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Veterans
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YOUNTVILLE, Calif. – Congressman Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena) announced Friday that the Yountville Veterans Home Post Office will remain open despite having been considered last year for closure by the United States Postal Service (USPS).
Last July, the post office was included on a list of approximately 3,700 others being considered for closure by the USPS.
Thompson, who represents the Yountville veterans home, led the effort against its closure.
“Today’s announcement says to the veterans here in Yountville and to veterans across our country that we stand by your side,” said Thompson. “The people who live in this home are heroes who put their lives on the line to serve our nation. Because we fought to keep the Yountville Veterans Home Post Office open, many of our aged and disabled veterans will still have access to their mail, packages and prescription drugs.”
“After a long and careful review, I determined that the customer service options that would be left for our veterans and staff would not be sufficient to meet their needs or our obligation to serve them,” said USPS Bay-Valley District Manager Kim Fernandez.
“We are greatly pleased with Congressman Thompson’s efforts for keeping the post office open at the Yountville Veterans Home,” said Peter J. Gravett, secretary of the California Department of Veterans Affairs. “Having convenient access to a post office is but one of the many benefits and services our veterans deserve for having worn our nation’s military uniform.”
The Yountville Veterans Home is one of the oldest in the nation and currently houses over 1,000 veterans, representing every era of warrior from World War II to the present conflicts.
The residents range from those who are in the final stages of their lives to those who are trying to adjust from traumatic brain injury and post traumatic stress disorder from Iraq and Afghanistan.
The Yountville Veterans Home Post Office was the only post office on the USPS’s potential closure list that is located in a veterans home.
The USPS estimated that the closure of the Yountville Veterans Home post office would only save approximately $1,000 per year.
In August 2011 Thompson wrote to Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe urging that he reconsider closing the post office.
Thompson also worked with local town and county officials, the American Legion and the California Department of Veterans Affairs to oppose the closing of the veterans home post office.
Congressman Mike Thompson represents California’s 1st Congressional District, which includes the Counties of Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Sonoma, Napa and Yolo.
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MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Air Force Airman Fernando F. Herrera graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, 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.
Herrera is the grandson of Idine Verdin of Hidden Valley Lake, Calif.
He is a 2011 graduate of Middletown High School.
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Gov. Jerry Brown has issued a proclamation honoring women who serve the United States in the military.
He has declared March 19-23 as “Women’s Military History Week.”
The full text of the proclamation is below.
PROCLAMATION BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
The first known woman soldier in the United States armed forces was Deborah Sampson of Massachusetts who, disguised as a man, served in the Revolutionary War. Throughout the history of our armed forces, women have been dedicated patriots, willing to put their lives in grave danger to protect our nation and the freedoms of its people.
The Women's Armed Services Integration Act of 1948 made women, who formerly served only as auxiliaries in times of war, a permanent part of our armed forces. Today, women can be found fulfilling nearly all of the duties that were once the exclusive domain of men in the American military. In 2008, Lieutenant General Ann E. Dunwoody became the first female four-star general in the United States Army. Her promotion highlights not only the great capacity that the skills and efforts of women add to our military, but also the tremendous strides we have made as a society toward the achievement of gender equality in all occupations.
Women’s Military History Week is dedicated to the women who have sacrificed, and who continue to serve and sacrifice, in the nation’s defense. We salute them for their courage.
NOW THEREFORE I, EDMUND G. BROWN JR., Governor of the State of California, do hereby proclaim March 19-23 2012, as “Women’s Military History Week.”
IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed this 20th day of March 2012.
___________________________________
EDMUND G. BROWN JR.
Governor of California
ATTEST:
__________________________________
DEBRA BOWEN
Secretary of State
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Military Support Riders invites all motorcyclists and other interested groups to participate in the group's inaugural poker run on Saturday, April 7, and Sunday, April 8.
Registration starts at 8 a.m., kick stands up at 11 a.m. April 7.
The entry fee is $20 per person, which includes your first raffle ticket.
There will be raffles, 50/50 raffles, mini bike raffle and more.
All proceeds from the event will help raise funds for disabled veterans in California.
The event will start at Big Pine Camp ground in Loch Lomond with food, gift and art vendors.
Live bands will be featuring including DJ ScrooLoos3, The Gillbillys, Johnny Tsunami and the Hurricanes, and more.
The poker run will go from the group's Creek Side Club House and Recreation Center in Cobb, Woody’s Bar & Grill in Kelseyville, Hillside Honda in Lakeport and will eEnd at Twin Pine Casino & Hotel in Middletown.
Last stop turn in ends at 3 p.m.
Rally hours at Big Pine Campground are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., with overnight camping costing $35 or $15 with a poker run ticket.
On April 8 the fun run around the lake starts with kick stands up at 11 a.m.
For more information contact Military Support Riders at 707-881-3037.
ll are encouraged to come join in the fun and support a great cause.
