At a Veterans Day ceremony on Nov. 11, former U.S. Army crewman Bill Chuan showed his Challenge Coin, which honors those who have served in the military, to those gathered in Milpitas City Hall’s Veterans Plaza.
“Most importantly, we served together,” Chaun said.
Mayor Carmen Montano opened the ceremony with a poem, “I am and will always be a U.S. veteran” and introduced the dignitaries. the presentation of colors and flag raising by the Knights of Columbus was followed by the Milpitas Community Band performing “Stars and Stripes Forever.”
Montano and Liliana Ramos, a U.S. Air Force vet and chair of the Milpitas Veterans Commission, joined forces at the podium to present the Veteran of the Year award to Vietnam veteran Diego Hammett. Hammett also received a veteran recognition award from the office of state Sen. Aisha Wahab and a proclamation from the City of Milpitas. Assemblymember Alex Lee presented Hammett with a certificate of recognition.
Hammett retired from the army in 1990. He served as a paratrooper for four Vietnam combat tours, then served multiple three-year assignments at Fort Bragg, NC; Fort Lewis, Wash.; Fort Wainwright Alaska; and Scofield, HI.
When he was stationed at Fort Dix, NJ, Hammett was in charge of the drill sergeant academy, where the sergeant first class was known for his superior leadership and training skills.
After leaving the military, Hammett worked for the Monterey Fairgrounds as the security manager and at Lockheed as the assistant head of security and investigation for clearance. He later worked in Guam as a police officer for the Department of Defense at the Naval Station. When Hammett returned to the South Bay, he worked for the San Jose Unified School District before continuing his federal career as chief of security for Onizuka Air Force Base.
Hammett has been active in Milpitas for a number of years. He is a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion, and of the Veterans Helping Veterans Brotherhood.
At the Veterans Day ceremony, Hammett encouraged attendees to ask veterans about their experience in the military and thank them for their service. “Freedom isn’t free,” he added.
