Veterans of Interest at Lodi's Cherokee Memorial Cemetery
Jeff visits the Cherokee Memorial Cemetery in Lodi, California, and recounts the lives of interesting folks buried there, including Stockton Marine veteran Richard A. Pittman who was decorated by President Lyndon Johnson for bravery during a Vietnam War engagement with the Viet Cong.
Visits will also be paid to the graves of Bert Rumsey, who was Sam the Bartender in the first Gunsmoke TV show years; World War I veteran Otto Krueger who was later elected to Congress from North Dakota; and the dual gravesite of veteran Patrick Benjamin Purdy and his son who did his dastardly deed at Cleveland Elementary School in Stockton in 1989.
Jeff will also find the final resting place of 1960s rock musician Norman Ezell of the Five Americans.
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Happy Birthday, Marine Corps this day, and respectful Armistice Day tomorrow. My grandfather served in the Pioneer Infantry in Europe during WWI. He was one of the few(1 in 10) from our military who left the US to go "Over There". The rest were building military facilities here and training, and, after the armistice, they served out their hitches by disassembling the forts. Stanford University and Miramar were the results of those works, besides others. My grandfather was in the Ardennes and later drove those early trucks to retrieve bodies from the battlefield. The day after December 7, 1941, he took his daughter, who later would become my mother, down to Hammer Field here in Fresno to see what he could do for our efforts to fight back. He was welcomed and was used to begin building additional barracks for the new in-flow that was expected to be coming..... quickly, now. Thanks for your service for the rest of us, Cyrus Henry Brooks. Thanks for remembering these great men!
Hey there! My husband is a Vietnam veteran. Three of our sons also served, the oldest in the Army in Desert Storm & Operation Iraqi Freedom, two were in the Air Force who served in Engineers in Dubai, Korea & Afghanistan, the other one served in Afghanistan at OP Bari Alai in the Hindu Kush close to the Pakistan border. We’re very proud of all of them ♥️🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 Thanks Jeff for this moving tribute! Your biggest Tennessee (formerly California) fans!
Thank you. We should "remember" the veterans, their sacrifices, and their bravery. I know I think of my family members who were in the service. That was a very thoughtful tribute, Jeff. 🇺🇸
Excellent episode; such reverence for our military heroes. Thank you Jeff for keeping the memories alive for these men.
We have several family members buried at that cemetery. I lived in Stockton on the day of the Cleveland shootings. Such a sad and tragic day. You covered the subject well. Great video for Veteran’s day Jeff.
Thank you Jeff for a beautiful tribute on this Veteran's Day. What a beautiful cemetery there in Lodi next to the 99. As traffic in our lives rushes us through life, it is so refreshing to have You Tubers like yourself and Sarah to remind us of days long past and the folks who lived it. Especially poignant today on Veteran's Day for those who served. 'May we never forget'. Thank you again for your worthwhile and educational contributions to today's social media world!
@jbenziggy
9 ай бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it! Your comments are very heart warming and meaningful to us! We love providing that reflection that so many of us have forgotten! Blessings!
I wish I knew you were out there. We only live 20 minutes away! History of the headstones keeps our history alive and the folks we talk about. Thanks you guys for this Veteran’s Day special! We will never forget.🇺🇸
Thank you for honoring the veterans on this special day Love your channel for things like this that you do
@jbenziggy
9 ай бұрын
I appreciate that! Thanks, Bobby!
Thank you for this tribute to these veterans. My Dad and his brother served in WW II in the Pacific. Another Uncle perished in the days after parachuting into France on D-Day and now lies in the American Cemetery there. God bless all Veterans, heroes of our nation.
Wow! that poem is so good! Thank you all Veterans for your service!
@jbenziggy
9 ай бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it!
@debdewitt4779
9 ай бұрын
That poem was beautiful thank you for sharing and thank you to all our veterans past and present
Thank you for today's tribute episode. "All gave some. Some gave all."
As a Navy veteran, Thank You for taking the time to recognize us.
@jbenziggy
9 ай бұрын
You are very welcome! Thank you for your service and God bless you!
Thank you, Jeff for this tribute to all our service men and women, past and present. May God keep them safe🤲.
