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Army colonel who served with 101st Airborne honored at Laguna Beach Patriots Day Parade

March 9, 2025

Retired Army Col. Richard “Bob” Seitz has had an impressive military career, saying he served proudly for more than two decades doing what he had to do and “doing it well.”

But he never expected that his service career — spanning the Vietnam War, along the Demilitarized Zone in Korea and later in Germany during the Cold War — would land him a coveted spot in a parade.

2025, Honored Patriot of the Year, Colonel Richard Seitz, U.S. Army (retired) waves to spectators along the 58th annual Patriots’ Day parade route in downtown Laguna Beach on Saturday, March 8, 2025. (Photo by Frank D’Amato, Contributing Photographer)

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But exactly that is what happened on Saturday, March 8, in Laguna Beach, where Seitz was recognized as the Honorary Patriot in the 58th Patriots Day Parade.

“I think of the men I served with in Vietnam 55 years ago, how I wish all of them could be with me,” he said. “Not a day goes by that I don’t think about the men we lost in Vietnam, not a day. The men I served with, they’ve inspired me my whole life. They surround me like a halo; in many ways, they’re my second faith.”

“Patriot of the Year is not an individual honor for me, but for all Laguna Beach patriots,” he added. “I’m accepting this for them and their service to our nation.”

Seitz, 77, first served in the 101st Airborne Division for 18 months during the Vietnam War, where he was also wounded in combat, and then later with the 82nd Airborne Division in Korea and the inner-German border during the Cold War.

He continued his military service at the Pentagon and later with the Joint Chiefs’ staff, serving under former Secretary of State Colin Powell and helping plan large-scale exercises for military commands worldwide. During his 24 years of service, Seitz earned three decorations for valor, including the Purple Heart.

“I’m honored and very humbled by this,” he said ahead of Saturday’s parade, adding that he appreciates the Laguna Beach community pays tribute to those who serve. “They left their families, jobs, and educations to serve our nation. And all they ask is to come back into their community and be accepted as community members.”

Seitz had said he planned to wear the Army jungle jacket he left Vietnam with and a Laguna Beach VFW Post 5868 had in the parade, riding with his wife and daughter. He was among 80 parade entries planned to cruise through Laguna Beach downtown Saturday.

Other community members whom the parade committee recognized included Capt. Rick Shoemaker, the parade’s grand marshal; Karyn Philippsen as Citizen of the Year; Lizi Bazargan and Carter McKinzie as the 2025 Jr. Citizens; Mike Tauber as Artist of the Year; and Brayden Belden as this year’s Athlete of the Year.

Along with the noted residents were dozens of parade entries ranging from civic and veterans organizations to school bands, military bands, floats, vintage automobiles, and novelty groups.

The parade —which last year was rained out— is a must-do among locals with the saying being half the town is in the parade while the other half watches.

“It essential we remember the people who have placed service for the nation ahead of themselves,” Seitz said. “We haven’t had a draft since 1973 and there are less veterans out there to serve as role models.”

In his unit of the 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne division, he said, “We had 100 men in Vietnam, lost close to 40, lost 26 since Vietnam and now there are 36 of us left.

“Now those serving forward from Iraq and Afghanistan have to set the example for the next generation,” he added. “It’s very important the community continues to recognize the sacrifice of veterans.”

Seitz said what stood out most to him about his service then was the loyalty he and the other soldiers had for each other.

“The moral objective of Vietnam was to take care of each other on the hard days,” he said.

Among the most poignant memories he has from his combat — first as a rifle platoon leader and later as a rifle company commander once promoted to captain — was when he and his unit made their way through the jungles and mountains in heavily contested terrain near Hue, in the A Sầu Valley, he said.

“We spent most of our time patrolling and looking for enemy activity and denying them use of the area and trying to push them back to Laos,” he said of the combat in November 1970. “It was a very contested area we did not want them to control. We got into a ground offensive that kept going until someone backed off.”

Being honored on Saturday was something Seitz said he would have never even thought about. The experience, he predicted, would be very emotional.

“I genuinely feel a great identity with Laguna Beach,” he said of being embraced and celebrated by the community. “We’re very proud to be part of this community.”

“I think people honestly care about each other,” he said, describing the town’s identity. “The goodness and joy in our community are more important than one individual and I love being part of that.”

Army colonel who served with 101st Airborne honored at Laguna Beach Patriots Day Parade Orange County Register

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Army colonel who served with 101st Airborne honored at Laguna Beach Patriots Day Parade

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