(Nov 11, 2025)
Veterans’ Day (called “Armistice Day” until 1954) was a commemoration of the Armistice that ended World War I on November 11, 1918, and honors all US military veterans. (Memorial Day in May started from the US Civil War and commemorates military veterans who died in service. Armed Forces Day in May honors currently-serving military personnel.)
Our Club Past-President Roger Schamp grew up in a “landlubber” community but wanted to see the world. He applied to Navy ROTC programs and was accepted at the University of California at Berkeley (where he met his wife, Carol). Along with his academics program, he participated in weekly ROTC drills in uniform, while observing a variety of contemporary campus political discussions. After graduation, he participated in some Naval cruises, and was commissioned in June 1963. He and Carol were married 2 days later, on June 14, 1963 (Flag Day, and D Trump’s birthday).
His duty stations included Athens in GA, Philippines, Brooklyn, Tonkin Gulf, and San Francisco (Supply Center). He was released from active duty and relocated to San Diego in the Naval Reserve. He moved to LA in 1970, serving briefly in supply operations at the Long Beach Shipyard. He retired in July 1991 after 32 years Active and Reserve service, with a pension and Tri-Care healthcare benefits. He still indulges in his travel interests, on trips to many foreign countries (and visiting with local Rotarians), as well as local interests like the PV Symphony and Peninsula Seniors. He served as President of the PV Sunset Rotary Club in 2014-2015.