How to resolve AdBlock issue? 
Veterans
- Details
- 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 .
- Details
- 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.
- Details
- Written by: Editor
The gathering will be held at Saint Mary Immaculate Parish Hall, 801 N. Main St., Lakeport.
The potluck begins at 6 p.m., with the meeting to follow at 7 p.m.
Veterans of all eras, their families and friends, and the general public are cordially welcome to attend.
For more information about the group visit its Web site, www.vva951.org.
- Details
- Written by: Editor
Veterans can now apply online and also can request courtesy transportation to VA regional benefits offices.
"Our veterans went the extra mile for their country," Shinseki said. "One of our top priorities in transforming VA is to be, first and foremost, the advocate for veterans."
Shinseki previously announced that on Friday, Oct. 2, VA's 57 regional benefits offices would begin providing on-the-spot emergency payments up to $3,000 to students who have applied for their education benefits but who have not yet received a government payment.
Citing the distance many veterans would have to travel to apply in person at a VA benefits office, Shinseki announced veterans also can apply online at www.va.gov .
The online application will guide veterans through the process to supply needed information. Shinseki noted that online applicants will receive their emergency payments through the mail after processing.
"VA is adapting to meet the financial needs of our veteran-students who are on campus," Shinseki said. "They should be focusing on their studies, not worrying about financial difficulties."
Students without their own transportation can also request free van service, provided by volunteers, to carry them to the nearest benefits office. To obtain this service, veterans would have to call their
nearest VA medical center and ask for the "Volunteer Transportation Coordinator."
Transportation will be on a first-come, first-served, space-available basis. Veterans can find a map and list of medical centers at www2.va.gov/directory/guide/division_flsh.asp?dnum=1 .
Whether traveling by personal vehicle or volunteer van, VA officials suggest students check their mail boxes and banking accounts before leaving home, since some veterans will find their checks have already arrived. VA would like to recognize the volunteers and veterans service organizations for partnering with the department to ensure that veterans' needs are met.
The emergency checks are an advance on each student's education benefits, and the amount will be deducted from future benefits payments. Checks will be written at the regional offices for veterans who bring a photo ID and evidence of their enrollment. VA officials emphasize that $3,000 is the maximum payment, with many veterans receiving smaller payments based upon their likely monthly education benefits.
A map and list of the participating VA regional benefits offices is available on the Internet at
http://www2.va.gov/directory/guide/division_flsh.asp?dnum=3 . The most updated information regarding VA issuing emergency checks is available on the VA's Web site at www.va.gov .
Applications from approximately 25,000 veterans are currently being processed for Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefit payments to students or schools.
- Details
- Written by: Editor
COLUMBIA, SC – Army Pvt. Wayne E. Kahill 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.
He is the son of Chuck and Linda Kahill of Redwood Valley. His uncle and aunt, Tim and Delina Hill, reside in Lakeport.
Kahill is a 2004 graduate of South Valley High School in Ukiah.
- Details
- Written by: Editor
The event will be held at the VFW post on Veterans Lane in Clearlake beginning at 11 a.m.
Barbecued beef and chicken will be served. The requested donation per person is $8.
Come out and support the team, which offers military honors at the funerals of veterans and also is featured at many local events.
- Details
- Written by: Editor
“Taking care of survivors is as essential as taking care of our veterans and military personnel,” Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki said. "By taking care of survivors, we are honoring a commitment made to our veterans and military members.”
The office serves as the primary advisor to the secretary on all issues affecting the survivors and dependents of deceased veterans and service members.
It will monitor VA's delivery of benefits to survivors, make appropriate referrals to VA offices for survivors seeking benefits and explore innovative ways of reaching survivors who are not receiving the VA benefits for which they are eligible.
VA benefits for eligible survivors include educational assistance, home loan guaranties, health care insurance and dependency and indemnity compensation, a monthly payment to the survivors of some people who die on active duty and some seriously disabled veterans.
More than 554,000 spouses, dependents and other survivors of veterans are receiving VA benefits. That figure includes nearly 5,000 spouses of World War I veterans, 90 spouses and 94 children of Spanish-American War Veterans, and two children of Civil War veterans.
The establishment of this office was authorized in the Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2008.
