Camp Hamilton Veterans Memorial Park

David Cole Lang's mother talks about her son's life, his struggles with a TBI and PTSD, and his death.

On a rainy December Day, Glenn Denton tells stories about veterans he knew whose friends and families planted trees in their names after the veteran's death.

Master Sergeant “Penny” Pennybaker served with the Marines in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. He was a much loved member of the Bodfish Chapter of the 1st Marine Division Association and active volunteer at Camp Hamilton Veterans Memorial Park. Listen to his friend Glenn tell Penny's story.

Sgt Earby Ray Edwards served with the Marines in Korea. Decades later, he learned about Camp Hamilton, attended many functions, and volunteered. He and MGySgt (ret) Glenn Denton became good friends. Listen to Glenn talk about his dear friend in this podcast.

MGySgt (ret) Glenn Denton introduces fellow 1st Marine Division Association Bodfisher Gunny Ben Holiboich, who is honored at Camp Hamilton Veterans Memorial Park.

Carol Van Pelt shares the story of her first husband, Budd Ray, who served in Vietnam. The American Legion Riders Chapter 26 maintains his and other veteran memorial trees at Camp Hamilton.

Lucky Cooper served with the Marine Corps in World War II and later became a "Bodfisher" with 1st Marine Division Association. MGySgt (ret) Glenn Denton tells the story about one "lucky" camping with his friend Lucky.

Henry Borgardt served with the Marine Corps in World War II. Henry helped Glenn dedicate trees to veterans at Camp Hamilton. When the World War II vet passed away, Henry’s was the first tree planted outside the original fence line.

Except, Henry's tree planting experienced an unexpected weather event - or wasn't it Henry? Listen to Master Gunnery Sergeant (retired) Glenn Denton tell the story.

Lance Corporal Hayward Kimo Hamili Peleiholani was born in Pahoa, Hawaii on June 14, 1950. He started his tour in Vietnam on April 13, 1969 and was killed in action on August 26, 1969. Kimo served with Golf Company 2/7. 

The trees for Kimo and the Golf Company 2/7 are on the perimeter of Camp Hamilton Veterans Memorial Park, which was founded by MGySgt Glenn Denton (Ret). These Marines are on the perimeter because they are guarding the other veterans in this park - the world - Glenn’s world. 

L/CPL Peleiholani’s name is on the Vietnam Memorial Wall Panel W19, Line 101.

Private First Class Gerald Allen Smith was born on January 8, 1951 in Ogden, Utah. The 18-year-old Marine started his tour in Vietnam on August 11, 1969. He was killed in action less than three weeks later on August 29th. He served with Golf Company 2/7. 

Gerald’s name is on the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C. on Panel W18, Line 9.  His tree at Camp Hamilton is on the western perimeter guarding the trees dedicated to veterans from the Merchant Marines (Pre-World War I) to today.

In this episode, MGySgt Glenn Denton (Ret) explains what Camp Hamilton is to the Bakersfield Naval Sea Cadets. Glenn is Camp Hamilton's founder. The Naval Sea Cadets come out to Camp Hamilton as volunteers to clean-up the park and provide the Color Guard for our Memorial Day and Veterans Day Ceremonies.

Corporal David D.L. Young served with Golf Company 2/7 in Vietnam with MGySgt Glenn Denton (ret), founder of Camp Hamilton. D.L. was the leader of the squad. Glenn was D.L's fire team leader. Months later, D.L. would go on R&R and Glenn would be given the leadership of the squad. When he returned, rather than move to a new squad, D.L. became Glenn's fire team leader. Their bond was that strong.

Staff Sergeant Oliver Clifton Stamps was born in Baltimore, Maryland on 27 January 1938.  The 31-year-old Marine started his tour in Vietnam with Golf Co 2/7 on 15 October 1969 and was killed in action on 7 January 1970 in the Quang Nam Province. 

Private First Class Stephen Earl Cunningham was born 5 February 1947 in Cleveland, Ohio. The 22-year-old's tour in Vietnam began on 4 August 1969 with the Marines in Golf Co 2/7.  Less than three weeks later, Stephen would be killed in action on 23 August 1969.

The Culp Family tree was planted by one brother for his three brothers. The entire family served in the military.  CPO Awain B. "John" Culp served in Korea with the U.S. Navy. John was born on 25 October 1939 and died on 10 January 1992. Isaac Richard Culp served with the Army infantry in Germany from 1964-1965. He died 11 March 2004. He served on the USS Mahoning County. SP/4 Jerry H. Culp served in Vietnam with the Army. He died of Agent Orange exposure on 23 March 2003.

SSGT Barney Cadena saw heavy action in Vietnam and, as a result, suffered many problems that he fought through. He was a very good many.

One memory that MGySgt (Ret) Glenn Denton has of Barney includes a story about dress blues. Not all Marines had dress blues, but Barney had had embassy duty. One day, Barney entered the Bakersfield Marine Corp Recruiting Station wanting to sell his dress blues, which included all of his ribbons and awards. Glenn saw that both of them had the same ribbons from Vietnam. Glen purchased the dress blues and placed the ribbons in a safe place.

