Hughson resident Roy A. Sandoval, a member of the U.S. Marine Corps from 1982 to 1996, was honored by the Stanislaus Board of Supervisors on Tuesday as the Veteran of the Year from District 2, and recognized by District 2 Supervisor Vito Chiesa during the regularly schedule supervisors' meeting.

Sandoval was one of five veterans honored, joining Daniel Vigil of Oakdale (District 1), Steve Fimbrez of Modesto (District 3), Raymond Alli Sr. of Modesto (District 4) and Vern Snodderly of Newman (District 5).

“It’s a great honor to be associated with people that I hold in such high esteem,” said Sandoval, who retired from the U.S. Postal Service in 2018. “To me it’s kind of a summary of a big chapter of my life. I serve in honor of my father, my kids, my friends, my brothers in arms. It’s an honor to be recognized with so many distinguished veterans who felt a similar call to service.”

Sandoval, 62, was born in San Jose and attended San Jose High School, San Jose City College and San Jose State before suspending his studies and enlisting in the Marine Corps.

His father, Ramon, and older brother Roy also served in the military. Sandoval was in Yuma, Ariz., on a tarmac and ready to head to the Middle East to serve in Operation Desert Storm when his unit was told to stand down.

Sandoval was a charter member of Hughson’s American Legion Post 872. The group grew from 22 members to 217 last year. He proudly boasts that Hughson is one of the few cities that has not just an American Legion post, but also Sons of the American Legion, the American Legion Riders and the American Legion Auxiliary.

In 2006, Sandoval was the state Legionnaire of the Year and the Veteran of the Year for the state assembly. He’s been a past commander of Post 872, a past district commander (Stanislaus, Merced, Tuolumne, Mariposa and Madera counties), and past vice commander for the state (Area 3).

Sandoval is also a member of the Fleet Reserve Association, the Marine Corps League (Modesto No. 19), and the Forty and Eight Society.

“I hope we can motivate others to pursue service and continue that legacy of service,” said Sandoval. “I feel that all veterans have so much more to give.”