Veterans
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LAKEPORT, Calif. – Pvt. Jason Michael Winford, 23, has graduated from the Army National Guard GED and Basic Training Program at Fort Benning, Georgia.
During his 16 weeks of training, Pvt. Winford earned his GED, studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, received training in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare, rifle marksmanship, military courtesy, military justice system, foot marches and field training exercises.
Winford is the son of Kristin Reynolds of Lakeport; grandson of Al and Judie Reynolds of Lakeport; brother of Jennifer and Kari Winford of Lakeport; and uncle of Kyle Young of Lakeport. His family is very proud of his accomplishments.
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SACRAMENTO – Gov. Edmund G. Brown Jr. has proclaimed Women Veterans History Week in California, March 18-24, 2013, to honor their courage and sacrifice in defense of our nation.
“Currently, women make up 14 percent of the active duty U.S. Armed Forces and 18 percent of the Guard and Reserves. Women also make up 8 percent of the total U.S. veterans population and 10 percent of the veterans population in California,” said CalVet Secretary Peter J. Gravett. “Nationally and statewide, the women veteran population will continue to grow. Therefore, it is imperative that we remember to recognize and honor their service and contributions, as they often face unique challenges when transitioning out of the military and back into our communities.”
In honor of this week-long celebration, CalVet invites people to take a moment to reflect on the many positive contributions women have made to the history of our country and to the progress of our society. Women’s rights and equality benefit all of us, not just the female gender.
In honor of California’s Women’s Military History Week from March 18- 24, CalVet especially asks that Californians remember and honor the contributions women have made to our Armed Forces and in defense of this country.
Women have bravely served in every major U.S. conflict and have been Prisoners of War and Purple Heart recipients revealing their dedication, patriotism and courage.
They served in the American Revolution and in the U.S. Civil War, often dressed as men so that they would be allowed to fight.
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LAKEPORT, Calif. – Suds-4-Soldiers, a car wash, will be held on Saturday, March 30, at Umpqua Bank, 805 11th St., Lakeport.
The event is “weather permitting” with an alternate date of April 6.
Cars will be washed and dried from 8 a.m. to noon, with a suggested donation of $7.
Proceeds benefit Operation Tango Mike in sending care packages to deployed troops.
Call 707-349-2838 for more information or e-mail
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KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Army Reserve Pvt. Elizabeth Potter has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.
During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches, and field training exercises.
Potter is the daughter of Tim Potter and Joane McKay, both of Kelseyville, and sister of Steven and Tonya Potter of Windsor, Calif.
She is a 2012 graduate of Windsor High School.
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Michael Wells, 54, of Sacramento, has been appointed undersecretary at the California Department of Veterans Affairs, according to Gov. Jerry Brown’s office.
Wells has served in multiple positions at the California Military Department since 1991, including deputy commander of the Youth and Community Programs Task Force, director of manpower and personnel, chief of logistics, legislative liaison to the director of governmental and international affairs, plans officer and chief of environmental programs.
He also has served as commander of the 223rd Infantry Regiment and Camp, San Luis Obispo since 2011.
Wells was chief of intelligence at the joint force headquarters of the California Military Department from 2009 to 2011 and chief of intelligence operations at NATO headquarters in Sarajevo from 2008 to 2009.
He served as assistant chief of intelligence for the 40th Infantry Division at the Joint Training Base in Los Alamitos from 2006 to 2008 and commander of the 250th Military Intelligence Battalion at Camp Victory from 2004 to 2006.
Wells served in the U.S. Naval Reserve from 1983 to 1991. He earned a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law and a Master of Science degree in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College.
This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $158,484. Wells is a Democrat.
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CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – Army Pvt. Michael J. Kalandros has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.
During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches, and field training exercises.
Kalandros is the son of Becky and Emmanual Kalandros of Clearlake Oaks, Calif.
He is a 2007 graduate of Clearlake Community School.
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- Written by: Lake County News Reports
NICE, Calif. – The Sons of Italy and Operation Tango Mike hosted a pasta feast on Thursday, Feb. 21, to a standing-room-only crowd.
There was not one empty seat in the house when it was time for dinner to be served. Unfortunately, some supporters had to be turned away at the door.
Neither organization expected a response so great from the community that it would necessitate stopping admission.
Those who were fortunate to dine enjoyed a delicious homemade meal and a wide variety of desserts.
The Lakeport Lions supported the dinner dance by sponsoring twenty service members and veterans, paying for their dinners
Many prizes were awarded throughout the evening and dancers kicked up their heels to the High Notes, who donated their time and talents.
With the overwhelming success of the event, both organizations agree that partnering again is in the future. However, any indoor events will be presale and may even feature two seating times for dinner.
There is discussion of an outdoor event at the Sons of Italy lodge, which will allow for more seating and a different dining and dancing experience.
Both organizations are grateful for the support and truly regret not being able to admit all who wished to attend. Every effort was made, including borrowing extra chairs, but the building simply could not accommodate more attendance.
On Saturday, March 16, the Sons of Italy will host a dinner dance featuring the well-known band Twice and Good.
The Sons of Italy also hosts afternoon dining the first Sunday of each month at 1 p.m. and dinner dances on various Saturdays each month. Call 707-274-9952 for more information.
