Veterans
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KELSEYVILLE – The Military Funeral Honors Team of Lake County needs your support.
The Lions Club of Kelseyville will sponsor a fundraiser breakfast from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 2, at 4335 Sylar Lane in Kelseyville to raise much-needed funds for the team. Donations ($6 per person suggested) will be gratefully accepted.
The Military Funeral Honors Team is made up of volunteers, all veterans of the Armed Forces. It is accredited by the Department of Defense to provide full military honors for veterans who have honorably served their country.
Military honors includes the firing of three rifle volleys by a team of seven riflemen, the playing of “Taps” and the folding and presentation of a large US flag to the veteran’s next of kin.
Since its founding seven years ago, the team has provided honors for more than 600 veterans in Lake County at no cost to the family of the deceased veteran.
No financial support is provided by the Department of Defense, the state of California or the Lake County Veterans Service Office. The team operates solely on donations and an occasional grant.
Please come out and support the honors team at breakfast at the Lions Club of Kelseyville.
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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 Garry Sparks Sr. of Elverta and Donna Sparks of Kelseyville.
The private is a 1998 graduate of El Camino High School in Rohnert Park.
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WASHINGTON, DC – As part of a clean-energy transformation, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is targeting nearly one-quarter of its $1.4 billion in funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to investments in clean energy generation and energy conservation.
"These investments help spur new energy savings and, at the same time, reduce our environmental footprint," Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki said. "The president is leading us in a new direction away from our dependence on foreign oil and the destabilizing effects of a changing climate. Since hospitals use such large amounts of energy, we need to step up our efforts to transition to clean-energy technologies."
VA will direct more than $68 million to renewable sources, including solar, wind and geothermal energy and has dedicated nearly $238 million toward retrofitting existing buildings to use energy and water more efficiently.
Those efforts, planned for 16 states and Puerto Rico, include solar-powered electricity and hot water energy systems at VA hospitals in Arizona, Texas and southern California; geothermal energy in Idaho; and wind turbines in several states.
To use energy and water more efficiently, facilities are replacing or upgrading windows and roofs; upgrading lighting to more efficient types; automating lighting controls and energy management systems; installing low-flow faucets and toilets and other water-conserving equipment; installing variable-volume air handling units; and enhancing boiler control systems and tune-ups.
"These measures, identified through regularly scheduled energy audits, facility condition assessments, and ongoing monitoring by energy engineers and other staff, are important steps in 'greening' VA,"
Shinseki added. "In conjunction with the investments in clean energy generation and other green projects that VA is making through its Department-level Green Management Program, these retrofits are key steps in reducing VA's environmental footprint."
Overall, the Administration has targeted more than $60 billion in funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to clean-energy investments.
The Department of Veterans Affairs health care system operates more than 1,400 sites of care. More than 5.5 million people received care in VA health care facilities in 2008.
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LAKE COUNTY – The Lake County Milers recently made a sizable donation to a local group that supports troops overseas.
The group gave a check for $1,100 to Ginny Craven of Operation Tango Mike.
The Milers split the proceeds from their seventh annual Spring Has Sprung event, held on May 30 at Crazy Creek Glider Port, with Operation Tango Mike, a Lake County organization that sends care packages to U.S. troops overseas and that provided 19 volunteers for the Milers’ signature event.
Also present for the donation were Milers President Jeanine Burnett and John Sullivan, Milers member-at-large.
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LAKEPORT – A group of nearly 40 volunteers gathered for the most recent and record setting Operation Tango Mike packing party.
The June shipment consisted of 148 care packages for troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. The previous record of 108 care packages was shipped in May.
Volunteers happily assembled food and hygiene care packages, sending needed supplies and wanted goodies to local troops.
Youngsters and chaperones from the Anderson Marsh 4-H arrived with donations in hand and a willingness to help.
Besides adding homemade cards to care packages, they decorated boxes with stickers and personal notes of support.
Most Operation Tango Mike care package recipients are from Lake County or are related to a Lake County resident. However, there are those who are referred by fellow soldiers.
Sadly, some troops have no one sending them moral support, let alone care packages. Concern for each other is paramount among deployed military personnel.
Thus, it is not uncommon for a care package recipient to request support for a fellow soldier. Often, they volunteer to be removed from the list so a buddy in need may be placed in their stead.
To date, that has never been necessary. The referring soldier remains on the recipient list and the requested name is added.
At the end of the record setting June packing party, the bins that had once overflowed with supplies were empty.
The amount of goods needed to fill 148 care packages is considerable. Never before has this Lake County volunteer effort packed and shipped so many pounds of supplies and goods at one time.
Though gratifying, it is at the same time frightening. Empty bins are a source of concern for the July packing party.
Given the number of names on the recipient list, Operation Tango Mike is in need of donations. Items such as foot powder, body powder, lip balm and wet wipes are very much needed for the intense heat endured by troops. Items such as nuts, tuna in pouches and jerky to supply protein to troops on the move are also needed.
Other food products, such as dried fruits, granolas bars, cookies, individual drink mix packets and candy are always appreciated. As the summer heat is upon us, items that melt cannot be shipped.
Operation Tango Mike donation barrels can be found at many local retailers, including the Dollar Tree Store in Lakeport. Manager Josh Bernstein is proud to host a barrel in the store, which is the most recently added “drop zone” location.
