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Antiterrorism Awareness Month

Issue No. 004 - August 2025

See Something, Say Something

This upcoming September marks the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorists’ attacks. The importance of this date has had far reaching impacts on American policies, and more significantly everyday American lives. The attacks brought out a deep sense of patriotism, pride, and a need to protect our country. 

The threats we face today are extremely challenging. The threats have changed in complexity and scale: terrorists’ organizations have changed, we now have cyber-attacks, pandemic level catastrophes. All this to say that terrorism is a persistent threat. August’s Anit-Terrorism Month is a reminder for everyone to stay vigilant and the importance of reporting suspicious activity. 

Based on the U.S. Army recommendation, here are a few things to watch out for:

  • Strangers asking questions about security forces or security procedures. 
  • People drawing or measuring official buildings.
  • Packages left behind, including backpacks, suitcases, briefcases, or anything out of the ordinary.
  • Cars or trucks parked in ‘no parking’ zones in front of official buildings.
  • People in secure areas who aren’t authorized to be there.
  • A person wearing clothes that are too big and bulky and/or too hot for the weather.
  • Suspicious chemical smells or fumes.
  • Someone asking questions about sensitive information, including building blueprints, security plans or VIP travel schedules without a ‘need to know.’
  • Purchases of supplies and equipment that can be used to make bombs or weapons, or purchases of military or police uniforms without the proper credentials.

According to Homeland Security (Report Suspicious Activity), when reporting suspicious activity, it is best to give the most accurate description as possible. Such as:

  • Brief description of the activity
  • Date, time and location of the activity
  • Physical identifiers of anyone you observed
  • Descriptions of vehicles
  • Information about where people involved in suspicious activities may have gone
  • Your name and contact information (optional)
It is also advised that you report suspicious activity to your local law enforcement. If there is a life-threatening emergency, please call 911. 

Vet Talk

Vet Talk is the brainchild of Juan Blanco, Coffee4VETS’ founder and president. Juan started Vet Talk during the pandemic as a way to help veterans work through the difficulties of being isolated, sheltering at home, and social distancing. Vet Talk became crucial in keeping the veteran community connected.

In continuing with the same spirit of keeping the veteran community connected. Vet Talk is being relaunched. The series will feature 1 monthly question answered by our Veteran community. The monthly question will cover a broad scope of topics, ranging from their lives before, during, and after service. 

A special Thank You to PVT. Carlo M. De Nunno (Retired), 1ST. LT James A Rhodes (Retired), and CMSG Glen A. Campbell (Retired) for your service and for taking the time to answer this month’s question. 

This month’s question is: Where were you stationed during your service? 

PVT. Carlo M. DeNunno (Retired)

"I was stationed ... Iniitally after getting out of high school ... I got stationed in San Mateo Camp Pendleton, which is at the north end near San Clemente ... I did 2 years there. I did my west packet, I went on ship, I got to see half of the world pretty much ... I got to see Thailand, went to Singapore, we trained with the Saudi Marines, with the Somalis ... We did interaction with them where they would ... Where they brought in a platoon and we had to a platoon ... They had one platoon on ship and we had one on land with them, and so we were interactive with them ... Each squad from the platoon were broken down to work with the platoons out there ... Essentially ... One of the things that I've learned was that they're all very normal just like the rest of us, all the way around the world ... They just wanted to talk to you, just tell you to understand, see how it is somewhere else and things like that ...

Eventually, being a regular rifleman, you get curious about what other things the infantry does, how it works with other countries, and things like that. Eventually they asked me if I wanted to check out their AmTracs . Of course I'm going to say yes. So, they put me into the driver' s seat, and they're like "Turn it on and let's go." They actually allowed me to drive their vehicle around ... and they told me where ...  And it's funny because, as much as I was like hitting that gas it would not move. They told me "Stand on it." And I literally had to stand on this gas pedal to get it to start moving.

It was absolutely one the best experiences I've had in my life. Just to be able to communicate and normalize a conversation with someone you have no idea about ... Just being able to relate as a service member of our respective countries ... And everybody in my platoon thought I was crazy or something. I was like if you treat them like a normal person, they will treat you in respect - they always will. 

And after that I got to go see Australia. And when we were ready to leave there I found out that I had family out there. I never got a chance to try to connect with them or anything ... That's one thing I do regret, that was part of my dad's side of the family. I feel maybe it happened that way for a reason and maybe it just wasn't meant to be. And I'm ok with that. 

My mental health has been one of the most serious roller coasters ... Eventually last year I met a lady and she ... We connected because she's in the service also and she told me about Coffee4VETS. I moved out here about May 2018 and I had no idea about any of this. until I was told about. She told me "Here's my number and I'll introduce you to everybody." 

