Mission Viejo Veteran of the Year will be honored Nov. 11

John "Bogie" Boegeman will be honored as Mission Viejo's Veteran of the Year on Saturday, November 11 during the City's annual Veterans Day ceremony at 2 p.m. inside the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center at 24932 Veterans Way.

Bogie faithfully served our country in the U.S. Air Force from 1952 to 1960. During his tenure, he attained the rank of Staff Sergeant and worked in top secret clearance for the Atomic Energy Commission. For his service, he was named Airman of the Month and awarded good conduct national defense services medals.

His service to our community runs just as deep. When Bogie retired after a 40-year career in the aerospace industry, he delved into volunteerism and spent his time soliciting food and clothing for various church and school organizations.  His efforts have only grown since then - as he helps to ease the conditions faced by many young military families.  To do that, he collaborates with 22 veterans who acquire items for military families at Camp Pendleton. Thousands of pounds of goods, bedding and children's items are donated to Bogie each week for those families. Through Bogie's efforts, last year alone, 104,500 diapers were collected and distributed to military families. He has teamed up with Santiago Church and procured 300 new wheelchairs for veterans in need. The list of his contributions goes on and on.
 
Bogie, who has been married to wife Tony for 65 years, will be recognized with local veterans during the public ceremony, which will include a color guard, rifle salute and taps. Colonel Carlos O. Urbina, commanding officer of the Headquarters Battalion of the 1st Marine Division, will address the crowd.

A dessert reception will follow the ceremony. For more information, call 949-470-3061.