- Details
- Written by: Editor
With two million troops deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, the United States can expect that an astounding 700,000 veterans will suffer from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
These numbers are double previously projected numbers because unlike other projections, this study factors in delayed onset of PTSD, which is common.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DoD) must increase staff and resources to accommodate the mental health care needs of Iraq and Afghanistan active duty service members and veterans, according to the group, Swords to Plowshares.
The DoD claims that the transition to VA services is a seamless one for veterans, but evidence shows otherwise.
Both DoD and VA lack a sufficient number of mental health professionals on staff to diagnose, treat and provide compensation to patients with PTSD.
The staff shortage can be attributed to a lack of funding and a national shortage of mental health professionals, however the shortages continue to cause delays in treatment and compensation.
In California alone there are 59,659 VA claims that are currently pending process and this number will continue to rise as more troops return home.
“The DoD and VA must work together to eliminate the delays in treatment of and compensation for PTSD and co-occurring mental illnesses,” said Michael Blecker, executive director of Swords to Plowshares.
“With 42 percent of troops stilled deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan it is crucial that the DoD improve transitional support and that the VA increase the number of mental health staff in order to provide mental health care and compensation in a timely manner. These delays are unacceptable because they create overwhelming stress and health complications for veterans,” Blecker said.
The VA needs to increase the number of mental health professionals in order to diagnose and treat PTSD patients. And they must hire and train additional claims reviewers so that disabled veterans don’t have to wait months and years to receive their benefits.
Delays in treatment and disability compensation leads to high rates of unemployment, homelessness, family dissolution, incarceration and self medication through substance abuse. In the worst of outcomes, veterans with mental illness and PTSD are nine times more likely to commit suicide than those who do not suffer from a form of mental illness, depression or PTSD.
“Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are often faced with multiple deployments, meaning they are repeatedly exposed to trauma and more likely to develop PTSD,” said Blecker. “It is disheartening that even after witnessing the tragic effects that a lack of mental health diagnosis treatment and compensation had on Vietnam veterans, we continue to stigmatize PTSD and other mental illnesses. It is critical that the VA and the DoD improve the level of support, mental health care and access for veterans so that they don’t have to endure the suffering that Vietnam veterans faced.”
Swords to Plowshares, a veteran service agency based in San Francisco, works with veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars to provide comprehensive care.
Many of these young men and women have suffered from PTSD that has gone untreated or undiagnosed.
The Iraq Veteran Project at Swords to Plowshares provides comprehensive services including employment and training, supportive housing, legal services and health and social services.
Many of the Iraq and Afghanistan veterans seek help with employment and training and work with the legal team at Swords to Plowshares to file for disability compensation and/or a military discharge upgrade. Already, more than a dozen homeless Iraq and Afghanistan veterans sought housing at the agency.
“Community-based organizations, like Swords to Plowshares, are working with Iraq and Afghanistan veterans to provide supportive services and preventative care,” said Amy Fairweather, Director of the Iraq Veteran Project at Swords to Plowshares. “We try to reduce the stigma and make sure that these veterans seek care immediately so that they don’t have to suffer alone.”
War causes wounds and suffering that last beyond the battlefield. Swords to Plowshares' mission is to heal the wounds, to restore dignity, hope, and self-sufficiency to all veterans in need, and to reduce homelessness and poverty among veterans.
Learn more about the work of Swords to Plowshares, and ways in which you can help, by visiting www.stp-sf.org .
- Details
- Written by: Editor
"America's veterans have become targets in an inexcusable scam that dishonors their service and misrepresents the Department built for them," said Dr. Gerald Cross, VA's Under Secretary for Health. "VA simply does not call veterans and ask them to disclose personal financial information over the phone."
Veteran Service Organizations have brought to VA's attention that callers are misrepresenting the VA to gain personal information over the phone. They say VA recently changed procedures for dispensing prescriptions and ask for the veteran's credit card number.
"VA has not changed its processes for dispensing prescription medicines," Cross said. "Nor has VA changed its long-standing commitment to protect the personal information of this nation's veterans."
Veterans with questions about VA services should contact the nearest VA medical center or call, toll-free, 1-877-222-8387.