“It’s great to be honored,” said Arturo Samora.“I don’t know how to express it.It’s nice.” Samora has been chosen as this year’s Grand Marshal for the Veterans Parade on November 11, and is excited to represent the large community of veterans in the area.After serving in the Army for three years, Samora has made a comfortable life for himself in the City of Porterville.Samora, 72, has resided in Porterville since 1984 and is a longstanding member of the American Legion Post 20.He is a retired educator after teaching for 30 years, 21 of those years at Porterville High School.He remains an active member of the community, particularly with American Legion Post 20’s Military Honor Guard and their children and youth programs.
“I’m just going to keep doing my duties with Post 20,” said Samora.“As part of the Honor Guard, I honor the veterans that have passed.” Samora was born and raised in Madera.He graduated from Madera High School in 1965 and enlisted in the U.S.Army on July 5, 1966 during the Vietnam War.After enlisting, Samora was inducted into the Army in Fresno, and was sent to Fort Polk, LA to do his basic training.Samora was then sent to Fort Rucker, AL where he did his AIT for his MOS for 7120 Flight Operations.Upon finishing his training, Samora was sent to Vietnam where he would be joining his brother, Tedosio Samora, who was also serving in the Army in Vietnam.
Samora and his brother would later be joined by their two other brothers, Leonard and Ricky.Samora’s sense of duty and patriotism was inspired by his father and uncles’ service in World War II, and so he made the choice to serve his country during a time of war.
Samora was sent to Tan Son Nhut, Vietnam and later flown to Nha Trang, Vietnam to join the 144th Army Aviation Company Radio Research.Samora held top secret crypto security clearance in his role as a flight operations specialist.
During his tour in Vietnam, Samora was injured during a mortar attack resulting in a dislocated shoulder that would require surgery.He would later experience several mortar attacks as part of the Tet offensive.
Samora completed his tour in March of 1968 and was honorably discharged on July 5, 1969.After his military service, Samora was able to attend Merced Community College and Fresno State because of the GI bill.He graduated from Fresno State with a Bachelors degree in Mathematics and became a high school math teacher.Samora’s military banner can be found in Veterans Park, next to the other veterans from the Lions Club where he is an active member.
Samora is also a member of the Eagles Club and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).He enjoys hanging out with his friends and taking the occasional weekend getaway trip with his wife of 41 years, Libia.He indulges in a daily four-mile walk.Samora continues to reside in Porterville with his lovely and patient wife.Together they are the proud parents of three children, Arthur, Raul and Marla, who are college graduates.Samora is incredibly proud to receive this honor and hopes to continue helping other veterans and his community through his service with the American Legion, where he has been a continuous member for over 11 years.
“It’s to honor all the veterans,” said Samora.“I have three brothers who served in Vietnam and my dad was in World War II, so it’s a big day for me.” .
