Local VFW Veterans Ready for Family Freedom Festival Nov 3 in MV

PROFILES IN COURAGE: LOCAL SOUTH ORANGE COUNTY VETERANS READY FOR VFW FAMILY FREEDOM FESTIVAL SATURDAY NOV 3rd IN MISSION VIEJO

In the Spotlight: John L. Carson
USMC 1966 to 1971 Vietnam Veteran
VFW Post 6024 Jr. Vice Commander
Orange County Sheriff Sergeant (retired)

SUPPORTING AND THANKING OUR SOLDIERS NOVEMBER 3rd AT THE VFW FAMILY FREEDOM FESTIVAL AT THE NORMAN P. MURRAY CENTER IN MISSION VIEJO; LOCAL VETS WELCOME TO VFW MEETING — 2nd Monday Each Month Murray Center

The following story is graciously provided by a true American War Hero, a South Orange County resident who has spent his lifetime serving God, his Country, his family, his community, and his neighbors: USMC Vietnam Veteran, John L. Carson:

(Thank you for your Service and Sacrifice to America John Carson!)

“To the question of the importance of young people coming to the Family Freedom Festival, it is a show of paying respect to those that gave so much to protect our rights and liberties from those that have threatened it. It is an understanding of the history of the growth of a nation. It shows we must learn from history so errors and mistakes do not repeat themselves,” said John L. Carson, OCSD Sergeant (retired) and VFW Post 6024 Jr. Vice Commander (USMC, Vietnam Veteran).

“If we do not know from where we came, we will not know where to go,” he said.

EARLY LIFE IN IOWA, LESSONS LEARNED BY BEING A PART OF THE GREATEST GENERATION: FAMILY FIRST, STRONG WORK ETHIC, PATRIOTISM

“I was born in East Central Iowa into a farming family in 1945. World War II was still going on. I was born the day after the first atomic bomb test in Nevada, so I’m part of the Greatest Generation and one of the first Atomic Generation babies. My father got an exemption from service because he was an active farmer. My seventh generation grandfather was a Revolutionary War Veteran, and I had a great, great grandfather in the Civil War, (North). When I was six years old my father bought a 190-acre farm north of Cedar Rapids. The farm has been in the family until this year when it was sold. I had an older brother, and later two younger brothers and a sister. Life was hard just after the war and Korea Conflict. We did not have running water in our house until I was in Jr. High School. Electricity was put in two years after we moved to the farm. I was a 4-H member, raising either a calf or pigs for showing at the county fair in Cedar Rapids. I played baseball from the fifth grade through high school. Farming back then was very dangerous, as farming accidents were one of the leading causes of death in the 50s and 60s. I saw my share of accidents and deaths on the farm. I lost my younger brother in a farming accident. I feel this experience mentally prepared me for the emotions I felt in a war zone. There is a saying about being in a war zone. “Not everyone died there, but everyone died a little,”” wrote Carson, the first local VFW Veteran to be featured in the “Profiles in Courage” series highlighting the incredible stories of our local War Heroes in preparation for the upcoming VFW Family Freedom Festival in Mission Viejo Saturday Nov. 3rd.

WHO: Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW) Department of California District 2 Auxiliary
WHAT: VFW FAMILY FREEDOM FESTIVAL
WHEN: Saturday, November 3rd, 1 to 4 P.M.
WHERE: The Norman P. Murray Center in Mission Viejo, 24932 Veterans Way.
COST: FREE and Open to the Public

“I remember seeing and meeting farmers or farm workers that people said suffered from “shell shock” (which now is PTSD). I was told to stay away from them. I found talking to them was enlightening. We never talked about WWII or Korea, just conversations in general. They were not the “crazy in the heard person” people portrayed them to be, just a very empty and lonely person needing someone to just talk to.”

ACADEMICS, ATHLETICS, LOVE, WAR

“In my sophomore year of high school, Dad leased the farm out and we moved just south of Cedar Rapids to a new school district. I played trumpet in the school band, was in drama, and took up wrestling. From age nine until leaving high school I earned college money bailing hay and chopping weeds for the County Weed Abatement Commissioner. My older brother and I also helped pay rent by farming 80 acres, and raising pigs, chickens and cattle for the land owner while our Dad worked in town. I was very good at wrestling and had been offered a scholarship to the University of Iowa until I shattered my nose in a meet at the end of the year, preventing me from going to the state tournament.”

“I attended the University of Iowa and made the wrestling team. I was also in the Air Force ROTC. I made the starting wrestling team my first year of NCAA eligibility but due to a season ending injury could not compete. At the end of my second year in college, my money ran out, my folks had no money, so after my last final, sold my books, quit college, and hiked 35 miles home. There I drove to my girlfriend’s work and asked her to marry me. (52 years this year). On the way to see her, I realized I gave up my college deferment and thought, “They are going to draft this Iowa plow boy, send me to the Army and then to Vietnam. I’m smarter than that.” So I showed them how smart I was and enlisted into the Marine Corps for four years. I got married, worked 6 months and then left for boot camp in San Diego, standing tall on the yellow footprints on November 10, 1966. This was the Marine Corps’ 191st birthday. I earned a meritorious promotion to PFC out of the Infantry Training regiment.”

