Guido Casari Jr. (He/Him), USAF (deceased)
Guido J. Casari Jr. (he/him) was born in Pennsylvania on August 5, 1934, and attended the University of Michigan, where he earned his law degree. He began his 26-year career in the U.S. Air Force in February 1960, retiring as a colonel. During his service, he attended the National War College, where he engaged with prominent figures on the world stage. His military career concluded as Chief Judge of the Fifth USAG Judiciary Circuit. Guido served his country with honor and distinction. After retiring, Guido moved to San Diego with his partner, Larry Kam. He became involved with the San Diego Human Dignity Foundation as an honorary board member. The foundation supports programs and projects that promote equal treatment, tolerance, and positive social change. Drawing from his judicial expertise, Guido served as one of the judges for the Richard P. Geyser President’s Ethics Award, which honors individuals who set aside personal ambition for the greater good of the LGBTQ community. Outside of his professional life, Guido was passionate about music, art, theatre, and travel. He supported numerous LGBTQ arts organizations over the years, particularly those that fostered community support and social change. In recognition of his contributions, Guido was inducted into the San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus Hall of Fame. Guido passed away on July 23, 2023, and is survived by Larry Kam, his partner and husband of over 28 years.
Jerry Turner (He/Him), USAF
After receiving a BFA from the Maryland Institute of Art, Jerry Turner (he/him) served as an Air Force Photographer from 1966 to 1970 at Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Udorn Thani, Thailand, and Bentwaters Air Force Base, Ipswich, England. He was Airman of the Month at both bases. He was honorably discharged in 1970 with the rank of Staff Sergeant. He has volunteered for HIV/AIDS organizations for 39 years. From 1985 to 1998 he was a facilitator and member of the forum development committee for the Stop AIDS Project in San Francisco. He also served on the Stop AIDS Project Board of Directors as Board/Staff/Volunteer liaison. He developed a Safe Sex and Intimacy Workshop for Stop AIDS and in collaboration with AIDS Benefit Counselors and the UCSD AIDS Health Project developed a Disability Workshop. After a move to San Diego in 1998, he was a Peer Advocate and support group facilitator for Being Alive San Diego. He was Managing Director of POZabilities from 2005 to 2024, leading the organization’s expansion to include an education program and a health improvement program in addition to its social support program. He received the 2022 Brad A. Truax Award for outstanding service in HIV Care, Treatment and/or Support Services, the 2012 San Diego Pride Champion of Pride Award, the 1996 Sam B. Puckett Memorial HIV Prevention Award, and was a finalist in the San Francisco 1997 Points of Light Award. He lives in San Diego, where he makes wall hangings with his trusty sewing machine and too much fabric.
Robert L. Granat (He/Him), USA
Robert (Rob) Granat (he/him) was born in New York City, grew up in West Hartford, CT, and Columbus, OH, and received a BA from the University of Pennsylvania and two MBAs from Columbia University. While working for his PhD at NYU, Rob enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves and was sent to Fort Jackson, SC, for training. He was an active participant in New York State Reserve until he was honorably discharged in 1974 as a PFC. In college Rob volunteered as a tutor to young teenage kids in Philadelphia’s inner city, both advanced and slow learners. In Miami he was a “Big Brother” for the Big Brother/Little Brother Association. He was forced to stop his association when his advisor found out he was gay. In Houston, Rob volunteered for two years at Omega House, an HIV hospice, bringing meals to the residents and providing one-on-one companionship. In San Diego, Rob volunteered for 10 years, four days a week at Special Delivery, five years as afternoon supervisor. Since 2006 Rob has been an active supporter of Diversionary Theater, and is a seven-year member of the board of trustees. He and his husband, Al Mazur, are the single largest donor to the theatre and currently underwrite the Clark Cabaret and health insurance for the entire staff. Other volunteer work includes The San Diego LGBT Community Center, Just In Time, and Mission Hills United Church of Christ. Rob is also a member of the “Federal Club,” part of the Human Rights Campaign. Rob and his husband have been together for 33 years.
Randye Hedgecoke (She/Her), USMC
Randye Hedgecoke (she/her) served as a U.S. Marine and achieved the rank of E-4, which was the proudest time of her life. Getting discharged a year and a half later for what she later found out was “sexual perversion” was the most traumatic experience of her life. She was ashamed, she was heartbroken, and she was adrift. Randye didn’t have a sense of camaraderie, she didn’t have self-confidence, and she didn’t have a sense of self-worth. It stayed this way until 1987, when she joined the Iron Workers Union and found a new home. She became involved with her union, serving as an officer for the last 10 years, and being a foreman and a hand on many San Diego projects. Randye also volunteered with San Diego Pride, AIDS Walk San Diego, and other events in the LGBTQ+ community throughout the years. Randye and her wife met in 2000. They married in 2008, and are still happily married after 24 years. Randye is proud of this life that she lives. But the trauma of being thrown out of the Marines still aches her heart. She didn’t want to be on this Wall—she didn’t think she deserved it. Her friends reminded her that her history is part of what eventually led to LGBTQ+ members now being able to serve openly in the armed forces. In 2022 Randye worked to have her DD-214 corrected, which was completed in November of that year.
