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Veterans
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SACRAMENTO – CalVet and the California State Fair will honor patriots during Military Appreciation Day on Thursday, July 17, at CalExpo in Sacramento.
Veterans, active duty military, guard and reserve members will be admitted to the fair for free on that day with appropriate ID. (Those with a Distinguished Veteran Pass will be admitted for free during the entire run of the State Fair, now through July 27.)
Veterans and their families are encouraged to visit CalVet information tables to learn about the state and federal veteran benefits they have earned through military service.
Those benefits can increase family income, pay for college or other types of training, provide health care, home loan financing, residential care for older and disabled veterans and much more.
More than 20 other government agencies and veteran service organizations will be at the Fair to offer information as well.
CalVet and the California Department of Human Resources will teach veterans how to transition from military service to state service during a “How to Get a State Job” workshop on the Golden 1 Stage at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Additional information and personal assistance will be available at the CalVet information table.
CalVet will also host an MRE (meals ready to eat) Cooking Challenge featuring chefs from The Foundation, Blackbird Kitchen, Hook and Ladder, Rubicon Brewing, Papa Dale’s Mobile Diner and New Moon River Inn Café.
Using randomly-selected military field rations and other simple ingredients provided, chefs will have just 30 minutes to create a culinary masterpiece.
Members of the California National Guard will judge the dishes created. Winners will receive State Fair ribbons and bragging rights.
The CalVet MRE Cooking Challenge will take place at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. in the California Kitchen (Building B). The CalVet information tables will be located near the Main Gate entrance all day.
For more information about the California State Fair, go to http://www.castatefair.org/ .
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FORT JACKSON, South Carolina – Paulina Guillermo, daughter of Ana and Marcos Guillermo of Kelseyville, Calif., completed Army Combat Basic Training on July 2 in Fort Jackson, South Carolina.
Guillermo successfully completed 10 weeks of training designed to challenge new Army recruits both physically and mentally.
In addition to the physical conditioning, Guillermo and her fellow recruits spent numerous hours in a classroom and field assignments, which included learning first aid, uniform regulations, combat life saver, marksmanship, Bastogne, Remagen and operated as a small unit during field training.
Guillermo also received instructions on the Army values – loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage – and what each word means in guiding personal and professional conduct.
She will begin Individual Advance Training in August at Fort Lee, Va.
Guillermo is a 2010 graduate of Kelseyville High School.
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SAN ANTONIO – Air Force Airman Collin A. Green graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.
The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.
Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
Green is the son of Bryan Green of Cobb, Calif., and Sheri Green of Napa, Calif.
He is a 2013 graduate of Middletown High School in Middletown, Calif.
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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Assemblymember Mariko Yamada (D-Davis) recognized Napa resident Almon Bundy as Veteran of the Year for the Fourth Assembly District during a luncheon held on Wednesday.
The Veterans Recognition Luncheon is an opportunity for members of the State Assembly to honor a Veteran residing in his or her district who has significantly contributed to their community.
“As the senior member of the Assembly Veterans Affairs Committee, I am pleased to honor Mr. Almon Bundy for his enduring efforts to assist veterans,” said Yamada. “Mr. Bundy has created an infrastructure of people, resources, and services to help veterans as they transition back to civilian life and as they cope with trauma and the many challenges this entails.”
Since his retirement from his over 30-year career in sales and marketing, Bundy has focused his energy on volunteering and advocating on behalf of his fellow veterans.
He established the Veterans Emergency Fund which provides veterans with emergency rent, utility payments, food and transportation.
In 2011, Bundy co-founded the Napa County Veterans Advocacy Coalition which consists of a myriad of service providers and organizations that focus on veterans’ issues.
Bundy returned to the workforce in 2012 when he joined the United States Department of Veterans Affairs as a peer support specialist. He primarily focuses on working with veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and other injuries.
“I am diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. We need to stop the stigma associated with that diagnosis,” said Almon Bundy in a statement. “It is my honor to serve my fellow veterans and to pay back what so many veterans have done for me and this country.”
Bundy enlisted in the United States Army in 1966. After completing a course for military advisors at the Special Warfare School in Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, he was assigned as an advisor to the Third Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) Cavalry Squadron.
Bundy’s unit was assigned highway security and was heavily involved in the 1968 Tet Offensive and the aftermath.
The Third ARVN Cavalry Squadron and their U.S. Military advisors received the United States Presidential Unit Citation for their actions during the period.
