LIVING HISTORY VIDEOS

Filmed April 20th, 2023, Ryan Antes delivers a speech about his service as a US Army Ranger, including stories about his experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Recorded on July 7th, 2021, Mike Martini speaks on his memories of the Pacific Palisades within the 20th century, as well as his contributions to Post 283 throughout the years.

Recorded January 22nd, 2021 via Zoom, Hugh Crooks Jr recalls his memories of the famous Tigerland training camp, his combat experience and comrades from the Vietnam war, and explains how his experiences led him to become an educator on combat trauma.

Recorded October 16th, 2020 via Zoom, Bruce Rosen of the Bandini Foundation tells about the life of Arcadia Bandini and her impact on the development of early Los Angeles, in addition to a discussion about the group’s work with the VA.

Filmed on February 20, 2020, George Curtis, US Navy, recounts his service in the “Brown Water Navy” of river-based patrol boats in Vietnam and his work on larger ships after Vietnam supporting the new missile technology on surface ships.

Filmed January 20, 2020, Dave Walsh, US Navy tells his story as an officer aboard a destroyer in the Atlantic Fleet during the early 1960s, including transiting the Suez Canal and the Cuban Missile Crisis

Filmed November 2019.

Filmed July 20, 2017, Sidney Maiten, US Navy WWII veteran and member of Post 283 is introduced by his son Barry Maiten, a member of Squadron 283. Sidney recounts his life on board the USS Catoctin (AGC-5), a communications and command ship that participated in Operation Dragoon, the invasion of southern France in August 1944. The ship also served as transport for President Roosevelt for the last leg of his trip to the Yalta Conference.

Filmed on March 16, 2017, by Reverend Hae Soung Kim, Army Republic of Korea. The Reverend recounts the history leading up to the Korean War, his escape from North Korea to join the ROK Army with friends, half of whom did not survive the war.

Filmed on April 20, 2017, Noe Aquirre, US Marine Corps veteran talks about his experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan and his continuing service to veterans after leaving the Corps.

Filmed February 16, 2017, Merton Schwartz, US Army World War II European Theater of operations. Merton first talks about his father’s Army service during World War I in the battles around St Mihiel and the circumstances of his being awarded the Silver Star. Merton then gives details on his own training and service late in 1945 in France, Belgium, and Germany.

Filmed September 16, 2016, Brian Farris, US Navy, and a member of American Legion Post 283 tells us of his experience on the USS Pollux which arrived in Vietnam only a few days after the Gulf of Tonkin Incident in August 1964. He goes on to talk about his return to Los Angeles in 1965 after completing his service.

Filmed July 21, 2016, Malcolm Crawford Squadron Sergeant-at-Arms 2014-16 speaks about how he and his father came to join the Sons to honor the legacy of his grandfather John Crawford, USMC who served in the Pacific during WWII. The Squadron’s main youth activity is to support the local BSA Troop 223 in Pacific Palisades and, in turn, it is also a major recruiting source for the Squadron, Auxiliary, and Post.

Filmed July 21, 2016, Kurt Hiete, US Navy and Past Commander of Post 283 talks about his experience with the repatriation of remains from the Battle of Tarawa in 1943. He explains the Defense Department Agencies responsible for the remains of service members in all conflicts and with History Flight, a non-profit specifically dedicated to the Marines who were killed at Tarawa. Watch past the credits at the end to learn something unique about Lieutenant Bonnyman, awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions leading Marines at the Tarawa landings.

Filmed on April 21, 2016, Jack Doland, US Army, and a member of Pasadena Legion Post 13 recounts his experience in Italy, Poland, and Germany immediately after World War II as an MP. Mr. Doland escorted one SS officer to his trial in Nuremberg, survived being attacked by POWs in camp, and also defended Trieste against incursions by Yugoslavian guerrilla forces.

Filmed in March of 2016, Post 283 Member Hal Vieau talks about his memories of the Pacific Palisades Optimists Club, an organization which he co-founded in the mid-20th century along with Dr. Mike Martini.

Filmed in March of 2016, Post 283 Member Dr. Mike Martini talks about his memories of the Pacific Palisades Optimists Club, an organization which he co-founded in the mid-20th century along with Hal Vieau.

Filmed February 18, 2016, Ray Landgraf, US Army and member of Legion Post 283. Ray is one of the few WWII speakers we have hosted that was in service before Pearl Harbor. His unit was one of the first Army units into Hawaii after the attack to shore up defenses while the US Navy fleet raised and repaired damaged ships. He went back to Airborne training and then was sent to the Pacific as a paratrooper for the re-taking of the Philippines.

Filmed on January 21st, 2016 Lewis Finocchio, US Army Artillery recounts his service as an artillery officer and as a forward air observer in Vietnam from 1966-67. He also relates his evolving relationship with the Veterans Administration to where he works today. View the epilogue to see the outcome of Mr. Finocchio’s request of the Squadron to help with computer resources with the Outpatient Mental Health Clinic at the Los Angeles VA.

Filmed November 19, 2015, John Watkins, US Navy recounts his service in the Pacific late in WWII and immediately after with a particular focus on his witnessing of the first post-war atomic bomb tests “Able” and “Baker” at Bikini Atoll in July 1946.

Filmed January 20, 2011.

Filmed March 18, 2010.

Filmed May 20, 2010.

Filmed November 20, 2008 – Our first ever recording in the series. Apologies for the reduced video clarity and sound levels, but our equipment was not as sophisticated back then.