Semper Cares Initiative: Supporting, Helping Deserving Veterans | L...

This Veterans Day, we've had the honor to gift Sergeant Doug G. Epley and his wife, Kayla, with a free Solar System consisting of 20 solar panels. After reading their story, you'll agree that this amazing couple deserves the world. Sergeant Doug G. Epley enlisted with the Air Force when he was 17 years old. It was always his dream to serve. He served in Operation Desert Storm as an Electronic Countermeasure Operations Specialist on the aircrafts. Doug and Kayla are planning on saving a bunch of money with their new solar system and using the money to renovate their home. A few years ago, Kayla was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer on her 50th birthday. She told Doug that this was his chance to leave, but he responded, "I married you for better or for worse, in sickness and in health". Kayla got better, but unfortunately Doug was diagnosed with cancer himself. Luckily, both are fine now. It took a lot of strength, but they got through it. Kayla nominated her husband because of his huge heart. He has served his country extremely well and he has served his wife extremely well.

Our Semper Cares Honoree for Project Quebec is Sgt. Bruce Calderon. Through his many years of serving in the USMC, Sgt. Bruce Calderon has been able to see a good chunk of the world. He was deployed to Afghanistan and would later be stationed in Japan. But it was in a different eastern country where he would find love. While Sgt. Bruce Calderon was being stationed in South Korea, he would meet a lovely women by the name of Minji. The two would end up falling in love and getting married. However, since the Sergeant’s military career was mostly spent overseas, he lacked a solid support network back home in the USA. As he transitioned back to civilian life in the San Francisco Bay Area, Bruce found the adjustment a little hard. This isn’t new to us. Many veterans struggle transitioning to civilian life. This is why we love hiring veterans whenever we can. Feel free to meet our vets! We think it’s great when companies give opportunities to veterans or when organizations help them transition from military life. The difficulties of transitioning to civilian life would lead Bruce to Swords to Plowshares, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting veterans. This past summer, he completed a legal internship with Swords to Plowshares’ Legal Services program. Bruce now lives with his wife in San Lorenzo and looks forward to finishing law school and becoming a public defender. As for us, we were honored to award Sgt. Bruce Calderon with an entire Solar Panel System at no cost.

Mark served valiantly in the Marine Corps for 25 years. During his years of service, he held a variety of jobs and responsibilities, ranging from helicopter mechanic to drill instructor, and to Sargent Major for Osprey Squadron, 15th MEU Air Combat Element. Sgt.Maj. Wright served in Operation Iraqi Freedom on multiple deployments from 2004 to 2007. Then, after being selected for 1st Sgt., deployed once again in 2010, this time as a High Mobility Artillery Rocket battery in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Even after his retirement in 2018, Mark was not done with the armed services. He operated as a military contractor with the Army's 160th Special Operation Air Regiment until he could passionately continue his life of service as a member of the San Diego Police Dept. On March 13th, earlier this year, Mark was riding his motorcycle home from work when he collided with an abandoned vehicle. The collision was completely unavoidable and caused Mark to sustain a fractured pelvis and the amputation of his lower left leg. Complications from this amputation have persisted since the accident, forcing Mark to return for additional surgeries as well as battling repeated bouts of infection. In the face of all this adversity, Mark has been nothing but positive and remained steadfast in his convictions. Mark says that there is no point in dwelling on the negative and that he is now more motivated than ever to get back on the bike and return to work as a member of the SDPD. Mark Wright truly is one of the "few" and a shining example of the kind of person the Semper Cares Initiative is meant to honor. Sgt.Maj. Wright’s awards include the Meritorious Service Medal with two gold stars, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with gold star, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with gold star.

