San Joaquin County District 5 Supervisor Robert Rickman, who represents Escalon on the county board, recently made a special presentation, at the 2024 Veterans Recognition Day, to Army Specialist 4 Darrell Voortman of Escalon.
“Veterans Day is a very special and important day of remembrance and tribute,” Rickman said, noting that it is always preceded by the celebration of the birth – Nov. 10, 1775 – of the Marine Corps, “so I want to give a special shout out to our Marines and wish you all a Happy 249th Birthday.”
“I have said it many times, with deep sincerity each time I say it; we owe our veterans a debt we can never repay, but we can always remember, honor, and say thank you. It is an honor to represent veterans in our county, and we can say thank you in many different ways,” Rickman added. “This and previous Boards, were directly involved with the locating, fight for funding, securing of services and infrastructure, and pushing through construction, of the Master Sergeant Richard Pittman VA Clinic and we finally got to open the doors to serve our local and regional veterans earlier this year. More than two decades of collaborative efforts, but we got it done. We commit ourselves to seeing through the next phase of the 120-bed community living center and urgent care.”
In recognizing Voortman for his service, Supervisor Rickman issued the following statement:
“Today, I have the privilege to recognize a special veteran from the Fifth District, Army Specialist 4, Darrell Voortman.
“Darrell was born in Long Beach, California, and reared with his three brothers in Artesia, California, where they worked dairy and poultry farms growing up. He played high school football and graduated from Valley Christian High School in 1965.
“After graduation, Darrell went to Bullhead City, Arizona, where he ran pipeline equipment in a desert area that would become the casino haven Laughlin, Nevada.
“He was required to report – drafted – to the Los Angeles induction center on December 23, 1965. Three plane loads were sent to Fort Bliss, Texas, for Basic Training and Advanced Training. Following, he was sent to South Vietnam to serve with the 79th Ordnance Battalion. The United States Army 79th Ordnance Battalion motto is ‘Efficient and Effective’. The unit crest depicts a flaming bomb that represents the Ordnance Corps. The lightning flashes allude to the Explosive Ordnance Disposal mission and the dangers of defusing unexploded ordnance.
“Darrell recalls no holidays – Easter, Christmas, New Years – while on tour in South Vietnam. During his service he earned the: Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal w/Device, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/Palm Unit Citation, Vietnam Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Letter of Commendation.
“Darrell served out his last 100 days in the Army at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, where he enjoyed his first Thanksgiving in two years. He was separated from service on December 22, 1967.
“Using his G.I. Bill benefits, he enrolled in meteorology – with aerospace focus – classes.
“In 1970, he and an Army buddy toured the United States and Canada on their Harley-Davidson’s.
“Darrell and Eunice Faye were married December 2, 1972, in Artesia. Moved to the Escalon area in 1973 to farm almonds and walnuts. He used the rest of his G.I. Bill benefits to take agriculture classes at Modesto Junior College. He would run Pest Master Services and currently Voortman Spray Services treating crops for area growers.
“Darrell joined the San Joaquin Farm Bureau in 1988 and serves as a current Board Member. He has been a member of American Legion Post 263 for the past 28 years, serving as post adjutant, past commander, and Master of Ceremonies for the annual Veterans Day Parade.
“Darrell further serves his community through his involvement at the Christian Reformed Church of Escalon, the Escalon Youth Center, and is a poll worker during elections.
“Darrell has a strong belief in giving back and service to community. Darrell and Eunice have three children, Paul, Lisa, and Beth, all married, and seven grandchildren, ages four to 11.
“Darrell is content that he has lived a good life. He is grateful for his supportive wife, proud of his children, proud of his service, and stresses the importance to give back – using one’s talents and gifts to serve community.
“It is my honor to recognize Army Specialist 4 Darrell Voortman, and thank him for his service to our Nation and continued service to his community.”
