SAN DIEGO — Fifty years after returning home from Vietnam to a less-than-warm welcome, U.S. Marine veteran Charles Cedillo is experiencing a different kind of homecoming—one marked by gratitude and generosity.
Though he walks with a slight limp these days, Cedillo stands tall as a pillar of strength for his family in Golden Hill. Recently, his unwavering support for others was recognized when Semper Solaris, a veteran-owned solar company, selected him to receive a free 15-panel solar installation through their "Semper Cares" initiative.
"When we threw my name in the hat, I told my daughter, 'Snowball's chance in hell that I get picked,'" Cedillo recalls. His daughter, Gia Rios, had nominated him for Semper Cares Project Yankee, a program helping veterans achieve energy independence.
Among hundreds of nominations, Cedillo's story resonated deeply. As a disabled veteran, he continues to care for his family, including an eldest daughter facing significant health challenges.
"He's been this fantastic father and grandfather and helped the family through different situations and surprises that came along over the years," Rios said.
The project's significance extends beyond energy savings. Captain Kelly Shawhan, a fellow Marine veteran who served at the end of Vietnam and is the co-founder of Semper Solaris, sees it as part of a larger mission to properly honor veterans.
"These days, someone knows you're a veteran and they give you a hug out of nowhere, and they say, 'Thank you for protecting the country,' which is all anybody should ever do," Shawhan said.
While typically reserved about his Vietnam service, Cedillo shared a glimpse of his challenging return home.
"We got off on the tarmac like the President does stepping down," he recalls. "But there wasn't a parade. It was nothing. There were people there that threw rotten eggs and garbage at us. You never saw a Marine get out of uniform and get into civilian clothes so quick."
Today, however, Cedillo focuses on the positive change in how veterans are treated.
"The treatment that I got coming home is nothing like this treatment," he said. "I feel very honored. We're very happy."
Looking ahead to his first electricity bill with the new solar panels, Cedillo plans a celebration with his family.
"I'm looking forward to the first bill so the family and I can celebrate, and I don't know, tear that bill up," he said with a smile.
"I am so appreciative to you and your company Semper Solaris," Cedillo added, a testament to how acts of kindness can help heal decades-old wounds.
If you would like to nominate a veteran for Semper Cares click here.