2006 Vince's Halftime Introduction

November 11, 2006

Ladies & Gentlemen may I please have your attention for our special Halftime Ceremony.

Each year, UCLA and the Los Angeles County Department of Military and Veterans Affairs salute our nation's Veterans and active Armed Forces personnel.

(PAUSE)

As we salute our nation's Veterans and active Armed Forces, we also honor members of the National Guard and Reserve forces.

Please look to midfield for our Veteran of the Year presentation.

Presenting the Award for the 2006 Veteran of the Year are:
The Honorable Bill Bogaard, Mayor of the City of Pasadena

Brigadier General John S. Harrel, Assistant Commander of the 40th Infantry Division

And Randal Bressette, Representing the California Veterans Board

Our Veteran of the Year is California Superior Court Judge, Vincent H. Okamoto.

Judge Okamoto began his life in Poston Relocation Camp in Arizona during World War II. The youngest of ten children, Judge Okamoto followed in the footsteps of his brothers and entered the Army in 1967. Prior to his military service, he attended the University of Southern California and UCLA under the dual enrollment program and was the first non-Bruin to be commissioned through the ROTC program.

During his term of duty, he served in Vietnam from 1968 to 1969 in numerous infantry and intelligence leadership positions. Wounded in action three times, Judge Okamoto received 14 combat decorations including the Distinguished Service Cross, our nation's second highest award for valor.

Following his military career, Judge Okamoto received his Juris Doctor Degree in 1973. He has served his fellow Veterans on various boards and has represented his community as a member of the Gardena City Council and Mayor Pro Tem. In 2002 he was appointed to the California Superior Court where he currently presides over felony and misdemeanor cases.

He and his wife Mitzi of 38 years, who is a teacher with the LAUSD.

Judge Vincent H. Okamoto embodies the sacrifice, endurance and selflessness of America's veterans, and today we pay tribute to his never ending commitment to his country, community and his fellow soldiers. 

Let's hear it for our 2006 Veteran of the Year, California Superior Court Judge, Vincent H. Okamoto!

(Pause for Presentation & Photographs.)

Please give all of our participants a round of applause."

(Followed by UCLA Alma Mater by Band & Choir.)