Veterans
- Details
- Written by: Genevieve Snow
LAKEPORT – vietnam Vets Chapter 951 President, Dean Gotham, decided to liven up a monthly meeting with a luau theme, which evolved into a successful social.
The vets met at the usual location, St. Mary’s Church Hall in Lakeport Aug. 14. It was the traditional spread of scrumptious food (without the roast pig, however) with authentic Hawaiian chants resounding as background music. Genevieve Snow, VVA member, danced the hula.
Chris Caravayo, retired U.S. Army of Kelseyville, won the prize for the best Hawaiian shirt while Ms. Snow, former Navy Wave, claimed a prize for her Hawaiian attire.
Gotham presented a certificate of appreciation to Don and Peg McCown, retired Navy vets actively participating in Avenue of the Flag preparations on Memorial and Veterans Day for five consecutive years.
The North Bay Veterans Resource Center of Santa Rosa gave Gotham special recognition, an award for his long hours in assisting a returning Iraqi soldier who needed medical treatment.
Ginny Craven from Operation Tango Mike updated the group on the last packing party; 60 boxes were shipped overseas.
The chapter members donated three Patriot Guard Rider flags, signed by chapter members. At the request of soldiers, these flags will be flown in Iraq, then returned to Lakeport.
The Patriot Guard Riders, a nationwide group of more than 100,000, ride together to honor fallen soldiers at funeral services. Whenever physically possible, the bikers will shield the mourning family from interruptions created by protesters.
Marlene Kurowski, executive director of Lake County Hospice, was the featured speaker that evening. Kurowski informed chapter members about hospice and the need for volunteers.
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- Details
- Written by: Editor
The meeting begins with a potluck dinner and is followed by a business meeting of Post 2015 and the VFW Ladies Auxiliary.
All honorably discharged veterans of foreign wars of the United States are welcome to join.
For further information about the post and activities please visit their Web site at www.vfwpost2015.com.
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- Details
- Written by: Editor
Potluck starts at 6 p.m., with the meeting to follow at 7 p.m.
The group will meet at its usual location at Saint Mary Immaculate Parish Hall, 801 N. Main St., Lakeport.
Topic of discussion will be the upcoming second annual memorial scholarship poker run scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 15, which coincides with the National POW/MIA Day.
The fundraiser/poker run commences at the IronHorse Creation and Lakeport Garage and ends at Richmond Park. All vehicles will be welcomed.
Operation Tango Mike activities are also on the meeting agenda.
For more information contact Genevieve Snow at 263-3740 or send an email to VVA951pr@
yahoo.com.
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- Details
- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
LAKE COUNTY – A group of veterans supporters are launching an effort to boost the morale of troops overseas.
The Patriot Guard Riders is a nationwide group of motorcycle riders who honor our nation's fallen heros by attending the funerals of US soldiers and offering protection and comfort to their families. The group also welcomes home troops who are returning from service abroad, said Slick Hultquist of Scotts Valley, a local Patriot Guard member.
The group formed in 2005, in response to an effort by a group that was protesting at soldiers' funerals and harassing family members of the fallen.
Hultquist said there are more than 104,000 Patriot Guard members nationwide, and he hopes to see more motorcyclists join. However, he said you don't have to be a motorcyclist to join.
The group, Hultquist said, is “all about respect” for the sacrifices of the nation's soldiers.
Hultquist said the Patriot Guard Riders flag has become a morale booster for US troops overseas. The flag has a yellow background with dark blue lettering that says “Patriot Guard Riders, Standing For Those Who Stood For Us” surrounding a triangle of stars.
He recently attended a meeting of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter No. 951 in Lakeport where he shared the Patriot Guard Riders' mission and presented an idea to send the flags over to US troops.
Hultquist said there have so far been 318 requests from troops for the flags, but they have only been able to send 274.
“That is still quite a few, but these guys and gals get all pumped up when they receive these flags knowing that there are people over here that DO care about them and what they are doing,” Hultquist said.
The Vietnam Veterans of America donated enough money on the spot at the recent meeting to send over two additional flags, which cost $38 plus $2 for shipping, said Hultquist. The group is going to purchase a third flag to display at its meetings.
Hultquist asked the vets to sign the flags, because the signatures give the flags “a little more of a personal touch.” However, signing is not necessary, as some troops prefer them unsigned.
He said he's ordered seven flags himself so far and is taking them around to his neighbors to sign. In turn, his neighbors have been chipping in donations to help support the flag purchases.
For more information about the Patriot Guard Riders, call Hultquist at 263-8105 or
For more information you can visit the Patriot Guard Riders Web site at www.patriotguard.org. However, only Patriot Guard Riders members can order flags from that site.
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- Details
- Written by: Ginny Craven
KELSEYVILLE – On July 31, 28 volunteers came together with one goal: They aimed to pack boxes containing food, snacks, hygiene items, entertainment and, most of all, love and support.
