Veterans
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CalVet Secretary Peter J. Gravett was on hand to receive the ceremonial check from Frank Salvas, Director USDVA State Cemetery Grant Program. Also on hand during the ceremony was Stephen Jorgensen, Administrator, Northern California Veterans Cemetery.
“We are grateful to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for approving this grant to expand the number of burial niches at the Northern California Veterans Cemetery,” said Peter J. Gravett, CalVet Secretary. “This expansion in the number of columbaria will allow us to provide veterans and their families with a place to honor the memory of loved ones who gave so much to preserve our Nation’s freedoms and way of life.”
The Northern California Veterans Cemetery is located at 11800 Gas Point Road, Igo, CA 96047.
CalVet applied for and was approved for this $900,174 grant from the USDVA for construction of 10 columbaria walls to provide 2,000 niches at the Northern California Veterans Cemetery.
This is the first expansion of the NCVC since it was opened in 2005 and will provide columbaria niches for an estimated 10 years.
The existing cemetery columbaria walls, offering 1,600 niches, were installed during the initial construction of the cemetery in 2005. These columbaria are expected to be at full capacity during the month of November.
There will be a three- to four-month waiting period for new niches while the new columbaria are under construction.
“This grant represents the ongoing partnership between the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the State of California,” said Salvas. “These funds will ensure that these columbaria niches are available to veterans for the next 10 years. This is one of the most beautiful cemeteries I have seen thanks to the dedication of Steve Jorgensen and his staff.”
While the columbaria niche option will not be available during the short construction period, the cemetery will offer the option of in-ground burials for cremated remains.
The cemetery has a 70 percent cremation interment rate, which is above the state average. The columbaria construction contract has been awarded to E.C. Smith Inc. of Anderson.
In addition to the check presentation, Gravett presented certificates of appreciation recognizing their commitment to veterans and their contributions to the Northern California Veterans Cemetery to:
Eagle Scout Ryan Parke, for his completion of the construction of two committal service urn pedestals honoring all five branches of the service. These urn pedestals will be used at both the Veterans Memorial Building and the outside committal shelter during services.
Eagle Scout Zachary Havens for constructing a shade shelter next to the Memorial Building as his project.
Chris McCandless for providing his sound system and musical talents at cemetery events and for also being a contributor at many other Northstate veterans’ events.
Home Depot Team No. 6682, for planting trees around the Memorial Building and painting several of the cemetery’s structures.
The Northern California Veterans Cemetery is the first state-owned and operated veterans cemetery in the Golden State.
The cemetery serves the veteran population in 18 Northern California counties and the currently developed area of the cemetery provides sufficient burial space for more than 30 years. Beyond that, the cemetery has the capacity for expansion.
Any eligible veteran, along with spouses and eligible dependents, may be interred at the cemetery.
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“Whether you are a veteran or currently serving, the DMV wants to thank you and your family for the sacrifices you have made for this country and the citizens of California,” said DMV Director George Valverde. “Many of our own employees are veterans, so we feel a personal connection to our military community.”
Veterans, active military and their families will not only enjoy convenient DMV online services at http://www.dmv.ca.gov/coi/veterans/veterans.htm, but can also link with our partner, the California Department of Veterans Affairs, to find resources including information about home loans, voter registration, medical services, and educational assistance.
In addition, a few clicks of the mouse will transport visitors to the Web sites of the U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. State Department.
“We are grateful to our partner, the DMV, for creating this website which serves and honors California’s veterans,” said Peter J. Gravett, CalVet Secretary. “This DMV Web page will greatly assist veterans in taking care of issues dealing with their motor vehicles. I also remind all veterans to make sure they identify themselves as veterans on the form when they renew their drivers license or identification card so we can ensure they get notified of all the benefits they have earned.”
An estimated 2.2 million veterans live in the Golden State and that number increases as an average 30,000 troops return each month from Iraq and Afghanistan.
Remember, you can order California veterans special interest license plates at www.dmv.ca.gov. The California Department of Veterans Affairs uses proceeds to benefit participating county veteran service offices and to commemorate veteran organizations.
Visit CalVet on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/mycalvet.
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The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11, and will include a ceremony, complimentary lunch and beverages, entertainment, awards and more.
Call the casino at 707-262-1900 for more information.
Konocti Vista Casino is located at 2755 Rancheria Road, Lakeport.
