CELEBRATING AMERICA'S 250th ANNIVERSARY BY HONORING OUR NATION'S VETERANS

As we celebrate our nation's 250th birthday, we honor generations of Americans who helped make our country great.

This month, we asked community members of California's 36th Congressional District to submit photos and short tributes of their loved ones who served in the United States military. Thank you to everyone who submitted, and thank you to everyone who served our country.

Abraham Boyarsky

Abe Boyarsky served in the U.S. Army during WWII, landing on Utah Beach two days after his 19th birthday. He helped liberate Cherbourg, marched across France, Belgium and Germany, fought in the Battle of the Bulge, and liberated the Dachau concentration camp. Currently 101 years old, he wears his dog tags every day.

James Larkin

Thank you, and you are surely missed.

Irwin Ruben

Our dad enlisted in the U.S. Navy toward the end of World War II and served on a hospital ship that treated the wounded fighting in the Pacific Theater. He took great pride in having had the opportunity to assist surgeons working around the clock to heal the wounded and save lives. The sobering experience convinced him to pursue a professional career as a pharmacist once he left the service. He went to college courtesy of the GI Bill, otherwise known as the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944. He forever remained a genuine hero in our eyes.

George Molukos

George Molukous enlisted in the United States Army, emigrating from Greece. He served proudly in the infantry in World War I.

Zein Obagi MD

Thank you dad, Cmdr Zein Obagi MD for your six years of honorable service in the US Navy.

Lawrence J Smith Jr

Active duty service 1977-1982, reserves 1982-1987. Graduate Nuclear Power Program. Surface Warfare Officer. Persian Gulf Deployment 1985.

Russ Morimoto

F-4 Phantom Crew Chief Vietnam. His name was on the name of his plane along with the pilot that got shot down.

Larry Murakami

Served with the 403rd SOD, 5th Special Forces Vietnam.

Martin Lakin

Korean War Veteran and incredible Uncle.

Brad Zalben

Navy SeaBees Veteran. Proud Veteran and my inspiration in life.

Sanford Forman

My father-in-law, Sanford Forman, is a Korean War veteran who served in the United States Air Force. He has always been proud of his service and of his uniform. He is 93 years young today. We thank him for his service and love for his country.

Robert Vaughan

Bob was born in Torrance and was a classic South Bay surfer. He was drafted into the Army and served in Vietnam from 1967-1968, during the Tet Offensive.

Barry Solomon

Barry served in the U.S. Army in New York and continued in Los Angeles for a total of 5.2 years.

1st Lt. Jack Tomlin

I never knew my Uncle Jack. He was killed in action near Hilfarth, Germany in January 1945. My grandmother mourned him keenly the rest of her life, and even took two trips to Germany after the war to try to find out what happened to him. A few years ago, I discovered this website https://www.honorstates.org/index.php?id=28826, where I learned his fate.

Robert William Hockelberg

Served in WWII as Lieutenant in the Army Air Corps, pilot of cargo planes over the Himalayas to bring supplies over Himalayas to troops.

Sam Morita

My grandfather enlisted in the Air Force. He was stationed in Morocco at the Nouasseeur Air Force Base. As a Japanese American, he was interned in Poston, AZ during WWII. He was alway a proud American - Grandson Levi Vila.

Murray Kalis

To our Dad, Grandfather, Great Grandfather, brother and friend. Thank you for your service and sacrifice for not only our family but our country. We are all so proud of you!

W.T. Morgan

God bless all those who served our country, including my Dad.

Jerry Brown

From Sandy Brown: Jerry Brown, MD served a year at Valley Forge Hospital and a year at the 91st & 93rd Evacuation Hospital in Vietnam. He is proud of his service and has great respect for the soldiers he cared and all who served.

James L. Durment

Thank you dad (Papa) for your service in the U.S. Army. We miss you and love you.

Robert E. Durment

We thank you for your service in the U.S. Navy uncle Bob. Love, Kimberly and David

Daniel Rincon

To my brother, Daniel Rincon, Thank you for your honorable service in the United States Marine Corps from 1999 to 2026. Your courage, sacrifice, and dedication make our family proud every day. We honor your commitment, your strength, and the legacy you leave behind. Semper Fidelis.

Larry Dean Rudy

Thank you for your service.

Ralph A. Feinstein

Severely injured and the only survivor of his boat on D-Day, my father-in-law never let his disability limit him.

Issues: Veterans