Vol. 15, No. 4 by JM Publishing

WINTER 2012 | Vol. 15, No. 4

commander’s Remarks By Commander Greer

Commissioning of the Submarine USS California (SSN 781) at Norfolk Naval Station

Norfolk Virginia, 29 October 2011 had been given an invitation request by Rose Blackman that had been sent to the Department head quarters for the Department Commander of AMVETS California to attend the Commissioning Ceremony of the SSN 781 California, and I called Rod Blackman to ask if I could go to this ceremony, and his reply was, You are the Commander, and you have a travel expense fund, go for it! So I did, and when I went to the foundation meeting I mentioned it to the ED Kissel, and he suggested to President Pidgeon to go along, as I had requested two tickets, but President Pidgeon was unable to go and suggested that ED Kissel go with me, so I e-mailed the info to Chuck, and as always, Chuck gets online and finds out all about the whole event, (maps & directions) who’s going to be there and the whole nine yards. Thanks Chuck. So we have a few mix up’s on the flight back there, but it all works out in the end. We get up the next morning and drive around half of Norfolk it seemed to find a restaurant open to have breakfast and talk, and then we went out to the Naval Station and found the parking area that was indicated on our map, and it was starting to rain and the wind was blowing pretty good, so they had buses there to transport us over to the base flight hanger, as they had to move the ceremony inside because of the weather. When we got there and got inside they ushered us into seats, and I saw California Secretary of Veterans Affairs Mr. Peter Gravetts and his wife sitting in the front row, so I told Chuck come on let’s go over and say hello to them. I also saw the California State Commanders Council Secretary Tom Richards walking there talking with Pete Gravetts but was not able to talk with him! As Dr. Chuck Kissel reported in his excellent report it was a very fine and Military Formal Ceremony and was well represented by the great state of California! We went back to the parking lot and decided to walk over to the pier and take some pictures of the boat, as Chuck said, we would have been tarred & feathered if we had come back to California without any pictures of the Submarine that we went back there to see! They were giving a special tour of the boat to all of the dignitaries that were there, and then they had a naval chief take Chuck and I and two civilians aboard for a tour of the vessel. This was great for me! I had never been on a submarine before. It was very interesting to see how little room there is down inside, and how 137 crew members can live for long periods of time at that close quarters, and “NO WINDOWS”. I can tell you it is not for me! Then Chuck and I went back to the airport and dropped off the rental car and went to the terminal where we had to check in for our flight back to California, and go back through security. As you may or may not know,

I so love this part, I have two metal knees, and I always set off the security alarms and then have to Commander be stripped and frisked and then patted down like Greer some major criminal!! Well as you can see I made it once again as I made it home to write this article. When I got too the gate where my flight was to go out of, I went up to the young Lady at the counter and asked if they had an earlier flight to Washington, D.C. She found me one that left an hour before mine, so I got out of there an hour early. While I was waiting for my flight there was a GI walking around by my gate, the clerk asked my name then she looked at the monitor and there were two Greer’s on that flight! That GI was Captain Jerry Greer, only he was Jerry S. Greer and I am Jerry R. Greer, now how odd is that? So I gave him one of my cards and told him to drop me a line when he got to Afghanistan. Stay tuned and I will let you know if he does write. I went on to Washington Dulles airport and upon coming out of the gangway I asked the United employee if they had a flight going from there to Sacramento, rather than San Francisco, and they did, and she said they were boarding right now at gate D 23, so I took off like OJ Simpson down through that terminal, and by the time I got too gate D 23 I thought I was having a “heart attack” so the stewardesses treated me special all the way back to Sacramento, so I gave all three one of my cards! I was able to get back to Sacramento at 8:30 rather than midnight, and then I had a five-hour drive home. All and all I had a very good trip. That’s my story, and I'm sticking to it!

GOAL

Give the gift of membership this year.

www.calamvets.org

Be present.

