Thank a Vet Like Sid Hallburn This November!

By C. MacDonald

Veterans Day, Nov. 11, is the official time to honor all US military veterans, who served their country and helped preserve our freedom. We'd like to THANK all military veterans, past and present, including one former World War II Army soldier, who turns 93 this month, Sid Hallburn of Huntington Beach.

The Southgate native, like many of his peers, patriotically joined the Army 75 years ago, when he was 18 in 1941. He ended up part of an elite group of specially-trained soldiers for the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), the intelligence-gathering forerunner of the Central Intelligence Agency. They were trained in unconventional warfare in St. Helena, Montana for a special, secret mission, ascending a mountain in Italy by ropes.

On the way overseas, Sid's foot got cut and he wasn't able to join the clandestine operation. All members of his unit were killed. "We owe so much to so many, who made the ultimate sacrifice," said Sid, who continued to serve in the military in World War II and now spends much of his time helping other veterans. "People should not only appreciate what vets have done for them but volunteer or make donations to groups like the Veterans of Foreign Wars and The American Legion."

Every week, Sid volunteers at the VA Hospital in Long Beach, helping on their farm as well as cheering up lonely vets, who have no one coming to see them. Using his own money, the retired Los Angeles City Schools Special Education Teacher, who also worked with gang members, purchases combs, writing paper, pens, candy and other items to give to vets, who have no one. "I want them to know they aren't alone, they're not forgotten and we care very much for them and the sacrifices they've made for our freedom," said Sid, who still drives and really enjoys talking with them. "Mother Teresa said 'loneliness' is the worst disease any one can have. But it's treatable if we all just take a moment to make a difference in someone's life."

Sid also is a member of the Freedom Committee of Orange County, which goes to high schools and talks to kids about World War II, the military and the sacrifices that so many have made. "Students are fascinated with the stories and learn so much about the fabric of our country from the vets," said the one-time MGM tap dancer, who was on The Little Rascals and one of Meglin's Kiddies with Judy Garland, Mickey Rooney and Shirley Temple.

Energetic Sid, who is in the Karate Masters Hall of Fame, continues to inspire students, veterans and others with a band he formed, Forever Young-America's Oldest Act of Professional Entertainers, made up of musicians from 90-103. The group has 9 veterans, including a 94-year-old World War II WAC, Ella Curtis, who plays piano and tambourine.

We at seecalifornia.com encourage each of you to go out of your way to do a random act of kindness for a military vet this November. Even a smile and simple, "Thank You," goes a long way in making their sacrifice feel appreciated.

(This was written by an Army veteran from the Vietnam Era, whose father served overseas in the Army Air Corps in World War II.)

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