Wow! Thank you Jeff for a most inspired history and tribute to our nations heroes! We had two WW2 veteran's at our Veteran's Day program yesterday here in Grass Valley. Boy, did they get the applause! I am so proud to be the daughter of "The Greatest Generation" and so appreciate all of their sacrifices. God Bless and keep up the good work!
@jbenziggy
9 ай бұрын
That is wonderful to hear about the reception to your veterans up in Grass Valley. We still need to get up to Grass Valley to do a show on your town. Thank you so much for your nice comment.
Thank you, Jeff, for honoring our true heroes, our veterans. You do so without antagonizing and drawing in the malcontents that attack all that is good and holy. God bless you and Sarah as well as our troops, past and present, along with our first responders, physicians, nurses and those who treat the mentally wounded.
I have a great uncle that turned 101 last June and he served in the Pacific Theatre. He was wounded during the war but he is alive to this day.
@jbenziggy
9 ай бұрын
God bless your great uncle! What an amazing legacy!
When people tell me “Thank you for your service”, I reply, “Thank you for allowing me to serve”. Great episode Jeff!
@jbenziggy
9 ай бұрын
Right on! Thanks!
Thank you Jeff, thanks for doing this for all us veterans😊
@jbenziggy
9 ай бұрын
My pleasure!
Thanks Jeff for visiting my hometown cemetery. My Grandfather, Dad and my brother, who were veterans are buried there. Thanks again for recognizing our veterans.😢
@jbenziggy
9 ай бұрын
You’re welcome but thank you for telling us about your family!
Thank you, Jeff for paying tribute to our veterans!
Thank you for this episode. I wear my navy veteran hat with pride. To all my fellow veterans I salute you!
@jbenziggy
9 ай бұрын
Thank you for serving our country, dear sir! Bless you!
Hi Jeff, I knew all the guys in the Five Americans very well from our days of working together at Abnak Music Enterpiises in Dallas Tx.. I was with another band signed to the label. Norman, John Durrill, Mike Rabon and seveal members from the group I was with headed to LA in 1970 after Abnak Music closed it's doors. We all remainded friends over the years until they passed away, John Durrill is the only one still alive from the Five Americans and still living in California. John hooked up with the Ventures in our move to LA, and also wrote a few hits songs for Cher, Thank you for honoring those who served in our military.
What a beautiful statue in Veteran's section. May they all rest in perfect peace.
I'm a Marine Corps veteran and I appreciate the nod. At the end of Vietnam war I was called a baby killer in the airport in San Diego. That was a shock since I'm not. I did my duty for all Americans and my brothers and sisters. Semper Fi.
@jbenziggy
8 ай бұрын
Thank you for your service to our great country, sir!
My BIL was in the military for 25 years. He was based out of California in the Navy. He said when he came back stateside he was spat on. He was able to go on one of the Honor Flights last year to see the Vietnam Memorial in Washington DC. He sang in a men’s choir in the Navy. He sang on the Honor Flight to his fellow soldiers.
Thank you once again for a beautiful job. I had a father who served in WWII in Germany and three brothers that was in the VietNam war. Thank the good Lord they returned home. You always do a great job. Thank you.
Thanks for honoring veterans. This was another fascinating video. Cheers!
@jbenziggy
9 ай бұрын
Much appreciated! Thank you!
Interesting stories. Thank you for honoring veterans today.☮💖🎵
Amen Jeff. My brother Larry O'Neal was in Vietnam from 1965 to 1969. 101 airborne rangers. Rangers lead the way. He was lucky and made it home. He now lives in Newnan Georgia with his beautiful wife Claudia (60 years) his children and grand children. Thanks for this wonderful episode.
@jbenziggy
8 ай бұрын
I appreciate you sharing about your brother. Glad to hear that he is doing well and enjoying life! My uncle wasn't so fortunate, eventually succumbing to cancer, likely due to his exposure to Agent Orange.
Thank you Jeff, and thank you to all our vets, my husband included, 20 year US Navy.
Veterans Day Nov. 11 don't ever forget there are a few WWII veterans still alive my dad passed a way in 2002 though.The Metal Of Honor was rarely awarded durning the Viet Nam War
Thanks for the veterans tribute. I checked and as of a few days ago fewer than 120,000 World War II veterans are alive today, making up less than 1% of all living veterans.
