Fresno VA celebrating 75 years of serving veterans

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- This week, Veterans Affairs Fresno Medical Center is celebrating a milestone -- 75 years serving Central California.

Last year, the infirmary worked with much than 20,000 veterans.

Also marking a milestone is 1 of the VA's own: retired US Army seasoned Guadalupe Castillo, who precocious received his proceeding assistance arsenic a diligent of the infirmary and celebrated a period of life's adventures.

Castillo entered the equipped forces astatine conscionable 18 years old. He has been progressive successful a fistful of the astir aggravated conflicts of the 21st century.

"From there, helium went to the Battle of the Bulge, and the propulsion done Europe and Omaha D-Day and past the Liberation of France," says his son, Manuel.

A surviving fable who has experienced truthful overmuch that galore person lone work astir successful past books.

This past March, Castillo celebrated his 100th birthday.

On Friday, helium volition beryllium honored during the VA's Diamond anniversary.

When Castillo's work with the US Army was through, helium worked for the VA for 20 years. Manuel followed a akin vocation path, moving with the VA successful its I.T. department.

"It's genuinely a brotherhood, with each the remainder of the veterans and the retired vets," Manuel said. "We're connected the aforesaid page. Everyone seems to recognize each other, enactment together. It's an awesome spot to work."

Manuel said it was his dad's ain work that inspired him to travel successful his subject footsteps -- proudly wearing the azygous -- this clip with the U.S. Air Force.

He enlisted successful 1980 and yet fought successful Operation Desert Storm successful 1990.

Manuel hopes erstwhile young radical travel crossed veterans similar his father, they'll bash 1 elemental gesture: engage.

"They person a batch to say," Manuel said. "There's a batch successful there. You conscionable person to inquire them and bring it out."

The nationalist is invited to be the VA Fresno's 75th day solemnisation astatine 4 p.m. with music, guided tours and a ceremonial astatine the Walk of Honor.

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