Photo By Staff Sgt. Edward Siguenza | Soldiers from the California Army National Guard were provided food, a place to sleep,...... read more read more
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By STAFF SGT EDDIE SIGUENZA
California Army National Guard
SANTA ROSA, Calif. – When asked if he had ever associated with the California National Guard prior to October’s Northern California wildfires, William “Willie” Ghilotti gave his answer.
“Nope, never,” said the Ghilotti Construction Company businessman, shaking his head left to right.
“Never?” came the question again. “Not in any capacity in your life?”
“Never.”
For almost 40 years of his young life, California’s reserve component had nothing to do with Ghilotti’s Santa Rosa-based family business that has been around since 1914. But that quickly changed. It started at the peak of the 2017 Northern California fires, when almost about 150 Cal Guardsmen showed up on his doorstep, prepared to run security missions. Days later, more Soldiers arrived. Even more came after that, and each unit brought massive tactical vehicles and equipment.
“They were in this other yard when I first met them. I was looking at some things, and then I started taking pictures of their Humvees and wreckers,” said Ghilotti, standing beside several of his own tractors and heavy equipment. “I said if there’s anything I can do to help, let me know. I can donate food. I can help get fuel for their trucks. At that time, a lot of gas stations were shut down. That’s what I was thinking initially.”
Ghilotti paused.
“I didn’t think I was going to get a phone call,” he said. “But three hours later, I got a call.”
Ghilotti coordinated with members of the Cal Guard’s 270th Military Police Company. The unit needed an operations site. Ghilotti took them in, initially giving up a parking lot. The Soldiers needed a sleeping area. Ghilotti got his employees to clear out a warehouse for them. The troops needed showers. Ghilotti rented a state-of-the-art, portable shower unit, and provided all the water needed. It also came with a separate unit with toilets and sinks.
As more units emerged and the number of troops increased, Ghilotti gave the Cal Guard a 16-acre spot of land to accommodate them. There stood “Forward Operating Base Ghilotti,” a temporary tent city set up with more than two-dozen military shelter systems. This came after Ghilotti already gave up another area of his compound for the Guard’s numerous vehicles.
“His assistance allowed us to concentrate on operations rather than life support,” said Capt. Brock J. Young, 270th commander. “By helping, he was allowing us to better help the Santa Rosa area.”
The support continued. Ghilotti helped make sure every Soldier was fed every day. Meals were donated from various places and in various forms – bag lunches to hot dinners, with fruits and other perishables abundantly available.
“I knew the National Guard was here to help our people and rebuild our community,” said Ghilotti. “It was just the right thing to do, to help people who are helping us.”
This unusual support for the Cal Guard came with Ghilotti already supporting about 500 employees, some whom have had their lives dramatically changed by the fires. Almost a dozen of his workers lost their homes, he said. About 50 had to be evacuated or were displaced. The Tubbs Fire, the worst firestorm in California history, destroyed property his company had built. The Tubbs Fire came as close as five miles from the business compound.
So there was a lot to deal with aside from supporting the Cal Guard. But in the process, Ghilotti began learning how the military operates, he said. He began learning Cal Guard’s organizational structure and started thinking how to bring that into his business. But what stood out the most, Ghilotti explained, was the camaraderie amongst the troops.
“That was it. That inspired me to do more,” he said. “The teamwork from one another, the sense of brotherhood, just dealing with each other and the people here. I was able to go out and see how they do their missions. I learned a lot of strategies. I saw how we can organize our own structure.”
The news of Ghilotti’s benevolence spread through the Cal Guard. Maj. Gen. David S. Baldwin, the Cal Guard’s adjutant general, paid a visit and presented Ghilotti with a coin.
“He went to such a great extent to help us. His generosity was incredible,” said 1st Sgt. Antonio M. Delgadillo, 149th CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear) Company first sergeant. “Three times a day he was out checking on us. He bent over backwards for us, allowing us to support the community.”
Added Delgadillo, “We were comfortable. We would have been so uncomfortable if he had not done something about it.”
As the fire mission winded down and the Cal Guard pulled its forces out of the Ghilotti compound, a Soldier presented Ghilotti with a uniform. He told a story about it, explaining the meaning of the shoulder patches. Ghilotti said he treasured the gift, replying, “I missed my calling,” explaining that he had the opportunity to join the military years ago.
“You get what you give, that’s one of the main things I learned in life. You do it out of the goodness of your heart and not for recognition,” said Ghilotti. “When I take all of this in, I kind of miss having (the Cal Guard) around. They were like my family and friends. I’m sure I’ll see them around sometime.”
Just never say Never.
| Date Taken: | 11.02.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 11.02.2017 13:10 |
| Story ID: | 253870 |
| Location: | SANTA ROSA, CA, US |
| Hometown: | FAIRFIELD, CA, US |
| Hometown: | SACRAMENTO, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 571 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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