So, I came in here, sat all the way in the back, in the corner and everything ... I don't know if that's part of my PTSD or anything. Just having my back against the wall to see everything, it was just feeling a safe space amongst everybody. At the end of everything Coffee4VETS comradery outweighs everything and anything I have every felt ... towards anybody that I served with. It has completely changed my way of thinking. And those people that I actually served with ... they're never ever going to be in my life again and I'm good with that ... I'd rather deal with older combat veterans because that comradery you will never ever see never ever again because they have fought some of the most toughest battles to pave the way for us so that we can say who we are and stand up for what we believe in. My appreciation runs incredibly deep for what they have done. For that I thank all of them, I appreciate them, and I acknowledge every last one of them. 

U.S Marine Corps: 1992 - 1996

1ST. LT James A Rhodes (Retired)

"I was stationed ... I started out in Quantico, went to OCS there. I was there a year then got stationed in Camp Pendleton and that's where I spent the rest of my time. They were pretty much shutting down Vietnam during that time because I think in Vietnam they signed the papers in '70-'75. So, we went through the training and everything during that time period. Went through cold weather training, desert training.

It was interesting. When I went in, I always tell people I went to an all-black high school, went to an all-black college. Then when I went to Quantico there was 3 of us there. So that's a whole different mind change for you so ... And then I was in the city, I wasn't really much of a guy to do all the hunting or the other stuff, so you'll have to pick all that stuff up during the time you're in. So, it was doubly hard sometimes to be in there. And to be the minority that was tough too. It was interesting. It was interesting. 

I learned ... I learned a whole lot about myself during that time period. And you pick up a lot of friends. I grew up in the south, Tennesse. When you come to California it's a whole different mindset. Like I always tell people, I understand people in the south - they come at you straight ahead. You get here and everybody puts on a face, but you know it's a different feel. It's a good learning experience being in the service. 

And after I got out, I went back to school, I already had a degree, I went back to school and got a degree in accounting. Then I worked for the IRS for 27 years. Which people don't like to hear. 

I was a Revenu Agent, that's how I ended out here in the Lancaster area. I worked in Glendale. When I moved out here, then I retired, that's how I ran into this thing. I went to the senior center and that's where I met Lenoard. Then I got involved with everybody here. 2018 I moved back to Memphis; I moved back home because I didn't really have any family out here. 

U.S Marine Corps: 1971 - 1974

CMSG Glen A. Campbell (Retired)

"My first duty assignment was in Okinawa, Japan. I have served 2 terms in Thailand. I have served in Turkey. I have served in Italy, California, Colorado, Maine, and Florida. I'm a Vietnam Veteran and I'm a Desert Storm Veteran. 

Believe it or not I'm really a very private individual and I normally don't talk very much about myself. But lately I've been talking a lot and the reason for that is because being a member of Coff4VETS, I'm one of the board members also. I'm an Elk, and I started the Veteran's program at the Elk's Lodge. With those 2 things and also being a Prince Hall Mason and a fraternity brother with Kappa Alpha Psi, so I'm very, very busy. What I do now, the majority of things I do now always wraps around Veterans. 

This past year I had the opportunity to go to Honor Flight, which I promote Honor Flight whenever I'm out and about as well. That's the flight that takes Veterans, Cold War, Korea War Veterans, and Vietnam Veterans for 3 days to Washington D.C., all expenses paid. They get to see the monuments, and things ... that talks about their service. We're taken there for 3 days and it's very, very interesting. And it's free to the Veterans. So that's one of the things that I do. 

Here lately, since I became a member of Coffee4VETS and started coming over here and other Veteran things I do, I seem like I've been constantly getting more jobs to do. So, it's one of those things when you've found yourself able to do something people say "Glen can you do this? Can you do that?" Somehow, I haven't learned how to say no. But I have a spouse, I'm sure Karin is going to stop me in a minute. 

But a couple of things I'm actually doing now here in the Antelope Valley, I'm now responsible for the event that takes place every first Friday of the month at the Antelope Valley Rural Museum. I am the guide person for that. I'm in charge of that. It's open the first Friday for Veterans only. That's one of the latest things I do. 

Today I introduced people again to what I call my friend Will. Will is a kid. Will has spina bifida and at the Elks we have what we call a major project. Our major project is Purple Pig Program. What we say is "A coin a day in that pig will help a kid walk, talk, or play." Here in California, we take care of the child ... all of his or her needs while he's in that program. Also, even though we have a child we also have other parts of that program which I've said, vision - we have a person that can come out here to a clinic from the National, that person will come out here to a 3rd grade school classroom and test those kids to see at 3rd grade will they need glasses. Well, I've been wearing glasses all my life ... I've been wearing glasses since I was 5 years old. That's another program that is free to those kids. 