My husband's great-uncle Bill who turns 101 in 4 months is a world war II veteran. Everybody gets a kick out of him when we bring him to the cemetery to place flags. Where as my Daddy, who was a Vietnam vet died at 58.
@jbenziggy
9 ай бұрын
Wow, that’s amazing! He is almost 101 and still places flags on the cemetery? Incredible! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for this episode for veterans! ❤ I appreciate your patriotism.
@jbenziggy
9 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching!
Thank you for your tribute. Great poem. 🙏🏼 Our military deserve much respect!!!!
I always enjoy your videos, Jeff! Thank you! We met briefly at the Hughson trunk or treat a couple of years back. I survived the Cleveland School shooting in 1989. I was shot twice that day as a first grader. I later became a police officer for Stockton Unified and Union City PD. I served for nearly 20 years before being medically retired this year. I was also good friends with Richard Pittman, and even helped plan his funeral services. This video resonated with me for many reasons. Many of my relatives are at Cherokee, including my dad. My grandfather, Clarence Young was awarded a Purple Heart in WW2. HIs remains are near the poem plaque that you read.
@jbenziggy
9 ай бұрын
Hi Rob! I never forgot you and would love to get together for a video. Thanks for contacting me again!
Thanks Jeff! Another great tour. Yes, as always Thank you to all Veterans!!
@jbenziggy
9 ай бұрын
Our pleasure!
4:39 Thank you for adding that. Thank you for speaking the truth. They've always been that way
How’d I miss this one? As a former US Army vet and retired deputy sheriff, I love anything with either. Wait…..everyone of your videos is awesome!
@jbenziggy
9 ай бұрын
Thank you for your service!
While it is Saturday here in Australia 🇦🇺 it is Friday in your country. We had our Remembrance Day today. Thank you 🙏 very much to all the people that served for the freedoms of our countries. You are all gratefully and lovingly remembered. Thanks Jeff ❤️Jodie 🇦🇺
Thank you to all the veterans who served are country❤❤
What a wonderful video!!! One veteran that I miss was my father! A n Airforce officer! We were in Okinawa during the Vietnam War! I saw alot as a young girl!!
A very sad but inspiring video. I’m surprised these beautiful military memorials are still allowed in our state with the criminals in charge. Anyhow, many thanks for your videos.
Thanks all the vets.
Hi Jeff, while I’m certain you’re right that there are few WWII vets remaining. My Uncle Walter Dill was a WWII vet who served in the Navy during the war and Is still living in California. He started our as an enlisted seaman and ended his career as a Naval offer after working his way through all the enlisted ranks then a warrant officer before moving into the officer ranks. We lost my dad this past Tuesday, Nov 7th. My Uncle was the oldest of the six of them. Only he and the youngest of them are left. Thanks so much for recognizing the veterans on this Veterans Day.
My husband and I really love your videos. You put alot of work into them. Appreciate it!
@jbenziggy
9 ай бұрын
I do our a lot of hours into research, shooting and editing so I appreciate your acknowledgment! It helps spur me on! Thank you!
Happy Memorial Day Jeff. Here we always remember the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. As always, another professional, respectful and very well prepared and produced video. Thank you!
Thank you Jeff for a wonderful tribute to our military Vets! Always a gr8 day when I get my HH fix! ~Chris
@jbenziggy
9 ай бұрын
Awesome! I'm also working on one for Sunday!
My wife’s grandfather is 102, a WW2 veteran. He was a bomber pilot. I’m not sure where he flew. She’s semi estranged from her family, no matter how much I encourage her to visit them and him, before it’s too late.
Beautiful tribute. Thanks to all who gave.
As a Viet Nam vet, thanks for your honoring our fallen hero’s 🇺🇸
@jbenziggy
9 ай бұрын
Well thank you for your service when our nation called!
Thank-you for sharing our history.
@jbenziggy
9 ай бұрын
You bet! Thanks for spending part of your day with us!
What a beautiful tribute for Veterans Day. Thank you to all who’ve served! My heart goes to the Air Force veteran visiting the grave of his daughter near the beginning of the video. Thank you for speaking with him, Jeff. Bless him.
@jbenziggy
9 ай бұрын
Yeah, it touched me deeply because he stood her grave for a while and just looked down and then he walked towards me and I saw his cap and saw that he was he an Air Force veteran. I then thank him for his service. I thought about asking him to be in my video, but didn’t sense that I would get a positive response for some reason.
