One man's military tribute can affect so many others

Ken Stetson talks to the sister of one of the victims at a memorial for fallen servicemen in Menifee Friday. (Menifee 24/7 photos)

By Doug Spoon, Editor

Ken Stetson does what others only talk about. His patriotism inspires others. His actions are calculated and deliberate, mirroring the discipline of the military personnel he honors. His words are carefully chosen – just like they were Friday afternoon on a busy Menifee street corner.

Beginning at 5:45 p.m., and exactly once every 60 seconds for the next nine minutes, Stetson rang a bell and read aloud the names of those who died in the waters off San Clemente Island when their amphibious assault vehicle sank during a training mission at 5:45 p.m. on July 30, 2020 – exactly one year ago.

Stetson is no stranger to those who have driven by and honked in support of his memorial displays on the northwest corner of Newport Road and Haun Road each Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Sitting in a motorized wheelchair surrounded by American flags and military memorabilia, he waves to passing cars and chats with anyone who approaches him. An avid musician, Stetson hands out copies of his personal CD with patriotic songs, under the title “America, My Home”, which is also the theme of his personal Facebook page.

Stetson’s public tributes generally honor all branches of the military and promote the concept of patriotism. On Friday, it got more personal. From 2-6 p.m., he dedicated himself to the memory of the eight Marines and one Navy corpsman who drowned that July 2020 day in a training exercise out of Camp Pendleton:

Lance Corporal Guillermo S. Perez of New Braunfels, Texas
Private First Class Brian J. Baltierra of Corona, California
Lance Corporal Marco A. Barranco of Montebello, California
Corporal Cesar A. Villanueva of Riverside, California
Navy Hospitalman Christopher Gnem of Stockton, California
Private First Class Evan A. Bath of Oak Creek, Wisconsin
Private First Class Jack Ryan Ostrovsky of Bend, Oregon
Corporal Wesley A. Rodd of Harris, Texas
Lance Corporal Chase D. Sweetwood of Portland, Oregon

None of those servicemen had a connection to Menifee. There was no national or regional event to honor the one-year anniversary of their deaths. A Google search shows that the only other mention of the anniversary was the news report of a press conference in which lawyers for the families of the victims announced the filing of a lawsuit against the manufacturer of the AAV, alleging a design flaw in the top cargo hatch that prevented the nine from escaping as the vehicle sank.

Stetson’s tribute was nothing about lawsuits or the reason the nine men died. It was about the lives of nine young men who should not be forgotten.

“I try to help people remember,” said Stetson, who is not a veteran but is grateful to the service of those who are, and those in active duty. “People honk like they’re saying, 'Yes, the military is still here,' working for them.

“I don’t promote myself. I don’t make any money on it. But I do perform thank you concerts for military and law enforcement. I want them to know there are people out there who know what our military is doing for us.”

A native of Rhode Island, Stetson has spent virtually his whole life performing musically. He began by playing trumpet and singing in choirs, and has also played the Bb tuba. He has performed both solo and in groups throughout the east coast, in Southern California and in an overseas tour of Sweden.

During his many years working as a respiratory therapist in hospitals, Stetson saw the determination of so many patients to live normal lives, including military personnel. Stetson had to quit working about 15 years ago, however, after he developed sarcoidosis – a disease in which inflammatory cells in the lungs and lymph nodes can affect other vital organs.

Although he spends much of his time in his motorized wheelchair, Stetson drives himself to public events in a van and says he always is motivated to continue because of the reaction of others.

Stetson said he tried to reach out to the families of the victims of the July 30, 2020 tragedy, without success. But moments later, Catherine Barranco walked up, holding flowers to place at the memorial.

Catherine Barranco, whose brother died in the July 30, 2020 tragedy, and her husband speak with Ken Stetson.

Barranco, who recently moved from Montebello to San Jacinto, told Stetson she read about his upcoming tribute on the internet. Her brother, Lance Corporal Marco A. Barranco, was one of those who died that day.

“He had been in like a year and a half,” Catherine Barranco said about her brother, Marco. “He was trying to be a CHP officer, anything with law enforcement. Really, he was still trying to figure it out.

“I saw that you were doing this, and I had to come and say thank you.”

Barranco got a hug from Menifee Mayor Pro Tem Lesa Sobek, who also attended to support Stetson and his tribute. Catherine introduced her husband, Octavio, who has taken Barranco as his last name as well.

Prior to the bell ceremony, a single plane from Skydive Perris flew directly over the intersection, dipping its wings in salute. Stetson contacted Camp Pendleton about his planned tribute and inquired at Miramar Air Base about a military flyover, but was told it was not allowed for an individual civilian’s event.

“But they were so surprised,” Stetson recalled. “They said, ‘To think there’s a person out there who would stand on the street corner with our flags and say thank you to us down here and to those who are doing these things around the world. Keep it up.”

Then, as 5:45 p.m. approached, Stetson held his watch for precise timing to give each serviceman his due. His voice at times shaking with emotion, Stetson solemnly read aloud each name after ringing a large bell in front of him. Following the final tribute, Stetson quietly packed up his flags and donated items and headed home. The next day, he placed the donated flowers at the base of the Menifee Veterans Memorial in Wheatfield Park.

Here’s a video of the bell ceremony and reading of the names: