Johnny Byrum – Drafted in 1970 – Basic Training at Ft. Bragg, to AIT (Infantry) Ft. Polk. Served in Vietnam as an 11C Mortars – Wounded by IED, Purple Heart recipient. Served tours in Korea (4 years on DMZ and actually drew combat pay for 6 months). Spent time in Ft. Carson, CO. Ft Hood, TX., Ft Bliss, TX., Hawaii, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Ft. Benning, GA. (as a Drill Sergeant), University of Southern California as an ROTC Instructor, with summers at Ft. Lewis, WA. Retired in 1990 out of Ft. Monroe VA as the US Army TRADOC 1st Sergeant. After retirement became the JROTC Instructor at Long Beach Poly HS in Long Beach, CA. After 20 years retired from Poly in June of 2010.
Worked for AMVETS – Department of California as Southern Area Coordinator for Service Officers serving our many veterans in their quest for benefits.
Served as Department of California 2nd Vice Commander, 1stVice Commander, and Department Commander. Also served as National District VI Commander.
This will be my sixth year serving on Foundation Board, two years as Vice President and now as President.
Feel it is a blessing to have the opportunity to give back to our veterans and the communities they work and live in.