Taking a Bow at a Yellow-Ribbon Event

Last January, Joe Barsa had never heard of Marine Cpl. Jesus Vega.

But he began planning a party that would include him anyway.

“At the time, we didn’t know what was going to happen over there” in the Persian Gulf, “but I was confident we’d win, that there would be heroes to welcome home,” Barsa said Saturday night at the annual St. Joseph Hospital benefit, which was dedicated to Desert Storm veterans.

The event at the Anaheim Hilton and Towers, chaired by Barsa, attracted 850 hospital supporters and netted more than $196,000 for the hospital endowment fund. That’s a whopping $40,000 more than was raised at last year’s benefit.

Tying One On

Every table at the $300-a-person party had a yellow ribbon tied into the centerpiece. Two “hero” tables--sponsored by Southern California Edison and SensorMedics--were reserved for Vega and others who served in the war.

“I really appreciate all this,” said Vega, 24, who is stationed at Camp Pendleton. “When I was over there, I didn’t know about all the yellow ribbons and all the support. I was afraid it would turn out to be another Vietnam.”

Vega said he wasn’t trying to be a hero when he did the things that won him the Bronze Star with a special citation for valor.

“I didn’t even stop to think about it,” he said. “The company commander got shot . . so I just picked him up like a pillow and threw him over my shoulder. Then I ran with him over to the corpsman so he could get treated right away.”

Among the other veterans to be honored was Army Reserve Capt. Bob Wilson, who was called into active duty from his job as a pulmonary rehab nurse at St. Joseph. Wilson treated combat casualties with the 458th MASH unit in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Signature Song

Entertaining after dinner was the man the man synonymous with yellow ribbons--Tony Orlando. Orlando introduced himself by saying, “My name is Tony Orlando; I had a hit once.” Hearing that, Marines in the ballroom responded with the Marine Corps cry of “Oorah!”

Although he sings “Tie a Yellow Ribbon” at every performance, Orlando said he still isn’t tired of singing it, even after 20 years. “I’m really grateful for it. Every performer wants a song that becomes a signature.”

Guests

Also attending were Ken Bellis, Sir Eldon and Lady Betty Griffiths, Raymond and Karen Dellerba, Steve Hemstreet, George and Jann Holmes, Brad and Lila Olson, John and Jane Della Grotto, Vic and Sherry Laidlaw, Phil and Beth Schimmel, Dominick and Zora Gentile, and Don and Lynn Daucher.