Veterans
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KELSEYVILLE – The Kelseyville American Legion Tredway Post 194 will celebrate the Fourth of July with its annual barbecue, which raises funds for the post's many community programs.
Now in its 41st year, the Tredway Post barbecue will take place from noon to 5 p.m. at the Legion Hall, located on Second and Gaddy Lane.
On the menu is barbecue beef and chicken, beans, salad and garlic bread. Requested donation is $8 for adults, $4 for children under 12.
Proceeds from the event go to support community programs such as the post's nurses scholarship (two are awarded each year); Boys and Girls State, where six boys and three girls are sent each year to Sacramento for a week to learn about government; the Pollock Pines camp, where three boys and three girls are sent for three days each year to learn about the environment, and how to maintain and preserve it.
The funds raised from the barbecue also help the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary to support the Fourth of July and Christmas parties at the Yountville Veterans Home.
Stop in for some good food and friendly company, and support a great community organization.
The post is located at 5005 Second, telephone 279-1349.
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- Written by: Lake County News Reports
LAKEPORT – The Fourth of July should be a celebration from home for the troops on Operation Tango Mike's shipping list.
On June 19, the Tango Mike volunteers packed a record 60 boxes. Even with the low-key recruitment used to limit the number of volunteers to the capacity of the parish hall at Saint Mary Immaculate, there was plenty of help from both "civilians" and the members of Chapter 951, Vietnam Veterans of America.
The "civilians" featured bride Desiree Muchmore, whose new husband is deploying in November, and Donna Christopher, community activist. Other helpful hands included John Christopher, Liz Ezzell, Carol Whitaker, Bobbi Chambliss, Jackie Wilson, Denise Wilson and Mike Curran. The latter two are parents of troops in Iraq.
VVA Chapter members helping included Don and Peg McCown, Woody and Sandy Hughes, Harry Graves, Skip Hulet, Dan Davi, Steve Sayers, Ed Moore, Larry Mick and this author.
Ramrodding the setup effort were Ginny Craven and Chapter President Dean Gotham. Ginny then settled in to be Quality Control for the final product. In over four years, not a single box of hers has ever bounced back, so she obviously knows her stuff.
The volunteers were so intent on their mission most never realized refreshments were available until the packing was pretty much complete. Packing took about an hour and a half. However, Ginny and Dean probably put in five hours all told because they haul donations to and from the hall, set up beforehand and tear down afterwards.
An interesting sidelight is that as Operation Tango Mike has grown, it has acquired the names of more and more local troopers without undercutting its purpose of supporting combat troops. Lake County apparently doesn't supply too many rear echelon troops to the cause.
Look for us to ship in about another month. Donations of money and goods are still most welcome. Contributions of checks or money orders can be tax deductible. Mail to P. O. Box 1313, Lakeport, CA 95453-1313. Cash donations may be given to Ginny Craven. Her cell phone is 707-349-2838 .
We still have our donation barrels out, with some additions to the cause. Whether or not you drop something in these barrels – and we hope you do – please thank those kind enough to host them.
Here's a list of our drop zones:
In Kelseyville: Riviera Foods at 9730 Soda Bay Road.
All three Hardester's Markets: on Highway 29 in Middletown, in Hidden Valley at 29843 Hartman Road, and at 16295 Highway 175 on Cobb Mountain.
Clearlake: Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 2237, 3980 Veterans Lane; American Legion Post 437; 14770 Austin Road; Foods, Etc., 15290 Lakeshore Drive.
Spring Valley: Russ' Valley Pantry, 1578 New Long Valley Road.
Clearlake Oaks: Tower Mart No. 161, 12583 East Highway 20, and Nylander's Red and White Store, 12580 East Highway 20.
Lucerne: Lakeview Market, 6068 East Highway 20.
Nice: Sentry Market, 2265 East Highway 20.
- Upper Lake: Country Carpets, 9465 Main Street; Judy's Junction, 375 East Highway 20.
- Lakeport: Mackey Tires and Spas, 2102 S. Main St.; The Ink Spot, 95 Third St.; Kerrie's Quilting, 1853 N. High St.; The Iron Worker Gym, 325 20th St.; Safeway, 1071 11th St., Bruno's Shop Smart, 355 Lakeport Blvd.; and Umpqua Bank, 805 11th St.
A special note about the latter, and how they've gone the extra mile for us. Umpqua Bank has transformed its entire lobby into an appeal for our cause, and has taken it upon themselves to collect monies as well as goods for us.