The volunteers supporting Operation Tango Mike packed 60 care packages for US troops in under two hours. The Riviera Hills Golf & Recreation Club played host to the packing party, offering use of the lounge facilities.
Riviera Hills manager and troop supporter Valerie Davison jumped in and worked at a fever pitch to help keep things running smoothly. Pogo's Pizza donated pizzas for the hungry workers and everyone left the evening satisfied they had done a good deed for our troops.
Among the volunteers were Paula Bryant, Denise Wilson and Mike Curran, all parents of deployed troops. Several siblings of those deployed troops were busy packing boxes as well.
The local Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter, the Women of the Clear Lake Riviera and the Lake County Sheriff's Office came out in force too.
Each box packed also includes handwritten correspondence in some form. That added touch helps to make the care package more personal for the military men and women on the receiving end.
If you have the time and inclination, consider writing notes or cards to be included. Surprisingly, correspondence, in any form, is the most requested item from the deployed troops. They do long to hear from folks back home.
Care packages are boxed and shipped monthly. Anyone wishing to learn more about Operation Tango Mike can do so by visiting the Web site at http://home.mchsi.com/~operationtangomike.
If you'd like to contribute goods they may be deposited at "drop zones" throughout Lake County, which are listed on the Web site.
If you would like to donate monies to help cover the shipping costs, which average $540 per month, donations can be cash or checks made payable to Operation Tango Mike. These can be mailed to P.O. Box 1313, Lakeport, CA 95453.
If you'd like to make a donation or desire more information, please contact Ginny Craven at 349-2838 or by e-mail at
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- Details
- Written by: Editor
KELSEYVILLE – This month's Operation Tango Mike box packing party will take place at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, July 31.
Packing party members will meet in the lounge of Riviera Hills Golf & Recreation Club, 10200 Fairway Drive, Kelseyville.
Riviera Hills has hosted fundraisers for Operation Tango Mike and have asked to host the packing party.
To get to Riviera Hills: Turn on Soda Bay Road at Kit's Corner (Highway 29). Proceed until you come to the shopping center where Riviera Foods and Soda Bay Coffee Co. are located. At the end of that shopping center is Fairway Drive and a sign for Riviera Hills. Turn right and proceed about 6/10 of a mile up the hill. 10200 will be on your left.
For more information contact Operation Tango Mike organizer Ginny Craven, 349-2838.
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- Details
- Written by: Editor
CLEARLAKE OAKS – On Monday, Clay Shannon, proprietor of Shannon Ridge Winery in Lake County, donated $1,000 to Operation Tango Mike, a community effort that sends care packages and support to United States troops.
Operation Tango Mike accomplishes its mission through the support of Lake County veterans, community organizations and volunteers.
Shannon Ridge recently completed renovations on a historic one-room school house building and held a grand opening event at the new tasting room and retail sales facility earlier this month.
As a commitment to give back to the community, Shannon promised that a portion of the proceeds from the sales generated at the event would be presented to the Operation Tango Mike group.
On Monday, Shannon presented Ginny Craven of Operation Tango Mike with the check.
“Clay’s generous donation will cover shipping costs for care packages for US troops overseas for the next three months,” said Craven.
Shannon said he's proud to be a supporter of this important cause.
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- Details
- Written by: Lake County News Reports
LAKEPORT – Chapter 951 of Vietnam Veterans of America is holding its monthly potluck dinner and general meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 14.
The potluck begins at 6 p.m., with the meeting at 7 p.m.
The group will meet at its our usual location, at Saint Mary Immaculate Parish Hall, 801 N. Main St., Lakeport.
A luau theme will be featured at this month's meeting with a contest for the best and worst Hawaiian shirt. The chapter will discuss plans for a poker run as well as sign ups for participation at the upcoming Lake County Fair.
Contact person for the contents of this announcement is George J. Dorner at 274-5698, or at sending email of
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- Details
- Written by: Editor
KELSEYVILLE – Two upcoming events will help support Operation Tango Mike, a local group that sends care packages to U.S. troops overseas.
The Red, White and Blue Scramble, a nine-hole golf scramble will be held Saturday, July 14 at the new Riviera Hills Golf & Recreation Club at 10200 Fairway Drive, Kelseyville.
Registration begins at 8 a.m. with play at 8:30 a.m. A donation of $20 to Operation Tango Mike and a $20 golf fee includes use of a cart.
From noon to 5 p.m. swim and lounge in two sparkling pools with a specially priced $5 pool pass.
Then, from 5 to 10 p.m., a pool party will be rockin’ to the '50s tunes of the Lake County Diamonds. The party will feature great music and BBQ for $20. There will be raffles, an auction and fun – bring your dancing shoes!
Proceeds benefit Operation Tango Mike, saying “thanks much” by sending support and care packages to our troops.
Reservations are needed for these events. Please call 277-7575, extension No. 4. You may contact Ginny Craven regarding Operation Tango Mike at 349-2838.
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