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Student veteran Stephen Soto, 24, has seen and done more than many his age. He served in the Navy nearly three years during Operation Enduring Freedom (the Afghanistan war) on an aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf, working on aircraft radar boxes that determined whether an unidentified aircraft was “friend or foe.” His service required long hours of physical work.

“You’re working hard, no matter what. If the ship is on fire, you don’t call the firefighters – we are the firefighters!” Soto joked.

While on the job, Soto endured a lot physical trauma. He injured his back, which led to a degenerative disc disease; a 60-pound radar-testing box fell on his hand, crushing his fingers; and he also suffered significant hearing loss from working beneath the flight deck.

Soto returned to the United States 30 percent disabled. Using the new 9/11 G.I. Bill, he enrolled at PCC with a lucrative career in electrical engineering in mind, until his ambition took a dramatic turn.

“That’s when I learned about how veterans are being treated,” said Soto. “I decided to change my major to political science. I want to make an impact [on veterans’ issues].”

Veterans’ Counselor Patricia D’Orange-Martin recalls observing Soto’s transformation from an everyday engineering student to a dedicated veterans advocate. “After you’ve been around him for a while, you realize… he’s destined to become a politician,” said D’Orange-Martin. “He’s passionate about helping his fellow veterans.”

Although Soto’s aspirations don’t involve vying for a political seat, he expects to be working within the political arena.

“I want to testify in front of Congress,” said Soto. “I want to make sure no [veterans are] left behind.”

Of the many challenges veterans face when returning to civilian life, one of the biggest is finding housing.

“Veterans that just got out [of service] are sleeping in the PCC parking lot,” said Soto. Deeply concerned, he contacted the Housing and Urban Development department and Pasadena’s Affordable Housing Services. He was told the waiting lists were full.

Not one to give up, Soto went to the both offices to discuss the issue of homeless veterans. Each department turned him away, promising somebody would get back to him; neither followed up on his inquiries.

Undaunted, Soto contacted Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard’s office. He suggested Bogaard consider adopting the City of Glendale’s rental assistance program, which provides low-cost housing for veterans committed to saving money for their future. He left an impression with the mayor.

“Soto recruited me,” Mayor Bogaard said with a smile. “It’s nice to know that he’s bringing his leadership skills to bear on [veterans’] issues to address their needs and opportunities.”

Soto has come far since his start at PCC, a time when he wasn’t aware of the veterans’ services that existed on campus.

“I actually failed my first semester at PCC,” he said. Depressed and lacking motivation, it was a serendipitous moment when Soto met members of the PCC Veterans’ Club.

At their urging, he attended a few meetings and things started falling into place for him. “I got to meet everyone and [now] I have great friends that I’ll have for a lifetime,” Soto mused. “That semester, I got straight As.”

Former Veterans’ Club President, Carol Calandra remembers Soto’s enthusiastic transformation. “He was a breath of fresh air,” she said. “He always had a smile on his face, ready to help his fellow veterans.”

Soto is now a political science major at San Diego State University and is already involved with the school’s veterans department. He remains in the Navy’s inactive ready reserve, on obligatory service standby until 2014.

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