Above & Beyond Stories

“From the Tet Offensive in Vietnam to the Pulpit” Virgil D. Aldag was born December 12, 1946 in Los Gatos, California. He is the second child of Virgil Henry …

“Shanghaid” Dagner (Dag) Alholm was born on January 20, 1917 in San Francisco, California. While attending Balboa High School during the Great Depression he was able to help his …

“One of our Nations’ first Woman Marines” Barbara Bregoff was born in El Segundo, California on November 25, 1918. El Segundo is a city in Los Angeles County located …

“Serving those Who have Served” Michael A. Brodick was born on December 22, 1944 in Hayward, California. He was the oldest child of Aloysious and Jeanne Brodick and has …

“The Youngest American to Die in the Vietnam War” Dan Bullock (December 21, 1953 – June 7, 1969) was a United States Marine and the youngest U.S. serviceman killed …

“Moon Shots” Glanval (Glenn) Brown was born November 4, 1933 in Houston, Texas. He was the third oldest of nine children born to Herman and Verniece Brown. His sisters …

“Cargo for the fighting troops” Alex Chavez was born April 24, 1927 in Miami, Arizona. His parents were emigrants from Mexico. His father, Matias, was from the Province of …

“Received three Honorable Discharges, from three Services”. Artis Breau Clotfelter was born December 16, 1934 in Cleveland, Ohio. She left Cleveland at age 14 to live for a year …

“The youngest Sergeant Major in the Air Force” Keith Gestring was born October 19, 1928 in Webster County, Nebraska. He was the second youngest of nine children: sisters Marie, …

“Brilliant Mathematician” Bill Goss was born in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania on February 29, 1932 (leap year). Bill is a Korean War Veteran and was married to his wife Verlain. They …

“Youngest Serviceman in World War II” Calvin Leon Graham was born in Canton, Texas on April 3, 1930. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the United …

“Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross” Howard Halla was born in San Francisco at St. Mary’s Hospital on November 2, 1919. Howard was married to his wife Lorraine, who passed …

“Champagne Connoisseur” Ralph Richard (Rich) Hedrick was born in the home of his parents in the town of Collegeville-Trappe, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. The small college town houses Ursinis College …

“Awarded the Medal of Honor” October 2018 marks 100-years since the World War I battle in the forest of Argonne, France. During the battle Captain Nelson Holderman accredited himself …

“Survivor of the Battle of the Bulge” Lincoln Leung was born March 2, 1926 in San Francisco, California. His parents were  Sui Pan and Ho Shan Leung. Sui Pan …

“A career serving the Nation in the Air Force” Robin Mueller was born, Robin Pascoe, on August 5, 1949 in Vallejo, California. She is the eldest child of Albert …

“Actor and Policeman” John Mullins was always planning on becoming a police officer when he grew up and later in life was finally able to achieve his dream with …

“A career serving the Nation and the Community” Francis Joseph Peifer (Frank) was born on August 7, 1936 in the borough of Manhattan, New York City. Frank’s parents, Francis …

“From Conventional to Cyber Warfare”  Kenneth V. Peifer (Ken) was born August 27, 1963 in New Britain, Connecticut. He is the second child of John and Roberta Peifer. He …

“FROM THE BATTLE FIELDS OF VIETNAM TO SILICON VALLEY” William Andrew Peifer (Bill), was born March 8, 1948 in the Bronx, New York City. Bill’s parents, Frank and Marion …

“A Brilliant Student” Lewis Simons was born on a tobacco plantation in Brock, Kentucky on August 15, 1929. His parents, Lewis and Dora Belle Simons, moved to Portland, Oregon …

“One of the first to pilot the 747s” Melvin (Mel) Taylor was born October 17, 1929 in Greenford, Ohio. Mel was an only child and his parents were Mabel …

“Piloting in War and Peace” Decorated former U.S. Air Force Officer/Pilot who served before and during the Vietnam War. Jim was born in 1935 in Everett, Washington (26 miles …

“The Americal Division” Stephen Larry Waryk (Steve), was born in Detroit, Michigan on November 20,1946. His parents were Ann and Steve Waryk and he is the younger brother of …

“Wounded in Two Wars” A Veteran of World War II and the Korean War, Tom is a decorated Marine infantryman, wounded in both wars. Tom volunteered for the Marine …

“Mystery Writer” Richard G. Worthen was born July 28, 1926 in Hunter, Utah, to Ben and Jessie Worthen. Ben had been taken out of school and apprenticed to a …

The Oldest and Largest Veterans Home in the U.S. OPENING DAY The first building at the new Veteran’s Home was completed in 1883, but the wait for funding for …