Veterans
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Service-connected disabled veterans, veterans receiving VA pensions and veterans with low incomes are eligible for the reimbursement of travel expenses for medical care, compensation and pension examinations and vocational rehabilitation counseling and the like.
The VA appropriations law instructed the VA to retain the current deductible amounts for beneficiary travel at $7.77 for a one-way trip and $15.54 for a round trip, with a calendar month cap of $46.62.
However, under the 2008 Veterans’ Mental Health and Other Care Improvements Act, on Jan. 9, 2009, those deductibles decrease to $3 for a one-way trip, $6 for a round trip, with a maximum of $18 per calendar month.
According to the VA, deductibles can be waived if they cause a financial hardship to the veteran.
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The meeting will be held at Saint Mary Immaculate Parish Hall, 801 N. Main St., Lakeport.
The potluck starts at 6 p.m., with the meeting following at 7 p.m.
All Vietnam veterans, veterans of all eras, their families and friends, and members of the general public are cordially welcome.
For more information visit www.vva951.org.
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The event will begin at 6 p.m. at the Lakeport Senior Center.
The post meets at the senior center the second Monday of each month.
The Lakeport Senior Center is located at 527 Konocti Ave.
Visit the post online at www.vfwpost2015.com.
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During the six weeks of training, the airman studied the Air Force mission, organization, core values, and military customs and courtesies; performed drill and ceremony marches, and received physical training, rifle marksmanship, field training exercises, and special training in human relations.
In addition, airmen who complete basic training earn credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
Deluna, A 2008 graduate of Donaldson High School in Kelseyville, is the son of Kelseyville resident Patricia Satiago.
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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.
She is the daughter of Sharon Cameron of Fresno and granddaughter of Helen Bowser of Clearlake.
Lindsey is a 2008 graduate of J.E. Younge High School in Fresno.
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Providing information of this nature to the Vietnamese government helps to generate good will among its people and further assists U.S. efforts in its investigative and recovery operations for America’s MIAs. Information is also needed for the Laotian and Cambodian governments to help account for their missing.
VFW Commander-in-Chief Glen Gardner requests department, district, post and VFW member assistance in gathering information that would help identify Vietnamese, Laotian and Cambodian gravesites.
Such information or material may include veterans’ statements; photos and locations of battles or burial sites; battlefield souvenirs, especially if they contain names or other identifying information; personal effects, such as photos, letters or identification documents taken from casualties; sketch maps, etc.
Any information that would help in this recovery effort should be forwarded to:
Michael Wysong
Director, National Security & Foreign Affairs
VFW Washington Office
200 Maryland Avenue, NE
Washington, DC 20002
All information collected will be turned over to the Vietnamese government at a time and place determined by the VFW commander-in-chief.
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- Written by: Ginny Craven
LAKEPORT – A group nearly 60 strong and ranging from toddler to WWII veteran put together the November care packages for Operation Tango Mike.
The packages were loaded with holiday treats, decorations, entertainment items, socks, gloves and personal care products. Always needed by the troops, wet wipes and foot powder were sent in large volumes.
Thanks to tremendous response, every care package contained at least five pieces of correspondence. The ever-popular additions ranged from drawings and creations to cards and letters.
Despite modern technology and means of communication, correspondence remains the No. 1 request from our troops.
Several members of the Corvettes of Lake County joined in the fun. They also presented a $1,000 check, the second installment of their $2,000 donation to Operation Tango Mike.
During this Thanksgiving holiday, we have much to be thankful for in beautiful Lake County. Operation Tango Mike continues to send 80 to 100 care packages to deployed troops every month. That is astounding, given the cost of shipping alone reaches nearly $1,000 monthly. Thankfully, generous donations of goods to fill the care packages and monies to ship them continue to arrive.
Troops are grateful for everything they receive and often send their gratitude directly to Operation Tango Mike via letters, e-mail and other messages.
A few of the recent communications follow:
SPC Sparks, a recently injured soldier, writes, “How are you? I am doing much better. I am still going to countless doctor appointments but it seems everything will be fine in time. I have fractures on my lower vertebrae and some nerve problems. They seem to think that with physical therapy things will get better. Thank you for what you guys are doing. It means a lot to all of us to see people supporting us and not bashing us like they do on the news. I will let you know more as soon as I know more myself. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Take care and thank you.”
From SSG Hansen, “Just wanted to let you know I got the Thanksgiving care package today and it was all but dismantled by the guys in the Ops Center. I opened it up, pulled out a couple of things and then walked through the group to each person, offering it up. There wasn’t much left to say the least.
How are things going in Cali? It’s getting just a wee bit chilly out here. Lows in the 20s and 30s. Just waiting to wake up one morning and have boat loads of snow. I love the snow when it’s first coming down and when it’s still fresh but once it’s all packed and muddy, forget it. Plus I’m not wild about the cold that comes with the snow but it’s a necessary evil I guess.
Anyway, back to the grind. Just wanted to let you know it got here. Take care.”
From Cpl Tipton, “Thank you so much for the packages!!!!! So, whomever put these together tell them thanks. It was perfect timing. I really appreciate it a lot. Tell everyone thank you for it all. When I got all 3 boxes everyone else was jealous and kept bombarding me asking me what I got. Then there was a huge circle around me when I opened them and well…all of the food was eaten right then and there. So from the platoon, they wanted me to say thanks as well.”
So, as we give thanks for all we freely enjoy, let us not forget the troops serving this great nation, the veterans who have already done so, the military families worldwide, and those who made the ultimate sacrifice in their service to our country.
Ginny Craven is founder of Operation Tango Mike. For more information about the group, call 707-349-2838, e-mail
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“In this season of hope, I want to say how uplifting it has been to get to know so many soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines during the last 24 months,” Gates said.
“Many of you are far from home, and I’m sure there’s no place you would rather be than with your loved ones. But know that they, and all Americans, are free and secure because of what the men and women of the U.S. military are doing all over the world – from Fort Lewis to Fort Drum, from Korea to Kosovo, from Bagram to Baghdad.
“The holidays are a time to reflect on the kind of nation we are: a nation whose character and decency are embodied in our armed forces. Those who risk life and limb every time they set foot “outside the wire.” The medical personnel, engineers, and civil affairs teams who improve the lives of thousands. And all are volunteers.
“To the families of our forces: thank you for sharing your loved ones to defend us all. To our troops: we admire your selflessness and pray for your success and safe return home. And to all: happy holidays.”
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The ceremonies will take place at noon Eastern Standard Time and 9 a.m. on the West Coast.
The Wreaths Across America story began over 15 years ago when Worcester Wreath Co. (a for-profit commercial business from Harrington, Maine) began a tradition of placing wreaths on the headstones of our nation's fallen heroes at Arlington National Cemetery during the holidays.
Over that period of time, Worcester Wreath has donated 90,000 wreaths which were placed by volunteers in a wreath-laying ceremony each December. But as word spread, the mission to Remember; Honor; and Teach about the sacrifices made by our veterans has captured the hearts and minds of many communities across the country.
In December 2007, 286 participating locations hosted Wreaths Across America ceremonies overseeing the placement of 32,553 wreaths on the headstones of those who served and sacrificed for our freedoms.
For more about Wreaths Across America visit www.wreaths-across-america.org/index.html.
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