This is one of the few non-U.S. units to receive the highest U.S. Military Honor awarded at the unit level. Bundy also received the Vietnam Gallantry Cross with a Silver Start and the Vietnam Armor Badge.
Bundy was honorably discharged as a 1st Lieutenant in 1969. He also serves as president of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 702 in Yountville and a member of American Legion Post 113 in Napa.
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In signing the 2014-15 State Budget on Friday, Gov. Jerry Brown also approved a one-time augmentation of $3 million in support of California’s network of 56 County Veterans Service Offices (CVSOs).
Working closely with CalVet, the CVSOs work to connect veterans and their families with the education, employment, housing, health and other state and federal benefits they have earned through military service.
“We are very pleased to see that the governor recognized the efforts of the County Veteran Services Officers and include this additional money to the state’s support for their operations,” said Peter J. Gravett, secretary of the California Department of Veterans Affairs. “The CVSOs are a valuable asset in the state’s effort to increase veterans’ awareness of services available and to assist in connecting them with their earned benefits.”
The budget also provides continued support to the Veterans Homes of California in Fresno and Redding as they continue their ramp-up efforts and admit residents to these two new facilities.
The Fresno Home first admitted Residential Care Facility for the Elderly (RCFE) residents on October 17, 2013 and its first Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) resident on May 1.
The Redding Home admitted its first RCFE residents on October 22, 2013, and will admit its first SNF resident on June 23, 2014.
The governor signed the budget today in a ceremony in San Diego. The budget is balanced, on time, pays down the state debt, builds a solid Rainy Day Fund and directs additional funding for local schools and health care.
Additional details on the 2014-15 budget, including line-item vetoes, can be found at www.ebudget.ca.gov .
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REDDING, Calif. – The California Department of Public Health has given the seal of approval to the Veterans Home of California in Redding to operate as a skilled nursing facility.
Decisions for this approval came down today when the CDPH Survey team completed their initial survey and unanimously passed the veterans home with zero deficiencies in all areas of the skilled nursing facility.
CDPH is dedicated to optimizing the health and well-being of the people in California and that extends to all veterans in each of the eight veteran homes operated by CalVet.
The CDPH instrumentally reviewed all policies and procedures of the skilled nursing facility and has determined the full ability to care for veterans in the home.
This was a systematic and comprehensive evaluation of which the veterans home passed every area of review.
All departments including plant operations, dietary and clinical divisions were inspected and approved which allows the veterans home to begin admitting veterans that are in need of the skilled nursing facility.
“This was no easy effort given the startup nature of the home,” said CalVet Secretary Peter Gravett, “The dedication to serving veterans has gone rewarded.”
The Veterans Home of California-Redding will now begin admitting and serving veterans immediately.
The first resident of the skilled nursing facility will be an Army/Air Force World War II prisoner of war and veteran who will move in on Monday, June 23.
For those interested in applying for residency at the veterans home, please make an appointment with our admissions teams by calling 530-224-3300.
Application for residency and more information on the Redding home are available at https://www.calvet.ca.gov/VetHomes/Pages/Redding.aspx .
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Operation Tango Mike (Operation Thanks Much), the local troop support effort, continues to ship monthly care packages.
Currently, care packages for American military personnel are being sent to six countries.
Care packages contain toiletries, especially individual packs of wet wipes, deodorant, toothpaste and powder.
Every box also contains quality proteins such as nuts, trail mix and jerky.
Food items are critically important too, and instant oatmeal packs and tuna pouches, packed in water, are frequently requested. Of course cookies, granola bars, candy and snacks are sent too.
All of the items shipped are lightweight and portable, as the troops are highly mobile and need to be able to carry provisions with them while on missions.
Despite the news of an impending troop withdrawal, units continue to deploy. Several units left for Afghanistan during May and will be deployed for nine months. Some of these personnel are now on their fifth and sixth tours of duty.
While citizens may have grown weary of the war, none are wearier than the men and women who have sacrificed long periods away from loved ones, in harm’s way.
American military personnel remain engaged in dangerous activities and seven have died over the last week.
The troops and their families are truly grateful for support they receive.
On April 15, United States Air Force mom Trecia Stovall wrote, “My son, SSgt Joshua Dean Stovall, returned from his deployment on Sunday, April 13th. He was met at the airport by his beautiful wife, Lindsay, & their precious daughter, Emily. Thank you for all the love & support that you have shown him & all of our service men & women. Your organization is truly a blessing to many.”
