Celebrating America's 250th Anniversary by Honoring OUR Nation's Veterans

July 1, 2026 Press Release 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. Image James Larkin Thank you, and you are surely missed. Image Phyllis T. Miller As a fellow veteran, I offer my wholehearted support for Phyllis Thomas Miller and the extraordinary impact of her art within our community. Her work has brought healing into my own home, helping me manage the daily challenges of PTSD with renewed calm and strength. Phyllis’s commitment to art is not a hobby but a lifelong calling—rooted in her military background in technical drafting and enriched by years of service to veterans seeking connection and relief. For more than fifteen years, she has used her creative gifts to uplift others, earning national recognition for her exhibits and for championing the vital role of art in emotional recovery. Robert Callahan, USMC, Combat Vietnam Veteran Image 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. Image George Molukos George Molukous enlisted in the United States Army, emigrating from Greece. He served proudly in the infantry in World War I. Image Zein Obagi MD Thank you dad, Cmdr Zein Obagi MD for your six years of honorable service in the US Navy. Image Lawrence J Smith Jr Active duty service 1977-1982, reserves 1982-1987. Graduate Nuclear Power Program. Surface Warfare Officer. Persian Gulf Deployment 1985. Image Rear Admiral Sandra (“Sandy”) Adams Rear Admiral Adams, U.S. Navy retired, served in active duty from 1981 to the end of 1985 and transitioned to the Naval Reserves from 1986 until 2015.  During her 34 years of service her profession was a Surface Warfare Officer in many capacities from ship to 4-star staffs. A SWO is a Navy officer who specializes in ship operations.  In 1992 she was selected for the first of five commands as Selected Reserve coordinator aboard the USS Bolster. In 2010 she mobilized support of Operation Enduring Freedom, and was selected to be the Reserve deputy commander, Navy Region Midwest, making her the first Surface Warfare woman to make Flag Officer in the Reserves. She is also the first Naval Admiral Reservist  to be married to a partner of the same-sex and will tell that story.  She is currently retired and stays active volunteering in her community. Image 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. Image Larry Murakami Served with the 403rd SOD, 5th Special Forces Vietnam . Image Martin Lakin Korean War Veteran and incredible Uncle. Image Brad Zalben Navy SeaBees Veteran. Proud Veteran and my inspiration in life. Image 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. Image 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. Image Barry Solomon Barry served in the U.S. Army in New York and continued in Los Angeles for a total of 5.2 years. Image 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. Image 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. Image 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. Image 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! Image W.T. Morgan God bless all those who served our country, including my Dad. Image 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. Image James L. Durment Thank you dad (Papa) for your service in the U.S. Army. We miss you and love you. Image Robert E. Durment We thank you for your service in the U.S. Navy uncle Bob. Love, Kimberly and David. Image 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. Image Larry Dean Rudy Thank you for your service. Image 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