‘Rig for Dive’: Submarine Veteran Honored at San Mateo County Veterans Luncheon

San Mateo - Michael William O'Brien remembers the moment life on a submarine suddenly became real.

"We went to sea for the first time, and a command comes down, 'Rig for dive,'" O'Brien recalled today. As his fellow sailors dogged the hatches - that is, shut them against the cold sea, "I look up and thought, 'Holy fork! What am I doing here?'"

"And then I went on doing what I was doing and never thought about it again."

The Navy veteran went on to serve on four submarines from 1967 to 1980. Today, the Redwood City resident was honored as Veteran of the Year at a luncheon in downtown San Mateo that brought together nearly 300 veterans, their families and supporters.

"These are the individuals that made our country what it is today," said San Mateo County Supervisor Lisa Gauthier. "We need to honor them for the work that they've done. We're free because of their sacrifices of going out and ensuring that America is the country that it is today."

Now in its 10th year, the luncheon is sponsored by Gauthier's office in partnership with the San Mateo County Veterans Commission, with support from numerous local organizations.

With tables decorated with red, white and blue flowers, the luncheon opened with a San Mateo County Sheriff's Office and San Mateo Police color guard. Veterans from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard filled the room - from younger service members to a 101-year-old World War II veteran.

While the event is a celebration, it also carries somber notes. The crowd honored Blue Star families - those with loved ones in the service - and a Gold Star family, who lost a loved one in uniform. At the front of the room, a single table and chair with a rose stood as a tribute to prisoners of war and those missing in action.

The event featured comments from San Mateo County Superior Court Judge Michael K. Wendler, a Marine Corps veteran, U.S. Rep. Sam Liccardo (D-16) and a video appearance from U.S. Rep. Kevin Mullin (D-15).

During his Navy career, O'Brien once spent 72 days in a row underwater. He loved the mission - and the stakes during what was then the height of the Cold War. (More of O'Brien's story can be seen in the accompanying video.)

After leaving the service, he logged thousands of volunteer hours at the VA Palo Alto, escorting patients and greeting them at the information desk. He is also active in the United States Submarine Veterans Inc. Dolphin Base, the California Lost Boat Memorial and the Native Sons of the Golden West Historical Preservation Foundation.

O'Brien is especially devoted to preserving the history of the submarine force. After joining the Submarine Veterans, he helped restore a long-neglected World War II submarine memorial in San Leandro. "They needed help bringing it back, so I volunteered," he said. "It matters to keep the submariners' history alive."

The event also paid tribute to:

Patriot of the Year - Surayna Spicer
A Rehabilitation Services Coordinator with the San Francisco Sheriff's Office, Spicer helps lead the Community of Veterans Engaged in Restoration program with Swords to Plowshares, guiding incarcerated veterans toward stability and purpose. She also serves with American Legion Auxiliary Post 105 in Redwood City, the San Mateo County Blue Star Mothers and the San Francisco Veterans Lions Club. (Learn more about Spicer's efforts in the accompanying video.)

Enterprise of the Year - Operation: Care and Comfort
Founded in 2003 and run entirely by volunteers, Operation: Care and Comfort ships thousands of care packages to deployed troops. Its Tickets for Troops program provides free tickets to concerts, sporting events and cultural experiences for service members, veterans and their families. The organization's Adopt a Military Family program provides critical one-time assistance, covering bills, providing holiday gifts and more. In San Mateo County, it partners with local veteran groups, the VA Menlo Park and Colma's Veterans Village to honor service members and strengthening families across the region. (Learn more about Operation: Care and Comfort in the accompanying video.)

Supervisor Gauthier's Office
Nicole Fernandez
Chief of Staff
[email protected]
650-274-5189 - Cell
650-599-1021