By Jim Garrett

THE NAMES OF THE INDIVIDUALS SHOWN BELOW, and their branch of honorable service in the United States military, were gained through the honor system. I believe there are many more Benicians who qualify under the criteria. Inability to get my request spread widely enough undoubtedly limited the number of responses. Also, for any of a number of reasons, some who qualify perhaps chose to not reveal or release information concerning their time in the service of our country. Each and all choices are honored.

The criteria for inclusion on the list were given in person, sent in various emails, placed on Facebook, and published as a letter to the editor of The Benicia Herald, as follows:

Hello Everyone,

If you are a veteran who was honorably discharged from ANY branch of the United States military at ANY time in history, OR are currently honorably serving, OR personally/factually know of any such designated individuals, AND WHO (1) have resided in Benicia at ANY time for a period of AT LEAST ten (10) years, OR graduated from Benicia High School or Liberty High School in Benicia, OR know of someone who meets those qualifications, living or deceased, please email the name and branch of service of that individual(s) to me at: Jgstoriesnpoetry@aol.com.

I am contemplating compiling a historical research project relating to those who qualify as stated above. All I need are the name(s) and branch of service. If you want to send any other information to share, that is up to you. I will accept anything you send as being factual. Thank you for your interest and time.

The time of service of those listed ranges from World War I to today. The size, shape and color of the individuals reflect society. The places with “boots on the ground” and “salt water spray” where they were once attached cover the planet.

The listing of names in each military branch is alphabetical by first name and does not single out any individual for special praise. Recorded are names of both enlisted and officer. There is no preference to the level achieved in the military. The pay scale, job classification, honors awarded, or campaign medals gained by the individuals do not matter. They are not of importance since the concept for this project is “service to country.”

“Bullets, Beans and Bandages” is a phrase familiar to many who have served in the military, regardless of the branch. Munitions are as much a necessity as food and care for the wounded. Also, equipment has to be maintained, engines have to be powered, facilities have to be cleaned, and “trigger pullers” have to be gained. Everything in every field of human existence is needed. The military is a classic definition of teamwork at its best and without that teamwork, no effective military can exist.

For almost 150 years men and women from Benicia have helped supply the needs of our country’s military. But the men and women listed are not only from Benicia, they are of Benicia. They are some of Benicia’s fathers and mothers, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, husbands and wives; they are the boy or girl who once lived down the street, the man with the limp who few know, the public servant, the neighbor whose past one only slightly knows. Some have passed to another place to be recalled in fond memory, or when viewing their marker in the “Marble Orchard.”

One’s reasons for serving in the military are as varied as the individuals who serve. Some volunteered, some were drafted. Some may simply have wanted to see what lay outside our small community.

Some may have wanted adventure. Some may have wanted the challenge. Some may have needed employment. Some may have “loved and lost.” And some may have been told by the judge, “Either the military or jail.”

Some were “career gear,” with multiple enlistments, and some were “one and done.” Some never left the shores of our nation, while others had multiple deployments to foreign lands. Most never heard a shot fired in anger, while others heard that deadly sound more than once, and learned it wasn’t fun to be shot at.

Most, at one time or another, probably said, “What am I doing here?” That thought may have come with their “introduction” to what is commonly referred to as Drill Instructors. It may have come that lonely first night among strangers, or at the early morning wake-up call.

That same question may have also come at many other times. Sometimes it came by learning the definition of the term “Zero Dark Thirty.” The exact time of night may not have been known by the individual, but it was known the period was very dark, and probably not enough sleep had been gained.

“This isn’t what I signed up for,” has been stated by more than one. The first time the individual slept in the rain may have been the reason. There were, and always will be, others. Learning the experience of “Hurry up and wait” was one. Another was being relieved at 2330 after a 36-hour day, followed by being told, “You have the mid watch.” The 60 days “on the line” followed by six hours off from 2100 until 0300 and then 30 more days “on the line” wouldn’t pass in the civilian work place. “C-Rats” — combat rations — were a new gastronomical experience for many, as were the episodes of water rationing. Incompetence and the episode of the “CS Detail,” the first letter referring to “Chicken,” were part of time served by some.

There are also friends made for a lifetime. Some still share stories from 50 years ago that are as fresh as this moment. Some were of a first experience, a heart-pounding time, loss, sadness, and, very often, laughter.

