Veterans
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WASHINGTON – On the 66th anniversary of signing the GI Bill into law, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced it has issued more than $3.6 billion in the bill's newest manifestation, the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
Benefit payments under the bill, implemented last year, have gone to more than 285,000 people and their educational institutions.
On June 22, 1944, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944, commonly known as the GI Bill of Rights.
The Veterans Administration – as it was known at that time – was responsible for carrying out the law's key provisions for education and training, loan guaranty for homes, farms or businesses, and unemployment pay.
Before the World War II, college and homeownership were, for the most part, unreachable dreams for the average American.
Thanks to the GI Bill, millions who would have flooded the job market opted for education instead.
In the peak year of 1947, Veterans accounted for 49 percent of college admissions. By the time the original GI Bill ended, July 25, 1956, 7.8 million of the 16 million World War II veterans had participated in an education or training program.
In 1984, former Mississippi congressman G. V. “Sonny” Montgomery revamped the GI Bill. The Montgomery GI Bill assured that VA home loan guaranty and education programs continued to work for veterans of the post-Vietnam era.
In 2009, GI Bill benefits were updated again. The new law gave veterans with active duty service on, or after, Sept. 11 2001, enhanced educational benefits to cover more expenses, provide a living allowance, money for books and the ability to transfer unused educational benefits to spouses or children.
For more information about the Post-9/11 GI Bill for Veterans, visit www.gibill.va.gov/.
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- Written by: Lake County News Reports
KELSEYVILLE – The Military Funeral Honors Team of Lake County invites you to a delicious tri-tip and chicken barbecue on Friday, June 25, at the Kelseyville Lions Club, 4335 Sylar Lane.
The suggested donation for the complete dinner is $10 and proceeds will benefit the all-volunteer team.
To date, the team has provided honors at 681 veteran funerals. During such ceremonies, flags are flown, the traditional three round rifle volleys are fired and the bugler plays TAPS. These honors are bestowed upon departed veterans at families' requests.
The Military Funeral Honors Team does not charge a fee and survives solely on donations and fundraising.
The team is comprised of veterans of all branches of the armed forces, men and women, and includes three World War II veterans.
Ask any team member why they volunteer to render honors for their fellow veterans and you're likely to hear, “Because it's the right thing to do.”
Costs for the team to operate are ongoing and include uniforms, ammunition and equipment maintenance.
If you'd like to ensure the availability of honors for our departed veterans, this fundraiser is a perfect opportunity to do so.
If you have plans for Friday evening, come by the barbecue and request your order “to go” and take the meal with you while supporting the team. After a long work week, let the Lions do the cooking!
For more information, contact Rich at 707-245-7597.
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FORT KNOX, Ky. – Army Pvt. Casey T. DeBolt has graduated from One Station Unit Training (OSUT) at Fort Knox, Ky., which consisted of basic military training and advanced individual training (AIT).
The first nine weeks of initial entry training, or basic combat training, the trainee received instruction in drill and ceremony, weapons, rifle marksmanship qualification, bayonet combat, chemical warfare, field training and tactical exercises, marches, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid, and Army history, traditions, and core values.
During AIT, the soldier completed the seven-week cavalry scout course. The training included subjects and instructions to operate, maintain and fire M2/M3 Bradley fighting vehicles; call and adjust fire on enemy targets, recognize friendly and threat vehicles; conduct reconnaissance and security missions, perform foot patrols, conduct land navigation, locate and neutralize mines; and operate and maintain scout vehicles.
He is the son of Linda DeBolt of Sixth St., Lakeport, Calif.
The private is a 2009 graduate of the Ed Donaldson Adult Education Center, Kelseyville, Calif.
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KELSEYVILLE – The Military Funeral Honors Team of Lake County will have a tri-tip barbecue fundraiser on Friday, June 25.
The event will take place from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Lions Club on Sylar Lane Kelseyville.
It will feature barbecued tri-tip with all the fixings
The barbecue is hosted by the Kelseyville Lions Club.
The suggested donation is $10 per person.
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- Written by: Editor
CLEARLAKE – A Father's Day celebration breakfast will be served by the VFW No. 2337 Ladies Auxiliary on Saturday, June 19, from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
The special menu will be chicken fried steak, sausage gravy, eggs to order, hash browns, toast, juice and coffee for only $7 a platter.
The VFW Post is located on Veterans Lane in Clearlake.
For information call 707-994-4748.
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LOWER LAKE – Habitat for Humanity Lake County has completed the wheel chair access project for the Avenue of the Flags building at the Lower Lake Cemetery.
The Habitat for Humanity outreach program, “A Brush of Kindness,” constructed the ramp with the help of Clearlake Lava’s generous donation of the concrete.
“Out of respect for the fallen, we were honored to help, it was a labor of love,” said Richard Birk, president of Habitat for Humanity.
The Lower Lake building is the repository for all the flags used throughout Lake County for the annual Avenue of the Flags ceremonies.
Each Memorial Day the flags are displayed at cemeteries located throughout Lake County. There are several hundred flags stored in the building, some of which are over a hundred years old.
Each flag is given by the government to the family of a deceased family member who served this country in times of peace or war.
For further information, please call Habitat for Humanity at 707-994-1100.
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- Written by: Lake County News Reports
LAKEPORT – The May packing party for Operation Tango Mike brought a great surprise as Greg Stolesen, president of the Lakeport Lions, presented a check for $1,100.
The Lions accepted the challenge issued when the Clearlake Rotary donated $1,000 and suggested other service organizations match their support of Operation Tango Mike.
A large group of people was busy selecting items and carefully packing for the troops.
Among the packers were the grandmother and sister of Sergeant First Class David Hartman, who was killed in action in February.
The ladies presented a beautiful patriotic bouquet as the family’s token of gratitude for the support received during the difficult time following David’s death. The Hartman family has become involved in Operation Tango Mike in their effort to support troops and military families.
The April packing party was also filled with great excitement as Sergeant Joan Sylva, home for R&R, made a surprise visit.
SGT Sylva introduced herself and thanked everyone for the care packages, including the correspondence and her favorite treat – Fruit Snax Energy Bars. The bars had been donated by NutriBiotic of Lakeport.
SGT Sylva saw the bars waiting to be packed and said, “Those bars are really good. I’m not just saying that, I love getting them!”
The sergeant took time to visit with packers, answer questions and to receive many hugs, handshakes and expressions of gratitude. Before leaving, SGT Sylva said she was both amazed by and grateful for all the Lake County community has done for her and other soldiers via Operation Tango Mike.
In the ongoing effort to support deployed troops, there will be a very special fundraiser just in time to jump start Memorial Weekend.
A salute to the troops, “Full Moon Blues & Wine” will take place on Thursday, May 27, at the Kelseyville Wine Company and Olive Mill from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Get your groove on with two great bands, Side of Blues and Twice as Good.
Event tickets are $20 and BBQ dinner tickets are $10. Barbecue tickets must be purchased by May 25. Call to reserve your tickets at 707-279-2995. The event is rain or shine with plenty of covered area available!
Packing parties are held the third Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. at Umpqua Bank, 805 11th St., Lakeport and everyone is welcome.
For further information regarding Operation Tango Mike please call 707-349-2838 or e-mail
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- Written by: Editor
KELSEYVILLE – The Kelseyville Wine Co. and Olive Mill will present “Full Moon Blues & Wine,” a military tribute and benefit for Operation Tango Mike, will be held Thursday, May 27.
The event will take place from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Kelseyville Wine Co. and Olive Mill, 5625 Gaddy Lane.
Two bands – Side of Blues and Twice As Good – will perform, and a barbecue dinner will be served.
Event tickets cost $20; tickets for the barbecue dinner only cost $10 and must be purchased before May 25.
To reserve tickets call 707-279-2995.
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- Written by: Editor
CLEARLAKE – Ladies Auxiliary Veterans of Foreign Wars No. 2337, Clearlake, serves a great breakfast from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the VFW Post, located on Veterans Lane.
Choose from eggs to order, biscuits and gravy, French toast, hash browns, pancakes, breakfast meats, omelets, hobo special, toast, juice and coffee.
Cost is $7 for adults, $3.50 for children's menu.
For more information call 707-994-4748.
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