Thanks again Jeff, Well done. My father and uncle both served in the Viet Nam war. Interesting about the Patrick Purdy. I did not know he was burried there. My mother would do visits to that school. She was an Ocupational theropist. It was quite a shock when this happened. She was shaken quite a bit. Luckely she was not there when it happened, but she could have been.
Beautiful well-kept Cemetery, thanks Jeff
@jbenziggy
9 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching!
You’re so right not many Veterans left from WW2 still alive. And now Korea. Which my father was in at Pork Chop Hill.! Sad about the officer killed. The mass killer is just a sick young man. You’re also right. It’s sad but we have unfortunately got used to mass shootings. Thank you to all our Veterans who served! 🇺🇸 God bless America 🙏🏻
Wow another great one and thank you to all the veterans who have given your all for our freedom.
Great vid as usual Jeff…When you mentioned about the decreasing numbers of WW2 vets I thought I would give you this info on RAF Battle of Britain vets…There is only one left…His name is John Hemingway and he is 104 years old…God bless him.
As a resident of Lodi, I am amazed at how much relevant history there is here. Thank you for another excellent video!
@jbenziggy
9 ай бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it! I have another Lodi video in the works!
Thank you for that video. Very moving. My uncle served in the army in Viet Nam. I was a teenager during the viet nam era and heard a broadcast on one of the radio channels I listened to asking us to write letters to the soldiers - I got one of the names and corresponded with one of the soldiers. One day his letters just stopped. Many years later I googled the Viet Nam Memorial and found his name there - very sad day. I thank every vet for their service.
@jbenziggy
2 ай бұрын
That’s really sad to hear. How moving to know that you penpal died serving our country. So much young lives wasted in war. War is such an ugly thing! That must have had quite an effect on you learning that bad information!
My father was a Lieutenant Flight Surgeon in the U.S. Navy and my son is currently a Chief on active duty. I am a very proud U.S. Navy mother and daughter.
WOW, WOW! Jeff you out did yourself on this episode. This whole episode rocked what a good job at presenting our veterans. My great uncles were immigrants but they joined the military to help with there new country. Uncles. Brothers, nephew and niece. All have served from WW1 to the gulf War. And I pray we don't have a WW3. Thanks Jeff. P.S. I was able to watch on a big screen for the first time made it even more enjoyable.
@jbenziggy
9 ай бұрын
Love the comment, my friend! I try to watch on the big screen but I think my settings are off because I am not entirely pleased with picture quality. But then again I don't use $10,000 cameras and lens! LOL
Thank You for his service Mr Dodd❤❤
@jbenziggy
5 ай бұрын
He certainly sacrificed much in his life going through the war and being shot! Thank you!
Beautiful poem.
Thank you Jeff for this video, another excellent posting. Thank you for reading the Prayer poem & for shouting out to Our Veterans on this weekend. Stay Safe and Be Blessed my Friend. 🙏🇺🇸
@jbenziggy
9 ай бұрын
You are very welcome! Thank you!
Beautiful tribute to brave veterans. Thank you, Jeff.
@jbenziggy
9 ай бұрын
Thank you kindly!
Jeff your ability to uncover history that hits home it's always interesting to me, my dad's side of the family being Cherokee. The quote "You Didn't Ask" is very true. Thanks Again,,,, M.D.
Thank you for making this video , maybe one day you can visit the cemetery in Santa Nella ? Thank you to all Veterans .
Lodi CA had a large population of North and South Dakota transplants. As for the school shooting so utterly tragic. My husband worked for that school district (retired now) and the visit from MJ was a disaster. When he entered the classroom the media mobbed the windows and terrified the kids all over again.
Thank you Jeff for bringing the memories of those who served. Thank you to everyone have served and are currently serving these United States 5:10
@jbenziggy
9 ай бұрын
Thanks Trisha!
Thx for the Veteran day video...Very interesting of the hero's who fought for the land of the free..God bless them.....
Thankyou jeff, was a beautiful tribute on this veterans day. lodi is a beautiful cemetary and looks well kept. Never forget those who fought and died, Burtis was on gunsmoke was before I was born, I was born in 1957 and I was to young to remember him but I do remember glenn strange on gunsmoke. thankyou for a wonderful tribute.