SEMPER FIDELIS: DEDICATION TO CORPS AND COUNTRY— “OORAH!!!”

“February through August 1967, I was stationed at Naval Air Station Jacksonville Florida attending Aviation Electronics School. After graduation, I was meritoriously promoted to Lance Corporal. From there my next duty station was Marine Corps Air Station, El Toro, California. I was assigned to Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 33 as a Calibration Technician, working on the electronic equipment that went into the Marine aircraft.”

“My tour in Vietnam started in August of 1968 when Marine Air Group 33 was sent to Marine Air group 11, Da Nang, Vietnam. I was assigned to guard the top-secret calibration equipment vans as they were being shipped in an Air Force C-141. Twenty-four hours after leaving El Toro, we landed under small arms fire at the air base. The Marines were in a dispute with the NVA over ownership of the airstrip. That night we got hit with enemy rockets on the base. All but three nights for the next thirteen months we received rockets on the base. I was assigned to the top calibration station, calibrating the equipment that calibrated the instruments and computers going into the aircraft. I was also in charge of the equipment inventory room that held all of the electronics and instruments — both those needing repair and calibration, and what was ready for use.”

“The aircraft in MAG 11 was around 50% flight readiness due to lack of equipment being available. Within three months I had the room set up and the flight readiness was at over 95%. For that effort, I was named Marine of the Month, and Marine of the Quarter for I-Corps. I received a meritorious promotion to Sergeant. Because of the constant threat of attacks against the air base, we went on constant night patrols as a normal routine duty. I was stationed at Da Nang when the bomb dump that was just resupplied caught on fire and exploded. I also went to Chu Lai after the base was nearly destroyed from a large rocket attack and helped repair and calibrate the electronic aircraft instruments. I returned to my new duty station at El Toro MCAS in September 1969.”

STAND BY YOUR MAN: 52 YEARS OF MARRIAGE AND LIFE TOGETHER, FROM THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS TO THE ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT

“My first wedding anniversary was driving from Florida to California, sharing driving with my wife and another Marine. The second and third anniversary I was stationed in Vietnam. The other 49 my wife and I have been able to share together.”

“After returning to the US, I continued my college education, earning my AA degree at Santa Ana College. After my separation from the military, I tested and was accepted to the Orange County Sheriff’s Academy. I retired after over 30 years as a Sheriff’s Sergeant. During these years I earned my BS degree from Redlands University, and my Masters Degree from Cal State Dominguez Hills, and the equivalent of a second Masters Degree from the State of California Law Enforcement Educational Program through Peace Officer Standards and Training.”

NEVER QUIT, KEEP TRAINING, CONTINUE TO LEARN AND GROW AT EVERY AGE

“What I learned about life growing up on the farm, lessons of never quitting in wrestling, the Marine Corp training, and the constant training from the Sheriff’s Department helped me be successful in life. What I have observed, and discussed this with several veterans, the people that have grown up surrounded with death and injuries such as on a farm, factory work, or even the hard streets of a large city, were able to accept the hardships faced in a war zone. The people coming into the theater with a sheltered or “pampered” upbringing had a harder time adjusting to what they were exposed to or experienced.”

“Not everyone who lost his life in Vietnam died there…
Not everyone who came home from Vietnam ever left there.”

THE BLESSINGS OF MARRYING YOUR BEST FRIEND AND FORGING A LIFE TOGETHER IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA: ‘WE WENT THROUGH THIS JOURNEY TOGETHER’

“I have been blessed with two beautiful daughters and one grandson. As I write this informative article, I’m preparing for the wedding of my youngest daughter September 14. My wife Julie and I just celebrated our 52nd wedding anniversary. We went through this journey together. We left our families behind in 1967, and were on our own together. We are our best friends. We survived the military life for four years, separation during my tour in a war zone, and over 30 years of law enforcement. We learned to talk, trust and compromise. We did it our way, and on our own.”

FAMILY FIRST: SERVING AS A ROLE MODEL TO HIS CHILDREN BY MODELING BEHAVIOR

“Our hobbies have been enjoying our Corvette, belonging to a Corvette club. Our daughters both played fast pitch softball. I was the coach for both daughters, and my wife was the team manager. Our oldest played into college, then started umpiring softball, and became one of the top worldwide umpires before retiring due to concussions. Our youngest daughter got a scholarship and got three All-
American honors, including the National Athlete Colligate Scholar of the year. I attribute their success to my example I have set and teaching them the lessons I have learned throughout my life, including the military discipline.”