Pele Crone (She/Her), USA
Pele Crone (she/her) served in the U.S. Army from 1978 to 1980, achieving the rank of Specialist 4 (E-4) as a Fire Control Computer Repairman (MOS: 34G10). She was one of the first women to complete basic training alongside men and to be trained in computer technology. Pele served openly as a lesbian in the military, courageously standing up against sexual misconduct and advocating for the discipline/removal of offenders. As a result of her dedication and excellence, Pele was selected to serve on the elite Honor Guards during her time of duty. After her honorable discharge, Pele pursued further education in computer and electronic technology, eventually teaching for six years. She went on to work in the high-tech industry, becoming a certified ISO 9001 Lead Auditor before shifting her career focus to accounting. Beyond her military and professional achievements, Pele has dedicated over 40 years to activism in the San Diego LGBT community, including being a co-founder of a Dianic tradition spiritual group that grew to over 150 members and ordained 21 women worldwide. She has volunteered at San Diego Pride and the South Bay Youth Center, working to empower LGBT youth. In addition, her activism extends to many other organizations including civil rights organizations like ACLU and animal welfare organizations like Project Wildlife. Throughout her life, Pele has been a tireless advocate for justice and equality. Her contributions to the military, education, and civilian sectors continue to inspire and leave a lasting impact.
Jessie Black (She/Her), USAF
Jessie Black (she/her) enlisted with the USAF in 1979, attended the Defense Language Institute in Monterrey, CA, and was assigned as a Russian Linguist to Misawa AB, Japan. Her Civil Service career started at Misawa AB in 1983 as an Air Force Aero Club manager. From 1989 to 2004, she managed ship overhaul contracts for the Navy in San Diego. In 2004, she transferred to the Air Force to manage facility contracts at March ARB, CA, and in 2007 at Langley AFB, VA, as the mid-Atlantic team lead for an effort to transition USAF contracting offices across the U.S. into regional centers. In 2009, she moved back to San Diego and the Navy, working as a branch chief overseeing Research and Development contracts. A member of The Met church since 1988, she enjoys volunteering, mostly in facilities maintenance. Other volunteer activities include 35 years with the Civil Air Patrol as a Search and Rescue Air Crew member, Professional Development Officer, Aerospace Education Officer, and Chaplain Support Specialist, teaching Core Values to teenage cadets, and with Team Rubicon (TR), a Veteran-led disaster response organization, as a Logistics Officer. With TR, in addition to natural disasters, in 2021 she assisted at FEMA COVID-19 vaccination mega-sites in Portland, OR, and the Navajo Nation in New Mexico. Also in 2021, she deployed with TR to Fort Bliss, TX, to assist with Afghan refugee processing. As a Red Cross-trained CPR/First Aid Instructor, she has provided life-saving training to members for all three organizations.
James Edward Velberg (He/Him), USN (deceased)
James (Jim) Velberg (he/him) was born in Almelo, Holland on September 8, 1960 and moved with his family to San Jose, CA, at the age of five. Jim joined the Navy on September 28, 1979, after two years of college at the age of 19, and proudly served until his Honorable Discharge as a Radioman Petty Officer 2nd Class on November 25, 1983. While in the Navy, Jim received the Humanitarian Medal for his volunteerism and assistance in launching a rescue of refugees. After the Navy, Jim made San Diego his home. In 1985 he became a founding member of the San Diego Men’s Chorus and remained a member until his passing in 1996. In 1990, Jim became involved with the Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS (DIFFA) in San Diego and was named one of their National Unsung Heroes in 1995. DIFFA sponsored two national fundraising musical tours in 1990 and 1992. As a member of the Men’s Chorus, Jim sang in the shows in San Diego, Palm Springs, Los Angeles, and Atlanta. In 1993, Jim was named Director of “March with a Buddy,” a national contingent in the Stonewall 25 March in New York City, where hundreds of volunteers marched with placards of pictures of individuals who had died of AIDS. Jim’s other community work included fundraising for The San Diego LGBT Center and Special Delivery, and fundraising and volunteering for Christine Kehoe’s historic campaign in 1993 for City Council. Jim is survived by his life partner, Ron Ferrero-Pham.