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Joshua R USMC Feat

Joshua R. Paz – USMC Veteran – Valencia Resident

Facebook Connection
Recently while perusing various Facebook sites, I noticed that Josh Paz, whom I did not know, was active on Facebook posting a number of veteran-related items of interests, so I reached out to him via messenger. It didn’t take long for him and I to meet for a delightful conversation. I immediately became aware of his outgoing, positive attitude, not to mention his solid sense of American patriotism. I hope that you have as much appreciation for reading his story as I had to interview him and write his profile.

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Vietnam Veteran Bill Reynolds is our KHTS Director of Veteran’s Affairs. If you know a local veteran, please email us at Hometownheroes@hometownstation.com.

Parachuting out of Black Hawk

Parachuting out of Black Hawk

U.S. Marine Corps
Joshua Robert Paz was born Jan. 22, 1993 at St Joseph Hospital in Burbank, Calif., where his family lived his first four years before moving up Interstate 5 to Castaic. Josh attended Valencia High School, where he played a fast and elusive running back on their varsity football team; plus he ran hurdles and relay races on their track team. During his senior year, he became infatuated with joining the military, and his first inclination was to join the U.S. Air Force, which led him to visit Santa Clarita’s recruiting offices. After spending a New York minute with the Air Force representative, Josh promptly gravitated over to the Marines. Josh said, “That Air Force uniform just didn’t cut it, and I wanted to be physically and mentally challenged like I was as a varsity football running back.” He graduated high school on Friday, May 20, 2011 and on Monday, he promptly enlisted with the U.S. Marine Corps, much to the shock and chagrin of his girlfriend.

National Defense Medal

National Defense Medal

Dear John Letter
Josh took his 13-week boot camp training at San Diego and then his four-week combat training at Camp Pendleton, saying, “I guess I’m a glutton for punishment because I thought it was great fun.” During training, Josh’s highly disgruntled girlfriend sent him a “Dear John” letter. Been there, got one, says me. After combat training and a short leave of absence, Josh reported to the U.S. Marine Corps Base at 29 Palms for six months of radio operator training and then to Bell, Calif. with the 3 rd Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company (ANGLICO) as a Private E-2. Josh served six years with ANGLICO as a radio operator, where his unit constantly prepared for combat duty in Afghanistan. Josh was gung ho and anxious for combat experience, but alas, to his great frustration, that duty was never forthcoming for him. During his continued combat training, he was assigned in 2013 to three weeks of jump school at Fort Benning, Georgia, where the U.S. Army trained him to become a parachutist. Josh experienced over 40 night and day combined parachute jumps, including many in full combat gear, which Josh thought was exhilarating.

 Preparing for Another Jump out of a C-130

Preparing for Another Jump out of a C-130

Honorable Discharge
After seven years of dedicated service with the U.S. Marines, Josh considered extending his military experience, but with the U.S. Air Force and becoming a certified paramedic, as he found the medical field very appealing and rewarding. However, his son, Lakota, who was born Christmas Eve, 2013, weighed heavily on his mind and Josh simply could not bear the thought of being away from him any longer. So Josh opted to leave the Marine Corps, receiving his honorable discharge at ANGLICO on Aug. 19, 2018. Lakota, now 5 years old, had just started kindergarten. It’s noted that in early 2012, Josh met Miranda Heberer at a party, which led to their long-term relationship and the birth of young Lakota, the joy of Josh’s life. However, his relationship with Miranda faltered, though they remain good friends, retaining equal custody of their little boy.

Unit Patch

Unit Patch

Boot Camp Graduation with Sister Isabella & Grandparents

Boot Camp Graduation with Sister Isabella & Grandparents

Pursuing the American Dream
After departing the Marine Corps, Josh landed a job with Confidential Data Destruction Company located in the Valencia Industrial Center, where he worked until the company was sold in April 2019. This abrupt transaction prompted Josh to begin his own data destruction business, Dynamic Data Destruction Company, within the Valencia Industrial Center, having learned a great deal from his experiences working with data destruction. Presently, Josh is working hard to expand his business base, which specializes in destruction of documents and electronic data and devices. As you would expect, Josh fully recognizes the meaningfulness of Santa Clarita’s annual Veterans Day and Memorial Day Ceremonies, which he attends regularly. Josh explained that he’s driven to volunteer in SCV’s veteran community, especially as it relates to veterans suffering with PTSD issues.The death of his grandfather, Robert Delgado, at age 87, a Korean War veteran, last July due to dementia had an impact on him. Josh also lost a Marine buddy, Staff Sergeant Robert Cox, age 28, in a C-130 crash in July 2017 on a flight near Leflore County, Mississippi. And another Marine pal, Lieutenant Colonel Adam Collier, committed suicide in March 2018. Collectively, these deaths have inspired Josh to volunteer to help veterans in need. Josh, I must say, I thoroughly enjoyed our conversation, as you come across as a solid American patriot with a tremendous, outgoing personality. I wish you the very best as you pursue your American dream.

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Joshua R. Paz – USMC Veteran – Valencia Resident

One comment

  1. coach whens next practice?

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About Bill Reynolds - KHTS Director of Veteran Affairs

I’ve lived in Santa Clarita since 1980 with my wife, with whom I have two wonderful children and five beautiful grandchildren.I’m the first son of a World War II veteran and an Australian WWII War Bride. Instead of being born in one of the world’s most beautiful cities, Sydney, Australia, I was born in Mineral Wells, Texas. After moving around various small west Texas towns and having lived near Sydney, Australia, my family finally settled in the San Fernando Valley in 1955. I graduated from Cleveland High School, attended Pierce College and worked at General Motors in Van Nuys. In the spring of 1966, I was drafted into the U.S. Army and sent to Vietnam. I recently starred in National Geographic’s Emmy nominated documentary, “Brothers in War” now seen on Netflix. Read about "Hometown Heroes - Our Veterans" series, click here...