The veterans currently employed at CBS continue the great legacy of those who came before them. Let us take this opportunity to thank all our military veterans and to reflect on what we as a CBS family continue to do to support them. In my role as CBS’s chief veteran officer, I am very grateful for the support that has been given to our Veterans Network and the positive effect we are having, internally and externally, as a Company.
Richard M. Jones
Chief Veteran Officer
CBS Corporation
CBS SALUTES OUR VETERANS
My grandfather Henry, volunteered to enlist at the beginning of World War II. He spent 5 years on active duty, caring for the wounded and wearing the American flag proudly on his shoulder and heart. My father Ron (pictured on the left), followed his father’s footsteps and enlisted in the US Army in 1964. He spent 21+ years active duty, serving 14 years abroad; finally retiring in 1984 as a Master Sergeant at Fort Riley, Kansas. My older brother Nick, followed our father’s path and enlisted in the US Air Force in the 1995. He is currently active duty with the US Air Force and has 22 years in.
I was honored to raise my hand to enlist in the US Air Force in 1997 and follow my idols into the military. Serving our country is a proud tradition in my family; one that taught me to be thoughtful and humble, but most importantly to be proud to be an American.
Bryon Stopfer
CBS Los Angeles
This is in recognition of my father and his service in WWII. He was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. He served with the Third Infantry Division and saw combat in Northern Africa, Sicily, up through Italy, into Southern France and finally into Germany. As a matter of fact, the Third Division saw 531 consecutive days of active combat, more than any other Division during the War. Simply put, my father was a hero. He died in 2011 and I am so proud of his service for our country.
John Bogusz
CBS New York
We have a long and proud history of military service in my family. My grandfather, Thomas Martin served in the Philippines during World War II and my father Frank Martin and my uncle Timothy Mercado (pictured on the left) served in Vietnam during the Vietnam War. My family’s military service influenced me in many ways. My father served in the US Army in the 1st Cavalry division as a Combat Engineer in Vietnam during the war. He was injured and received the Purple Heart. My uncle, Timothy Mercado served in the United States Marine Corps from 1964 to 1968 where he achieved the rank of Sergeant. During this tour of duty Sergeant Mercado was severely wounded and received the Purple Heart. He recently published a collection of his original poetry, which includes one moving poem about his brother who he lost in the Vietnam War. He writes under the pseudonym "Small Town Man". We were brought up to be proud and to support those who serve and have served in the military. I think the most important lesson I learned from their military service is to be grateful to the people who serve in our armed forces - to understand and appreciate the sacrifice they make every day to keep us safe - and whenever given the chance, do something to help our veterans. I understand how important it is for our political leaders to take deployment of our troops very seriously, seeing what my family and so many others have gone through, it’s the most important decision they will ever make.
Michelle Martin
CBS New York
This is in honor of my father, Cecil Margo, who was a World War 2 bomber pilot. He flew over 190 combat missions, most as commander of his squadron. He developed a reputation for always pressing his way to the target, even in the face of the most intense enemy resistance. It was after the victory at the Battle of El Alamein, that my father met my mother, Marguerite. He was a hero to her because, but for that Allied victory, my mother and her family would have been captured and deported to a Nazi concentration camp.
Among the medals my father received was the DSO, which was awarded to him personally by King George VI in South Africa. Part of the citation for that medal describes him as everyone knew him: “… Margo has been the exemplification of courage and the model of leadership. He has completely devoted himself to his duty and his great ability has been the inspiration not only to those under his command, but also to those with whom he has come into contact.”
My father led by example and, as children, infused in us the importance of values and of impacting the lives of others positively. He died in 2000 and rests under a headstone with his squadron emblem and the words “He inspired many.”
Matthew Margo
CBS New York