Also, I work with an organization called New Horizon for Life. We do a feed program, drive by, every first and third Wednesday of every month. No questions asked, all you do is drive by, we will give you the food. 

Of course, I'm very active in the Elks. I'm very active in the Masons, and I'm more active than I need to be. As long as I'm here I'll continue to do what I can the best that I can do it. 

U.S Airforce: 1966 - 1970 & 1972 - 1996

President's Message

WELCOME TO AUGUST

As we enter in to the second half of 2025, this August, we look forward to engaging with the new command staff at Edwards Air Force Base, supporting Edwards airman families at the base, partnering with the Civilian-Military Support Group for EAFB, Vietnam Veterans of America, Veterans Information Center and other veterans’ organizations.

As always Coffee4VETS continues to meet every Tuesday at the Crazy Ottos Diner in Lancaster, 1228 West Ave I, and on the first and third Thursday at the Crazy Ottos Diner in Santa Clarita, 19132 Soledad Canyon Road.

This month we are looking forward to having the Command Chief Master Sargeant and Senior Master Sergeants join Coffee4VETS Tuesday at Crazy Ottos in Lancaster.  Volunteering and suppling items for the Back to School Expo to be held August 8th at the Military & Family Readiness Center to help kids get ready for back to school.  On August 14th, The Civilian-Military Support group fund raiser BBQ at the Mojave Air & Space Port in Mojave.

The first Thursday, August 7th, is Purple Heart Day, and at Coffee4VETS Santa Clarita we have three Vietnam veterans who were awarded the purple heart. August 4th is US Coast Guard Day. August 10th is Agent Orange Awareness Day and the US Department of Defense Birthday, the 16th is National Airbourne Day and the 29th is the Maine Corps Reserves Day.

Also happening this month, Homes 4 Families veterans enriched neighborhood will be having their newest group of veteran families receiving the keys to their new homes on Saturday August 23rd. Among the veterans receiving their keys is our very own board member Larry Walton and his lovely wife Janice.

This month we celebrate the life of Ryan Tortolano, son of our Vice President Tony Tortolano who passed in July after several years of very unfortunate medical complication. We will honor his life at the Bravery Brewery home to R. Lee Ermey, actor and Marine Corps Gunnery Sargant.

I look forward to continue assisting our senior veterans, the Air Force servicemen and working with other veteran groups during the month of August.

Our Moto: “Honoring Our Veterans of Yesterday Who Secured Our Today.”

Our Purpose: Pride of Service 

 

Highlight of The Month

July 2025

This past July we celebrated our nation’s birthday, the 250th birthday/anniversary of the US Army and Flag Day. We attended the going away ceremony of Air Force Colonel Ahave Brown and the change of Command for Edwards Air Force Base 412th Maintenance Group. The retirement ceremony for Command Chief Master Sargeant Justin Stoltzfus along with the change of command of the 412th Test Wing base commander from Brigadier General Douglas P. Wickert to Colonel Thomas M. Tauer and presided over by Major General Scott A. Cain commanding the Air Force Test Center.

We had the honor of inviting our WWII fighter pilot Ken Placek and his sons Kenneth and Gragg from our Santa Clarita C4V to visit Edwards AFB and tour the base flight test museum. Ken and his sons also met with Brigadier General Douglas P. Wickert were Ken had the opportunity to share his fighter experience over Germany during WWII with the general and both got to talk about their flying experiences. On Monday, July 28th we partnered with Veteran Information Center and the EAFB 412th Test Wing Communication Squadron presented to around 100 veterans, Internet Safety and Fraud Prevention Workshop.

Also, Assemblyman Juan Carrilo, hosted the Joshua Tree Conversation Workshop at Marie Kerr Recreation Center, which was followed by a surprise Happy Birthday Celebration for our Coffee4VETS President, Juan. Happy Birthday Juan! 

 

Save the Date

We Invite You to Join Us 

Happy Birthday

A Very Happy Birthday from Coffee4VETS!  

August Observances

Mark Your Calendars 

 

Coast Guard Day 

A day to commemorate the founding of the United States Coast Guard 

 

Purple Heart Day

Honors the men and women who are of the Military Order of the Purple Heart.

Agent Orange Awareness Day

An annual observation designed to raise awareness of the effects of the herbicide known as Agent Orange, used in Vietnam

 

U.S. Department of Defense Birthday

 

Navajo Code Talkers Day

To honor the contributions of Navajo marines during World War II, who used their native language to create an unbreakable code for military communications.

 

 

 

National Airborne Day

Honors the military’s airborne divisions of the Armed Forces.    

 

 

Marine Corps Reserve Birthday

Coffee4VETS, Inc. is a 501c(3) non-profit organization that operates by the generous donations from individuals and other non-profit organizations. Thank you for visiting our page.