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For information about the national association and its annual reunion in Reno, Nev., Aug. 23-27, 2012, visit www.2ida.org or contact the association’s secretary-treasurer, Bob Haynes, at
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These United States flags will be “retired” with all the dignity and respect befitting our nation's flag.
All veterans, their families and the general public are invited to attend.
Along with the flag retirement, the American Legion will celebrate the day with an omelet breakfast to order from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., for $7 per person.
This ceremony will be held at the American Legion Post 437, 14770 Austin Road, Clearlake.
Call 707-994-8115 for information.
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The sale takes place Friday, Oct. 28, through Sunday, Oct. 30, at the National Guard Armory, 1431 Hoyt Ave., Lakeport.
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SACRAMENTO – Secretary Peter J. Gravett, California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet), praised Gov. Jerry Brown on Friday for acknowledging the contributions and special needs of veterans who make California their home, when he signed legislation that will expand housing options for veterans and extend the priority registration for veterans going to state colleges and universities.
“Gov. Brown has once more demonstrated his commitment to the veterans of our nation,” said Gravett. “I applaud the governor for signing legislation that is unprecedented for the CalVet Farm and Home Loan Program. This legislation will be a major step forward by offering veterans dynamic housing options and maximizing the effectiveness and efficiency our CalVet programs.”
CalVet thanked Assemblymember V. Manuel Pérez (D-Coachella), Assemblymember Mike Davis (D-Los Angeles) and the Committee on Veterans Affairs for carrying these pieces of legislation.
AB 697 by Assemblymember Pérez gives specific authority for CalVet to provide refinancing opportunities under the CalVet Home Loan Program to eligible veterans who are not current contract holders.
The mortgage crisis has impacted veterans who have mortgages at financial institutions outside of the CalVet Home Loan Program, and who are subject to rising interest rates as a result of adjustable rate mortgages.
This bill will allow those veterans to refinance their loan, as long as the loan is in good standing, not upside down on the value of the house and would make good financial sense for both the CalVet Home Loan Program and the veteran.
AB 1084 by Assemblymember Davis will expand the definition of “home” as defined in the CalVet Farm and Home Loan Program to include “cooperative housing corporation.”
This bill will allow CalVet to engage in a greatly needed service utilizing proven housing finance options for low and middle income people and is a pragmatic and beneficial method for housing veterans and their families, reducing homelessness among veterans and improving the economy.
SB 813 by the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs will increase the time veterans attending California’s public institutions receive priority enrollment from two to four years to facilitate the maximum and efficient use of veterans federal education benefits.
This change in statute will help alleviate the difficulties veterans face when they attempt to coordinate their federal education benefits, such as the Post 9/11 GI Bill, with registration for enrollment in classes at one of California’s public colleges or universities.
By extending the priority enrollment time frame, not only will veterans maximize their Post 9/11 GI Bill funding, but California will receive more federal veteran education money in a time when the State’s colleges and universities are in need of additional resources.
Find CalVet's Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/mycalvet.
Retroactive traumatic injury benefits no longer just for Operations Enduring, Iraqi Freedom injuries
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“Now all of our nation's servicemembers who suffered severe traumatic injuries while serving their country can receive the same traumatic injury benefits, regardless of where their injury occurred,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “We at VA appreciate the efforts of Congress and the President to improve benefits for our troops.”
Effective Oct. 1, the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) Traumatic Injury Protection benefit, known as TSGLI, will be payable for all qualifying injuries incurred during this period.
This retroactive benefit is payable whether or not the servicemember had SGLI coverage at the time of the injury.
The Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 2010, passed by Congress and signed by President Obama in October of 2010, removes the requirement that injuries during this period be incurred in Operations Enduring or Iraqi Freedom.
This is welcome news for the many servicemembers who suffered serious traumatic injuries while serving stateside or in other areas outside of Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom during this time period, but until now have not been eligible for TSGLI.
TSGLI provides a payment ranging from $25,000 to $100,000 to servicemembers sustaining certain severe traumatic injuries resulting in a range of losses, including amputations; limb salvage; paralysis; burns; loss of sight, hearing or speech; facial reconstruction; 15-day continuous hospitalization; coma; and loss of activities of daily living due to traumatic brain injury or other traumatic injuries.
National Guard and Reserve members who were injured during the retroactive period and suffered a qualifying loss are also eligible for a TSGLI payment, even if the cause was not related to military service, such as a civilian automobile accident or severe injury which occurred while working around their home.
