In the late 1960s, The United States was at war in Vietnam. Having graduated from Albany Medical College in 1965, Dr. Melvin Silverstein was faced with a decision. All graduating physicians were required to serve in one of the military branches. Your choices were to be drafted, OR apply for the Berry Program, which allowed him to voluntarily join the US Army and ask for a deferment to complete training. Through a lottery program, he was given 5 years to complete his training as a general surgeon. He then entered the Army as a Major and was guaranteed that they would use him as a surgeon and not a generalist. Major Silverstein served in the medical corps from 1970 to 1972 at Walter Reed, Army Institute of Research and then DeWitt Army Hospital, Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Since graduation from Medical College in 1965, Dr. Silverstein has accumulated 60 years of experience in the medical field that includes service to his country and his community. Dr. Silverstein came to Hoag after serving as Professor of Surgery and Director of the Breast Program at the Keck School of Medicine, USC. Dr. Silverstein is currently the Medical Director of the Hoag Breast Center and the Gross Family Foundation Endowed Chair in Oncoplastic Breast Surgery.

In 1943 at the age of 17, Charles H Cram eagerly enlisted into the US Navy as a Corpsman. On February 19, 1945, Charles made the landing on Iwo Jima and went ashore with his Company of 250 Marines. As a Corpsman, his job was to render lifesaving medical aid to wounded marines. He did so hopping from one to another up and down the front lines. Charles remembers witnessing the rise of the US Flag over Mount Suribachi and hearing the wild cheers of his fellow Marines. He thought it signaled the war was over, but he was asked to go back to the front lines the next day where many of his comrades would die. On day seven, despite being wounded himself, he refused to leave and continued aiding other wounded marines until forced to evacuate. Of the 250 marines in his Company who went ashore, only 25 walked off of Iwo Jima. For his service, Charles was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart. Charles returned home after the war to marry his teenage sweetheart, Joan. They were married for 67 years until she passed away. Charles has a son and daughter, 5 Grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Last Saturday, Charles turned 99 years old.

In 1991, Todd Van Sant enlisted in the United States Air Force, serving honorably as a Munitions Systems Specialist. His expertise in handling, maintaining, and supplying ordnance played a vital role in ensuring combat readiness. During his service, Todd deployed to Saudi Arabia in support of Operation Southern Watch and Operation Vigilant Warrior. His contributions were essential in enforcing no-fly zones over Iraq and deterring hostile aggression in the region. He retired from the Air Force as a Senior Airman (E-4) in 1999. Todd’s awards include the Southwest Asia Service Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia), and the Korean Defense Service Medal. Todd continues to support the military, and in particular, military veterans. He serves as the Commander of the local VFW Post in Sheridan, Colorado. He is also the Junior Vice Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Colorado. In both cases, these organizations provide important support to needy veterans and their families.

Specialist E-5 Robert M Casillas enlisted in the Army in May 1967. Following basic training he was sent to Vietnam as a medical specialist. He soon faced the brutal reality of war during the Tet Offensive. Amidst the intense fighting and heavy casualties, he used his medical skills while helping to repel the relentless Viet Cong attacks. Beyond the battlefield, Robert and his team conducted vital MEDCAP missions, venturing into remote villages to provide crucial medical care to civilians cut off by the war. Robert performed similar duties elsewhere in Vietnam before returning to the states in December 1968. He became a medical instructor at Fort Sam Houston where he completed his service. His military tour earned him the Army Good Conduct Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal with three Battle Stars, National Defense Medal, Meritorious Unit Citation, Medic Badge, and promotion to Specialist 5 (E-5).

Capt. Thomas David Weaver joined the United State Navy in December of 1964. His Naval career entailed 6 years of active duty and 24 years in the US Naval Reserve, attaining the rank of Captain prior to his retirement. Soon after joining the Navy and completion of basic training, then Ensign Weaver became a US Navy SEAL. His areas of expertise were Instructional Training, Underwater Demolition, and Airborne. As a Navy SEAL in the mid-60s, his assignments took him to places like Vietnam and the Philippines where his team took on tasks expected by US Navy SEALS. In 1967, he extended his active duty and started being a SEAL Instructor. He got married and shortly thereafter, was faced with the decision to go back to Vietnam or resigning from active duty to be with his family and enter the reserves. He chose the latter and began his 24-year career in the Naval Reserve, along the way taking on more responsibilities and being promoted to Captain. He retired as a Special Warfare Officer with 8 commands. His decorations include Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal w/combat V; Navy Unit Commendation, Seal Badge, and too many others to mention.

Capt. Thomas David Weaver joined the United State Navy in December of 1964. His Naval career entailed 6 years of active duty and 24 years in the US Naval Reserve, attaining the rank of Captain prior to his retirement. Soon after joining the Navy and completion of basic training, then Ensign Weaver became a US Navy SEAL. His areas of expertise were Instructional Training, Underwater Demolition, and Airborne. As a Navy SEAL in the mid-60s, his assignments took him to places like Vietnam and the Philippines where his team took on tasks expected by US Navy SEALS. In 1967, he extended his active duty and started being a SEAL Instructor. He got married and shortly thereafter, was faced with the decision to go back to Vietnam or resigning from active duty to be with his family and enter the reserves. He chose the latter and began his 24-year career in the Naval Reserve, along the way taking on more responsibilities and being promoted to Captain. He retired as a Special Warfare Officer with 8 commands. His decorations include Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal w/combat V; Navy Unit Commendation, Seal Badge, and too many others to mention.

Tom Tracy enlisted in the United State Marine Corp as a private in September 1976. Following recruit training at Parris Island, South Carolina, he embarked on a distinguished career that took him to several corners of the world and seemed to include promotions at every stop. He served at Camp Pendleton, CA., was then promoted and served guard duty in London, England. Subsequent stops were Camp Lejeune, NC, then back to Parris Island and in 1982, Camp H. M. Smith, Hawaii, where he was assigned to the Staff Secretary’s office serving the Chief of Staff. In 1989, Gunnery Sergeant Tracy was selected for and promoted to Warrant Officer and was assigned to 29 Palms, CA. He is one of very few individuals to rise from the enlisted ranks to become an officer. Tom received medals and awards too numerous to list. He retired in 1996 after 20 years of service. In 2017, Tom joined the volunteer ranks of the Hoag Classic, and in 2022 was selected as the tournament’s Volunteer of the year.

In 1951, Cas Casillas was drafted into the Army. Not particularly interested in a trip to Korea at the time, Cas instead enlisted into the Air Force where he could pursue his passion for flying. Following basic training, he spent two years in various technical schools and then aviation cadet school. His career spanned nearly three decades and about every fighter from the F-86 Sabre jet to the F-15 Eagle, basically the whole age of USAF jets. He was assigned to locations all over the world. Of note were assignments in Alaska where he flew the F-86, and four years stationed in Germany where he flew many hours on nuclear alert. In Vietnam, Cas flew 105 missions in the F-105 “Thud”. His military career of over 5,000 hours in jet fighters earned him the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, and Air Medal with 16 clusters.