Twenty-five years later, Glenn had started Camp Hamilton and Barney had started a thrift store with all proceeds going to veterans issues. The store was doing very well and Barney was very active in the veterans community. One weekend, Barney attended a Camp Hamilton function with his family. Glenn thought about those ribbons on the dress blue uniform, went home, and searched and searched until he found those ribbons to return to Barney. When Glenn returned to the camp, he called formation and re-presented the ribbons.

Barney’s tree is a bottle tree. The leaves on the tree is like candy to all the animals at Camp Hamilton.

Eugene Cox was Cheparnie Cox’s son. He served in the Army during World War II and later was heavily involved with the VFW. Cheparnie’s daughter Sue married Martin Newton, who served with the Navy during World War II. 

Three trees are planted for the Cox/Newton family at Camp Hamilton. At one time, the memorial placards would constantly be moved because the family believed that Cheparnie should have the best tree. The trees have been planted and replanted through the years. Both Eugene and Martin have plum trees, which plum in March. However, Cheparnie’s grave marker was installed at Camp Hamilton, the placards stopped moving.

Howard Gin was quite a character. He was a Marine Corps veteran who served in Korea. When he left the service, Howard entered politics in the Bay Area, even claiming that he was the mayor of Chinatown.

Howard was an incredible cook. At 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, and Camp Hamilton functions, Howard could be found in the kitchen. His best dish was duck.

When you visit Camp Hamilton for Memorial Day and Veterans Day, you will notice a set of state flags. Those flags were donated by Howard.

Leon Llewellyn was a Navy recruiter in the 1970s in Bakersfield. He was affectionately called Lee-lee by his friends. Leon served in Vietnam and Diego Garcia, where he worked as a Seebee extending the air strip on the atoll so that it could land B-52s.

On of MGySgt (Ret) Glenn Denton’s favorite stories about Leon as a camp out at Camp Hamilton. The night started with a large group and a keg of beer, but the rain caused all but two men to leave. As daylight arrived, Leon and Glenn did not want to leave. With their trucks parked side by side and ponchos as cover, the two men played cards for the rest of the day.

Just as Leon finished his Navy enlistment, the Seabee decided to join the Marine Corps as a commissioned officer, which required Leon to earn his last credits through CSU Bakersfield. His study group included students in Porterville. On Labor Day weekend in 1979, he went to Porterville to study group. As his way back, a truck lost it brakes at Hwy 65 and Famoso.

According to Glenn, Leon was such a happy-go-lucky guy that he probably died with a smile on his face.

 SPC Pierce was known as Kevin to his family and Ivan to his friends. Kevin was given the name Ivan by Charlie Duncan, another member of Camp Hamilton. Ivan was often called Charlie Duncan’s son.

After serving in the Special Forces, Ivan and his friends would visit Camp Hamilton. Looking around the camp, Ivan picked out the spot for his tree - close to the bar and the bathroom so that he would always be near the people he cared about, all of whom frequented those two areas.

When he was in the Army, Ivan was deployed to Honduras in Central America and later Somalia for when Black Hawk went down as part of the rescue team. Ivan also went to Bosnia. The deployment that stood out the most was in northern Iraq with the Kurds. He enjoyed his time with the Kurds, who he thought were great people, evening volunteering to return multiple times. Sadly, while Ivan was stationed in northern Iraq, he caught a disease from which he never recovered. He passed away at an early age.

 Hal Cowan was a World War II Marine and a friend of Camp Hamilton. He came out to the camp almost everyday to do projects. He originally landed on Guadalcanal in World War II and fought through the South Pacific and Okinawa. He entered China at the end of World War II. When Imperial Japan surrendered on September 2, 1945, Hal Cowan was part of the Marine Corps color guard  on the USS Missouri. 

Arthur D. Denton was a Marine in Vietnam. He was Glenn Denton Jr.'s little brother. The military would not send Arthur to Vietnam while Glenn was deployed. The two brothers switched places though Glenn was in the infantry and Arthur was in the air wing. Arthur earned three air medals. He passed away at the young age of 43.

Glenn E. Denton was MGySgt Glenn Denton Jr.'s father. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. Denton Sr.'s tree memorial has been replanted and moved. He served in North Africa, Sicily, and France. The elder Denton would get a twinkle in his eye talking about France at the end of the war. He was a Bronze Star recipient. He died in a Veteran's Hospital in South Dakota in 1974. The original tree was planted in 1988.

Warning: This episode includes a graphic description of Carl Adams' body. Sgt Carl Adams served with MGySgt Glenn Denton in Golf Company 2/7 in Vietnam. He was killed on the first day of August battle in 1969. It was his remains that Shelton and Denton carried down the hill, the day that the squad became known as the Kool-Aid Kids. Denton was at first excited that they had recovered Sgt Adam's body. Then the cold reality hit him with the gunny's stone-faced reaction.