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Air Force Airman Blair M. Hall graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, 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.
Hall is the son of Gary Hall of Lakeport, Calif., and stepson of Bob Newberry of Oakley, Calif.
He is a 2010 graduate of Freedom High School in Oakley, Calif.
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LAKEPORT, Calif. – On Saturday another World War II veteran will be laid to rest in Veterans Circle at Hartley Cemetery.
Please consider attending this military honor ceremony on Saturday, March 10.
The ceremony will begin with a bugle call promptly at 1 p.m.
The United Veterans Council Military Funeral Honors Team will provide traditional military honors with Chaplain H. W. Hughes officiating.
World War II veterans, part of the Greatest Generation, as journalist Tom Brokaw termed it, are passing from the scene at the rate of 1,600 per day nationwide.
President John F. Kennedy once said, “A nation reveals itself not only by the men it produces, but also by the men it honors, the men it remembers.”
Hartley Cemetery is located at 2552 Hill Road East, Lakeport.
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CLEARLAKE – Join in the fun and frolic on St. Patrick’s Day.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post No. 2337, 3980 Veterans Lane in Clearlake, will host dinner and dancing on Saturday, March 17, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Kick up your heels to the sounds of the Southern Comfort band and enjoy traditional corned beef and cabbage dinner.
Dancing and music runs from 3 to 8 p.m. Dinner will be served at 5 p.m.
Donations are requested at $12 per person. Proceeds benefit the Military Funeral Honors Team of Lake County.
The team has provided honors at more than 800 veteran funerals in Lake County.
The honors team is comprised of veterans from all branches of the armed forces and is an all-volunteer squad.
The group receives no government funding and relies on donations and fundraising. Some operational costs include fuel and maintenance of the team bus, weapons maintenance and personnel uniforms.
The rising costs of fuel are mounting in increasing expenses for the team.
Advance ticket purchase is requested.
Tickets may be obtained daily at the VFW from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
For more information call 707-994-4748.
California Interagency Council on Veterans streamlines delivery of benefits and services to veterans
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In one of the largest gatherings of its kind, the California Interagency Council on Veterans (ICV) brought together more than 130 representatives from federal, state, and local organizations to discuss ways in which to make it easier for veterans and their families to claim the benefits and services they have earned through military service.
This gathering began Wednesday and will continue Thursday at the Sacramento Convention Center.
“We are pleased to see so many representatives from all levels of government and non-governmental organizations come together to work toward making it easier for veterans and their families to receive the many benefits and services they so desperately need,” said Peter J. Gravett, Secretary, California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet).
The California Interagency Council on Veterans’ Web site is now active and can be accessed at www.icv.ca.gov.
Representatives from all levels of government, including the California Departments of Veterans Affairs, Health Care Services; Housing and Community Development; Military; Employment Development; and University, College and Judicial systems were present.
Also present are representatives from community-based organizations, veterans service organizations, and local service providers.
Attendees are discussing issues important to veterans, such as housing, education, health and employment.
California is home to 2.2 million veterans, with 30,000 more veterans annually making the Golden State their home.
The unemployment rate among younger veterans is almost twice as high as that for the overall population, indicating a greater need for coordinated and efficient delivery of benefits and services to veterans.
The ICV is tasked with identifying and prioritizing the needs of California's veterans and coordinating the activities at all levels of government in addressing those needs.
The governor’s news release and executive order establishing the ICV is available at http://gov.ca.gov/news.php?id=17177.
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SACRAMENTO – The California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) is unveiling its new mobile application (app) at the 14th annual Government Technology Conference this Wednesday, Feb. 8, at the Sacramento Convention Center.
The CalVet app, available for both Android and Apple devices (and being demonstrated in Booth No. 117 in Exhibit Hall E), gives users 24/7 access to information about employment, education, housing, health and other benefits and services available to California veterans.
Details of specific veterans benefits – including eligibility, providers, hours of operation and contact information – are at users’ fingertips.
Embedded GPS technology provides maps and driving directions to the nearest County Veterans Service Offices (CVSO), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs health facilities and clinics, and organizations that offer services to veterans.
“Being able to reach and assist veterans in such an immediate and personal way is very exciting,” said Peter J. Gravett, CalVet Secretary. “The apps are great for tech savvy veterans but are also intuitive enough to allow veterans of every era to connect quickly and easily with CalVet or their CVSO and get assistance in applying for the benefits they’ve earned.”
The CalVet app for Droid devices can be downloaded for free by clicking the icon located on the Home page of the CalVet Web site, www.calvet.ca.gov.
The CalVet app for Apple devices is available for free from any Apple Store.
The Government Technology Conference will feature more than 320 computer and telecommunications companies and a program that includes nationally known speakers, workshops, and seminars on project management, Web development, justice and policy safety issues and eGovernment issues.
Visit them on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/mycalvet.