Youth
Bradley S. Pico began life as a great, great, great grandson of Pio Pico who was the last Mexican Governor of California. The towns of Pico and Rivera were merged into Pico Rivera in 1958, 10 years before Bradley’s birth.
Youth
Bradley S. Pico began life as a great, great, great grandson of Pio Pico who was the last Mexican Governor of California. The towns of Pico and Rivera were merged into Pico Rivera in 1958, 10 years before Bradley’s birth.
Bradley’s early formal education began in Santiago Elementary School, Santa Ana. He attended Willard Jr. High, and Irvine Coast Christian High where he played baseball and basketball. Brad’s junior and senior years were at Estancia High until he graduated.
At age 13, he received his first drum kit and studied at West Coast Drums in Santa Ana before he began private lessons with Chad Wackerman who had played with Frank Zappa, Barbra Streisand, and James Taylor.
Brad played drums in a band named “The Splendors” that headlined in two nightclubs in Los Angeles on weekend nights.
While in high school, Brad worked at Baskin Robbins in Santa Ana, and as a greens keeper on the Costa Mesa Golf Course. He began surfing at age 16 after he received his first car.
While he was going to college, Brad worked on some television shows and movies as a background actor. “Starship Troopers” was one of the movies. The location set was at Mile Square Park in Fountain Valley. Brad and his parents traveled to the Redwoods, the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone National Park, and Pebble Beach.
Military
Bradley Pico served in the U. S. Navy. He completed basic training in Orlando, Florida. His musical career continued where he sang in the Navy Choir for the graduation ceremony after basic training.
He later graduated from Basic Submarine School in Groton, Connecticut.
As a Helmsman,/Planesman he was assigned to submarine duty on the USS Drum. He traveled extensively throughout the South Pacific including Hawaii, S. Korea, Guam, New Caledonia, Singapore, Australia, and Japan.
Brad is a Desert Storm Veteran. He received the National Defense Service Medal and a Navy Expeditionary Medal. He was a “hot runner” in qualifying submarines, and he was selected as Junior Sailor of the Second Quarter, 1992.
Additionally, Brad, as Helmsman/Planesman, was instrumental in ensuring precise ship’s control during several demanding-at-sea periods including a mission of significance to national security. He was also selected as Food Serviceman of the Month in February, 1992 for superior professional performance.
His captain gave him permission to stay aboard so he could learn to be a Quartermaster without attending Quartermaster School, subsequently Brad was promoted to QM 3rd Class.
Brad received a Letter of Commendation for outstanding performance while serving in USS Drum. The work in Deck Division was accomplished so properly and safely under tough conditions and rigorous time constraints.
Civilian
After receiving his Honorable Discharge from the Navy, Brad received a “Certification of Appreciation” from President Bill Clinton.
Brad made the Honor Roll while attending Orange Coast College. Later, he transferred to California State University, Fullerton where he graduated in 2003 with a BA in Communications, emphasis in Advertising Brad says: “I like to go fishing with my family and really enjoy barbecuing, I take time to play golf and I still love music while playing my drums and acoustic guitar, and I attend many musical performances. I like to attend services at Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa. My most outstanding moment was in accepting Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. I worked for United Health Group as a Customer Service Representative.”
Veteran
“I recently worked for the V.A. Long Beach Healthcare System as a counselor.
“I’m a Lifetime Member of the Orange County Navy League. I’m also a member of the American Legion Post 266, and the VFW Post 4048 in Seal Beach, and the Disabled American Veterans.”
Brad was recently at Point Loma near San Diego to visit Submarine Squadron 11 with the Orange County Navy League. He helped distribute awards to sailors of the USS Albuquerque SSN-706 where he met with the Captain Chris Cavanaugh.
“I’m proud to have served my country and relish the time I spend with all the Veterans I know and the newer ones I meet at the various meetings. I believe that all Veterans will gain some benefit as being a member of any Veterans organization.”
Veterans meetings:
Meetings of the Seal Beach American Legion Post 857, and the Seal Beach Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4048 are held in Building 6 of the Naval Weapons Station on Seal Beach Blvd., (south of Westminster Blvd.).
They both have a “Social Hour” starting at 6 p.m. Their “Regular” meetings start at 7 p.m.
The American Legion meets on the third Tuesday of each month.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars meet on the fourth Tuesday.
A gate pass is required.
For more information, Contact Bill Thomas at 562-431-7795, or vvbthomasvets@gmail.com.
Bill Thomas of Rossmoor is a Veteran of World War II, and Past Commander of VFW Post 4048, and American Legion Post 857. Contact Bill at vvbthomasvets@gmail.com.
