Torrey Pines Rotary Club honored military veterans from all branches of the armed services at their 20th Annual Veterans’ Appreciation Day event on November 12, 2025, at the Sheraton in La Jolla.
The event was sponsored by the Torrey Pines Rotary Club and the Sheraton La Jolla.
The Sheraton made an extra effort to decorate the room in a celebratory and commemorative style to honor the veterans (in bold).
This year’s Veterans’ Appreciation Day event also celebrated the 250th anniversaries of the US Marine Corps and US Navy. Special cakes were made to celebrate both anniversaries.
Merritt Hougen, President, Torrey Pines Rotary Club welcomed and started the meeting. Invocation / Inspirational Moment was tiven by Sheri Snively (Scripps Memorial Hospital, Navy Reserve Chaplin).
Pledge to our Great American Flag – Sheldon Margolis, Captain, U.S. Navy (Ret.) and member of the Torrey Pines Rotary Club.
Gordon Shurtleff (Veteran USAF & Past President Torrey Pines Rotary Club) introduced and recognized guests and introduce the speaker Holly Shaffner who was also the Master of Ceremonies. Her talk was entitled “Honor Flight, San Diego” “Honoring the 250th Anniversary of the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps,” She introduced every WWII, Korean, and Vietnam veteran individually and shared endearing personal stories and facts about each of them, to make them feel special.
Guests in attendance:
Brad Bianchi (Turn Behavioral Health Services “Courage to Call” Veterans Program)
John Herrera (President, Mount La Jolla Association)
Rao Maud (Docent of San Diego Air & Space Museum)
Eric Saretsky (President of Santee-Lakeside Rotary Club (Navy Vet))
Oldest veteran in attendance was Ervin Wendt, 109 years old retired Sr. Chief from the Navy. Wendt is the oldest surviving veteran from the Battle of Midway, and the 3rd oldest veteran in the United States. Wendt also saw action at Guadalcanal and the Korean War.
Veterans from the Torrey Pines Rotary Club
Sheldon Margolis
Don Yedkel
Jerry Zampa
Gordon Shurtleff
Jim Likes
Max Gurney, who is 104 years old
Veterans in attendance:
Holly Shaffner, US Coast Guard, Gulf War
Art Dioli (US Navy, WWII, 98 years old)
Marshall Varano (USMC, Korean War, 96 years old)
Tim McCully (USN)
Ervin Wendt (USN, WWII, Koren War, 109 years old)
Rick Clark (USN, Vietnam War)
Russ Loftman (USN, WWII, 97 years)
Roberta “Randy” Tidmore (USMC, WWII, and a “Rosie the Riveter”, 103 years old)
Bob Wilson (USN, WWII, 106 years old, survivor of the invasion of Normandy)
Warren Stillwell (USMC, Korean War, 94 years old)
Juan Montano (USN, WWII, 99 years old)
Guests:
Many other veterans who were guest of Club members were also in attendance.
The meeting was attended by friends and family members of the veterans and Torrey Pines Rotary Club. About 35 people were in attendance.