PALMDALE, Calif. — It was as if the spirits of the founders of Vets4Veterans — Vietnam combat veteran Tom Hilzendeger and Navy veteran Jack Woolbert — were smiling down on the town square in Palmdale.
That late September mild weather Sunday began with the dreadful news of the slaying of Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer. That meant the opening ceremony of the 12th Annual Vets4Veterans Car and Motorcycle Show began with a moment of silence and the ceremonial bagpiper playing “Amazing Grace.”
The community was shocked, and saddened, and later Sunday night, Sept. 17, thousands would turn out for a candlelight vigil to honor the deputy killed in the line of duty just a day before.
The spirit of Vets4Veterans is so heartfelt that many of the military veterans, friends and family attending the car show also turned out at the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station that evening for the show of respect at the candlelight vigil.
Megan Hilzendeger, surviving spouse of the non-profit group’s founder who died in 2020, was especially hard hit by the new of the deputy’s killing by a gunman who ambushed him and fled. The suspect was apprehended early morning, Sept. 18, and has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.
“It was a hard day, particularly with my son serving on the (Sheriff’s) Department,” Megan Hilzendeger said.
But the day itself is a tribute to the spirit, and the efforts, of the organization’s two founders, Tom Hilzendeger, and Woolbert, who died in 2022. The community volunteers marked a success in raising awareness and funds in their mission to assist veterans facing hardship circumstances in the Antelope Valley.
More than 2,000 people turned out at Poncitlan Square for the weekend event, which opened in the shadow of the fatal shooting of Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer.
Opening ceremonies began with a moment of silence and tribute to the deputy assigned to Palmdale Sheriff’s Station who had worked on the Sheriff’s Department for eight years.
The Antelope Valley Young Marines accompanied by ceremonial bagpiper opened the show that featured dozens of vintage automobiles, hot rods, sports cars, and even a 1941 Dodge truck of the kind that helped the United States and its Allied Forces win World War II. Thousands of such trucks served, many sent to Great Britain and the Soviet Union as part of Lend-Lease.
Fred Barthe, a retired Coast Guard lieutenant commander and Navy veteran of the Korean War, received the Richard Trygg Inspiration Award, for being willing to help out at virtually all tasks that support the organization.
Jade Diaz, a recent Miss Antelope Valley and competitive racer, won “Best in Show” with her drag racer.
“If you haven’t seen her, you need to head out to the track,” Vets4Veterans volunteer Donna Carrion said.
“The show was a great success,” Megan Hilzendeger, treasurer of the veterans’ service non-profit said. “We had so many great cars, and we made money, and we had fun.”
Hilzendeger is surviving spouse of the Vets4Veterans founder, Tom Hilzendeger, a Vietnam combat veteran impacted by Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Hilzendeger wanted to transform his passion for helping veterans into action, and organizing a car show was the organization’s first event more than 12 years ago.
“We miss Tom, and we miss Jack Woolbert, and we are carrying on in their spirit,” Vets4Veterans President Gerry Rice said.
Tom Hilzendeger and Jack Woolbert were the veterans and best friends who served as first and second presidents of the organization before their deaths in 2020 and 2022 respectively. Rice, a Vietnam combat veteran and licensed therapist, is current president.
“We work on veterans with hardship,” he said. “We work on homelessness prevention, food distributions, jobs training, and we help with scholarships, getting veterans started on their G.I. Bill path.”
Megan Hilzendeger said she wanted to express appreciation to City of Palmdale for providing Poncitlan Square as the venue, and all sponsors and volunteers.
“We have the best volunteers in the world,” she said.
The fundraising tally wasn’t official yet, but Megan Hilzendeger said the organization succeeded in raising funds to assist veterans in need.