Sightings Salutes: Veterans in the produce industry
November 11, 2024
Each year the nation honors military veterans who dedicated their lives to protecting the United States. After serving, veterans find their way into everyday life, often working jobs that serve Americans in different ways, such as in the produce industry. This year The Produce News recognizes those who served our nation and the produce industry.
Charles (CJ) Wren of PPC Flex, 1 Lt. in the U.S. Air Force. Awards: National Defense Ribbon, Air and Space Training Ribbon with Oak leaf, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal with Oak leaf, Air and Space Longevity Service Award, Aerial Achievement Medal. Served served in Homestead ARB and Keesler AFB.
Roberto A. (Tony) Martinez, managing member of Primo Trading Services, served in Operation Iraqi Freedom II – Combat Veteran U.S. Marine Corps 2000-07.
Sam Ingardia of Ingardia Bros. Produce Inc. served in the U.S. Navy 1963-1967. He was a radioman on the U.S.S. Sylvania.
James Arney, father of NWPB's Mark Arney, became a member of the elite 101 Airborne division where only one in 10 soldiers made it through jump school training. Even more elite was when he became a member of the 101st Airborne Reconnaissance Platoon. The was the unit that the TV mini-series Band of Brothers was based upon. He was in the Battle of the Bulge. The 101st was awarded the Distinguished Unit Citation. Arney's wife, Betty, was a bookkeeper at the LA terminal produce market during early 1950s.
NWPB's Mark Arney spent four years in active duty as a medic and food inspector in the U.S. Air Force hospital squadron. He was stationed at Clark AFB Philippines and Edwards AFB, and was a Staff Sargent.
Harold Sbrocco of Sbrocco International, Sargent USAF in Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam, 1969-70.
Dixon Rogers, uncle of TPN's Jack Bricker, shown at his 1944 West Point graduation. He fought with the first wave of the Rainbow Division, which liberated Dachau, April 29, 1945.
Ron Pelger, produce industry adviser and writer.
Angela Arace of Foster served eight years, Defense Language Institute (DLI), Ft. Campbell, KY, Ft. Gordon, GA, Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, USAG Vincenza, Italy; SSG; 97E/Arabic; Good Conduct Ribbon.
George Gotsis, a well-known veteran of the Nogales produce industry, participated in historic battles of the South Pacific Theater during World War II. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1944.
John Pope, vice president of sales for MountainKing Potatoes, served in the U.S. Navy 1983-87. Operations Specialist 2nd Class (OS2) served aboard USS Robert E Peary, Pearl Harbor, HI, Battle E Ribbon awarded for performance during battlegroup cruise.
Anthony Irby of Foster served in the Army for three-and-a-half years; 11B, E4 Spc.
Brian Deslauriers of Foster served four years, E4 - Corporal, 0311 - Infantry, Armed Forces Service Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.
Bryan Graham of Foster served in the Army for five years, rank of E4, 92 Golf, and earned the Army Achievement Award.
Christopher King of Foster served seven years, Fort Bliss, Fort Jackson, Camp Casey, Qatar, Fort Riley, Fort Myer; SSG; 14J; Army Achievement Medal x2, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon.
Clifford Paton of Foster served four years in the U.S. Marine Corps, CPL, 3051; National Defense Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Rifle Expert Badge, Pistol Expert Badge.
RPE's Craig Fields served in the U.S. Marine Corps.
RPE's Nick Brekken served in the U.S. Army, 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Combat Engineer 12B.
RPE's Michelle Trykoski was in the New Jersey Army National Guard 1993-2001.
Cody Dotson of Foster served two years, Camp Lejeune, Lance Corporal, 0341 Mortarman, National defense medal, Global War on Terrorism medal, good conduct medal.
John Levesque of Foster served three years in the Army.
Ippolito International's Blanca Andrade served in the U.S. Army for six-and-a-half years. As a 68E Army Dental Assistant, she had the opportunity to travel around the world, including Germany, Japan, Fort Bragg and a 12-month tour in Qatar, Iraq. She was part of the 82nd Airborne Division, one of the most recognized units in the U.S. Army.
Lewis Moffett of Foster served in the U.S. Army for eight years; MOS - E4; left as an E4.
Ricky Rogers of Foster served eight years in the Navy, Rank E5. Awards: NAM, PUC, BAFHE"E", OIF, Good Conduct, Overseas Service Medal.
Stanford Kearns of Foster served four years at Scott Air Force Base in St Louis; E2, Health Services Management.
Steve Brenner of Foster served in the U.S. Navy 1987-91 and 1991-93 in the Reserves; Third Class Petty Officer in the Supply Department; Served on USS Shreveport Lpd 12 on two mediterranean tour before going to the Persian Gulf war, Desert Storm; received a war time service medal.
Suzette Walker of Foster served 10 years in the USMC 1983-1988, USANGNY 1988-1993, Parris Island, Marine Recruit Depot, SC, Fort Leonard Wood, MO, Camp Pendleton, CA, NYANG, Long Island, NY; MOS 1345; Certificate of Commendation, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Good Conduct Medal.
Paul Jaffa, founder of Global Harvest Produce, served six years in the U.S Army as a Captain. He was an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Officer with service including 1 tour in Iraq 2010-11. Awards Include Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Basic Parachutist Badge and Senior Explosive Ordnance Disposal Badge.
Preston Mayer of AgCode, team leader for an intelligence team aboard USS Green Bay(LPD-20).
Dewayne Percy of Sev-Rend served in the Army National Guard from 1998 to 2004.
Ippolito International's Mike Scarcella served in the U.S. Marine Corps 1981-86 as a Marine Air Traffic Controller- Radar/Tower. He served in Iwakuni, Japan, and Camp Pendleton, CA, where he was also aboard the USS Belleau Wood.
LeeAnn Murphy of AgCode joined the Air Force at age 17. She started in Security Forces, then cross-trained into Computer Systems Operations and worked on Space Based Weapons Systems. She served for 10.5 years. She is now vice president of professional services at AgCode.
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