We have the Shannon Ridge Winery fundraiser to look forward to on June 30 and July 1, from noon until 4 p.m. They have pledged a portion of their proceeds to Operation Tango Mike, bless their hearts. We'll have a booth there, and hope to see all of you.
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KELSEYVILLE – The United Veterans Councils is sponsoring a fundraiser barbecue in conjunction with the parking lot sale at the Riviera Shopping Center.
The barbecue will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 30, and Sunday, July 1.
The council will serve up Italian sausages and hot dogs.
Proceeds will support the Military Funeral Honors Team of Lake County, going to repair rifles and replace worn uniforms.
Please support our veterans.
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SACRAMENTO – The Assembly Committee on Veterans Affairs voted Tuesday to approve a pair of bills by North Coast Senator Patricia Wiggins (D–Santa Rosa) to improve the quality of services and care at the Veterans Home in Yountville.
SB 560 requires the Milton Marks "Little Hoover" Commission on California State Government Organization and Economy to submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature by September 1, 2008 assessing the adequacy of services provided to the visually impaired residents at Yountville.
According to Sen. Wiggins, the issues she hopes to address include such things as daily menus and bulletins which can be difficult for visually-impaired residents to read.
“I have received complaints from visually impaired residents at Yountville, ranging from safety issues and paperwork they cannot read to not knowing what food they are putting on their dinner plates,” Wiggins says.
“While some of the issues facing the visually impaired are unique, it should not be difficult to come up with solutions.”
SB 565 calls for the establishment of a Hospital and Health Services Administrator position to be established at the Veterans Home in Yountville. Yountville is the only veterans home of California with an emergency room, skilled nursing facility, pharmacy, and (effective July 11) an Alzheimer/Dementia unit.
“They have a medical director and a nursing director but no one to administer and coordinate the medical care and medical personnel for all the facilities on the property,” Wiggins says.
“I believe that my bill will enable us to build on the foundation of care and service at Yountville to more adequately address the needs of our veterans who reside there.”
Patricia Wiggins, who represents California’s 2nd Senate District, is a member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee. The 2nd District includes portions or all of Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Napa, Solano & Sonoma Counties.
Visit her Web site at http://dist02.casen.govoffice.com/.
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LAKEPORT – Chapter 951 of Vietnam Veterans of America is holding its monthly potluck dinner and general meeting on Tuesday, July 10. Potluck is at 6 p.m.; meeting is at 7 p.m.
The group will meet at their usual location, at Saint Mary Immaculate Parish Hall, 801 N. Main St., Lakeport.
Topic of discussion will be social activities, the county fair and poker run.
All Vietnam era veterans, veterans of all eras, their families and friends, and members of the general public are all cordially welcomed.
Contact person for the contents of this announcement is George J. Dorner at 274-5698, or by e-mail of
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SACRAMENTO – The State Senate has voted to approve a measure by Sen. Patricia Wiggins (D-Santa Rosa) to establish the position of hospital and health services administrator for the Veterans Home in Yountville.
Senators approved Senate Bill 565 by a margin of 31-4 on Tuesday, which means the legislation now heads to the Assembly for consideration.
Yountville is the only veterans’ home in California that has with an emergency room, skilled nursing facility, and a pharmacy. The facility’s new Alzheimer/Dementia unit is scheduled to open July 11.
“They have a medical director and a nursing director but the home needs someone solely dedicated to administering and coordinating the medical care and medical personnel for all the facilities on the property,” Wiggins said. “The veterans have expressed concern that doctors, nurses and other personnel are often at odds with each other, and that an administrator could help improve the process as well as the quality of care and services.”
If approved by the Assembly and signed into law by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, SB 565 would require that the hospital and health services administrator is responsible for the overall management of health services centers at Yountville, as well as the organization, direction, and coordination of medical and health services in the hospital, pharmacy, outpatient clinic, skilled nursing facility, and Alzheimer's unit.
The hospital and health services administrator would report to the administrator of the home, currently Marcella McCormack.
“I think Marcella McCormack is doing a wonderful job, and my legislation should in no way be interpreted as anything other than an effort to improve the quality of care and services offered to our veterans,” Wiggins said. “Yountville is the largest veterans’ home in the United States with 1,200 members, and I think it is essential for us to continuously find ways to better serve the brave men and women who have served and sacrificed on behalf of our nation.”
Visit Wiggins' Web site at http://dist02.casen.govoffice.com/.