The Voice is published quarterly by Midwest Publishing, Inc. Any articles or photographs received after the deadlines will be held for the next edition. All articles must be signed to be printed. The editor reserves the right to edit any submission for clarity, brevity, etc. The opinions expressed in The Voice are those of the authors and not necessarily the opinion of the AMVETS Department of California. Please submit all information for the VOICE to:

roseblackman@hotmail.com

Next deadline is March 1st. Please submit your articles in Microsoft Word or similar word processing program and your pictures separately as JPEGs. Thank you.

DEPARTMENT OFFICERS FOR 2012 Executive Director Rod Blackman rblackman@teamamvets.org

559-688-3407

Commander Jerry Greer vfwjerry@yahoo.com

707-725-3687

1st Vice Commander Jerry Guevara

559-786-9106

2nd Vice Commander Bud Simmons

707-971-0523

Judge Advocate Terry McCarty

714-585-5804

Finance Officer David Cropper

559-269-2274

Provost Marshal Ben Aguayo bsaguayo@gmail.com

626-337-6152

N.E.C. Person Ronald Ferrara rkferrara@gmail.com

626-577-2454

Alt. N.E.C. Person Tom Donwen

559-907-7188

Jr. Past Commander Charles Ramos

120 North “M” Street

T.O.C.

Officer's Reports...................................................................................... 3 Area Commander's Reports...................................................................

67th Annual Convention Announcement..............................................

Legislative Reports.................................................................................

Trustee SEB A Dennis Boyce

760-252-8491

Trustee SEB B Ray Delgado

310-410-8856

TEAM AMVETS GEAR is HERE!........................................................... 10

Northern Area Commander Greg Raffia

530-549-3248

Charles Kissel's Perspective................................................................

Central Area Commander Alex Halley

559-625-4643

Post Reports.......................................................................................... 13

Southern Area Commander David Diehl

760-323-9085

Project KIKS/Ready for Hire................................................................. 25

SERVICE FOUNDATION Interim Ex. Director Charles Kissel (714) 761-5811 President Jim Pidgeon 559-688-7269

Hue City 20th Anniversary Memorial................................................... 26

Directors Pete Ramirez, Helen Wong, Gene Clements, Gene Sustaita and Cephus Daniels

www.calamvets.org

2—California AMVETS Voice - www.calamvets.org

SAVE the DATE!..................................................................................... 27

Vol. 15, No. 4

From the Desk of the Executive Director

s we enter the new year we have many changes: We have opened a Veteran’s Career Center in Tulare at Dept. Headquarters. Veterans can come and take classes online to help them get certificates or college credit to make them more employable, update resumes, or review interview techniques. Life membership is now $250. The Department Quartermaster has come online and TEAM AMVETS shirts and hats are available through Headquarters. We will also have some available at DEC in Santa Maria for purchase. New products will be added continuously. Reminder TEAM AMVETS is a copyrighted trademark of AMVETS Department California and can not be used without written permission. What do you gain from attending DEC (Department Executive Committee Conference) and State Conventions? • Camaraderie and Networking. • Improved knowledge of constitution and bylaws, learning how the Department, and Foundation work. • Learning from officer reports what is going on in the Department and at National • Exchange ideas with other attendees, gain information that you can take back and share with your post. • Learn ways to make posts more viable. • Put faces with names, meet Department, National and Post Representatives. • Involvement in decisions affecting State and National AMVETS leadership, resolutions and initiatives.

By Rod Blackman

What could your post do to get more members to attend your meetings? • Call and invite or remind members a day or two ahead. • Present a good attitude and welcome new ideas, Welcome new members and visitors. • Provide transportation to those in need due to disability or age or lack of transportation. • Provide an activity/ opportunity so all members can participate • Change the day or the time of meeting to accommodate working/ going to school veterans. • Provide food or snacks before or after the meeting (if your post can’t afford this: ask members to sign up to bring something every other meeting if they can-potluck). • Provide activities that the whole family can attend and get involved with (this is especially important for our younger veterans whose time is limited because of work/ school obligations, they want to spend time with their family as well as with fellow veterans.) • When asking someone to hold a leadership position or be on a committee, remember to explain to them what the ‘job’ entails so they don’t feel blindsided. • Provide a welcoming meeting space, someplace people feel comfortable going to. • Provide free child care, many veterans can’t afford to pay a sitter while they attend meetings. Stay tuned, a lot to come in this new year.

