1010

Mountain Views News Saturday, December 6, 2025


CHRISTOPHER Nyerges 

 [Nyerges is an educator and author. His many books can be seen at www.
SchoolofSelf-Reliance.com.]

 

RECOGNIZING LOCAL VETERANS:

BEN WALKER SR.

WORKING TO ASSIST VETERANS, AND TRAIN YOUTH


MEET ODIE! 

Playful purr-
monster! 
Odie, age 4 
mos., is an 
energetic 
kitten with a 
big personality 
and an even 
bigger zest for 
life! 

Found alone late at night in a Costco 
parking lot, Odie quickly made it clear 
he never wants to be the only cat again. He adores the 
company of his foster cats and will meow until he’s 
reunited with them. Odie is currently more interested in 
play than cuddling. However, when he does settle down 
long enough to be pet, he loves to have his soft belly and 
head rubbed. 

Apply at https://www.lifelineforpets.org/odie.html or 
use the qr code. NOTE: We will have a pet items table at 
the Fables & Fancies bookstore in Kersting Court, Sierra 
Madre, on Saturday, Dec. 13, from 11 - 2. Stop by!


The life of Pasadena resident Ben Walker Sr would make an 
exciting and fast-paced documentary. Besides operating his 
own engineering business out of Monrovia where he prioritizes 
hiring Vets, he works tirelessly for the benefits of all veterans. 
He’s a familiar face among the veterans of Pasadena. As the vice 
commander of the Los Angeles chapter of the National Association 
of Black Veterans (NABVETS), he is a proud Vietnam-era 
Veteran and staunch advocate for all former service members, 
but especially veterans of color who might not be aware of all 
the benefits to which they are entitled.

Walker moved into the Pasadena area at age 17, hoping to get 
into professional baseball. He enrolled at Pasadena City College, 
partially to further his desired baseball career. But just 
three months into PCC, he was drafted shortly after his 18th 
birthday.

 

This was during the Vietnam war, With no bootcamp or basic 
training, Ben was shipped out directly to the Navy for his assignment 
in Vietnam, with no previous experience and having 
never before fired a gun or boarded a ship. After being issued 
a thick envelope of paperwork and an airline ticket that routed 
him through San Francisco, Anchorage, Japan, and finally to 
the Philippines, he boarded a supply boat which carried him 
onto his final destination, the destroyer USS Mansfield. “It was 
so dark, I couldn’t see my hand in front of me,” Ben recalls. He 
crossed between the two ships in the dead of night via a zip line 
rope walk. Laughing, he remembers, “the captain took one look 
at me and asked, “What am I going to do with you?!’”

 

Walker served aboard the ship, loading canons that were fired into Vietnam. When asked if he felt safer on a 
ship than on land, Walker exclaims, “Are you kidding? Where can you run to on the ship? At least on land, I 
could run somewhere.” Walker adds that his ship was fired upon and hit many times, though he survived the 
ordeal.

When he returned to Southern California, he earned a Masters degree in engineering at UCLA, and worked 
for a little over 2 years at Jet Propulsion Laboratory while still in school. He worked for Unical in downtown 
L.A., and then in 1991, he started his own company, WEI, Walker Electronics, Inc. Seventy percent of his 
company specializes in electrical high and low voltage distribution and service; the other 30 percent specializes 
in renewable energy.

He’s an expert in solar energy, and have given lectures at seminars on the topic. He’s completed his North 
American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners Certification. His wall and files are full of the official recognitions 
and Acknowledgments from companies and prominent political figures. Because of his work with 
solar energy, he was invited to Washington D.C.in January of 1997 for the inauguration of Bill Clinton and Al 
Gore, Jr.

 

This 77-year-old disabled veteran has a stellar business background. But what really makes him tick is his 
dedication to youth training, and assisting veterans.

 

As the vice-commander of the National Association of Black Veterans, he works with under-served Vets – 
typically from the black and brown communities – to make sure they are aware of the many opportunities for 
veterans after serving for their country.

Walker’s father was an Army Veteran and was denied the chance to receive an education or assistance purchasing 
a home under programs like the G.I. bill. Many Korean War and WWII-era vets were denied access, but 
Walker was one of the first generations of Black service members to use the GI Bill when he attended UCLA 
to study Electrical Engineering.

Returning veterans of color settled in Altadena because of the well-known restrictions on where black and 
brown families could purchase homes or live. Black WWII Veterans like Pasadena’s Jackie Robinson often 
served in segregated units and it was not uncommon for many local families of color to proudly claim their 
connection to the service.

 

Walker continues to fight for Veteran benefits and he makes a special point to honor the families of military dependents 
(often times called “Army Brats” or “Military spouses”) for their quiet aid to support those who serve.

During the monthly meetings of NABVETS, Walker focuses on such topics of importance to vets as housing, 
VA benefits, education, as well as military academy opportunities for youth.

 

He is currently working closely with a number of veteran seniors for better visibility and support since many 
accomplishments of black veterans are under threat from being omitted from history books and the classroom. 
The National Association for Black Veterans can be contacted at www.nabvets.com

And if this wasn’t enough, Walker has done basketball training and coaching with youth at Pasadena area 
YMCA and the Boys Club, and other schools, for nearly 30 years. He received an official acknowledgment 
from the County of Los Angeles, signed by Kathryn Barger, to recognize him as a “role model as a result of 
his work with Aspires West Pasadena,” where he coached in basketball and did math consultation. His office 
walls are covered with many of the basketball students over the years. “And I’m not just coaching them in basketball,” 
explains Walker. “I’m training them to go to school and become a lawyer, or an engineer, or a doctor. 
I’m training them for life.” In fact, you can tell by his walls what’s important to Walker: Family, veterans, and 
youth training.

Walker hopes to see renewed appreciation and provide a helping hand for those Veterans who might be struggling. 
“Let’s inspire the next generations of those who serve, and recognize those who risked laying down their 
lives for this country.” 

 
There’s something delightfully fun about Polar Bear 
— a 2-year-old cream Labrador at Pasadena Humane 
whose one-up, one-down floppy ears make him look 
perpetually ready for holiday mischief. After his 
owner could unfortunately no longer care for him, he 
was surrendered to the shelter and is now hoping for 
a calm, cozy home where he can be the only pet. He 
can be nervous in new places or around loud noises, 
but once he warms up, he settles in nicely. He enjoys 
steady walks, close companionship, tasty chews, and 
patient guidance.

Spend just a little time with Polar Bear and you’ll see 
his festive charm unfold. He hops right into the car, 
explores a backyard like it’s his own snowy hideaway, 
and lights up for toys, treat puzzles, and snuffle mats. 
This sweet boy leans in close for scritches, nudges his 
leash when he needs a potty break, and offers kisses to 
anyone who kneels down to greet him. If you’re hoping to add a tenderhearted companion 
to your winter season, Polar Bear is ready to bring warmth, whimsy, and a very cute pair of 
mismatched ears to your home.

Polar Bear is available for a 10-day adoption trial at Pasadena Humane today!

 The adoption fee for dogs is $150. All dog adoptions include spay or neuter, microchip, and 
age-appropriate vaccines. 

 Walk-in adoptions are available every day from 10:00 – 5:00. View photos of adoptable pets 
at pasadenahumane.org.

 New adopters will receive a complimentary health-and-wellness exam from VCA Animal 
Hospitals, as well as a goody bag filled with information about how to care for your pet. 

 Pets may not be available for adoption and cannot be held for potential adopters by phone 
calls or email.

Pet of the Week


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com