In the pitch-blackness of a September night in 1987, the commander of an American cruiser in the Persian Gulf sounded general quarters.

“He told us we were in the middle of an Iranian minefield,” said James Vogus—now chief physician and surgeon at the Veterans Home of California-Redding—a crew member that evening.

“I wrote a letter … hoping it would be found if we sank, telling my daughter what I thought of her,” Vogus said. “She was only one at the time. I didn’t know if I’d ever get to see her again.”

Nor did he or others aboard know that a U.S. Army unit, which had been tracking the Iran Ajr since it left port, had secretly launched helicopters from another ship to prevent the Iranian vessel from laying more mines. The helicopters fired on the Iranians, killing some crewmembers and sent others into the water. Navy SEAL commandos then took command of the ship and captured the remaining Iranians aboard.

The next day, Vogus saw a sight he will never forget—the American flag flying on the captured Iran Ajr.

“With Navy SEALS saluting while Lee Greenwood’s ‘God Bless the USA’ echoed across the water,” he said. “I was truly proud and thankful to be an American. I still get choked up when I hear that song.”

The memory of that moment is something he’s cherished each day since—throughout an 11-year Navy career that ended in 1992 as a lieutenant commander; and throughout his decade-long career in the Air Force which ended with his retirement in June, a colonel.

Now, Vogus brings that patriotism and sense of duty each day to the Redding Veterans Home where he is, indeed, a veteran serving veterans. 

“Beyond the common brotherhood of veterans, being able to serve is a continual reminder of the sacrifices made for our freedom,” said Vogus, “and a chance to keep part of the promises made to those who’ve served.”

The doctor who found himself in harm’s way in the Persian Gulf in 1987, provides care to the Home’s veterans who served in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Some, he said, faced similar grave dangers. Others did not. All served as their nation as commanded.

“It’s almost as if there are two different groups,” Vogus said. “There are guys at the Home who don’t feel like they deserve (residency and care) because they didn’t deploy. Maybe they were a clerk in San Francisco. They didn’t get to decide where they went. There are others who had severe consequences. What we have now are (veterans) who have a high quality of life. It’s an honor to be able to look after them, to talk to them. I’m amazed they survived the stuff they did.”

He’s been there himself, on a ship and with crewmates who made it through the night to see another day.

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This is one of a series of CalVet Connect posts introducing you to CalVet employees who are veterans of the United States Armed Forces—thus, “Veterans Serving Veterans.”

The Veterans Homes of California system of care offers affordable long-term care to older and disabled veterans as well as their eligible spouses and domestic partners. With eight facilities across the state, the services offered range from assisted living programs with minimal support to 24-hour skilled nursing care for veterans with significant clinical needs including memory care.

CalVet staff are uniquely capable of serving the needs of our veterans and provide an environment that honors their service to the country. The Veterans Homes are nationally recognized for the premier care and services they provide to California’s veterans. ​For more information on the Homes visit www.calvet.ca.gov/calvet-programs/veteran-homes.

Would you like the opportunity to serve veterans in your work? Join the CalVet team! We are dedicated to ensuring that veterans from every era, along with their families, receive the state and federal benefits and services they have earned and deserve due to their selfless and honorable military service. At CalVet, we prioritize serving veterans and their families with dignity, compassion, and a commitment to helping them achieve the highest quality of life. See our current job openings at www.calvet.ca.gov/jobs.