Mike Bertell U.S. Army| 1969-1971 Sepulveda Program/ Southwest Region Mike Bertell is a Vietnam combat veteran, who served in the U.S. Army from September, 1969 - August, 1971. His first assignment was with the 4/9th Battalion 25th Infantry Division. He was reassigned within two months to the 1/327th Battalion 101st Airborne Division. Most of his time in country was spent in the jungles of Vietnam. His unit suffered catastrophic damage from friendly fire on December 24, 1970. Mike was fortunate to survive the incident and receive an honorable discharge in August, 1971. For his service, Mike received the Vietnam Service Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Air Medal. Mike works toward healing himself and others through his volunteer leadership of Point Man Antelope Valley (PMAV). He leads weekly meetings that allow military veterans of all ages to meet in a safe environment to share stories and help each other heal. As Outpost Leader, Mike attends local Stand Down events, participates in the High Desert Medical Group Annual Senior Expo, and assists at various veterans outreach programs. In 2015, he attended a Suicide Prevention Training program to assist him in his work with local veterans. Mike’s efforts enable local veterans to get the help they seek so they may lead productive lives. PMAV also provides financial support and family therapy. From 1992 through 2012, Mike was an active member of the Lancaster Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast Committee which planned the annual National Day of Prayer event for the city. In 2004, Mike served as a technical advisor for a local production of the play “A Piece of My Heart”, the story of six women who joined the armed forced to help their country during the Vietnam War. Mike was an integral part in conceiving the idea to build a half-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington DC. This labor of love took almost five years and raised $120,000 to build the mobile wall. It is the most accurate and nicest looking mobile memorial in the nation. As President of The Mobile Vietnam Memorial Wall - AV Wall committee, Mike ensures that the AV Wall is on public display in Southern California at least twice a year. This allows Vietnam veterans to visit The Wall and to finally be properly honored by a grateful nation. It also allows family members to honor their fallen loved ones. The AV Wall Committee, under Mike’s leadership, has created an education component that allows veterans to interact with school children when the wall is on display. Essay contests, classroom visits and field trips encourage students to study and understand the Vietnam War and its effect on our local community. Mike is honored to be an “Adopted Son of San Mateo”, the only city to have a Homecoming celebration for Vietnam Veterans during the war. The City of San Mateo adopted his unit ABU Company 1/327th Battalion 101st Airborne in 1971. Mike stays connected with his Army brethren through semi-annual reunions that bring together all generations of ABUs. Since 2011, Mike has participated in Project Healing Waters, an organization that is dedicated to the physical and emotional rehabilitation of disabled active military personnel and disabled veterans through fly fishing and associated activities. Mike attends bi-monthly classes and volunteers at fundraising events to encourage more veterans to participate in the outreach program. He retired four years ago from a 40-year career as the owner of The Upholstery Factory in Lancaster. In his retirement, Mike is enjoying fly fishing, traveling, and repairing and riding English motorcycles.
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