In these modern times, when we are surrounded by Hollywood glamorization of war, it can sometimes be hard to see the heroes right in front of us. Every one of the men in this photo are absolutely heroes. They displayed incredible courage, commitment, and sacrifice during their tours in Vietnam. Yet during the Vietnam war and for a decade afterwards, Americans often did not treat the people who served in that war well. But these men persevered and our chapter was proud to hear their stories at an extended session of our Chapter meeting on April 23, 2026. Stories of enormous heartbreak, bitter defeat, and hard-won victory.

The officers shown here from left to right are:

• Colonel Wm. Darryl Henderson, USA (Ret) INFANTRY
• Captain Paul Barrish, USN (Ret) NAVAL AVIATOR
• Lt Colonel Bob O’Connor, USMC (Ret) COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER
• First Lieutenant Dennis Whittaker, USA (Former) INFANTRY
• Colonel Robert Douglass, USMCR (Ret) ARTILLERY
• Lt Colonel Jim Tortorici, USMC (Ret) INFANTRY

Major General Kent Hillhouse, USA (Ret) ARMOR, unfortunately could not stay for the photograph but did make a heartfelt and inspiring presentation about his experiences as an Armor Officer in Vietnam. We are especially grateful to Lt Colonel Bob O’Connor for leading this presentation as Master of Ceremonies as well as presenting on his own experiences.

Representative Sam Liccardo of California’s 16th Congressional was hosted by SVC MOAA on April 13,2026 at the auditorium of the 63rd Readiness Division of the Army Reserve.  Congressman Liccardo is a strong supporter of the military and veteran community. He is working to fund a permanent home for a commissary in the South Bay, as the Commissary at the former NAS Moffett Field is set to close by 2029. With nearly 3,000 military families in the Bay Area, it is important to keep it operating. 

His presentation covered the Commissary issue and he gave his views on many other active-duty, retired and veteran concerns. A Q&A followed. A nice turnout showed its support for his work.  We are honored that he took time out his schedule to attend. 

For the second year in a row, the Silicon Vallery Chapter of MOAA competed in the Napa Valley Spring Triathlon at Lake Berryessa. They competed in the relay format with strong results in challenging conditions. The event included a 1500-meter swim, 24.8-mile bike ride, and 6.2-mile run. 

Representing the chapter were Chris Newton in the swim, Tim Henderson on the bike, and Brian Penzel on the run. Chris and Tim are former Navy officers, while Brian, a new SVC MOAA member, is a former Army officer. Together, the team completed the race in 2:50:02. 

The weather added difficulty throughout the day, with intermittent rain and wind, especially during the demanding bike leg through the hills surrounding the lake. Even so, the team posted especially competitive results in the swim and run. Chris’s swim ranked 5th, and Brian’s run ranked 14th among 195 male athletes of all ages who completed those distances this year. 

We congratulate Chris, Tim, and Brian for representing SVC MOAA with determination, athleticism, and teamwork. Their effort highlights the strong sense of camaraderie and continued mission focus that defines our chapter. 

During World War II, on April 9, 1942, 75,000 United States soldiers and Filipino soldiers were surrendered to Japanese forces after months of battling in extreme conditions. These brave soldiers were responsible for the defense of the islands of Luzon, Corregidor, and the harbor-defense forts of the Philippines. They fought in a malaria-infested region and survived on half or quarter rations. The soldiers lacked medical attention. U.S. medics did what they could to help their fellow soldiers. They fought with outdated equipment and virtually no air power. After surrendering, these soldiers faced horrifying treatment as POWs. They were deprived of food, water, and medical attention, and were forced to march 65 miles through the scorching jungles of the Philippines. Those who survived faced the hardships of prisoner of war camps and the brutality of their Japanese captors. During the Bataan Death March, approximately 10,000 men died. Of these men, 1,000 were American and 9,000 were Filipino. Some of the survivors of this horrific event are shown in this archival photo.

The Army ROTC Department at New Mexico State University began sponsoring the Bataan Memorial Death March in 1989. Since its inception, participation has grown from about 100 to more than 10,000 marchers. While still primarily a military event, many civilians choose to participate. Participants choose between four events: a 15.6-mile and a 26.4-mile course, each of which can be done with or without a 35-pound rucksack. learn more about this inspiring event. https://bataanmarch.com/