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December 2015 Viet Nam Veterans of Diablo Valley: Actively Serving Every Day By Jody Morgan
Although most visible to the general public on Veterans Day, Memorial Day and the Fourth of July, Viet Nam Veterans of Diablo Valley (VNVDV) actively contributes to the community 365 days a year. Originally conceived as a primarily social organization, VNVDV quickly became involved in a variety of outreach projects. The all-volunteer non-profit offers support to veterans and actively serving members of all branches of the United States Armed Forces as well as their families and provides speakers presenting authentic, apolitical accounts of the Vietnam War.
A Super Bowl!
Serving Alamo and Diablo
By Linda Summers Pirkle
Charming and robust, John Zorich can be found at Danville Bowl every Thursday afternoon doing what he loves: visiting friends and bowling. Not a wrinkle on his handsome face and a full head of white hair, this Lafayette resident recently celebrated his 99th birthday. Always a strong man, he continues to exercise with his weights every day. A story he shared with his children when they were growing up described a time when he was at his grade school graduation. During the ceremony the principal gave a little comment about each graduate. In John’s case the principal said, “John, as we all know, you’re a tough guy, an iron man, but we want you to keep in mind that iron eventually rusts.” Not showing any evidence of rust, 99 year old Zorich has been bowling for the past 80 years. He was 19 years old when he bowled his first game. He recalls, “I picked it up (bowling) and never really stopped playing.” Father of nine and grandfather of
VNVDV Parade Team with their 1949 International Harvester KB-1 Pick-Up. L-R: Del Loewe, Ray La Rochelle, Jerry Yahiro, Carl Swanson, Dan Young, Dave Smith, Jerry Carlson, Rich Lambert. Photo courtesy of VNVDV.
Describing how the group first came together, Past-President and now Treasurer, Michael Slattengren relates, “We began the organization in 1991 to promote camaraderie and networking and then moved into community service. A lot of Viet Nam veterans walked away from the service and wanted nothing to do with the military or
The Shabbateers
See VNVDV continued on page 28 By Linda Summers Pirkle
“When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully everyone is blessed.” ~ MayaAngelou As 2015 winds down, holiday parties are in full swing. At one local home, sixteen people will be enjoying each other’s company, sharing good food, and enjoying fine wine. At some point during their merry making they will discuss what organizations they will be contributing to in 2016. For the past ten years this dinner group has
Seated left to right: Barb Goldsmith, Silvia Belotz, Leila Friedenberg, and Renee “Spud” Wright. Standing left to right: Howard Gerber, Diane McClarty Miller, Lynn Bloch, Andy Stein, Nancy Orgel, Betty Lou Moglen, Linda Gerber, Tony Slimick, Ian Friedenberg, Les Bloch, Mark Belotz, and Dean Chapman. Not pictured: Karen Stein and Andy Orgel.
See Shabbateers continued on page 30
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John Zorich bowls on his 99th birthday.
two, Zorich spent his working years as a Teamster, driving delivery trucks and his favorite pastime was bowling. His daughter Denise Eyton-Lloyd says, “Dad was always busy. He played golf sometimes, but bowling was really his thing. He was very good at it, and he still enjoys his weekly game.” In a July 2014 Bloomberg Businessweek article written by Patrick Clark titled “America’s Vanishing Bowling Alleys,” Marciel Fournier, who owned a string of bowling centers in the 1960’s noted, “The bowling alley was the bluecollar country club.” Most of Zorich’s business came from people competing in weekly leagues. Zorich and his buddies were league players in those days and his daughter reflected, “Dad played with all the companies he worked for, including Oscar Mayer, Capri, and Alhambra. They all had leagues and Dad played every Tuesday and Thursday night. Those were his nights to bowl.” There were plenty of bowling alleys in the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s. Zorich mentioned he played at most of the Bay Area alleys. “I know there were at least seven alleys in Oakland, one in Rheem, some in Alameda, and some in San Leandro.” Now, many of those alleys Volume XV - Number 12 are closed. According to the Bloomberg 3000F Danville Blvd. #117, Businessweek article, “As the workforce Alamo, CA 94507 changed and access to other recreational Telephone (925) 405-NEWS, 405-6397 activities expanded, interest in bowling Fax (925) 406-0547 leagues waned.” But that interest did Alisa Corstorphine ~ Publisher not wane for Zorich and many of his Editor@yourmonthlypaper.com friends who continued bowling. Zorich Sharon Burke ~ Writer remembers fondly his best friend for The opinions expressed herein belong to the writers, and do over thirty years, Bill Wheeler, who not necessarily reflect that of Alamo Today. Alamo Today
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