AMVETS DEPartment OF California

Upcoming Events May 17, 2012 Cut off date to reserve room for June convention. See below.

September 10: Cut off date to reserve room for October convention, See below.

June 8-10, 2012 State Convention See page 9 for more information Riverside Marriott, 3400 Market Street, Riverside, CA 951-784-8000

October 4-7, 2012 Fall DEC MARRIOTT Visalia at the Convention Center 300 South Court Street Visalia, Ca 93291 Phone: (559) 636-1111 Rooms are $89 plus tax

Aug 4-11, 2012 National Convention go to www.amvets.org click events for more information

Benefits Please visit the National website, http://www.amvets.org and click the “Member Benefits” button on the left hand side of the page, or go directly to http://www.amvet.org/membership.benfits.html and note the various providers that AMVETS has as providers of benefits.

Vol. 15, No. 4

Deadlines for Quarterly Submissions by Issue

Issue Convention Book Vol. 16, No. 1 Vol. 16, No. 2 Vol. 16, No. 3 Vol. 16, No. 4

Deadline April 1 March 1 June 1 September 1 December 1

California AMVETS Voice - www.calamvets.org —3

2nd Vice Commander's Report By Bud Simmons

pon accepting Commander Jerry Greer’s appointment, I have been getting my feet wet. My main focus being on programs which is a life blood of AMVETS. It is our programs when properly reported that are our report cards for congress to show them that we are performing in accordance with the Aims & Purposes of this great organization. We urge you to report whenever you can, there are some that wait until the last minute and fail to report or to report all that they should. I had the great opportunity to travel to Valley Forge for which I believe is the finest youth program of any of the veterans organizations. What a lesson in history and hands on learning. The tour of the grounds, the debate between in period clothing was remarkable. The trip into Philadelphia and the trial regarding the First Amendment/Stolen Valor issue put on by the youth was outstanding. And of course the follow up tasting the delicacies of Philadelphia were also extraordinary. Another outstanding feature is the Medal of Honor Grove and our own Chuck Kissell on the band wagon promoting their expansion program by offering us the chance to obtain pavers (bricks) to adorn the entry to the grove. What an amazing adventure for these youngsters and even us oldsters. PDC Johnny Byrum does a remarkable job with this program. What a kudo for TEAM AMVETS, CALIFORNIA, this has been.

One of the highlights so far this year has been the erection of the POW/MIA Memorial at Santa Rosa Memorial Park in Santa Rosa. I was fortunate to be a part of it and the program was presented by our local Michael Ottolini AMVETS Post 40 of Sonoma County. I am hoping that the future development/expansion of the memorial will be in partnership with AMVETS. I was extremely fortunate to have this memorial dedicated in memory of my lovely wife, Elaine in honor of all who have served our great country. This has not been a good year for me personally, but I sincerely thank all my AMVET friends for their great and unending support. It is really helping me during this most difficult time in my life. I am looking forward to many productive years on my part with AMVETS. Will see you all in Santa Maria. Hoping you all the best in the NEW YEAR.

