult to get the care she needs from the VA. But she said she was still proud to be an American, and her ordeal taught her to have an iron will. She now helps other abused female military personnel.
Everyone in the room was crying by the time she finished her tale and she received a standing ovation.
As we filed out of the room we all expressed our amazement. We were proud, we were disturbed, we were humbled. Many said this event should be televised so every American can see it. I sent Ted Lieu an email suggesting this become an annual event and televised widely.
I predict this event will become very popular in the coming years. So be on the lookout for information next year. Grab a ticket as fast as you can.
