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Nathan D Johnson:
Nathan was added to the Vet Center team on October 16th of 2004 as a GWOT Outreach Specialist. As a full time team member, Nathan has been hired on to interact with the military and veteran community in the Central Valley and Bay Area regions of California. Nathan conducts professional presentations at demobilization briefings for service-members returning from the Global War on Terrorism. Nathan also interacts with various Veteran and Congressional organizations as a liaison to the D.V.A. and to inform officials on information regarding Vet Center and other VA programs. Additionally, Nathan continues a program at community colleges, universities, and local law enforcement agencies that allows the opportunity to interact with Veterans and their families.
After graduating from Golden Sierra High School in 1999, Nathan attended Marine Corps boot camp in San Diego, California where he learned the discipline fundamentals of a basic infantry Marine. Upon boot camp completion he was sent to Dam Neck, Virginia where he became an intelligence analyst through an intense Navy Marine Intelligence Training Course (NMITC). After completion of all initial training, Nathan was assigned to his first duty station with 1st Marine Regiment at Camp Pendleton, CA.
After the attacks on America on September 11, 2001, Cpl Nathan Johnson deployed to the Indian Ocean with Battalion Landing Team 1/4. During the course of the deployment, Cpl Johnson was sent onshore to Pasni, Pakistan where he supported Operation Enduring Freedom with Force Protection Platoon, H&S Company. Cpl Johnson returned safely with his unit in June 2002.
Deployed again on January 17, 2003 Sgt Johnson deployed to Kuwait with Regimental Combat Team 1 in preparation for the war in Iraq. At the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Sgt Johnson crossed the border into Iraq on March 20 where he served in combat operations to defeat the Iraqi Army, Iraqi Republican Guard, and the Saddam Fedayeen. Sgt Johnson retuned safely to the United States on May 17th, 2003 and was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps in late August of the same year.
Since completion of duty in the Marine Corps, Nathan became a resident of the city of Modesto where he presently is working towards the completion of his Bachelors degree in Communications at CSU Stanislaus and is the Deputy Director at Central Valley Homeless Veterans. In addition to attending classes, Nathan has recently earned his private pilot license and has been commissioned as a California Notary Public. He is married to the former Lauren Marie Cain-Edsell, and lives together with their three dogs and cat.
Steve Nichols:
Commander – Amvets Post 26, Concord CA
Born on December 4th, 1948 in Martinez CA. He joined the Marine Corps in 1967 and served during the Vietnam War. Fought and survived the Vietnam Tet Offensive in 1968. Was stationed at Kite Sahn and was wounded twice in combat.
Steve received his Associate of Arts degree at Diablo Valley College and later attended the University of Nevada-Reno. Steve later worked fulltime as a field office administrator for PG&E for 25 years.
Currently, Steve is the Commander of AmVets Post 26 based from Concord CA. He has held that position for over 3 years. He also volunteers at the Concord Vet Center.
Steve currently resides in Martinez CA and is married with 3 stepdaughters.
Deb Saunders:
After traveling the western United States and Canada as a kid, attending 13 different schools and three colleges, she settled in Denver and met and married the love of her life, Chuck. Their son, Joe was born there. Daughter Lindsay followed after the family relocated to Phoenix. They arrived in Concord 15 days before the 1989 earthquake. “I should have known then that things were going to be anything but dull.”
In January 2001, Joe announced at dinner that he was joining the Marine Corps. He reported to boot camp the morning of 9/11. Deb soon was active in Blue Star Moms, a service and support group for mothers of those serving in all branches of the military, a group she eventually led for three years. She remains actively involved with this group and other veterans groups.
“As difficult as it was to come to terms with Joe’s service, which took him to Iraq in the initial invasion, my life has been so enriched by those I would never have met if he had not made this decision to serve. I try to dedicate a part of each day to give back to those who have secured our way of life. I hadn’t always given them any thought – but I know the depth of their sacrifice. I’ve been lucky to have been able to make a small down payment on the debt.”
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