National Guard and Reserve members make up more than 40 percent of the total force which has been deployed since 9-11. Those who are no longer in the National Guard or Reserves can also apply as long as their injury occurred while they were in service.
"I am extremely pleased that these total force warriors who defend our freedoms are getting the recognition and benefits they have rightfully earned in service to our nation," added Under Secretary for Benefits Allison A. Hickey.
VA is working with the Department of Defense to publicize this change in the TSGLI law. Additionally, all of the branches of service are identifying any claims previously denied because the injury was not incurred in Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom and reaching out to those individuals.
Although applications are currently being accepted by branch of service TSGLI offices, benefits will not be paid until Oct. 1, 2011, the effective date of the law.
For more information or to apply for a TSGLI payment, servicemembers and veterans should go to http://www.insurance.va.gov/sgliSite/TSGLI/TSGLI.htm or contact their branch of service TSGLI Office (contact information available at above link).
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The United States’ National POW/MIA Recognition Day is observed across the nation on the third Friday of September each year.
Many Americans take the time to remember those who were prisoners of war (POW) and those who are missing in action (MIA), as well as their families.
Robert R. Craner was born on June 10, 1933 in Cohoes, New York. He enlisted in the Aviation Cadet Program of the United States Air Force on February 2, 1953 and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant on May 19, 1954.
Craner was awarded his pilot wings in May 1957 and served with the 8th Fighter Bomber Squadron at Etain Air Base, France during 1958 and 1959. He then served at Spangdahlem Air Base in West Germany, until August 1961.
Promoting to captain, he then served as an instructor pilot in the F-100 Super Sabre combat crew training program with the 4520th Combat Crew Training Wing at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, until deploying to Southeast Asia in 1967.
Craner served as a “Misty Fast FAC” at Phu Cat Air Base in the Republic of Vietnam. “Misty" was the radio call sign used by the F-100F Fast Forward Air Controllers (Fast FACs) during the Vietnam War.
There were 157 pilots officially assigned to fly missions over North Vietnam from June 15, 1967 to May 19, 1970. 21 other attached pilots flew occasional missions. There were also Intelligence Officers, Flight Surgeons, and Maintenance Officers assigned. It was a small, tight-knit group of special people given a difficult task.
Of the 157 Mistys, 34 were shot down. Eight others were shot down when not flying with Misty. Two Mistys were shot down twice.
There were seven killed in action (KIA), four prisoners of war (POW), and as of January 2010, 42 were deceased.
There also was one Medal of Honor winner, two Air Force Chiefs of Staff, six general officers, a winner of the Collier Trophy, the Louis Bleriot Medal, the Presidential Citizen's Medal of Honor, and the first man to fly non-stop, un-refueled around the world. By any measure this was an unusual group of men.
Robert Craner was forced to eject over North Vietnam and was taken as a prisoner of war on Dec. 12, 1967.
After spending 1,920 days in captivity, along with future Sen. John McCain, Craner was released on March 14, 1973. He was hospitalized for his injuries and subsequently attended Holy Cross College, as an Air Force Institute of Technology assignment.
Colonel Craner graduated in 1976, and subsequently served as Air Attaché in Bulgaria and Hungary.
In September 1980, Colonel Craner returned to the United States to begin training for his next assignment, but succumbed to a heart attack on October 3, 1980, while on active duty.
Craner had a connection to Lake County, California, though he may have never known of it. All the while he was being held prisoner, a man named Leonard was flying a flag in his honor.
Leonard also wore a POW/MIA bracelet bearing the pilot’s name. They were distributed by the POW/MIA Bracelet Campaign for VIVA (Voices in Vital America), the Los Angeles based student organization that made the bracelets during the Vietnam War. Entertainers Bob Hope and Martha Raye served as honorary co-chairmen.
That flag and bracelet recently were given to the United Veterans Council of Lake County. Jim Yates has lovingly constructed a flag case of California Redwood. The case now protects the symbols of hope.
Through research, Colonel Craner’s family was located and the items have been sent to their rightful place with loved ones.
For his military accomplishments, Colonel Craner had received three Silver Stars, the Legion of Merit, four Bronze Stars, two Purple Hearts, the Distinguished Flying Cross, eight Air Medals and the Air Force Commendation Medal.
Colonel Craner, Misty 17, was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery on October 8, 1980.
Please take a moment to remember Colonel Craner and all the others on Friday, Sept. 16.
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