Operation Tango Mike hosts packing parties to prepare care packages for deployed troops on the third Thursday of each month at 6 p.m., Umpqua Bank, 805 11th St., Lakeport.
The March packing party will mark ten years since founder Ginny Craven began the local troop support effort.
The community is invited to attend and commemorate Lake County’s ongoing endeavors on behalf of America’s troops.
For more information you may call 707-349-2838 or e-mail
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U.S. Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Richard Burr (R-NC), co-chairs of the Senate Military Family Caucus, have introduced legislation that would encourage the president to issue a proclamation each year designating March 29 as “Vietnam Veterans Day” to honor all members of our Armed Forces who served during the Vietnam War.
“Each and every American service member who sacrifices for our country deserves to be welcomed home by a grateful nation,” Sen. Boxer said. “Establishing a national day of recognition for veterans of the Vietnam War will honor their service and show the deep appreciation we feel for these brave men and women.”
“Despite serving honorably and bravely in Vietnam, our soldiers arrived home to a country in political turmoil and never received the recognition they deserved,” Sen. Burr said. “By setting March 29th aside as a day to remember and thank our Vietnam veterans, we can show our unified gratitude for their service and the sacrifices they made on our behalf.”
More than 58,000 members of the United States Armed Forces lost their lives in Vietnam and more than 300,000 were wounded.
The Burr-Boxer bill would establish a “Vietnam Veterans Day,” honoring all Vietnam veterans annually on the date the last American combat forces withdrew from Vietnam, according to the terms of the Paris Peace Accords.
Last year, President Obama issued a proclamation designating March 29, 2012, as “Vietnam Veterans Day” following a bipartisan, bicameral letter led by Senators Boxer and Burr requesting that he designate March 29 as a national day of observance to honor our Vietnam veterans.
In recent years, both the Senate and the House of Representatives have unanimously passed resolutions expressing support for a national “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day.”
The senators introduced similar legislation in the 112th Congress.
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WASHINGTON, DC – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that it has made significant progress in providing increased access to mental health care services for the nation’s veterans by hiring new mental health professionals.
Last year, Secretary Eric K. Shinseki announced a goal to hire 1,600 new mental health clinical providers and 300 administrative support staff.
The president’s Aug. 31, 2012, Executive Order requires the positions to be filled by June 30, 2013.
As of Jan. 29, VA has hired 1,058 mental health clinical providers and 223 administrative support staff in support of this specific goal.
“We aren’t slowing down our efforts even after these initial positive results,” said Shinseki. “We still need to hire more mental health professionals in order to reach our goal, but each new hire means we can treat more veterans and provide greater access to our mental health services.”
Overall, VA has set aggressive goals to fill these new positions as well as existing and projected mental health vacancies within the VA system.
As of Jan. 29, VA has hired a total of 3,262 mental health professionals and administrative support staff to serve veterans since the goal was announced, which includes the new 1,058 mental health clinical providers and 223 administrative support staff.
The mental health professionals hired include psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, mental health nurses, licensed professional mental health counselors, licensed marriage and family therapists, and addictions therapists.
VA provides a comprehensive system of high-quality mental health treatments and services to veterans.
The department is utilizing many tools to recruit and retain one of the largest mental health care workforces in the nation to serve veterans better by providing enhanced services, expanded access, longer clinic hours, and increased telemental health capability to deliver services.
“Today, as veterans return home from missions in Afghanistan and those who previously returned from Iraq, it is imperative that we ensure they have access to timely, high-quality mental health care,” said Undersecretary for Health Dr. Robert A. Petzel. “The invisible scars of war follow them as they return from theater. It is our responsibility to identify these wounds, treat them and prevent the long-term physical, mental and social consequences of them.”
In accordance with the president’s Aug. 31, 2012, Executive Order, VA has also completed hiring and training of additional staff to increase the capacity of the Veterans Crisis Line (1-800-273-8255, press 1) and phone lines have been increased by 50 percent.
As of Dec. 31, 2012, the Veterans Crisis Line has received over 747,000 calls, over 83,000 chats, as well as over 5,000 texts, and has saved more than 26,000 Veterans in imminent danger.
There are many veterans who are willing to seek treatment and to share their experiences with mental health issues when they share a common bond of duty, honor and service with the provider.
VA is in the process of hiring and training 800 Peer Specialists in the coming year. Additionally, VA has awarded a contract to the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance to provide certification training for Peer Specialists. This peer staff is expected to all be hired by Dec. 31, 2013, and will work as members of mental health teams.
The number of veterans receiving specialized mental health treatment from VA has risen each year, from 927,052 in fiscal year (FY) 2006 to more than 1.3 million in FY 2012.
One major reason for this increase is VA’s proactive screening of all veterans to identify those who may have symptoms of depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), problem use of alcohol or who have experienced military sexual trauma (MST).
Mental health care providers seeking opportunities to serve our nation’s veterans can find additional information about rewarding VA careers and apply for jobs online at www.vacareers.va.gov and www.usajobs.gov .
To locate the nearest VA facility or vet center for enrollment and to get scheduled for care, veterans can visit VA’s Web site at www.va.gov .
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