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TAKIN' IT TO THE STREETS !
...No Matter Where You Live, No Matter What You Did, No Matter When or Where You Served...
It is our honor to feature you, and tell a bit of your story.
Most of the vets we ask are too humble, don't feel they deserve recognition, or don't want any attention drawn to themselves, and decline our offer.
If you would like to be featured on " TAKIN' IT TO THE STREETS" , simply email us at HelpandHope@TGMWarriorCare.org
We will arrange an interview, in person or by phone.
Transforming Glory Warrior Care honors WW2 Veteran John Sekulich, of Lakewood, Colorado
UPDATE!!! November 2022: John has just turned 106, and it still going strong.
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Still going strong at 105!
Recently, while participating in the September 2021 West Metro Veterans Fair sponsored by the City of Lakewood,
we had the rare priviledge to meeting a legendary local WW2 Veteran, Mr John Sekulich, who survived the Battle of the Bulge.
After meeting John and his lovely bride Charlotte, we brought them to the front of the room.
Asking for the mic, we had the honor of introducing John to a packed room of veterans from all generations,
and veteran care organizations from all across the Front Range.
With lumps in our throats, we watched as veterans lined up one after another after another and stood at attention in front of John
to render a salute in demonstration of the honor, esteem and respect he has earned.
John returned every one of those salutes and shook their hands.
John just turned 105 years young in November 2021.
We had the pleasure of being invited to his home to be a part of his birthday celebration!
He is still quite the character!
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A couple of years ago, John was chosen to be a participant in the Honor Flight to visit Arlington National Cemetary
and other memorials in Washington D.C.
When asked what he would like to tell today's veterans, John's message is clear:
" I am proud of you! You are doing your job protecting our country!
Please remember to pray for our brothers who gave their all and didn't make it home."
God bless you John, and thank you for the work you did in World War II.
The TGM Warrior Care Team
Transforming Glory Warrior Care honors Mr. Ephren Jackson of Denver, Colorado, who shared his memories about Iwo Jima.
The year was 1944 and Franklin D. Roosevelt was President when Ephren enlisted in the United States Navy to fight for his country in WW2.
He served at sea from 1944 to 1948 aboard the USS Essex and the USS Osark.
On the USS Essex, Ephren's responsibility was to pass ammo by hand on the bridge.
These were the days before technology, automation, and electronic ammo loading equipment existed.
Our war was not a war of technology. It was hand to hand combat, man against man. We lost men every day.
Hundreds and hundreds of men died. We tried to stay alive.
Our inbound re-supply ships were often sunk so we had to make due with what we had.
When our ammo ran short, we still patrolled the coastline, but we were bluffing.
American ships were bombed and damaged from artillery coming from the Japanese Imperial Army on the rocky island.
Floating repair ships came in to make repairs as best they could under the circumstances.
Ephren recalls the first two days of battle on Iwo Jima in February 1945. We lost every Marine that hit the island.
As we took the next wave of Marines toward the beach, the Pacific Ocean was red with blood. I can still see it.
After five weeks of fierce and endless fighting, the US Marines took the island and raised our flag against the mountains in the background.
Ephren credits the victory to General McArthur being in command of the Pacific fleet in the Phillipines when war broke out with Japan.
As soon as the war ended, Ephren's ship was guided through Tokyo Bay to avoid hitting the mines
on a rescue mission to recover starving and suffering American POW's from the Japanese prison camps.
Ephren sadly recalled one soldier being lifted aboard the ship who weighed only 98 pounds.
Ephren is a proud member of the greatest generation of war-fighters our country has ever known.
When asked what he would like to say to today's troops, his answer was simple: " I pray for them! "
God bless you Ephren.
Thank you for the work you did for your country, and fellow veterans in the South Pacific.
The TGM Warrior Care team
Transforming Glory Warrior Care honors Mr. Robert Messner of Morrision, Colorado, of
" The Gator Navy"
Robert is a Vietnam Veteran and was a member of the " Gator Navy" .
Robert grew up knowing he wanted to be in the Navy, and voluntarily enlisted right out of high school.
He was assigned to the USS Nashville of the 6th fleet, Amphibian Squadron 6 where he was appointed to serve as Coxswain
for the Amphibian Craft, LPD's and LST's. A boat guy, he also ran M6's, VP's, TL's and Mark 4's.
Robert safely transported nearly one thousand United States Marines to the shores of Vietnam where the beachmasters awaited them.
Robert is as brave as they come and has survived many dangers at sea.
He was onboard the USS Nashville up high looking off the deck the day their sister ship, the USS Shreveport collided into them.
He watched in shock as he realized the Shreveport did not possibly have enough room to turn in time to miss them.
He also recalls a courageous night mission in the North Atlantic in an LST when a " perfect storm" brought 100 foot seas with curling waves.
As the vessel turned upwards vertically into the waves, he and his shipmates took cover under a map table that was welded to the deck.
They braced themselves for what came next. A moment later, the crashing waves hit them full force and broke the table loose that protected them.
They scrambled to hang on to anything to survive. Robert thanks God for keeping them alive that night.
When asked what his message of encouragement to today's generation of veterans is, Robert said this:
" The most honorable thing is to uphold the oath that you took...to protect and preserve the constitution
of the United States of America. That is your mission. Do all you can to preserve our nation!"
God bless you Robert.
Welcome home son, and thank you for the work you did out in the Pacific and the shores of Vietnam.
The TGM Warrior Care Team
Transforming Glory Warrior Care honors Rick, from Westminster, Colorado
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Rick is a Vietnam Veteran.
He is a good guy and a hard working man who has enjoyed restoring a 1954 M37.
It's quite the conversation piece whereever he goes!
We saw him in an Ace Hardware parking lot one cold Saturday morning, and couldn't resist.
Our request to feature him on the website was met with the typical humility that we expected,
such as " I just did my job" .
Rick shared that he served in the Army in Vietnam from 1969-1972,
where he was a member of the 467th Infantry Division, Battalion B, 2nd Armor Division.
If you were there, you understand.
If you see Rick around the Westminster, Broomfield area, give him a honk and a wave.
He's pretty hard to miss.
God bless you Rick.
Welcome home son, and thank you for the work you did in 'Nam.
The TGM Warrior Care Team
Disclaimer:
Photo's and interviews are used with the permission and consent of those honored herein.
Take Down Notice:
If at any time, you decide that you do not want to appear on our webiste,
please email us at TransformingGlory@q.com, and we will remove your story within 48 hours.