Some individuals carry scars, physical or mental or both. I believe scars on the body are the easiest to contend with. The mind can be a terribly vengeful tool for one form or another of self-ache and hurt. As in the civilian world, people become ill, people get injured, and people die. The chance of each of those events is multiplied in the military.

SCARS
Scars, some from here.
Scars, some from there.
A forgotten scar, how could that be?
Time, age, and care, must search to see.
Many types and sizes, and mental scars, too.
No doctor or priest, their vision to view.
How does one judge, length, breadth, and depression,
Of scars on the mind, scars seeking suppression?
How does one cover, the depth reached by the dart,
Of the scars in a mind, and the scars on a heart?
(JG adapted 2012)

There were, and are, tears of loss, anger, and frustration. At times tears may suddenly come from nowhere, and at other times the cause is obvious. For many, the first experience with death for comes while serving in the military. Time and situation determine how and when that experience is confronted, and handled.

TEARS
Tears stain the pillow,
Turning oak to weeping willow.
They were years in the making.
Drops flowed from mind aching.
Thoughts held fast.
Thoughts not to last.
Hidden from the light,
In depths of night.
(JG adapted 2012)

Two common bonds unite Benician veterans. The first is the bond they hold by meeting the criteria of “Benician veterans.” The second is the bond of their military service. Their time served was indeed service — service to the United States of America, with a strongly rooted connection to our Benicia.

The listing of the services below is in the order they were established as branches of the U.S. military. I tried to place the names of those who served in more than one branch under the branch in which they last served.

There is no way I could possibly tell what I have learned of the memories, stories and accomplishments of the Benicians listed. In the manner I have chosen to write of them, I tried to give honor and be all-encompassing.

Any errors of mine in this compilation are simply errors. I gave this attempt to record the names of Benician veterans the best effort I had relying on the honor system of information submitted. “Duty, Honor, Country.”

WHERE DO THEY COME FROM?
Where do they come from, those so strong,
Who fight the good fight, and make right from wrong?
Where do we get them, those who stand the line,
Some to lose their lives, like the crop plucked from the vine?
They come from homes, and schools, and churches, too,
From farms, and corners, with worldly views.
They are always there, whenever needed,
With courage, and love, for a call gladly heeded.
They walk with you, through every day.
You know them by sight, you hear what they say.
But you don’t know them inside, you only see what they show.
But if called again, you know they would go.
They don’t want to, but go they would.
For they know, and care, as they know they should.
Where do they come from? They come from you.
Duty, honor, country, age shows them true.
All wear the colors, but life is just a gate.
Most return, some have a different fate.
Where do we get them, whose mind brings to view?
We get them from within U.S., for within U.S., is you.
(JG adapted 2012)

UNITED STATES ARMY (established 14 June, 1775)
Adam Chalmers, A. J. Spiteri, Al Bertellotti, Al Casagranda, Anthony Creed, Arthur Whitney, Ben Storks, Bill DiAngelo, Bob Silva, Cal. W. Brown, Carmine J. Lucca, Carson Hoffman, Charles Smylie, Chuck Garrigues Jr., Clark Skillman, David Cole, David Grooms, David O’Dell, Debbie (Lease) Walker, Donald E. Welsh, Donald T. Smith, Douglass P. Quandt, Duane Grooms, Edward Heffernan, Everett Wilkerson, Frank Pinkham, Fred Carll Jr., Fred Haderman, George Drolette, George A. Ribeiro Sr., Glenn Anderson, Greg Sloan, Harry Whitney, Hunter Rennels, James Murphy, Jamie Collom, Jerry L. Savage, James Silva Sr., John Cleburn Wakefield, John Leonard, John Mortensen, John W. Jackson, Larry Whitney, Leah Rogers, Leonard Stanley Auger, Matthew M. Webb, Michael Cleveland, Michael Connell, Nick Towarnicki, Patricia Harvey Webb, Patrick McGuire, Paul Quandt, Phil Goettel, Phillip Frey, Richard Wilkerson, Robert Alan Ladd, Robert Monroe Webb, Robert Quandt, Robin Quandt, Roy Ralston, Rudolph Quandt, Scott Koutnik, Steve Fichter, Steve Griffin, Thomas C. Scott, Thomas E. Savage, Thomas F. Lavezzo, Tiffany Johnson, Tim Breen, Tony Bento, Troy Hale, Walter Edward Bennett Jr., Wesley Ray Feeney, William Joseph Lawrence, William Ralston, William Quandt.

