‘America. . . is a gift that veterans have given us’

Eldon Regua knows the price of freedom.

“The America we love today is a gift that veterans have given us,” Regua told Manteca Rotarians gathered Thursday at Mt. Mike’s Pizza.

Regua is one of some 18 million veterans today that Americans will pause at 11 am on the 11th day of the 11th month to remember and honor.

Manteca’s Veterans Day ceremonies will take place at Library Park at 11 am

Regua — who has called Manteca home since moving here from San Jose eight years ago — wore the nation’s uniform for 36 years, retiring as a two-star Major General in the United States Army.

“We won the lottery; we live in the United States,” Regua said.

Regua offers his own life story as proof.

Regua said his father as a 17-year-old had the courage to emigrate from The Philippines in 1929 after he had dropped out of school in the fifth grade to become a farm laborer to help support his family.

His father continued working in the fields in the United States. As a young boy, Regua joined his family picking prunes, walnuts, green beans, and apricots after they settled in San Jose.

Regua after graduating from Silver Creek High in San Jose went on to earn a degree at Santa Clara University where he participated in the Army JROTC program.

“I’m just grateful and very humble that the son (of a hardworking immigrant farm worker) can become a general in the world’s greatest army,” Regua said.

Regua said in his role currently serving as a volunteer member of a military commission appointed by Gavin Newsom, he and others advise the governor on what the state can do to support the personnel and mission of the 30 plus military installations in California.

One recommendation that hasn’t gotten much traction yet with the governor is for the state to provide tax relief for veterans.

“A number of veterans have to leave California because of that,” Regua said.

He noted California is the only state without tax relief for veterans.

Regua reminded Rotarians that the military exists to win wars for the United States and to keep it against enemies

He noted the United States is still at war today against Islamic extremists although it doesn’t register on most people’s radar.

Regua served in the United States Army and the Army Reserve for 36 years before his retirement in 2013. Regua last served as Deputy Commanding General/Chief of Staff (Wartime) for the United States Eighth Army headquartered in Seoul, Korea. Prior to that, he was the Commanding General of the 75th Training Division of the United States Army Reserve in Houston, Texas. He also served as the Chief of Staff, Assistant Division Commander and then Commanding General of the 104th Training Division in Vancouver, Washington.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email [email protected]