On May 11, Josh Banks wrote, “Thank you Operation Tango Mike and everyone associated with Tango Mike for the care packages that arrived today. They really do make your day when they arrive, especially the letters from the children. What you do does make a difference in the overall morale of the troops.”
It has become increasingly difficult to garner and maintain the support needed to ship monthly care packages. However, as they troops remained deployed, the local effort remains steadfast.
Anyone wishing to contribute to Operation Tango Mike may do so at Umpqua Bank, at the Lakeport and Kelseyville branches.
You may also use PayPal via www.operationtangomike.org or Go Fund Me via Facebook.
Donations may be mailed to Operation Tango Mike, 5216 Piner Court, Kelseyville, CA 95451.
Packing parties to prepare troop care packages are held the third Thursday of each month at 6 p.m., at Umpqua Bank, 805 11th St., Lakeport.
For further information regarding Operation Tango Mike you may call 707-349-2838 or e-mail
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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5) announced today that his office is accepting applications from those ages 17-23 who are interested in attending the four service academies requiring nominations: United States Air Force Academy, United States Merchant Marine Academy, United States Military Academy at West Point, and the United States Naval Academy.
The fifth service academy, the Coast Guard Academy, does not require a nomination.
“One of the highest honors I have as a Representative in Congress is getting to annually nominate exceptional candidates from our community to the service academies,” said Thompson. “If offered appointments by the academies, these young men and women will receive both a world class education and the skills they will need to become tomorrow’s military leaders.”
Eligible candidates must be at least 17 years old, but younger than 23, in the year of their admission to the academy, a United States citizen, unmarried, and a resident of California’s 5th Congressional District.
Interested applicants should contact Thompson’s Santa Rosa District Office at
Thompson represents California’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties.
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SACRAMENTO – On any given night roughly 16,000 veterans in California have no place to call home; they sleep in parks, under bridges, in their cars, in emergency shelters or on a friend’s couch. Now, thanks to the voters’ approval of Proposition 41 and the partnership of three state agencies, more veterans will have access to permanent, safe and affordable housing.
The California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet), the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and the California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) also announced Wednesday three stakeholder meetings to be held in July around the state to help inform implementation of the Veterans Housing and Homeless Prevention Program.
“While California is home to nearly two million veterans, the largest veteran population in the nation, we also hold the distinction of having the largest homeless veteran population in the country,” said Peter J. Gravett, Secretary of CalVet. “With this new program and the funding approved by the voters we can finally help these veterans finish their journey home.”
The Veterans Housing and Homeless Prevention Program, created when Governor Brown signed AB 639 by Assembly Speaker Emeritus John Perez in 2013, is already in the development stages and the passage of Proposition 41 will provide the funding to begin helping homeless veterans in California.
The ballot measure, overwhelmingly approved by voters on June 3, authorizes the issuance of $600 million in General Obligation Bonds to fund the acquisition, construction and rehabilitation of multifamily low-income permanent and supportive housing for homeless and low-income veterans and their families.
CalVet, the HCD, and the CalHFA, are already working to identify the range of needs, and most importantly, potential solutions that will help make a difference in the lives of homeless veterans and significantly improve the housing options for these men and women in California.
Stakeholder meetings have been scheduled across the state to gather input on targeting services and identifying where the demand is greatest for the Veterans Housing and Homeless Prevention Program.
Members of the public are invited to attend these stakeholder meetings.
Stakeholder outreach meetings to present the program framework and proposed policies will be held in four locations:
- July 10, 10 a.m.: Elihu M. Harris Building, 1515 Clay St., Oakland.
- July 14, 1:30 p.m.: California Tower, 3737 Main St., second floor, Riverside.
- July 15, 10 a.m.: California State Office Building, 1350 Front St., Room B109, San Diego.
- July 16, 1:30 p.m.: HCD headquarters, 2020 W. El Camino, Room 402, Sacramento.
Subsequent stakeholder meetings will be held in San Diego, Los Angeles and the Bay Area in September 2014 to allow for comments on the draft program guidelines.
Additional information on the dates and times of these stakeholder sessions will be posted on the HCD and CalVet Web sites.
“A stable, safe, affordable sense of place is the best possible way to tell our veterans ‘thank you for your service,’” said Claudia Cappio, Executive Director of CalHFA. “We look forward to collaborating with veterans, stakeholders and other state agencies to bring this valuable program to fruition.”
As program details are developed, information will be continuously updated on a special page of the HCD Web site, www.hcd.ca.gov/fa/vets/ and on the CalVet Web site, www.CalVet.ca.gov .
More information can also be obtained by emailing