UNITED STATES NAVY (established 13 October, 1775)
Adam R. Quandt, Alvin J. Knickerbocker, Andy Tickner, Art Pangelina, Ben Heitz, Bill Miller, Bob Drennon, Bob Scott, Chris Abreau, David Deadwiley, David E. Templeton, Delmar Holson Jr., Dennis Sellers, Donald Clark, Douglas B. Templeton, Douglas C. Davis, Emerson Lund, Ernie Adams, Evertte “Buzz” Dondrado, Gerald (Jerry) Wakefield, Gina Marwick, Harold Bray, Harry William Case, James A. Young, James J. Saraiva, James M. Garrett Sr., James Silva Jr., James W. Dunham, Johnny Reeder, Joseph Heffernan, Kenneth Hines, Larry Cochran, Len Corbaley, Leslie F. Knickerbocker, Louie DiAngelo, Lyn (Lynda) A. (Heidt) Scoggins, Manuel R. DaSilva, Olen V. Dunham, Phil Romer, Ralph D. King, Richard Holland, Richard Morris, Richard Scott, Rob Wright, Robert Mitchell, Rocky Geiffels, Ronald E. Ellis, Ruble C. Gentry, Serghio “Pete” Pasco, Seth (Bill) Reid, Sherwin E. Heidt, Stephanie Wilkins, Stephen W. Quandt, Steve Hinman, Timothy J. Turner, Trisha Thielvoldt, Vincent Sanz, Walter Edward Bennett Sr., Walter Hugh Foy.

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS (established 10 November, 1775)
Alexander Heffernan, Belinda M. (Savage) Owens, Brett Baumer, Brian Gard, Christian Rennels, Craig L. Chambers, Dan Smiley, Darin Wagner, Eric Johansen, Fred Carll III, Fred Rachael, George A. Ribeiro Jr., James Cramer, Jason Shelton, Jason Smith, Jeremy Horton, Jim Mortensen, Joseph Puls, Keith Wilson, Kenneth Gard, Matt Creed, Matthew Fitch, Micah Larripa, Michael A. Savage, Mike Farmer, Norman Clark, Oliver Greenwood, Reese Levasseur, Rick Farmer, Rod Rifredi, Stefan Calic, Sylvester Austin, Warren H. Mitchell, William B. Dorresteyn.

UNITED STATES ARMY NATIONAL GUARD/RESERVES (established 1903)
Adam Brashears, Brenda Lanier, Carl Lucca, Charles L. Cain, Chris Burns, Frank Mihelich, Rob Page, Tig Oglesby.

UNITED STATES COAST GUARD (Modern, established 1915)
Curtis Murphy, Jason Martinez.

UNITED STATES MERCHANT MARINE (considered military personnel in time of war by the Merchant Marine Act of 1936)
Raymon Scott, Thomas Denis Higgins.

UNITED STATES AIR FORCE (established 18 September 1947)
Alex Jacquet, Andrew H. Savage, Anthony G. Davis, Beverly (Nagel) Mahoney, Chuck Garrigues, Cory Hinman, Dan Riedinger, David Wilson, Dick Garrigues, Donald A. Brady, Frank Skillman, James Mahoney, Jim Wilson, John G. H. Jackson, John Koenig, John Silva, Justin Snider, Keith Miller, LeRoy J. Van De Veire, Manuel Fernandes, Maria (Mary) Silveria, Mark Stevens, Mena Medeiros, Nancy S. Davis, Perry L. Bolander, Robert Alan Largent, Robert G. Mortensen, Robert S. Mortensen, Robert Wesson, Robin Deadwiley, Rod Gutierrez, Ronald Kelson, Timothy C. Savage.

A TOAST ON VETERANS DAY
For those who served.
For those who serve.
For those who suffered.
For those who still suffer.
For those who have gone ahead.
For those yet to follow.
(JG adapted 2012)

“Semper Fortis” — ”Always Strong.” Those words are an unofficial motto of the United States Navy. They apply here to all veterans of the U.S. military who have honorably served. Without our veterans we would not have the United States we cherish.

To all Benicia veterans, “Welcome Home.”

James (Jim) M. Garrett
Benicia High School
Class of 1961

James M. Garrett has lived in Benicia for more than 65 years. He retired after a career of teaching at Benicia High School. He is the author of “Benicia and Letters of Love” and “The Mansion Stories” and the compiler of “The Golden Era,” a history of Benicia High School football from the 1948 through 1960 seasons. Contact him at Jgstoriesnpoetry@aol.com.