4—California AMVETS Voice - www.calamvets.org

Vol. 15, No. 4

Judge Advocate Terry McCarty

or nearly 20 years, I have served this grand organization in every position that my talent, education, experience, and skills would assist my post, district, department, and national organization. I do this unselfishly with no personal agenda, at personal sacrifice for the good of this nationally leading organization we lovingly call AMVETS. California “Team AMVETS”, took painful action, (starting with Commander Pidgeon) to right the wrong caused by decades of erosion by our failure to make the hard decisions necessary to do our fiduciary duty, from the individual members on up through our top command structure which includes our own foundation. Through the past three years, we have collectively, struggled to bring ourselves into legal compliance with the assistance of attorneys and hardworking, dedicated department members who also have forsaken their families, friends, and untold income, all in the name of justice for our corps members who ultimately have the vested power and duty to ensure that our California AMVETS operate within all of our Governess documents including our “aims and purposes” for which we were formed. Change is difficult for most but necessary if we are to survive as an organization and a corporation. Gone are the days of the “good ol’ boys” way of doing business. I realize that some of you really enjoyed the way that business was done, many more of us were very disgruntled knowing that it was often useless to ask for a grant, knowing that the old cronies would see to it that you would never see a dime as long as the department was run behind closed doors and without any responsibility to the membership who voted them into office. I believe that we are pass that now, and somewhat painfully, realize that doing business correctly, can be a real pain at first. We have all been struggling to learn the correct procedures and file the correct forms with all of the various governmental agencies and we are slowly bringing ourselves up from the 1960’s to the present. Why go through all of this trouble? We are the “Team AMVETS” who wants to be acknowledged as a national example of what all veteran organizations should become in order to run a legal, non-profit, tax exempt veterans charitable organization. We operate as separate but related organizations here in California for the good of all veterans, AMVETS, and the community. We operate within a

By Greg Raffa

NORTHERN AREA Commander's Report

want to thank each and every one of you for doing God’s works for our veterans, their families and our communities. Each of us is a vital link in thinking outside the box, being creative in Membership Drives, Public Relations and devoting our time in meeting the needs of our community. Collaborating and consultations with leaders in our community is making a great difference whether you are doing ads in newspapers, being on radio talk shows or visiting your politicians. AMVETS is getting well known for not giving lip service in California. I am excited about Chapman University AMVETS Legal Clinic getting more involved with the tragic entitlement violations happening in the military and to our veterans getting out of the service. Thank you Doc Kissell for sharing those priceless updates. Our 1st Northern Area meeting was a great success in Santa Rosa, CA. District 8 Cmdr. Dave Richey, his wife Jackie, Department 2nd Vice Cmdr. Bud Simmons and Department Legislative Chairperson Lorraine Plass made all of us feel right at home, I personally had no idea this past year of the many unique programs you are all involved in within your communities. Welcome aboard newly appointed District 12 Commander Richard Gaytan appointed at our meeting by TEAM AMVETS Department Commander Jerry Greer. That was pretty cool. Right Then-Right Now. Please e-mail our Department ED Rod Blackman and get it on the internet what programs, times and dates. I have spent many weeks canvassing Sacramento, Vallejo, Vacaville, Yountville, Napa, Red Bluff and

Vol. 15, No. 4

published budget. Our foundation grants funds to posts and auxiliaries who are legally compliant. Corporations of AMVETS who are not compliant cannot accept donations as a non-profit. I strongly urge everyone to start the compliance process and to keep plugging away until you achieve compliance status. In the meantime, network, with your posts to form joint ventures in all facets of programs and membership. Join in with a compliant corporation and get the wonderful work done while waiting for your government documents to return. If you want to know how to become compliant, contact headquarters for a copy of my booklet about how to become compliant, contact me or Melody, or your district commander for advice. To start the compliance project, balance your financial books for the past five years, and then start filing the forms with the government agencies. This year, I have noticed that our membership is not increasing and that a few posts are recruiting members from other posts, to bolster their post numbers. Some AMVETS and Auxiliary members were not aware of their own transfer until after the fact. It is my opinion that it would be “conduct unbecoming” for any AMVET to use any unfair advantage to convince anyone to transfer by using their current or past department office or their current job assignment to gain their transfer into another post. I agree that some transfers are warranted, due to travel distance, inactive posts, and posts that have not or will not try to become compliant, so they join with a fairly close post transferring all their members and financials with that move. Again, doing the correct procedure and change is usually not easy but then nothing is worth doing if it’s not worth doing it right. Adjudications are a necessary tool to achieve justice for all our members. I strongly believe that an accused AMVET’S member deserves their full rights before and during adjudication. If found guilty, it is the Department Executive Committee that decides the punishment. Adjudications are not simple and should always be thorough and complete, no matter how long that may take. That is just one of the duties of the Judge Advocate. If you were the accused, would you want the Adjudication short and simple? I encourage all of us to become caretakers of this nationally known leader, AMVETS of California.

