Jim Harris has been named Dixon's 2008 Veteran of the Year.
(By Melissa Murphy, photo Rick Roach / The Reporter)
The support he shows the local veterans in Dixon speaks volumes. That's why James "Jim" Harris was honored Saturday night as the city's Veteran of the Year.
"I'm not a person that does things for awards," said Harris on Monday at his home in Dixon. "I'm humble. It means the guys respect me. They're very supportive."
Harris, 72, served in the Air Force for 28 years, starting out in Fire Protection Rescue for 19 years and retired as a chief master sergeant in 1989.
He is a veteran of Foreign Wars Post 8151 after serving in Vietnam and is also a member of the American Legion Post 208.
Harris is one of the original members of the Tuskegee Airmen, Lee Archer Chapter out of Travis Air Force Base. He also serves as chairman of the committee that supports the Sacramento Valley VA National Cemetery in Dixon and is an adviser to Rep. Ellen Tauscher, D-Solano, and Solano County Supervisor Mike Reagan.
"I'm a veteran and I have a deep feeling for veterans," Harris said. "I go out of my way to serve the veterans."
Harris, with his wife, have lived in Dixon for 14 years and said after military assignments he was always lucky enough to come back to California.
His military service started after he dropped out of school.
Harris grew up in Alabama, and explained that he always wanted to come to California.
"I loved being in the Air Force," he said.
While supporting active military personnel serving overseas in the war, Harris said he's also passionate about supporting veterans.
"No one really understands war until you've been in one," he said. "I feel like it's my obligation to support them."
Last year's Dixon Veteran of the Year, Kevin Kilkenney, is pleased that one of his longtime friends received the award this year.
"He's a hard working, dedicated veteran," said Kilkenney, adding that he's probably known Harris for about 12 years. "He's very deserving of it. His work speaks for itself."
Kilkenney explained that Harris is very instrumental in the progress of the Veterans Cemetery.
"It's our final way to offer honors to veterans," Kilkenney explained. "It's important to all of us."
This year, Harris is looking forward to seeing the landscape at the new cemetery develop, is hoping the city and the county can find a new place for the veterans to meet and is looking for ways to raise funds to support the military community.
One way to support the veterans, according to Harris is to participate in a steak dinner at 6 p.m. April 19 at the Veterans Memorial Hall in Dixon.
March 18, 2008
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