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LAKEPORT – Chapter 951 of Vietnam Veterans of America is holding its monthly potluck dinner and general meeting on Thursday, June 14.
The potluck begins at 6 p.m., with the meeting at 7 p.m.
The group will meet at their usual location, at Saint Mary Immaculate Parish Hall, 801 N. Main St., Lakeport.
Topic of discussion will be Operation Tango Mike packing party and other activities for the Fourth of July.
All Vietnam-era veterans, veterans of all eras, their families and friends, and members of the general public are all cordially welcome.
For more information contact George J. Dorner at 274-5698, or e-mail
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SACRAMENTO – Ginny Craven picked up the award for Most Patriotic Organization on behalf of Lake County's own Operation Tango Mike in Sacramento's Grand Ballroom on Friday, May 4.
The event was the Homefront Heroes Gala 2007, sponsored by Operation Homefront and Rebels With A Cause, national veterans help organizations.
Honorary co-chairmen of the event were Thomas Johnson, secretary, California Department of Veteran Affairs; Major General William H. Wade II, adjutant general, California National Guard; Major General Roger Brautigan (Ret.), undersecretary, California Department of Veteran Affairs; and Brigadier General Emory "Jack" Hagan II, commanding general, California State Military Reserve, who was the master of ceremonies.
Also gracing the occasion was Lewis Lee Millett Jr., a Medal of Honor winner.
Many other individuals and organizations being recognized for their contributions to our troops, their families and our veterans were in attendance. The room was filled with proud veterans from many eras, as well as many active duty military members.
The keynote speaker was Brian Shul, a fighter pilot shot down during Vietnam. He not only survived the crash, but the extensive and life-threatening burns he sustained and returned to fly again, in the world's fastest aircraft, the SR-71 Blackbird.
Shul spoke of the tremendous support and comfort he felt when receiving packages and mail during his hospitalization and how that bolstered him to fight to survive and thrive.
He strongly and adamantly stated the support supplied to our troops is fundamental to their morale.
Craven's reception is a long-overdue public acknowledgment of her strenuous four-year effort to support our troops.
However, she's not resting on her acclaim. She's briskly nailing down the details of her upcoming pasta feast fundraiser for Tango Mike, which will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday, May 12, at Saint Mary Immaculate Parish Hall, 801 N. Main St., Lakeport.
E-mail George Dorner at
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LAKE COUNTY – The first time Chrissie Ebert saw Joe Smigel, he was prone on the front lawn of the Blue Lakes Lodge in the midst of a flock of about 50 ducks. He was nose to beak with them, quacking away. It was the beginning of eight years of love that would end at the nearby octagonal gazebo at Pine Acres Resort, at the celebration of his life.
The April 21 gathering broke the funeral meats, traded Joe stories, and looked at the poster board shrine of photos commemorating an extraordinary ordinary man.
In one photo, Joe's head was poking out of the engine bay of a car like a prairie dog from its hole. Others showed the restored cars that were the fruit of his skill and sweat. A couple even dated back to Joe's service in the 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam.
The Joe stories were comic ones, befitting a man who loved blue collar comedians like Jeff Foxworthy and Larry the Cable Guy.
There was the time he turned a car in a tight circle in an even tighter parking situation. He managed to hit a washing machine and three cars – one of them twice.
There was Joe, the deer hunter who could see deer all day when his hunting partner never saw a creature.
There was Joe, the four by four king, who could stick a truck on a side hill, get out to appraise the situation, and find that his truck was so tilted he couldn't climb back in except by crawling down the truck bed.
They were all unlikely funny stories for a man from such sad beginnings.
He was born April 15, 1950, in Delaware, and orphaned while still a child.
He was passed around among kinfolk during his youth. His aunt moved to California, taking him along. While in high school, he nurtured dreams of playing professional baseball.
He graduated from Colfax High School, and received his draft notice one week later. As happened to draftees in those days, he was sent to Vietnam. He was wounded there and was awarded the Purple Heart.
After his discharge, he mastered the body and fender mechanic's trade and worked at it in Sacramento and Ukiah before coming to Lake County. The dust and fumes of the trade undermined his health and forced him into premature retirement and his role as neighborhood character.
His final fate overtook him while he was under treatment at the VA Hospital at Fort Miley, San Francisco. He was interred with honors at the new National Cemetery at Dixon.
There were no sad faces at the celebration of his life. It was a fitting end to the man who could walk into a group of glum people and jolt them out of their mopes with his favorite phrase about life – "Ah, it's all just a walk in the park."
E-mail George Dorner at
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