Veterans
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- Written by: Editor
KELSEYVILLE – A pancake breakfast will be held on Sunday, Nov. 8, to raise funds for the Lake County Military Funeral Honors Team.
The breakfast will take place from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Kelseyville Lions clubs, 4335 Sylar Lane, Kelseyville.
To date, this team has performed ceremonies for more than 600 veterans and their families.
Your $6 donation buys a yummy breakfast and supports the all-volunteer team that renders military honors at veteran funerals.
Advance tickets can be purchased from team members or at the door.
The Military Funeral Honors Team of Lake County relies on donations and your support is greatly appreciated.
Join in supporting this group that never fails to honor our deceased veterans.
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- Written by: Editor
The party will begin at noon at the American Legion Hall on Second Street and Gaddy Lane in Kelseyville.
Lunch will be served at 1 p.m. The meal will cost $15 per person.
All will have fun, guaranteed.
Please call 707-279-2299 for reservation.
Reservations must be made by Thursday, Nov. 5.
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- Written by: Department of Veterans Affairs
WASHINGTON – Representatives of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will be telephoning veterans across the country to explain their education benefits under the new Post-911 GI Bill and ensure beneficiaries are able to receive payments due them.
"The Post-9/11 GI Bill is one of our highest priorities," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. "Instead of making people wait to hear from us, we're reaching out to veterans, so they can get the money they need to stay in school."
The department is conducting this telephone outreach in response to the large numbers of veterans who have applied for education benefits for the fall 2009 semester. The calls are scheduled to go to Veterans who have applied for benefits under the new educational assistance program.
Those who registered for advanced payments will be called, too, in ensure they received their benefits.
To protect the personal identity of veterans, VA representatives making calls will not ask for any personal information, such as birth dates, bank account or social security numbers, but they may ask family members for information to contact Veterans who are away at school.
"Our procedures and policies to provide advanced payments remain in effect," Shinseki said. "Meanwhile, we're completing the on-time development of our automated processing system that will ensure timely delivery of checks in the future."
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- Written by: Ginny Craven
Brian Shul will present the "Spy Pilot Chronicles" which has never before been seen in Lake County.
This entertaining and motivating presentation will benefit Operation Tango Mike, a local program sending monthly care packages to deployed troops.
Major Brian Shul spent 20 years as an Air Force fighter pilot. In Vietnam, he flew 212 missions before his aircraft was shot down and he sustained life threatening injuries. Unable to eject, Shul was forced to crash land. Crawling from the burning wreckage, he was ultimately rescued by a Special Forces unit. Shul was given little chance of survival.
Major Shul's story is one of determination and perseverance. He not only survived, but went on to be one of only a few to pilot the SR-71 spy plane. His riveting story includes exclusive photos, taken from the cockpit when he was flying the world's fastest jet. The formerly "top secret" photos are both stunning and amazing. Major Shul also became a TOPGUN instructor.
Brian Shul is the only person ever to have flown with both the Air Force Thunderbirds and the Navy Blue Angels! His photography from those adventures is also impressive. The Thunderbirds were so awed with his work that Brian Shul was named an Honorary Thunderbird, a title bestowed upon
very few.
You will be entertained, inspired and fascinated by Major Shul's story. Brian Shul tells his story as only he can, with humor and candor. His presentation is unique and there is no other like it in America today. You will hear of a man lying near death in the jungles of Southeast Asia, overcoming adversity and flying the world's fastest jet. You will see breathtaking photography and hear about routinely flying at 2,000 miles per hour at 80,000 feet!
Major Shul retired from the Air Force and pursued his careers in writing and photography. He is the author of the award winning book, “Sled Driver: Flying the World's Fastest Jet.” The book was awarded the Aviation Book of the Year by Smithsonian Magazine and is known as the definitive chronicle of the SR-71. Major Shul's SR-71 photos are considered the rarest in the world!
Following the "Sky Pilot Chronicles," you are invited to a meet and greet with Brian Shul in the lobby of the Soper-Reese Theatre. Enjoy refreshments and meet one of the few men ever to fly the SR-71 Blackbird. Major Shul's books and other items will be available for purchase.
The Sky Pilot Chronicles offers something for everyone. Brian Shul's show will appeal to the aviation enthusiast, history buff and anyone looking for a fun and fascinating evening.
Advance tickets are $15 and may be purchased at Umpqua Bank in Lakeport and Kelseyville, and Strong Financial Network in Lakeport. Tickets may be purchased from the Soper-Reese Theatre by calling 707-263-0577 and credit cards are accepted. You may also contact Ginny Craven of Operation Tango Mike at 707-349-2838. Seating is limited and advance purchase is highly recommended.
If they remain available, tickets at the door will be $20. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and show time is 7 p.m.
If you wish to support Operation Tango Mike but are unable to attend the show, consider "sponsoring a veteran." You may purchase tickets and donate them for veterans who would otherwise be unable to attend. Please contact Ginny Craven to make arrangements.
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- Written by: Department of Veterans Affairs
"The future will see VA and DoD working even closer together," said Gould, "as we fulfill the President's requirement for a single Virtual Lifetime Electronic Record that will support veterans from their day of induction to their day of interment."
Gould spoke Oct. 15 at the second annual DoD "Breakthrough Convention" devoted to improving business practices in the nation's largest government agency.
Noting that VA's budget requirements are substantially affected by DoD's strategic decisions and operations, he reassured the audience that the president's proposed 2010 budget for VA addresses the issue and builds on increases Congress added to the Department's budget in the last two years.
VA's 2010 budget request for $113 billion would fund increased education benefits for post-9/11 Veterans, health care for some veterans who were previously ineligible, more mental health and cognitive-injury services – especially in rural areas – and upgraded technology for data transmission and records.
Gould said the long-term solution for correcting procedural delays that affect veterans is to redesign business processes and improve information technology.
VA's new strategic plan, he said, is focused on veterans, with whom VA has an ongoing – sometimes, life-long – relationship.
Employees have a natural desire to achieve client satisfaction, but their ability to act on the desire can be diminished by poor systems, policies or lack of training, Gould said.
VA's second-ranking executive credited Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki with providing the leadership to create an organizational culture of performance on behalf of veterans.
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- Written by: Editor
The doors open at 5 p.m. Dinner will be served at 6 p.m.
Requested donations are $7.
The American Legion Post is located at Second and Gaddy Lane in Kelseyville.
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- Written by: Editor
The illnesses affected by the recent decision are B cell leukemias, such as hairy cell leukemia, Parkinson's disease and ischemic heart disease.
Used in Vietnam to defoliate trees and remove concealment for the enemy, Agent Orange left a legacy of suffering and disability that continues to the present.
Between January 1965 and April 1970, an estimated 2.6 million military personnel who served in vietnam were potentially exposed to sprayed Agent Orange.
In practical terms, veterans who served in Vietnam during the war and who have a "presumed" illness don't have to prove an association between their illnesses and their military service. This "presumption" simplifies and speeds up the application process for benefits.
The secretary's decision brings to 15 the number of presumed illnesses recognized by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
"We must do better reviews of illnesses that may be connected to service, and we will," Shinseki added. "Veterans who endure health problems deserve timely decisions based on solid evidence."
Other illnesses previously recognized under VA's "presumption" rule as being caused by exposure to herbicides during the Vietnam War are:
Acute and Subacute Transient Peripheral Neuropathy: www.publichealth.va.gov/PUBLICHEALTH/exposures/agentorange/conditions/peripheral_neuropathy.asp ;
AL Amyloidosis: www.publichealth.va.gov/PUBLICHEALTH/exposures/agentorange/conditions/al_amyloidosis.asp ;
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: www.publichealth.va.gov/PUBLICHEALTH/exposures/agentorange/conditions/chronic_leukemia.asp ;
Diabetes Mellitus (Type 2): www.publichealth.va.gov/PUBLICHEALTH/exposures/agentorange/conditions/diabetes.asp ;
Hodgkin's Disease: www.publichealth.va.gov/PUBLICHEALTH/exposures/agentorange/conditions/hodgkins.asp ;
Multiple Myeloma: www.publichealth.va.gov/PUBLICHEALTH/exposures/agentorange/conditions/multiple_myeloma.asp ;
Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma: www.publichealth.va.gov/PUBLICHEALTH/exposures/agentorange/conditions/nh_lymphoma.asp ;
Porphyria Cutanea Tarda: www.publichealth.va.gov/PUBLICHEALTH/exposures/agentorange/conditions/porphyria.asp ;
Prostate cancer: www.publichealth.va.gov/PUBLICHEALTH/exposures/agentorange/conditions/prostate_cancer.asp ;
Respiratory cancers: www.publichealth.va.gov/PUBLICHEALTH/exposures/agentorange/conditions/respiratory_cancers.asp ; and
Soft tissue sarcoma (other than Osteosarcoma, Chondrosarcoma, Kaposi's sarcoma or Mesothelioma): www.publichealth.va.gov/PUBLICHEALTH/exposures/agentorange/conditions/st_sarcoma.asp .
Additional information about Agent Orange and VA's services and programs for veterans exposed to the chemical are available at www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange .
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- Written by: Ginny Craven
LAKEPORT – On Sept. 17, Operation Tango Mike held a monthly packing party.
The get together began with the reading of several thank you cards and letters recently sent by troops receiving care packages. It is always a delight to hear from them and heart-warming to hear just how much they appreciate their care packages.
The special treat of the evening was a visit from Specialist Joshua Boke who recently returned from his deployment to Iraq.
Boke is from Lake County and is a graduate of Upper Lake High School. He stayed in contact with Operation Tango Mike via the Internet when he was able.
As the end of his tour of duty approached Boke made contact and said he wanted to personally meet and thank the strangers who had made time in their lives to support him.
Boke sent a message when he arrived stateside, gathered the information about the next packing party and made plans to attend.
He spoke to the crowd of nearly 50, expressing his gratitude for the support he received while so far from home and in a combat zone. Boke mentioned that he was always happy to receive the care packages from Lake County, and his buddies were glad to see them coming too.
When asked if there was anything in particular that he enjoyed from the care packages Boke made mention of a few items then enthusiastically said, “For me it was the socks! Definitely the socks!”
During the midst of all the activity of the packing party I asked SPC Boke if the packing party was what he had expected. He said, “No. It’s so personal. These people really care.”
He went on to say that he had imagined the items were simply donated and dropped off and that a few people just got together and assembled the care packages.
He added, “I had no idea this many people cared this much.”
Boke was joined by a number of family members at the packing party, including his wife, mother and younger brother.
After enjoying their time together, Boke will leave his family and head to his next duty station at Fort Carson. The young soldier will leave Lake County knowing his service to his country is appreciated.
In order to continue sending monthly care packages, Operation Tango Mike is always in fundraising mode.
The next event slated is something unique and never before seen in Lake County. Operation Tango Mike is proud to present the “Sky Pilot Chronicles” at the Soper-Reese Theatre at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24.
The “Sky Pilot Chronicles” is a presentation for all ages and will astound and inspire the audience. Brian Shul, a fighter pilot, was shot down over Vietnam and was rescued by a Special Forces unit. He went on to an illustrious career which included piloting the world’s fastest jet, the SR-71 Blackbird.
Shul’s journey from being shot down and rescued, recovering from severe injuries and piloting the world’s fastest jet is a riveting story. His show includes previously classified and top secret aerial photography that is amazing.
Seating for the event will be limited and advance ticket purchase is highly recommended for this one of a kind presentation.
Advance tickets will be available soon for $15 at Umpqua Bank in Lakeport and Kelseyville and Strong Financial Network in Lakeport. Advance tickets may also be purchased at the Soper-Reese Theatre box office from noon to 5 p.m. on Thursdays. If tickets remain available they will be $20 at the door.
The next Operation Tango Mike packing party will take place on Oct. 15. The care packages will be assembled and shipped as the Thanksgiving boxes for our troops. Holiday candies, treats and items are needed to make those care packages extra special.
Anyone wishing to participate and help with assembling care packages for the troops is invited to packing parties, which are held on the third Thursday each month at 6 p.m. at Umpqua Bank, 805 11th St., Lakeport.
Donations are always welcome and goods may be deposited in any Operation Tango Mike “Drop Zone Barrel” at businesses throughout Lake County. Items may also be placed in the barrel at Umpqua Bank and monetary donations may be sent to 5216 Piner Court, Kelseyville, CA 95451.
If you would like more information, please call 349-2838 or e-mail operationtangomike/@mchsi.com .
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- Written by: Editor
The breakfast will begin at 9 a.m. at the High Street Cafe on High Street in Lakeport.
The menu will be pay as you go. All Marines are invited.
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