Page 6 November 9, 2017 TORRANCE TRIBUNE
TerriAnn in Torrance
Remembering Our Local Veterans
Story and Photos by TerriAnn Ferren
Veterans Day, November 11, is celebrated
on Saturday this year--and because of that,
Friday is also considered a federal holiday. This
special day remains set apart for honoring our
veterans. Today, there are many groups that take
honoring our veterans seriously and work hard
for their care. Although our veterans hospitals
have come a long way since the Vietnam War,
there remains much room for improvement.
The GI Bill, which assists veterans returning
home from service, must not only provide basic
needs, but also actively offer help with all the
difficulties resulting from combat.
Many motion pictures have helped show the
horrors of war and how the men and women
who serve give their all. A few of the best
films I can remember are Apocalypse Now,
Platoon, Born on the Fourth of July, Saving
Private Ryan and Full Metal Jacket. Last
week, I saw another motion picture that will
undoubtedly line up with that prestigious list:
Thank You For Your Service, a drama showing
stories of Iraq War veterans returning home with
post-traumatic stress disorder. Producer of the
film John Kilik told me, “I am so excited and
so proud of it and that we were able to make
it. Only once in a generation are you able to
make a movie that deals with this material--
and lives. We still have so much to learn to
help and deal with to heal.”
I was impressed with the fact that the song
Freedom Cadence that plays over the credits
at the end of the film is sung by the legendary
rock and roll star Bruce Springsteen. How did
that happen? In a nutshell, Kilik heard Iraq
War veteran Adam Schumann (whom the main
character is based on in the film) singing--and
recorded it on his cell phone. After John let
Bruce Springsteen hear the song, Bruce decided
to sing it for the film with Adam and John
singing backup! An amazing story!
The ninth Secretary of Veterans Affairs
(VA), The Honorable David J. Shulkin, was
confirmed on February 13, 2017 by President
Donald J. Trump. Hopefully, Secretary Shulkin
will continue fighting for those who serve, and
their needs will be tended to with gratitude
and compassion.
Also last week I met actor/artist Dianna
Leanne Wilson, and Gina Elise from Pin-Ups
For Vets, an organization that raises money
for VA hospitals, helps purchase medical
equipment, assists military wives by donating
clothing, gives makeovers, and boosts morale
for all those family members left behind during
deployment, visits those in hospitals, and works
hard so our veterans know they are appreciated
and cared for. Gina Elise, who founded Pin-
Ups for Vets in 2006, told me, “We are on a
50-state VA and hospital tour and we dress up
like pin-ups and hand-deliver our calendars and
show appreciation to the housewife veterans.
We mostly make bedside visits and show our
appreciation for their service and sacrifice.”
By selling the calendars, these determined
women use the money for helping vets all
across our country.
One young woman featured in the Pin-
Ups For Vets 2018 calendar is Army veteran
Melanie Felix from Torrance, who said, “I
wanted to be part of the Pin-Ups For Vets
2018 calendar because I felt a connection to
the organization’s service to veterans all over
the US when I met Gina Elise, founder of
Pin-Ups For Vets. I knew then I wanted to
be in involved, give back, express myself and
my gratitude in a fun and creative way. I truly
enjoy helping others. I believe everyone has
the ability to make a difference. Some of the
smallest gestures have the potential to make
the biggest impact.”
Melanie’s job in the Army was once 63W
(a wheeled vehicle repairer). It was later
converted to what is currently the 91B series.
“I enlisted in the Army to be a mechanic so I
could use those basic maintenance skills and
apply them in my civilian life,” she said. She
thanks her Army training because now she has
the knowhow to change her own oil, tires, or
brakes if necessary--and has been known to
assist family and friends as well. Melanie was
also selected to represent the Army National
Guard in one of the first marketing and
advertisement projects that launched the Army
Combat Uniform (ACU’s). She spent nearly a
month in Arizona and Tennessee shooting in
desert and wooded environments--and although
it has been 10 years since that shoot, she still
runs into people who will text her a photo
of her in uniform, on a mouse pad, poster or
DVD. Check out www.pinupsforvets.com to
purchase a calendar or to donate to their very
wonderful cause.
If you haven’t noticed the Torrance Veterans
Memorial wall on the corner of Torrance
Boulevard and Maple Avenue, take time and
check it out. It serves as a tangible reminder of
our fallen soldiers whose names are etched into
its cold stone--our veterans who never made it
home. Every year, especially on Veterans Day,
I remember Abraham Lincoln’s timeless and
eloquent words that still ring clear when he said,
“To care for those who have born the battle,
their widows and their orphans.” I believe it is
a commitment we, as citizens, should always
remember. There is a Veterans Day Observance
at Arlington National Cemetery every year
reminding us that freedom is not free.
Our veterans from all wars are honored
on Veterans Day and we need to remember
them throughout the year. Ask a veteran in
what branch of service they served and what
they experienced. Learn from a veteran. Talk
with veteran relatives and friends and listen
to their many stories. Their stories are part
of our history.
May this Veterans Day be extra special
for the veteran in your life. Let’s not ever
forget them. •
Dianna Wilson, Vietnam Veteran Ron Kovic, and Gina Elise from Pin-ups For Vets.
Vietnam Veteran Ron Kovic and Producer John Kilik.
Thank You For Your Service.
Torrance resident and Army veteran Melanie Felix.
Director of Thank You For Your Service, Jason Hall.