In honor of Veterans Day, the Pepper Bough would like to honor some of our veterans here on the Colton High School campus including Victor Schiro, Colton High School’s Assistant Principal. Other war veterans on campus are security guard Art Ortiz, history teacher Gino Persicone, counselor Andrew Lesko, and ROTC ‘s David Brunkurst.

PEPPERBOUGH: What service did you serve in?

SCHIRO: “Post Vietnam, I served in the western states including Alaska. While in Alaska, I was stationed across/down the freeway from the city of the ‘North Pole’ and spent several weeks camped within the Arctic Circle.”

PEPPERBOUGH: How long were you in the service?

SCHIRO “I was in the service for 12 years.”

PEPPERBOUGH:  How was it being away from your family?

SCHIRO: “I had a very good family, they were very supportive.”

PEPPERBOUGH:  How did the experiences affect your life?

SCHIRO: “I felt like I fulfilled my obligation, learned to be a leader, also learned to make mistakes as a leader. I got to work with rifles, helicopters, machine guns, and grenades.”

PEPPERBOUGH: How does it feel to be a veteran?

SCHIRO: “It fulfilled a part of my life.”

PEPPERBOUGH: How old were you when you entered the service?

SCHIRO: “I was 16.”

PEPPERBOUGH: What made you want to become part of the military?

SCHIRO: “My brothers were in the service so I decided I wanted to be in it also.”

PEPPERBOUGH: Do you remember any of your instructors?

SCHIRO: “Yes, my drill instructor was named Ramirez and my Tactical Officer was named Mendoza.”

PEPPERBOUGH: Were you drafted did you enlist?

SCHIRO: “I enlisted.”

PEPPERBOUGH: Did you see, in action, any conflict?

SCHIRO; “No, I was trained to go but never ended up going, but was prepared for the Civil War.”