We want to say "Thank You" to all of our nation's veterans and active troops that serve around the world. Thank you for your sacrifice and courage in protecting and defending our liberty and democracy. We enjoy the freedom you have secured through your selfless and heroic efforts during your call of duty. We appreciate you and pray God's richest blessing on you and your families!
Debbie and I have two very special veterans in our family that we would like to honor this Veterans Week, EM3C Fred J. Foster (Navy) and Pvt. Paul F. Saiz (Army).
EMC3 Fred J. Foster
Bro. Foster served in World War II aboard the USS Vigilance (mine sweeper) in the South Pacific. His training brought him here to Southern California in March of 1943. He was in San Diego for "Boot Camp" and then went to Terminal Island Navy Base in Long Beach where he boarded the Vigilance and then sailed to Pearl Harbor and then on to the Marshall Islands.
USS Vigilance
After being on ship for over a year, they asked if anyone was interested in "Military Government Training" which he agreed to enroll. The training was in preparation for the invasion of Japan which was planned for November of 1945. He was learning the Japanese language. This training was held at the Presidio in Monterey, CA. It was here where the war ended after the Japanese surrendered. Bro. Foster was honorably discharged in April of 1946.
He joined his Father, John Wesley Foster, who was in the Merchant Marine Corp as well as with his older brother, Paul Foster, also in the Navy. John W. Foster had served in the Navy during WWI.
Pvt. Paul F. Saiz
Dad entered into the Army in April of 1951. He did "Basic" at Ft. Ord near Monterey, CA. He had only been in Korea for a few months when he was wounded. A mortar shell exploded about ten feet away as he was running up a hill on that cold January morning. Shrapnel from the shell hit him in the chest that caused him to lose half a lung, a kidney and ripped his liver into two pieces. Another fragment went through his right leg, grazing the bone. The doctors at the MASH unit sewed his liver back together and for the next two years he was hospitalized in Tokyo, Japan. He was awarded the Purple Heart for his injuries.
Below is the newpaper article reporting his injuries.