Marines are just built different and men like Douglas E. Berry prove it. Coming from a storied line of military service - his grandfather serving bravely in the U.S. Navy during WWII and his father serving in the USMC for 30 years from 1965 to 1995 - you could say he was born for it. Though Douglas didn’t choose just to follow in his forefather's footsteps, he wanted to carve his own path and make his own legacy. So in the summer of 1987, at 18 years old, Douglas enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. Choosing the Marines not because of his family history but because of USMC’s reputation. A reputation for toughness, grit, and resilience, and for forging some of the most formidable individuals in military history. After completing recruit training, Douglas would then report to the School of Infantry at Camp Pendleton, California, and not long thereafter would receive orders to participate in Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Over the next few years, Douglas would go from Kuwait, back stateside, then to Kosovo, and to be stationed at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina where he would meet his future wife and mother of his two children, Megan. Of course after September 11th, 2001, everything would change. In June 2002, now Gunnery Sergeant Berry reported to 1st Battalion, 8th Marines company C and served valiantly in Operation Iraqi Freedom I and II. While serving in Iraq he would lead Marines into combat on multiple occasions including the Battle of Fallujah. Fallujah being widely regarded as a turning point in the Iraq War and as one of the largest urban combat engagements for the U.S. Military since the Battle of Huế City in Vietnam in 1968. Over the course of the next 10 years, Douglas would rise up the ranks to First Sergeant and then finally to Sergeant Major. His assignments would see him go back to Iraq, then to Afghanistan, and unique experiences serving as Sergeant Major for Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron-369 and the Assault Amphibian School Battalion at Camp Pendleton. Sergeant Major Berry is well decorated with his personal awards including the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal with one gold star, Air Medal with Strike Flight Numeral Three, the Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal with three gold stars, and combat distinguishing device, the Navy Achievement Medal with three gold stars and combat distinguishing device, and the Combat Action Ribbon with one gold star.

One year prior to 9/11, Brandon Berry found himself enlisting in the United States Navy. Upon completion of boot camp, he received orders to attend Field Medical Service School in Camp Pendleton, CA where he set-up roots. Soon after the attacks on September 11th, Brandon was shipped off to his first of many tours in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. His training helped prepare him for the grueling tasks assigned while conducting combat and salvage operations with the Marines, Seal Delivery Vehicle Team 1, Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit, and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 1 where he qualified as a Diving Medical Technician, Independent Duty Corpsman, Master Training Specialist, Naval Parachutist, Expeditionary Warfare Specialist and Medical Department Head while rising to the rank of Senior Chief. Yet, Mr. Berry’s service and valor has come with a price. After his first deployment, he sustained undiagnosed intestinal injuries resulting in multiple surgeries. Throughout his deployments over the last two decades Brandon has been exposed to repeat blasts, intense combat, high risk diving operations and dangerous environmental factors contributing to a series of health problems such as a traumatic brain injury, conductive hearing loss, PTSD, respiratory problems, and neurological issues. Despite the aftereffects from his dedicated service, Brandon remains undeterred and upbeat. Mr. Berry is a loving husband, full-time hockey dad of two boys, an avid golfer, and Team Captain of the Warrior Foundation's Cycling Club. Senior Chief Berry’s personal achievements include six Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, five Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals and numerous campaign medals and ribbons. Senior Chief Berry earned his Bachelor’s of Science degree from Excelsior College in 2017.

