 | | | Assemblywoman Catharine Baker describes Bill Lew's service to country and community June 29. Photo Pippa Fisher | | | | | | This year's Veteran of the Year, selected by Assemblywoman Catharine Baker for District 16, is Lafayette resident Bill Lew.
Lew received his recognition at a reception hosted by Baker at the Lafayette Veterans Memorial Center on June 29, accompanied by his wife Verre and in front of family, friends and veterans. Baker recapped Lew's outstanding history of service to country and community and noted that the choice of recipient this year was easy and agreed upon by all those she spoke to in making the decision.
Lew served in the United States Army from December 1969 to August 1972, first in Vietnam as part of the 1st Signal Brigade and later at Fort Huachuca in Arizona and during this time was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Star Attachment, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon with Device, and Expert Badge and Rifle Bar.
Following his army service he attended college and then worked as a health physicist for the State of California Radiation Control Program and then at the University of California at San Francisco as the UCSF radiation safety officer, retiring in 2015.
In civilian life Lew was involved in scouting, first as an adult leader with Lafayette Troop 224 and then, since 2005, at the district level and in the Order of the Arrow.
Lew belongs to VFW Post 8063 Lafayette where he serves as current adjutant and is a past-commander, VFW District 10 serving as district adjutant and he serves on the board of directors for the Lafayette Veterans' Memorial Building as secretary.
Lew says the news was a total surprise to him.
"I am totally blessed to have been selected amongst so many deserving veterans living in the communities served by Assemblywoman Baker (District 16). In Lamorinda alone, there are many, many deserving veterans," says Lew.
And that is typical of the man whose philosophy is guided by what he refers to as the "6H's" - hard work, honesty, humility, humanity, humor and honor.
"Bill Lew exemplifies the true meaning of service in everything he does," says Mike Gilson, board of trustees president for the Lafayette War Veterans, noting "Service to his country in the US Army in Vietnam, service to his community through his ongoing dedication to scouting, service to his fellow veterans through his ongoing support for VFW Post 8063 and the Lafayette War Veterans where he `serves' as our faithful secretary."
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA