I would like to adjourn tonight’s meeting in honor of Richard Stephen Jeffrey. Richard passed away on July 18, at the age of 78.
Born in Evanston, Illinois, in 1946, Richard and his family then moved to California and he grew up in the San Fernando Valley, attending Canoga Park High School.
Richard served our nation with honor as a Marine in the Vietnam War, earning numerous accolades, including the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Combat Action Ribbon and the Rifle Sharpshooter Badge.
His commitment to his country did not end with his military service.
For 20 years, he passionately advocated for veterans, through his non-profit “Back to the War Zone,” an organization dedicated to supporting veterans who served in combat operations abroad.
In 1999, Richard authored Rules of the Game – The ABC’s of Relationships, a book that highlighted his insightful understanding of human connections and the importance of love, respect and communication.
Richard was also a key figure in the SCV Memorial Committee, where he worked tirelessly to ensure that the sacrifices of veterans – like himself would never be forgotten.
Richard’s life was rich with love for his family.
He is survived by his children—Alicia Montijo, Summer Hynes and Clayton Jeffrey—along with his grandchildren, Katherine, Ireland, Kuma, AJ, Jenna and his great-grandson, Sawyer.
Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones during this tough time.