Bruce Wayne Autry grew up between Philadelphia and New York City. He enjoyed school so much that he applied himself and graduated at the age of 16. Because of his age, it was difficult for him to find work, so as soon as he was of age, he enlisted in the US Army and joined the 169th Engineer Battalion. Upon his honorable discharge, he moved from New York City to Los Angeles. He went back to school and graduated with an Associates Degree in Law Enforcement and Corrections. Bruce attended Rio Hondo Police Academy, graduating as a California Peace Officer. He worked for The Housing Authority, most times patrolling the area projects as a lone, solo officer. Stolen vehicles was one of his specialties. He then moved to the San Bernardino Police Department when the Housing Authority Police Department was disbanded. In September 2001, while maintaining his status as a full time Peace Officer with San Bernardino, He was hired as an Investigator for the federal government, specifically the EEOC. On 9-11, he was in a training class at the Pentagon when the US was attacked. Because of his law enforcement background and clearances, he was utilized for a couple of days in Washington DC, aiding their first responders wherever needed. For several years he worked 2 full time positions, Peace Officer with San Bernardino and his current full time position with EEOC. Continuing to this day, he has taken on many off-duty police officer positions. He has worked in and around Los Angeles as a private bodyguard for many celebrities, politicians, as well as working at many movie premieres, and political events like the DNC. Other jobs have included working at Staples Center, the Rose Bowl, and NASCAR to name only a few. To this day (up until COVID), he has enjoyed teaching bodyguard practices to others. For the last 10 years, in addition to the off duty police positions, he has continued his full-time career with EEOC, while supporting his wife and two step children. As a consequence of his exposure to agent orange while in Vietnam, in 2013, he was diagnosed with and is currently being treated for Prostate Cancer. Being the only living child of 7, the care of his mother falls entirely on his shoulders. In March of 2020, with the start of Covid-19, his EEOC office in downtown LA was evacuated due to confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the building, Leaving his wife (who has several health issues) and kids he set up his EEOC office at his mother's home, affording him the opportunity to both work from home and take care of his 96 year old mother without the added worry of possibly contaminating his home. He has applied for home health assistance but due to his mother's age and several health issues, no one is willing to attend to her. He is an extremely hard working man, striving to give his family everything they need. His family means everything to him and he is so grateful to still have his mom in his life.

After attending college for two years, Robert enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a hospital corpsman. After boot camp, he was assigned to Dental Technician School in San Diego, where he attended Basic and Prosthetic Schools. Upon graduation, he received orders to the Fleet Marine Force, 3rd Marine Division Vietnam. Prior to shipping out, he attended Field Medical School at Camp Pendleton for Marine corpsman training. He arrived in Vietnam in early 1968, as the Tet Offensive was still Active. He served as a Dental Technician near the DMZ. His duties included fabricating prosthetic devices, oral surgery assisting, triage of the wounded, as well as forensic identifications on Marines who were killed in action. During his deployment, he was sprayed with Agent Orange. He spent the rest of his four years active duty at Camp LeJeune, North Carolina where he was also exposed to toxic chemicals in the water supply and has had residual medical issues ever since. His military awards include The Navy Achievement Award w/combat valor device, Combat Action Ribbon, Vietnam Service Award w/Fleet Marine device, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Valor Cross, and Civil Action medal. He has been married for 35 years, has two grown children. He provides a home for several rescue dogs, and is still working as a dental tech to provide for his family.

Jack Lyon, a Vietnam Veteran received a brand new solar panel system on behalf of Semper Solaris. Jack was nominated by two previous Semper Cares Initiative recipients, Povas Miknaitis and David Smith, as well as by the Warrior Foundation Freedom Station. Along with founding the Veteran's Village in San Diego, Jack has also spent countless hours at Balboa Naval Medical Center helping injured veterans. Jack is known as the "Angel" to these veterans within the medical center. He has done so much for the community and has never asked or needed anything in return. Semper Solaris was thrilled to be able to give back to Jack and his wife. Thank you, Jack, for your continued dedication and compassion to all of the veterans you have helped!

Denise Renfro, a former U.S Navy hospital corpsman, was recently chosen as the lucky veteran for the Semper Cares Initiative. We were inspired by how she joined the Navy right after high school, did 4 years of active duty as well as 4 years of active reserves. She was also called back into action for "Desert Storm" & "Desert Shield". An amazing backstory to all this is how she met her husband while being an active reserve. Semper Solaris is truly inspired by this story and couldn't be happier with our Veterans Day choice for Semper Cares Initiative while installing 18 beautiful black on black panels for free for the Renfro family. Thank you for your service, Denise, and we hope you enjoy your new solar panel system!

Project India was formulated to honor David Smith, a 5-year Marine Corps Veteran who served as an Infantryman and is decorated with a Purple Heart. He suffered severe injuries to his right leg, internal bleeding and a traumatic brain injury while on duty in Afghanistan when a truck near him ran over an IED. These injuries left him with speech pattern issues and a need to relearn how to walk; which he persevered through upon returning home, taking time to recover and rehabilitate. He went on to pursue higher education, graduating from the University of North Texas, studying and writing a thesis on traumatic brain injuries.

