CLEARLAKE ? SPC Brett Slater, 20, of Clearlake Oaks enjoyed a warm homecoming Thursday at the American Legion Post No. 437. Slater received hugs, kisses and handshakes from friends, family and post members thankful for his patriotic service and safe return.
SPC Slater, 82nd Airborne joined the US Army in 2007 at the age of 17. He said growing up it had always been his life”s desire to join the service. After achieving his GED, he did just that. “It was something I wanted to do since I was a child,” he said. “Now that I”ve been there, done that, I”m ready to move on with my life.”
Slater earned a GI Bill and plans to attend University of Technical Institute. He said his goal is to become an automotive engineer.
Slater was serving his country supporting operations in Iraq. He said there is a possibility that he may be redeployed before reaching his exit date, but he”s unsure. “I”m right in the window of getting out of the Army,” he said. “If the President is true to his word about ?stop loss,” I won”t be going back.”
Service abroad was no walk in the park. “I did multiple missions when I was in Iraq. Everything was hard; nothing was easy,” Slater said. “It”s nice to be home with my family again. I know they really worried about me when I was over there.”
Slater”s adoptive father Ron Fernandez and mother Kandis, who shares his June 7 birthday, said they are proud of their son and relieved that he came home safely. “I”m glad that he”s home. As hard as you think it”s going to be you can only wish it was that easy. I can watch the news now without holding my breath,” she said. “He gave me a really good gift by going there to serve his country and coming back safely. I”m proud of what he did.”
Kandis Fernandez said that support from members of the American Legion helped her through her son”s absence. “One thing I did was join the American Legion right after he went in,” she said. “I got a lot of support from the members here.”
The American Legion is struggling to recruit new members. Carolyn Alexander said that the average membership age is 80-plus years and that the legion is especially interested in recruiting younger members.
“It”s a place for all vets. It”s a place for them to come in and congregate and continue the camaraderie they are used to,” member Barbara Luce said.
Post No. 437 Commander Dennis Alexander echoed Luce”s comments. “It”s the meeting place of all veterans of Lake County, young and old,” he said. “We have the old timers and we have the young guns.”
The American Legion supports numerous community endeavors such as programs that benefit local students, youth as well as adults. It also hosts memorials for post members and family free of charge. “We do a lot for the community, they just don”t know it,” Luce said.
The American Legion hosts dining fundraisers on a monthly basis. Dinner is served the first Wednesday of every month. Breakfast is served on the second Sunday and the monthly fish fry takes place on the fourth Friday. Donation is $8 for adults and $4 for children.
For membership information, please call the lounge after 10 a.m. at 994-3677 or leave a message in the office at 994-8115.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
