Recognizing the Veterans Who Inspire Us

Salvador Balderrama Jr., U.S. Marine Corps

“Thank you for your service. I love you so, so much.”

-Submitted by his daughter, Lucero Balderrama (student)

Taylah Sitz, a UC San Diego staff member, shared a message in memory of her mom, who served in the U.S. Navy:

“My mom passed away last May after a battle with breast cancer, but I couldn’t be more grateful for her, her service in the Navy and everything that she stood for. I thank my lucky stars every day to have been raised by such an incredibly fierce, compassionate and loving woman. I love you and miss you more than you know, Mom."

Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Alysson Satterlund shared sentiments about her grandfathers and two uncles, who served in the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Marine Corps:

“Both of my grandparents retired from the Air Force after decades of service, my uncles served in Vietnam as Marines and my parents grew up on Air Force bases around the world (my mother was born on one). Through family stories, photos and actions, I learned of the sacrifices that my grandfathers, uncles (and their families) made in the service of an imperfect but irreplaceable democracy, hoping to secure better lives for their families, our community and those they served with and on behalf of—I am eternally grateful to them for their choices, contributions and love."

Commander Greg Sullivan, U.S. Navy

“My dad served 28 years in the Navy, taking our family on a journey through multiple duty stations, including three overseas assignments. He also deployed on various missions, spending time on ships like the USS Kitty Hawk. I’m deeply grateful for his service and for the chance it gave our family to explore the world, broadening our perspectives and fostering a love for travel.

I just want to say how grateful I am for everything you’ve done—for your dedication, the sacrifices you made, and the years you spent serving our country. Your commitment, especially through all those moves and deployments, has shown me the meaning of resilience and service. Thanks to you, I grew up with an incredible view of the world and a love for travel that has shaped who I am today. I’m so proud to be your daughter and feel lucky to have had such an inspiring example."

-Submitted by his daughter, Mandy Sullivan (staff)

Student Grace Constantian shared messages of gratitude to her mom, Jenifer Meno, U.S. Army; her dad, Chip Constantian, U.S. Navy, her grandfather Jose Meno, U.S. Army; and stepdad Keith Denenny, U.S. Army:

“I want to thank all of the veterans in my life for their sacrifice to their family and country. All of them joined the military for slightly different reasons but all share the attribute of having a deep dedication to their family. I have seen how their service has made their life and the sacrifice of their ability, their time, and their relationships. As a military dependent, it is interesting understanding the world through their eyes and what has both driven them and made them who they are today. I am proud and deeply love all of them.

I would specifically like to talk more about my mom—she’s my hero and my best friend. My mom grew up as a military ‘brat,’ just like me, and traveled the world as a little kid seeing her father serve. She decided to join the Army, going through ROTC in college, to become a nurse practitioner. She has cared for people around the world and for me and my baby sister back at home. I remember her having to leave for long periods of time and then running back into her arms when she got home. It was hard growing up without her there all the time, but I knew what she did was important to her, and I learned that sometimes to achieve your goals takes sacrifice. She is an intelligent, committed, powerful woman and taught me what being a woman means. It means embracing all aspects of myself and for striving for excellence. It means unapologetically working for your goals and be humble through every step. I am proud to call myself her daughter and whenever I look in the mirror I see a part of her in me. To many she is known as Colonel Meno, but to me she will always be mom."

Patrick Etienne, U.S. Marine Corps and UC San Diego staff member

“First, thank you for your service. Second, thank you for your contributions to UC San Diego as a member of IPPS [Integrated Procure-to-Pay Solutions]. The work you have done to increase awareness of global conflicts, conflict resolution solutions and common-sense attitude requirements demonstrate a true leader for the people.”

-Submitted by his colleague, Jasmine Montilla (staff)

Iven Ponce, U.S. Navy

“Thank you for your service all the way overseas. I miss you.”

-Submitted by his significant other, Yahaira Loza (student)

Augusto Escobar Rivera, U.S. Navy

“Thank you, Augusto, for your 20 years of service in the U.S. Navy. Your many years of service, including your tour of duty to Vietnam, are among the most significant ways you have taught our family the values of duty, honor, and sacrifice. Thank you for believing and succeeding in the American Dream as you planted our family's roots on U.S. soil. Thank you for constantly putting family, faith and patriotism at the forefront."

Your sacrifices to our country helped create a UC San Diego legacy within our family that spans two generations: your son graduating in 1993 as part of the inaugural class of Eleanor Roosevelt College (formerly Fifth College), and your daughter graduating in 1995 from Muir College. Your youngest grandchildren, the twins, will graduate from Sixth College in June 2025. From the bottom of your family's hearts, we cannot thank you enough for your dedication to our country and our freedom. Happy Veterans Day!”

-Submitted by his granddaughter, Grace Rivera (student)

UC San Diego staff member Maria Obtera shared a message for her father, David Maglalang Mendoza, who served in the Coast Guard:

“Thank you, Dad, for all you have done!”

 And her brother, Thomas Manlutac Mendoza, who served in the Air Force.

 “Thank you for all you have done!”

Estavan Bahro, U.S. Marine Corps and UC San Diego student

“Thank you for your service in protecting our country, and thanks for being a great labmate!”

-Submitted by fellow Triton Jerry Correa (student)

Chief Warrant Officer Sarah M. Trickler, U.S. Navy

“CWO Trickler has served in the U.S. Navy for over 20 years in the Meteorology and Oceanography community and has provided support to special warfare for forecasting missions, routing ships and guiding pilots around the world.

Thank you for showing up every day, putting the safety of our country at the forefront of your service. I appreciate the sacrifices Sarah makes on the daily. She takes the guilt of being a proud Navy mom, daughter, and sister and pushes it aside in order to serve her country in the best way she can, being one of two forecasters in the Navy with her expertise. Sarah has served for over 20 years and has never complained about the exhausting hours, the call to protect, or the demand of leading her Sailors with confidence. I express immense gratitude to CWO Trickler for time served and helping to lead our country’s greatest Sailors.”

-Submitted by her sister, Carrie Haubenestel (staff)

Lieutenant Colonel Mark Bock, U.S. Marine Corps

“I’ve never felt prouder than I did when I watched you take command of Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 352 this year, on the same flightline where you returned home from two long combat deployments to Afghanistan a decade ago. Your experience as a KC-130J pilot is unmatched, but it’s your ability to lead hundreds of Marines and genuinely care for each one as an individual that truly sets you apart. You’ve witnessed the darkest sides of humanity and grieved the loss of dear friends who made the ultimate sacrifice—yet you continue to be a bright light in the lives of everyone around you. I couldn’t ask for a better example for our kids of what integrity, compassion and selfless service look like.”

-Submitted by his wife, Sara Bock (staff)