Vets4veterans host dinner, honors local heroes
LANCASTER — The group Vets4Veterans billed their packed dinner as “An Evening of Community Support” and it turned out to be an evening of support for the local heroes who supported the veterans community in the Antelope Valley.
Hundreds of civic-minded folks, many of whom have volunteered or contributed to the local nonprofit, got on their feet in standing ovation for the group’s founder, President Tom Hilzendeger.
Hilzendeger, 70, a plain-spoken Vietnam War veteran who served in combat engineers attached to the 1st Cavalry Division, surprised everyone, arriving in a tuxedo, accompanied in formal attire by his wife Megan, key volunteer and treasurer. It was a change from his usual ball cap and golfing course attire.
Palmdale’s mayor, retired firefighter Steve Hofbauer, both state legislators, Steve Knight, an Army vet who served in Congress and J.J. Murphy, Palmdale’s city manager who served in the Air Force, were among those applauding. They joined with hundreds who delivered a sustained round of applause for the man who started a local initiative to help local veterans in need flowing from a therapy session for survivors of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
“Thank you,” Hilzendeger said, waving to the group. “I did not expect this. I love you.”
Hilzendeger got the love right back, with the evening’s invocation provided by Gerry Rice, a brother Vietnam War combat veteran and therapist who facilitated that therapy group more than 10 years ago at the newly established VA Vet Center in Palmdale.
Hilzendeger organized a car show in the VA Vet Center parking lot and they raised a few hundred dollars, that became a few thousand in follow-on events. The group became one of the Antelope Valley’s sustaining initiatives to support veterans with emergency needs, groceries or shelter, therapy and scholarships for veterans attending Antelope Valley College. Last year, a dream was realized to open a house that could offer low-to-no cost temporary housing for a veteran family in transition.
On Friday night, the group honored two local advocates for veterans, women who have worked steadily and effectively for years, on behalf of veterans who are in need of a hand up, rather than a handout.
The group honored Michelle Smith, a housing outreach specialist for the Military Resource Center, a VA-supported part of Mental Health America of the Antelope Valley. Joining her in the honors was Christine Ward, a veterans advocate in the office of state Sen. Scott Wilk, who began her field work years ago working with Steve Knight.
Smith recounted how she fell in love with the work of locating veterans, sometimes when they are unhoused, and camping in the desert. The joy, she said, is matching them with housing that will help return them to society and greater comfort.
Ward echoed her sentiment, having worked on benefit claims to ease life for entirely too many veterans who fall on hard times after military service.
Sen. Wilk and Assemblyman Tom Lackey joined Smith and Ward on the stage, adding certificates from the Legislature, to the acclaim that was coming their way.
Veteran David Sell ascended the stage at the John P. Eliopoulos Hellenic Center to praise the organization, and its leader.
Sell, 50, is a retired Air Force officer who served in Afghanistan and returned home with a top load of his own stress and anxiety from what he experienced.
He said when he realized he was in need of help, Hilzendeger and Vets4Veterans provided it easily and with kindness. In effect, when he needed shelter from the storm, Vets4Veterans delivered.
“Next, Tom offered me tickets to a golf tournament,” Sell said. “I never did go golfing, but I witnessed the kindness and generosity of Tom Hilzendeger.”
The recent fatal crash that killed Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, his 13-yearold daughter Gianna and seven more people, triggered memories of Sell’s “friends and allies lost in helicopter crashes while I was overseas.”
He added, “I reflected on my own mortality having flown on Blackhawk helicopters, British Puma helicopters, Russian Sikorsky helicopters.”
All his war experiences contributed to an uneasy homecoming, but he said it was the love, and non-judgmental support he received from Hilzendeger and Vets4Veterans and it contributed mightily to his recovery.
“What I have learned from Vets4Veterans is not to be afraid to tell your story,” Sell said. “I learned, do the things you love, but don’t wait to do them. Don’t wait for retirement. Do them today. Do them with the people you love, and people who love you back.”
He continued, “The goal of American soldier to provide peace among nations. The goal of American veterans to find peace within. Tom and Megan, thank you for all that you do in supporting veterans.”
He concluded by sharing his experience with the group, and the Hilzendegers, inspired him to become an officer with Disabled American Veterans, helping “veterans to get the benefits they have earned.”
The evening’s room of support included the Young Marines presenting the colors and volunteers Nayda Figueroa as emcee, with Vets4Veterans Vice President Jack Woolbert and John Parsamyan introducing speakers who represented generations of service.
Conversation sprung up easily, with Vietnam War helicopter crewman Joe Pipkin, 75, discussing combat in the air with World War II veteran Murray Paul Sprunger, 96, a B-17 tail gunner.