We love our veterans! Besides our partnering with Owens Corning for our annual Roofs for Veterans program, we also sponsor KFLY News’ monthly segment Veterans’ Voices. It’s a great way to honor the local heroes who served our nation bravely.
Check out the clip below, or read the transcript of the latest Veterans Voices honoring retired U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant, David Picou, Jr.
Lidia Alcala: Miss Anna Olivier joins us today, our sponsor for our Veterans Voices series with Jim Olivier’s Home Improvement. Miss Anna, tell us about our guest this month.
Anna Olivier: Well, our guest this month has flipped the script on us today. You know, we are here to honor veterans and this veteran has come in not to be honored but to honor those he served with. This is a generational legacy. His father, himself, and his son all served in the U.S. Marine Corps.
You’re going to really be touched by the story of retired U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant, David Picou, Jr.
Lidia: Yes, he has lots of wonderful things to share. Very heartwarming. Let’s hear his story.
Welcome to another Veterans Voices Spotlight. This month, shining a light on Mr. David Picou, Jr., US Marine Corps retired and is now a member of the Marine Corps League. Thanks for being here today.
David Picou: You’re welcome.
Lidia: We’re already getting emotional, I see, and you’re going to tell us why. I know you will, but let’s give you a break from the tears for a second. Let’s try to start out light and happy. Your decision to join the Marine Corps, your father served as well. Was that a big part of your decision?
David: Yes, ma’am. When the 1969-70 draft lottery came out because they were drafting people, I knew there was a trip to Southeast Asia in my future. I started talking to the Marine Corps recruiters and I told my dad. My recruiter went to the draft board to pull my draft packet out, and [the draft office administrator] couldn’t find my draft packet. She actually found my induction notice in the typewriter. It hadn’t been signed yet. In fact, it was still rolled up in it.
She goes, “You can’t go with him. You’ve been drafted.”
I said, “Really? Is that signed?” She goes, “No.”
I said, “Well, mine is signed with him, so I’m going with him.”
Then I ended up in San Diego. I spent 13 weeks there. It really was a boost to self-confidence. They made fun of me like they always do. We got our heads shaved, and we put our caps on, our covers. The only thing that kept it from going down my neck was my ears. It’s all white and everything. You really stood out. Everybody knew that you were a raw boot. The first phase, I’d say about four weeks, was nothing but physical conditioning. Then we went to the rifle range. Towards the end, it was more code and conduct and how to wear the uniform.
Lidia: We see the emotion in you today. You mentioned the almost 60,000 lives that were lost in Vietnam. How do you want to honor them?
David: Not to forget them, for one thing. That’s why I’m part of the honor guard. They asked me. I’m retired now, so I got time to do that. I come to funerals.
The last time we had one, it was a Thursday, I think. It poured down rain the whole time we were there, but the veteran who died deserved [our presence, our support]. So did the family.
It took two days for my seat on my truck to dry out because I was soaking wet.
Lidia: It’s so beautiful that you guys do those things for these veterans because, like you said, they deserve it, rain or shine.
David: The least I can do for them is honor them. When we came back to the States, we were anything but honored. The first time somebody ever told me, “thank you for your service” was in 2008.
In fact, my wife and I went to see the second Top Gun movie, and I had my Vietnam Veteran cap on. We were leaving and a guy said, “Thank you for your service.”
I told him, “Man, you’re welcome. You were worth it.” I tell everybody that.
Then I started walking away, and he said, “Welcome home.” I’m just getting used to it.
I just thank God the country didn’t treat my son when he came back the way they treated me.
Lidia: You had me tearing up when you said that you were told, “Welcome home.” Before I start crying as well, we can wrap this up, but Mr. David, we do thank you for your service, and we thank you for being here today to be part of our Veterans Voices.
David: You’re welcome, and y’all are all worth it.
Lidia: Mr. David Picous Jr., retired sergeant of the United States Marine Corps.