Temperatures are soaring well into the triple digits and troops must endure very difficult conditions. Along with the intense heat come blowing sand storms.
Recently, some troops told of blowing sand that had managed to put a halt to all mail delivery for a few weeks. Once deliveries resumed, they were very happy to receive their much anticipated care packages.
Monthly shipping costs are now exceeding $1,500. In an effort to maintain the needed monies, Operation Tango Mike will continue to host fundraising events.
Currently, the gorgeous “Liberty Stars” quilt is on display at the Saw Shop Gallery Bistro in Kelseyville. Raffle tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5, and are available at the restaurant. The winner will be drawn July 4, so don’t delay in getting your tickets and chance to own a one of a kind treasure.
Packing parties take place the third Thursday of each month at 6 p.m., Umpqua Bank, 805 1th St., Lakeport. Everyone is welcome.
Donations of goods may be placed in any red Operation Tango Mike barrel throughout the county or in the lobby at Umpqua Bank.
Donations may be sent to 5216 Piner Court, Kelseyville, CA 95451.
For further information you may call 707-349-2838 or e-mail to
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Lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the legion post on Second and Gaddy Lane in Kelseyville.
Barbecued beef and chicken with all the fixings costs $10 per person.
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In light of the current state budget crisis, lawmakers are considering legislation to raise the fees veterans pay toward the cost of their care at the homes, enough to relieve the state’s general fund of a $2,750,000 obligation.
Also because of the crisis, the Senate recently moved to reduce Senate member and Senate staff salaries and benefits, actions which will save an estimated $3.5 million in state spending.
In a June 29 letter to Senate President Pro-Tem Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento), Wiggins asked that the Senate divert $2.75 million of the $3.5 million so that the veterans can be spared from having to pay the higher fees.
In her letter to the Senate leader, Wiggins wrote, “As the Senate Rules Committee considers which general fund-supported agencies will receive the money from these savings, I would like to suggest a worthy constituency to receive some of these funds, where this small amount will make a real difference in the lives of the individuals affected.
“Our veterans have already paid their dues to our country,” she added. “These elderly and often frail and infirm veterans depend on our state’s veterans’ homes as their only alternative in their senior years. Their courage and sacrifice in protecting our country and our freedoms deserve our highest respect. We should be sure that the veterans receive the services they deserve and we should fulfill our obligations to them.”
The Assembly, which instituted its own cost-cutting measures to the tune of $10 million, previously shifted those funds over to the state Employment Development Department which, among other things, offers assistance to California workers who have been laid off from their jobs.
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VA's "National Health Study for a New Generation of U.S. Veterans" will begin with 30,000 veterans deployed to OEF/OIF and 30,000 comparison veterans who were not deployed.
"This study will help us fulfill President Obama's pledge to 'stand with our veterans as they face new challenges' by enabling us to understand the health problems of our newest generation of combat veterans," Dr. Gerald M. Cross, VA's acting under secretary for health, said. "The study's findings will help us plan more effectively to provide the best care possible for these deserving veterans."
The study will include veterans who served in each branch of service, representing active duty, reserve and National Guard members.
Women will be oversampled to make sure they are represented and will comprise 20 percent of the study, or 12,000 women. A combination of mail surveys, online surveys, telephone interviews and in-person physical evaluations will be used to collect data from the veterans.
The study will compare the deployed and non-deployed veterans in terms of chronic medical conditions, traumatic brain injury (TBI), post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other psychological conditions, general health perceptions, reproductive health, pregnancy outcomes, functional status, use of health care, behavioral risk factors (smoking, drinking, seatbelt use, speeding, motorcycle helmet use, and sexual behavior) and VA disability compensation.
VA has contracted with an independent veteran-owned research firm, HMS Technologies Inc., to
collect the data.
The Department of Veterans Affairs is responsible for providing federal benefits to veterans and their families. The VA health care system operates more than 1,400 sites of care. Nearly 5.5 million people received care in VA health care facilities in 2008.
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"This incremental approach to expanding enrollment ensures that access to VA health care for a greater number of beneficiaries does not sacrifice timely access or quality medical care for those veterans already enrolled in VA's health care system," Dr. Gerald Cross, VA's acting under secretary for Health, said. "Over the next four years, we hope to provide enrollment to more than 500,000 veterans."
Under a new regulation effective June 15, VA will enroll veterans whose income exceeds current means-tested thresholds by up to 10 percent. These veterans were excluded from VA health care enrollment when income limits were imposed in 2003 on veterans with no service-connected disabilities or other special eligibility for care.
There is no income limit for veterans with compensable service-connected disabilities or for veterans being seen for their service-connected disabilities.
Veterans who have applied for VA health care but were rejected due to income at any point in 2009 will have their applications reconsidered under the new income threshold formula.
Those who applied before 2009, but were rejected due to income, must reapply. VA will contact these veterans through a direct-mail campaign, veterans service organizations, and a national and regional marketing campaign.
Information about enrollment and an income and assets calculator are available at www.va.gov/healtheligibility .
The calculator provides a format in which veterans enter their household income, number of dependents and zip codes to see if they may qualify for VA health care enrollment.
In addition to applying online, veterans may also contact VA's Health Benefits Service Center at 1-877-222 VETS (1-877-222-8387).
Each VA medical center across the country has an enrollment coordinator available to provide veterans with enrollment and eligibility information.
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