Shasta Lake City. There is plenty of room for new posts in the north state. With your permission Post Commanders, please give me an invite. I will not just give your post a surprise visit. So far, we have eight posts in the north that are compliant out of 20. Commander Richey and Executive Director Rod Blackman are working hard helping each of the remaining posts. I visited the Secretary of State’s Office and made our amendment. I also made sure our post had everything in to the Department of Justice’s Office. The only problem I ran into was when I drove to the Franchise Tax Board at Rancho Cordova. I was shocked to find out whatever you do, do not walk through your paperwork to the FTB. I was told while there this would delay your processing. It is so much faster if you send in by mail. Wow! That caught me by surprise! Both the DOJ and FTB are three and four months delayed in processing your paperwork. Please be patient, AMVETS Department of California will continue to give grace. I will inform each post and district commander what the time will be for our second NA meeting at DEC Santa Maria. Legislation, membership and public relations will be on the table. Quality takes time, and I believe we are getting together and sharing what works and where we need to be next year. The door is always open, please consult with me at your leisure. Committee Chairman District 4 Cmdr. Carroll Erickson and Fred Salanti will be working in the near future making sure your veterans homes in your areas will get some books distributed to you. I wish each of you, your friends and family members a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. God speed.

California AMVETS Voice - www.calamvets.org —5

By Alex Halley, CAC

CENTRAL AREA Commander's Report

hanks to all the posts in the Central Area for getting their paper work in and becoming compliant. It has been very busy six months with meetings in Concord, CA, then to Saint Louis, MO, and DEC meeting in Visalia, CA. Everyone has done a great job. One of the highlights of this year was the swearing in of Post 2011. California’s newest post was sworn in November, by Jerry Guevara, 1st Vice Commander of California; assisted by Alex Halley, Central Area Commander, and Jess Ahumada, Spirit Leader of Aiva performed the induction ceremonies of our newest post. The new 2011 Post Commander is Gordon Pickett. Congratulations to Gordon as he begins his new venture. During the past year AMVETS Post 56 received the Americanism award. This was quite an honor. Tom Donwen, Past Post 56 Commander, and present NEC Alternate, has compiled a very nice binder with activities and pictures of those who are always involved. This binder tells a beautiful story of those involved in these occasions; in Lemoore, JROTC, Veterans Appreciation Day, Honor Guard Funerals, Fire Works Booth, Central Area Picnic, AMVET 56 Veteran of the Year, Memorial Day Ceremony, Blue Star Mother and Gold Star mother were presented with knitted framed plaques. On behalf of Post 56, Alex Halley, Tom Donwen, Rod and Rose Blackman, donated $500 for Girl Scout Cookies to be sent to the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Americanism is strong in the local school district from Kindergarten through Grade 12. California AMVETS have given out six scholarships, The Color Guard has posted colors for the new Tulare Public Library, as well as posting colors at the new AMVETS Department of California Headquarters in Tulare, CA. The Honor Guard has participated in approximately 10 funerals monthly – presenting honors to the deceased veterans – consisting of 21 gun salute, as well as bugler, and folding of the flag and presenting to the next of kin. In addition to the Honor Guard presenting the complete honors for funerals, the Honor Guard takes this information to the schools and discusses it with the students. A lot of enthusiasm is shown by the students when they hear what each fold of the flag stands for. The students also enjoyed inspecting the guns and rifles, as well as seeing pictures of the veterans when they were younger (in Korea and in Vietnam). Carl Bates, Service Officer, and the Honor Guard, led by Commander Alex Halley, took part in the Traveling Vietnam Wall in Cutler, CA. The Honor Guard provided Honors for the City of Exeter, CA, and erected and dedicated a Soldier’s Cross, with the eight soldier’s names who died in Vietnam, after which they attended the Vietnam parade in Tulare, CA. Many veterans also participated in the Twilight Park celebration in Woodlake, CA. The Honor Guard was invited to lead the Western High School football team onto the field at the Homecoming Game in Tulare, CA. We considered this a great honor. The State of California Employment Development Department has set up a council for any veterans seeking help in any way. This is a valuable asset for any veteran in need of help. The meeting is held monthly at the Visalia E.D.D. On Thanksgiving Day, Post 56 served 558 meals either in the Memorial Building or taken to homes of shut-ins. Thanks to all the volunteers, Ladies’ Auxiliary, post members, and especially to Rod and Rose Blackman, for spearheading this occasion. In addition to the activities aforementioned, I have visited all the posts in the Central Area, and am very pleased to get to know those people with whom I am involved. I’m looking forward to our meeting in Santa Maria January 2022, 2012. Until then, have a very Merry Christmas and a safe and sane New Year. God bless you all.