Project Hotel was a mission crafted to honor deserving Vietnam Army Veteran, Stephen Fanter, who is highly decorated with a Silver Star, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart during 18 months of active duty. After returning from service, Stephen spent a year recovering from his wounds in the hospital. He then went on to continue protecting local citizens as a Los Angeles Police Officer, Sky Marshal and eventually as a Federal Agent in San Diego where he worked against the war on drugs. Now retired, his friends and family have never heard him ask for anything.

Mark Creighton damaged the nerves in his arms while serving in the Army and was honorably discharged in 1979. In his 30s, he became legally blind and at age 55, Mark was placed into the Yountville Veterans Home. He felt his life wasting away and that he was too young to be placed in a home. So, Mark reached out to a volunteer, Marilu, to help find him a way out and finally after five years of multiple living arrangements, they were able to purchase a home. Semper Solaris is excited to help with the high cost of electric bills in their new home.

Michael Gallardo is from Los Angeles. He gave up a baseball career to join the military because he felt as though it was a calling. That, and a sign. The sign, was 9/11, which is also his birthday. Serving in Iraq, Gallardo was severely injured when the Humvee in which he was riding, in a split second decision, intentionally ran over an IED to protect other soldiers on the ground. The ensuing explosion and vehicle damage led to serious injury to Sergeant Gallardo’s left leg. After months of attempts to save his lower left leg without success, Sergeant Gallardo was rendered a below-the-knee amputee. He was awarded a Purple Heart. We salute Sergeant Michael Gallardo for his bravery, selflessness, and dedication to the service of our country!

Tony Ybarra, a native Bay Area resident, served as a Navy Corpsman through the entirety of the Korean War. After the Navy, he taught middle school and coached kids sports for over 35 years in Campbell. He is still well known by hundreds of former students. He has always supported environmental issues and renewable energy.

Project Delta was formulated to support Antonio Rangel and the repairs needed on his family’s home to remain safe and accessible. Rangel served as an Infantryman in the Army during the Korean War and was honorably discharged in 1954. He then returned to his hometown, where he has been an active member of the local American Legion and has volunteered to sponsor 17-year olds to go to Cal State Sacramento for a week. Rangel suffered from a stroke in both 2017 and 2018, now his three grandsons and daughter live with him and he says his daughter is his “right-hand man”.

The third Semper Cares Initiative operation, Project Charlie, had the privilege to honor Paul Dugas on Veteran’s Day 2018. To find the deserving beneficiary for this operation, Semper Solaris requested nominations to learn more about the stories of the American men and women that are so deserving of our support and honor. After countless nominations, Paul Dugas, a former marine, was selected. Paul was nominated by his neighbor Dev Zaveri-Tabb, who is also a veteran. Dev shared Paul’s story with us — from his years of faithful service to his severe back injury to his fight with cancer, Paul always kept his perseverance and spirits high. It was an honor to meet Paul and stand alongside him through Project Charlie!

Project Bravo was formulated to support former Marine Corps sniper, Povas Miknaitis. Miknaitis was wounded in Iraq by an IED, causing major damage to his head and face. Semper Solaris was introduced to Povas through the Warrior Foundation Freedom Station. WFFS operates a cutting-edge halfway house for wounded veterans, helping them reintegrate into the community.

The Semper Cares Initiative was introduced to Carl through the efforts of Habitat For Humanity’s Veteran Programs. Carl served in the Navy for 12 years around the world as an Avionics Technician. After his discharge he returned to San Diego, where he met and married his wife, Jodi. Living in a residence owned by Jodi’s family for over 30 years, Carl recognized that the home was in desperate need of major repairs to the roof. Living on a fixed income from disability has made meeting their monthly bills harder and harder. The constant increases in electricity costs have hit their family especially hard.