MOH recipients raise money for veterans and nonprofit groups

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Six Medal of Honor recipients from the Vietnam War helping raise money for veterans and nonprofit groups

By JOE VARGO
The Press-Enterprise

Six Medal of Honor recipients from the Vietnam War will take part in a charity golf tournament Monday to raise money for veterans and several nonprofit organizations that help children.

"It's an honor to meet even one Medal of Honor recipient," Stater Bros. Chairman and CEO Jack Brown said. "They are all so humble. None of them would go out and look for a fight, but when they knew somebody had to do something, they stepped up and were there. None of them would say they're heroes. They are unrestricted in their love for America, and America is unrestricted in its love for them."

The golf tournament, dubbed "Heroes With Hearts Challenge," will be held at the Redlands Country Club and is to feature 128 players.

Brown and PGA Senior Tour golfer Dave Stockton worked to make the tournament a reality. Brown and Stockton were born in San Bernardino.

The six recipients of the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest military award for gallantry beyond the call of duty:

Marine Col. Harvey Barnum Jr., 67, in 1965.

Army Lt. Col. Bruce Crandall, in 1965.

Marine Col. Robert Modrzejewski, 73, in 1966.

Army Capt. Ronald Ray, 66, in 1966.

Marine Col. Jay Vargas, 67, in 1968.

Army Maj. James Taylor, 70, in 1967

A total of 246 Medals of Honor were awarded during the Vietnam War, 154 posthumously.

About 105 Medal of Honor recipients from World War II, Korea and Vietnam are living. Of those, 61 earned the decoration in Vietnam.

The golf tournament marks the first major fundraiser for Stater Bros. Charities, which supports nonprofit organizations in the communities served by the San Bernardino-based supermarket company.

Proceeds will support the VA Loma Linda Healthcare System; Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation of the Inland Empire; Operation Safehouse, a shelter and outreach program for troubled teens; and The Unforgettables Foundation, which provides burial expenses for low-income families coping with the death of a child.

Brown said Stater Bros. has a long history of supporting veterans, the elderly and children. Leo and Cleo Stater started the business in 1936, went off to serve in World War II and returned home and worked hard to grow their business.

Stater Bros. is the largest privately owned supermarket chain in Southern California and the largest employer in Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Last year, the company recorded sales of $3.7 billion in its 164 locations and donated $15 million.

Reach Joe Vargo at 951-368-9289 or jvargo@PE.com

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