6—California AMVETS Voice - www.calamvets.org

Alex with Miss Tulare County & Miss Teen Tulare County

Department Convention in Concord

Flag ceremony

Gabby & Phil Plascencia N A C Raffa at Central Area picnic

Web

Vol. 15, No. 4

AMVETS DEPARTMENT of CALIFORNIA 67TH ANNUAL CONVENTION JUNE 8 – 10, 2012 (Friday to Sunday) Riverside Marriott 951-784-800 3400 Market Street, Riverside, CA 92501

$99 plus tax per night mention AMVETS to get this rate and free parking Complimentary round-trip shuttle service to Ontario International Airport for registered hotel guests. Seventy-two (72) hour advanced reservations required. • Complimentary local shuttle service within a five (5) mile radius of the hotel for registered hotel guests, based on availability. Complimentary overnight self parking for registered hotel guests. • Complimentary in-room Wired for Business, including wired high speed internet access, local and toll calls

Cut off date is 17 May 2012

Department Legislative Chair Lorraine Plass Department Legislative Chair

AMVETS State Legislative Process

ith the establishment of a legislative committee in 2010, Team AMVETS took the next step in the legislative process. The process was begun in 2009 when AMVETS contracted with Pete Conaty as the AMVETS Legislative Advocate in Sacramento at the state capitol. While AMVETS in other states had had legislative advocates for many years, most notably Ohio, this was the first for the Department of California. Pete, a retired U. S. Army veteran, is a well known figure at the state capitol for his advocacy on behalf of veterans. Now that the Legislative Committee is up and running, it has taken steps to become more professional in how AMVETS is presented at the state capitol and to other key political and legislative leaders. In October, the Legislative Committee proposed an expanded state and federal legislative platform building on the national legislative plat-

Vol. 15, No. 4

form and on state legislation that AMVETS had supported in 2009- 2011 at the state capitol. The 2012 Legislative Platform was adopted by the Department Executive Committee (DEC) at the October meeting and will be the base document for the Department for the coming year. (The 2012 Legislative Platform is also included in this issue for your information) We are actively seeking any ideas for legislation that AMVETS members might have for state level legislation or for national resolutions. This year, there were over 60 bills dealing with military and veterans issues introduced at the state capitol. Many of these bills came from suggestions made by veterans (including AMVETS members) to their local legislators. In 2010, we established a procedure so that these ideas can be looked at by the Legislative Committee using a chain of command. All ideas regarding legislation or an issue that requires a legislative solution, begin with:

First step is taking your idea or issue to your Post leadership. If the Post is willing to support your suggestion, by majority vote, then: Second step is for the Post Commander to send a letter to the Legislative Chair. The Legislative Committee and AMVETS Legislative Advocate Pete Conaty then discuss it and forward a recommendation to the body at the DEC for discussion, vote and State Commanders Signature. Third step is a vote by the DEC. Note- the California Legislature has timelines and rules concerning when legislation can be introduced, so it may be necessary to wait until the following year to introduce legislation. If the issue cannot wait until the next DEC, the Committee may by-pass Step 3, and take a recommendation to the State Commander in time to get it submitted for the current legislative session.  Lorraine Plass, Legislative Chair

California AMVETS Voice - www.calamvets.org —7

Legislative Advocate's Report

By Pete Conaty

PETE CONATY & ASSOCIATES GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS 1107 9th Street, Suite 530 Sacramento, CA 95814 (916) 492-0550 (916) 492-8957 fax

ctober 9th was the deadline for Governor Brown to sign or veto the legislation (hundreds of bills) that was sent to him during the final days of the first year of the 2011/2012 legislative session. Chaptered means the bill was signed into law. Most laws take effect on January 2012. The legislators are now on recess and back in their districts for the remainder of the year and will return to the Capitol on January 4, 2012. Below is a list of the bills we have been tracking on your behalf that made it to the Governor for action. Chaptered bills were signed into law and vetoed bills were rejected by the Governor. We did not include the bills that did not make it through the legislative process (dead or 2-year bills) on this list, however, they will remain on our list to monitor when the Legislature resumes next year. These possible 2-year bills must leave their House of Origin by the end of January or they die. As you can see, Governor Brown vetoed two high profile veterans’ bills, AB 201 (Butler) Veterans courts and SB 888 (Lieu) Veterans funeral protestors. AMVETS was a sponsor of SB 888. Lorraine and I will continue to work on legislation for next year from the 2012 Legislative Agenda adopted at the October DEC.

AMVETS Announces 2011 California Legislators of the Year AMVETS, Department of California has named two prominent legislators as their 2011 Legislators of the Year. The AMVETS Legislator of the Year honor is awarded to legislators who have gone the extra mile to support California’s veterans and their families. Senator Lou Correa (Santa Ana) and Assemblywoman Mariko Yamada (Davis) have been selected for their longstanding support of veterans, service members, and their families during their legislative careers, as well as their leadership and support during their service on the Veterans Affairs Committees of their respective houses. “As one who works on a daily basis on veterans issues in the State Capitol, I am acutely aware of the key role Senator Correa and Assemblywoman Yamada play in helping to move veterans legislation forward” stated Pete Conaty, AMVETS’ legislative advocate. Senator Correa has developed a strong record of support for America’s service men and women since he has been in the Legislature. Senator Correa is the Chair of the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs. Senator Correa authored Senate Bill 1296 to train peace officers who are emergency first responders on how

8—California AMVETS Voice - www.calamvets.org

to recognize and interact with war veterans and other persons suffering from Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Senator Correa has also sought to enhance Education benefits for military personnel, and make Cal Grant-A higher education grants more usable by our young veterans. According to Department Commander Jerry Greer, “Senator Correa has demonstrated superb leadership as the Chair of the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs and throughout his 10 year legislative career, Senator Correa has consistently been one of the strongest supporters for the rights and op-