I want to thank you for showing this video I am Marine Corp veteran myself and back then we just did the job but nowadays we don't get to much recognition this was 1980
great video, again. and agreed, thank you to all Veterans, for your service!
God Bless all the soldiers that fought in the war. Thank You for their services❤❤ i loved Gunsmoke and Cisco Kid 8n reruns❤❤
We always say thank you for your service. The older ones usually have a cap on--which they are proudly wearing. They like the little chit-chat 😊 Thanx for this episode.
My Dad, who is 99 and still alive, served in the Pacific Theater during WWII as an engineer
@jbenziggy
9 ай бұрын
What an amazingly long life! I hope he makes it to 100 and beyond!
My Mom graduated from Franklyn H.S. In 1959. My Grand Parents are buried in that cemetery. The area brings back a lot of memories. I was born in Stockton but lived in Manteca. I left the area in 1985 though.
Thanks for another great video and cheers to our veterans!
@jbenziggy
9 ай бұрын
Much appreciated comment from a great KZreadr himself, Steve the man! Thank you sir!
Jeff, thanks for recognizing veterans. Another great video accompanied by a bit of history that would otherwise be forgotten. I learn a lot from your videos. Thanks.
@jbenziggy
9 ай бұрын
The highest compliment I can receive is hearing from someone who learned something new about history! Thanks for letting me know!
Thanks 😊 Jeff 😊
@jbenziggy
9 ай бұрын
You are so welcome! Thank you very much.
All my favorite groups i remember them all ❤❤
Happy Veteran Day Jeff & Sarah, you ask if there's any WW2 Veteran still alive, yes, my Great Uncle was in the battle of D-Day on June 6, 1944, he was injured, but thankfully survived. 🙂🇺🇸
@jbenziggy
9 ай бұрын
Wow, he must be in his 90s?
@greggwatkinsjr.4308
9 ай бұрын
@@jbenziggy He just turn 100 over a month ago. 🙂
Thank you for another wonderful but thoughtful episode! I enjoy them all.
@jbenziggy
9 ай бұрын
You are so welcome! Thank you for the comment!
Lovely, Jeff. Thank-you.---XOXO
Jeff ,, this is another awesome video my friend ! I had no clue about. BURTIS and I love gun smoke , man I'LL tell you I learn something from everyone of your video's my friend .. That's awesome THANK YOU FRANK FROM MONTANA... PS look forward to watching on Sunday.......
I love all this history
GOD Bless them all and RIP to everyone
Hi Jeff and Sarah thank you for sharing the video on the veterans graves. It was a honor to have you share these veterans graves and stories ano of d thank you for sharing their stories . Also thank you for sharing the video of crescent city very nicely done video and very informative love and blessings Larry June and Laurie
Thank you from giving the ones that served some reckonHion
@jbenziggy
4 ай бұрын
They certainly do deserve recognition! Thanks for helping pay tribute to them!
Thank you.
@jbenziggy
9 ай бұрын
You're welcome!
Great video… thanks to all the vets…
Without God and Our beloved Veterans.....We don't have a Country. Thanks to all Our Veterans ❤❤
So many times I have driven up and down Hwy. 99 through Lodi and never knew that this cemetery was there. If I did I would have stopped and visited those who have passed. I do love the Lodi, Old Vine, Zinfandel, red wines.
I was just there last Saturday for my Uncle's funeral.
Thanks for giving us a special v-day treat
@jbenziggy
9 ай бұрын
My pleasure 😊 thank you, Jim. You’ve been with us a long time and we appreciate it.
Jeff thank you for this video. My Dad served in Korea the 45th Thunderbirds I can't think people like yourself that remember are Hero's at war time. Both of my Dad's brothers served also. They where in War war two. My uncle's besafe Jeff you and your wife.
My Dad served on ships in the Navy during Vietnam and you are right they were not welcomed home.
Always learning so much from your channel,👍
@jbenziggy
9 ай бұрын
Glad to hear it! That’s part of our mission - too entertain and educate!
Loved gunsmoke as a kid was the horses for me as grew up on farm, well done sharing this video loved it Jeff thankyou and Thankyou to all those that have served