Today’s celebrity veteran, Robert “Bob” Daniel, has roots that go all the way back to a farm in Echo Meadows.

Bob began his life in the old St. Anthony Hospital 78 years ago, and when the time came he attended schools in Echo until the eighth grade, then transferred to Stanfield. He did not graduate but did earn his General Educational Development while stationed in the Presidio in San Francisco.

With the simple reason of wanting to serve his country Bob joined the National Guard in 1966 but did not spend time in basic training until a year later, and during that time period obtained his first promotion. Guard members at that time were required to attend four Monday night meetings per month, in Pendleton, which was later changed to one weekend a month. Bob did this for one year prior to his departure for basic training in Fort Ord, California.

When asked about his choice of MOS (Military Occupation Specialty). Bob had no particular job in mind.

Upon entry into the Guard, he was considered an infantryman and later switched to armored cavalry. Bob spent six years in the Guard.

Upon completing basic training he was assigned to the Presidio, which was at one time an Army base, and was transferred to the National Park Service in 1994.

When I visited the installation in 1971 I was astonished that there wasn’t a fence or a wall around the facility. When Bob and his father, a World War I veteran, visited the site some years later his father remarked that the old barracks were the same as he remembered them following his discharge from the Army. It was at the Presidio that Bob was assigned to the job of being a clerk typist for two months and then it was back home to Eastern Oregon and his former unit.

In the fall of 1965 Bob requested permission of his commanding officer, Capt. Art Marsh, for a leave of absence so that he could take an extensive trip across the U.S. Permission was granted and Bob boarded a bus for Raleigh, North Carolina, and then on to Augusta, Maine, and even spent time in Quebec and Ontario, Canada. He also spent time in New York City and then boarded the bus for the long haul home, arriving just in time for Christmas. His trip lasted 39 days.

Not only was Bob a Guardsman but he was also a railroader and worked at Hinkle for 40 years.

Bob has been active in our community as a member of the American Legion Post 37 for 52 years. Three times he was the post commander for a total of 20 years, finance officer for nearly 19 years, and also served as vice commander, chaplain and post historian. I think he’s done it all.

He has also been a member of the grange for 64 years and has served in the capacity as master of the grange for almost 40 years, overseer for two years, as well as treasurer and steward.

“For the Good of the Legion” — Bob has a unique gift: making phone calls to the Legion’s members reminding them of the monthly meeting. He makes roughly 80 calls a month and we appreciate his efforts. On occasion he has been called upon to round up members of the Honor Guard for a funeral.

Bob met his wife, Gloria, via pen pals in 1977 and they married in 1978. From this union were born two sons, Kevin and Chad, and now Bob and Gloria have six grandkids.

If you want to get to know Bob just invite him over for coffee as he is an avid coffee consumer. He meets several of his friends for coffee on a regular basis and one of his groups is affectionately known as “The Liars Club.”

Thank you, Bob, and to our readers, thanks for checking in, and Semper Fi!

Upcoming events: The American Legion is holding an event for veterans on April 20 at the Agape House. It begins at 1 p.m. The event is titled, “What you need to know before you go.” This event is for veterans seeking information about veterans benefits, estate planning and medical news.

American Legion’s 105th birthday is March 15.

American Legion Post 37 meets the first Monday of every month at 7 p.m. at the Agape House, 500 W. Harper Road, Hermiston.