Atascadero resident named, ‘Veteran of the Year’
Bob Hatch, Katcho Achadjian, and Chuck Ward. Courtesy photo.
Katcho Achadjian honors veterans, military members at Armed Forces Day celebration
– On Saturday, Assemblyman Katcho Achadjian (R- San Luis Obispo) honored Santa Maria resident Staff Sergeant Robert Hatch and Atascadero resident First Lieutenant Chuck Ward as the 35th Assembly District 2016 Veterans of the Year at the assemblyman’s 6th annual Armed Forces Day celebration.
“As this is my last year representing you in the state assembly, I want to take the opportunity to do something different,” said Achadjian. “I have selected two Veterans of the Year, one from San Luis Obispo County and one from Santa Barbara County. The 2016, 35th District Veterans of the Year have both shown conduct which upholds the sacrifices of all those who fought so valiantly on the seas, in the air, and on foreign shores to preserve our heritage of freedom.”
First Lieutenant Chuck Ward enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1957 where he entered the Platoon Leaders Corps. He was formally commissioned in 1958, and attended Marine Corps Officers Basic School at Quantico. In 1959 he was deployed to Okinawa and served two back to back tours there, and commanded a 300 man Engineering Company. During his final tour of Okinawa he attended Air Observer School where he earned his wings. Ward possessed a degree in chemical engineering and because of this went to nuclear ordinance school, where he received top secret clearance. Ward has received many awards and commendations for his service in the Marine Corps including: National Defense Service Medal, Riffle Expert Badge, Pistol Expert Badge, and Naval Aviation Observer. Most recently Ward spearheaded the Charles Paddock Zoo Statue project, which includes a memorial to Michael Paddock, who was killed in Vietnam and awarded two bronze stars for valor. Additionally, Ward has served as Commander of the Military Officers Association of America, and is currently serving as Commander of the Military Order of World Wars, as well as the Judge Advocate of Marine Corps League Detachment 680. He is also a founding board member that was instrumental in getting the Faces of Freedom Memorial built, as well as co-chair of the Purple Heart Trail project and Your American Heritage monument. Besides his commitment to veterans issues and their worthwhile causes, he is a proven community leader. He has served on the Atascadero City Planning Commission, actively participated in the Grizzly Academy Youth Leadership program and been involved in the Patriotic Essay Contest for high school students.
Staff Sergeant Robert Hatch entered active duty in the U.S. Army in June 1966. During his tour in Vietnam, he and his men came under heavy enemy fire; subsequently, three of his fellow soldiers were severely injured and needed to be airlifted by helicopter to a hospital. Hatch proceeded to carry these three soldiers across an open battle field, until they were all safely on the helicopter; consequently, in doing this he was hit by enemy fire multiple times. For his courage that day he was awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart. Also while on active duty, Hatch received many awards for valor, including the Bronze Star with a V, Air Medal, Purple Heart (3), Army Commendation Medal, Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, Vietnam Campaign and Service Medal and a Combat Infantry’s Badge. As the former CEO and President of the Santa Maria Chamber of Commerce for twenty two years, Hatch collaborated with the Economic Development Commission to establish the Freedom Monument Veterans Memorial. Because of his commitment to the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce, he was awarded the Citizen of the Year for 2014. He currently serves as a member of the Base Commanders Community Advisory Group on Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB) and was recently asked to help facilitate the Veterans Administration‘s Vet Center outreach with active duty service members assigned to VAFB.
“The Armed Forces Day Celebration is a great opportunity to honor and thank the heroes who live in our own community,” said Achadjian. “Every veteran deserves our recognition and thanks for their duty and sacrifice to our country and to the Central Coast.
Assemblyman Achadjian represents all of San Luis Obispo County and part of Santa Barbara County, including the cities of Arroyo Grande, Atascadero, Paso Robles, Grover Beach, Guadalupe, Lompoc, Morro Bay, Pismo Beach, San Luis Obispo, Santa Maria and surrounding communities.
