Veteran's Day is November 11. Please join us as we recognize some of the Veterans in our HAPPEN community, featured below. HAPPEN also celebrates the Veterans Employee Resource Group (VERG), part of our family of statewide business resource groups (BRGs).
HAPPEN Honors Our Veterans
With gratitude, we highlight some of our members, their family members, and/or friends, who are Veterans and honor their past and current service. Submit your Veterans' information and we will get it posted as quickly as possible.
Reuben Argel - Army
Reuben's military career included serving as Lieutenant Colonel, Army Nurse Corps US Army (1999-2024), Combat Veteran in Operation Iraqi Freedom (2008), and Afghanistan War (2018). Currently, Reuben is the Director of Nursing Assistant Education Program for WA State Board of Nursing at the Washington State Department of Health.
La'auli Johnny Fonoti - Navy
Friend of Elisa
La'auli Johnny Fonoti, 2012-2017 US Navy Reserve and Active Duty Enlisted, served as Operation Specialist Second Class Petty Officer (OS2) Fonoti (SW). OS2 (SW) Fonoti was born in Apia, Samoa and raised in Samoa, Hawaii, and California. Fonoti enlisted on
March 12, 2012, part of Utah's Delayed Entry Program. He attended basic training at Recruit Training Center, Great Lakes, Illinois followed by Operation Specialist "A" school also in Great Lakes, Illinois. In July 2012, Fonoti reported to Commander Navy Reserve Forces Command (CNRFC) Submarine Reserve Force Operations Enlisted Training. Fonoti's assignments over the course of 5 years included USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) Seventh Fleet and USS Ponce (AFSB(I)-15) Fifth Fleet. His awards earned are Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist (ESWS). Fonoti is currently a Mindset and Movement trainer primarily located in the Seattle Metropolitan area - West Seattle and Georgetown. Fonoti also travels and trains throughout the country. Training destinations over the past 14 years include the following countries and US states: Samoa, New Zealand, Australia, Hawaii, California, Utah, New York, Pennsylvania, Washington State. Fonoti is currently certified in Sports Science Lab (SSL) and as a Universal Speed Rating (USR) coach. One of two speed labs in the Seattle area, Fonoti primarily focuses on developing professional athletes, student-athletes (college, high school), military personnel, and all human beings who are interested (and open minded) in improving health and wellness through a fascia based, central nervous system focused training program.
Lem Kong SooHoo - Army
Grandfather of Nick
Lem Kong SooHoo was a Chinese American who gained citizenship following WWII. He enlisted in the US Army in 1943 as a welder, and was stationed in Europe where he helped liberate concentration camps in Austria at the end of the war. His wife Yok Lin Woo immigrated after they wed following the war using the War Brides Act of 1945.
Harry Teruo Nakashima - Army
Grandfather of Denise Ross
Harry is a Japanese American born and raised in Wahiawa, Hawai'i in 1929. He experienced hardships in his youth with unstable guardianship and violence from his school peers after the bombing of Pearl Harbor for being a Japanese American. His family was sent to concentration camps on the Island of Ohau, but Harry was spared. He was drafted into the United States Army in 1951 during the Korean War and served 20 years, including one tour in the Korean War and two tours in the Vietnam Way. In his early military career, he was sent to Japan for a year and married his wife while there in 1953 to save her from starvation. He was assigned to Army bases in Taiwan, Virginia, France, Georgia, and eventually retired at Fort Lewis, Washington as a First Sergeant. After retiring from the military, Harry became a state employee for the Washington Office of State Treasurer and retired as an Information Technology Manager in 1994. After his second retirement, Harry and Kuniko relocated back to Oahu and lived a wonderful life for 20 years. He enjoyed traveling to Japan, playing in his bowling league, tending to his garden, and playing with his 16 grandchildren. Harry passed away in Olympia, WA on November 13, 2023 at the age of 94 surrounded by his wife of 70 years and family.
Tammy Lee - Army Reserve
I am currently serving in the Army Reserves. My MOS (military occupational specialty) is a 38B, Civil Affairs. I am actively drilling at the 448th Civil Affairs Battalion on JBLM, WA. My current rank is an E6, Staff Sergeant. Thank you.
Harry Magle - Navy
Grandfather of Charice Pidcock
Harry enlisted in the US Navy and entered the Navy's School for Signalmen at University of Illinois in October 1942. He served as Quartermaster First Class, aboard attach air-craft carrier USS Essix, US Peace Keeping Patrol, Korea, and Sea of Japan. He fought on both fronts during WWII and participated in Admiral Richard E. Byrd's aeronautical expedition to the South Pole. Harry retired from the US Navy as Chief Warrant Officer October 1, 1969. His family is blessed to have a first-hand account of his experiences in battle on D-Day.
Maxine Magle - Navy
Grandmother of Charice Pidcock
Maxine served in the Navy, where she met and fell in love with Harry Magle. She served when it was uncommon for women to be in the military.
Clifford Magle - Army
Father of Charice Pidcock
Clifford reported for duty with the 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division in June of 1966. He was sent home after his third tour in Vietnam and being wounded during each tour, despite his desire to continue service.