A BLESSED LIFE WITH FAITH, FAMILY, FRIENDS, HOBBIES AND PROFESSIONAL PURSUITS

“When I retired from the Sheriffs Department, I took a job as a Labor Relations Representative for the California State Employees Association. I was a union representative for members in labor disputes and discipline hearings. Using all my past experiences and education, I was successful in getting a satisfactory resolution to over 95% of the cases I handled. The hours and demand of this job became too much, and I retired from that position. I continued my love of girls fast pitch softball, and started umpiring to the high school level. After seven years, my knees finally forced me to retire from that activity.”

“Our oldest daughter and son-in-law, both top college softball umpires also had a business of administering drug testing on college, Olympic, and professional athletes. I assist with the testing when needed. My entire family worked well into their 70s, and me at 73 am still at it.”

TRAVELING AT HOME AND ABROAD; HELPING CHURCH FAMILY BY DEVELOPING SAFETY PROGRAM FOR CAMPUS

“My wife and I have been traveling a lot, going on road trips all through out the West, Mid-west and parts of the south and NYC and Washington DC. We have plans to tour the entire eastern seaboard, making several trips out of it. We also have been to ten foreign countries with plans for more.”

“At the request of my church Pastor, I am developing a safety mission for our church, dealing with alarm systems, video and recordings, medical training and handling emergencies, security of the church campus, and cyber security.”

VFW POST 6024: BONDS OF WAR LAST A LIFETIME FOR LOCAL VETERANS

“As if I am not busy enough, I took over as the VFW Jr. Vice Commander in charge of the Buddy Poppy Campaign for my VFW Post 6024. The elected Jr. Vice Commander had medical issues and he could not continue in his position, so I accepted the request to fill the position. Because of my prior employments, I was a VFW Post 6024 member on the books only. Now I have the time I am actively attending meetings.”

“There is camaraderie among the veterans that served in the wartime military. It is a place where you can express your feelings without being judged. That to me is a comfort and brings out a personal understanding what others have endured. We have WWII, Vietnam, Korean, and veterans of other conflicts in our Post. This is a non-judgmental meeting of old warriors of all walks of live and military experiences.”

BUILDING PATRIOTISM BY REMEMBERING, HONORING OUR STARS AND STRIPES, SOLDIERS; HONORING DIALOGUE AND SHARING VIEWPOINTS

“When I was growing up, the patriotism in the United States was very strong. I am now watching patriotism being called into question. So much so, even some of the people that are looked up to, question the very foundation of what has made America a great nation. The VFW, American Legion, and other military organizations are scrambling to replenish their ranks as the old veterans die off. I refuse to get into politics, but it is at the core of building nationalism, trust and respect for the military and first responders.”

“I still feel and see the resentment of the Vietnam era veterans even today. I helped with the attempt to build a State Veteran’s Cemetery in the City of Irvine. I watched as veterans were disrespected, dishonored, attacked by false lies, distortions of the truth, fake news, and insulted as the City of Irvine residents turned down the proposal in the last election. All over greed, and a feud between developers. The veterans were dismissed.”

“There is a message going around among the Vietnam Veterans: “We were forgotten by our country. Disrespected when we returned home. Nevertheless, we still loved our country; Even when our country didn’t love us! It seems that back then, …our nation forgot… that we were Americans too.”

PHOTOS COPYRIGHT AND COURTESY OF THE CARSON FAMILY

(1) Early farm picture. John, cousin Marie, brother Dave, cousin Carol. I’m the only one still living.

(2) John at one.

(3) John and Julie’s wedding: August 1966.

(4) USMC John Carson

(5) Retiring the flag at the United States National Cemetery, Normandy France: October 6, 2016.

(6) John and Julie on our 51st anniversary.

(7) Beloved family photo of John and Julie’s two daughters, Dani holding Katie, two sisters who share a very special bond as evidenced in this precious photo.

(8) Normandy cemetery

(9) Mount of Olives Church Salute to Veterans. USMC Sgt Major Anthony Garcia (retired) Vietnam Veteran

USN Commander Willis (Bill) Hardy: US Navy WWII Veteran; Navy Cross, DFC, Navy Ace, (Ace in one day) (retired), Iwo Jima, Okinawa, Philippines, Solomon Islands, and bomber escort over Japan.

John Carson USMC Vietnam Veteran

(10) Son-in-law Willie Newman and daughter Dani. Wedding at UNLV softball field, February 14th.

(11) Son in-law Steven Hurst and daughter Katie’s wedding dance: September 2018

(12) Dani calling the Texas A and M runner safe.

(13) Three time All American, daughter Katie.

(14) Three generations of umpires. Grandpa John, Grandson Austin, and daughter Dani.

(15) Daughter Katie on her Wedding Day, September 2018

(16) Dani with UCLA coach, Sue Enquist.

(17) Newlyweds, daughter Katie with her new husband Steven Hurst, September 2018

(18) Grandson Austin at an Inland Empire auto show. He helped with the finish prep, got second place.

(19, 20) Mr. and Mrs. Katie and Steven Hurst. Sept. 14, 2018; Pictures at SJC Mission or Franciscan Garden in SJC

(21) 1969 Corvette with original American Racing Rims: 335,000 miles+ Top place finish in several car shows, with some firsts and several seconds.