Senator Lou Correa (D-Santa

portunities of all our armed forces personnel, especially our veterans”. Assemblywoman Mariko Yamada has championed veterans and veteran’s causes since she began her public service in local government before she came to the legislature. In the Legislature she has served on the Assembly Committee on Veterans Affairs where she has shown a deep commitment to the broad array of issues facing our young veterans returning home from the current wars. As the Chair of the Aging and Long Term Care Committee she is also uniquely qualified to understand the complex needs of the WWII, Korea, and Vietnam generation of veterans. In Assemblywoman Mariko Yamada 2011, she authored AB 784 which sought inclusion of adult day services for two adult day facilities co-located with the William J. “Pete” Knight Veterans Home of California, Lancaster; and the Veterans Home of California, Ventura. AMVETS Department Legislative Chair Lorraine Pass noted “Assemblywoman Yamada understands our issues and is not afraid to spend the extra time it takes to dig down into a complex issue like PTSD or women veterans. She is a great asset to the veterans committee.” Senator Correa and Assemblywoman Yamada will be presented the awards at the AMVETS’ Annual Capitol Legislative Day event on February 29, 2012. This is a day when AMVETS leaders and members alike travel to the State Capitol to advocate on issues of importance to veterans and to educate legislators, consultants, and staff on state veterans issues. Previous recipients of the AMVETS Legislator of the Year award, which began in 2009, are Senator Jeff Denham (now a U.S. Congressman), Senator Bob Dutton, Assemblyman Paul Cook, and Assemblywoman Mary Salas. AMVETS or American Veterans was founded The American Veterans of World War II on Dec. 10, 1944. Less than three years later, on July 23, 1947, President Harry S. Truman signed Public Law 216, making AMVETS the first World War II organization to be chartered by Congress. The mission of AMVETS was to help WWII veterans obtain the benefits promised to them by the federal government. AMVETS continues this commitment to America’s veterans, their families, and the active military by assisting them to secure their earned entitlements. AMVETS, Department of California has approximately 10,000 members and over 50 local posts. AMVETS strongly supports legislation to provide extended care services to veterans, which will improve the needs of an aging veteran population as well as the new generation of veterans. 

Vol. 15, No. 4

LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM 2012 AMVETS, Department of California This is the official Legislative Platform of AMVETS, Department of California for 2012. This platform outlines the legislative priorities and goals of the Department. It is intended to be both a report to AMVETS members on the legislative efforts of the Department, as well as a tool for legislators and other policy makers seeking AMVETS’ positions on veterans issues. The Department will take positions on legislation which affect these goals and often will sponsor legislation to achieve these policies. On occasion, legislators have read the platform and initiated legislation on their own to implement these priorities. The Department is primarily focused on legislation at the state level. AMVETS National develops its own national legislative platform and primarily advocates on veterans issues before Congress and federal agencies. This platform does however touch on some federal issues that the Department would like to see supported by California’s Congressional delegation. How AMVETS members can use this platform: When meeting with the Congressperson, state legislator, or city or county elected official from your local area, you can give them this platform which shows what issues are important to California’s veterans and their families. Department of California State Legislative Priorities Veterans outreach and increased funding for the CA Department of Veterans Affairs (CDVA), County Veterans Service Officers (CVSO’s), and Veterans Service Officers (VSO’s):  Support increasing funding to the $11 million authorized level for the CVSO offices to provide assistance to California’s veterans to navigate the claims process to access all benefits, state and federal due our veterans.  Support continued funding for outreach to California’s newest veterans to inform them about the benefits that they are entitled for and how to apply for them. Every year 30,000 new veterans are released from active duty in California.  Support increased state grants to veterans service organizations to work with CVSO’s and California veterans on veterans outreach and filing claims with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Veterans Homes:  Support full funding for the new Veterans Homes in Fresno and Redding so that they can be opened when their construction is completed.  Support adequate funding for all Veterans Homes while looking for ways to reduce General Fund expenditures on the homes. Veterans’ Employment:  Develop initiatives to improve the climate for veterans’ employment by mandating or encouraging the state to expand veterans’ preferences in public-sector employment.  Develop initiatives to increase opportunities for veterans employment in the private sector. Veterans Education:  Work with all California colleges and universities to ensure that student veterans receive all information on federal and state educational benefits, tuition waivers for children of disabled veterans, and how to apply and access both the state and federal benefits they have earned by virtue of their service.

Vol. 15, No. 4

Veterans Benefits:  Support the Governor’s cabinet level Inter-agency Veterans Council (IVC) to improve coordination among governmental, municipal and private sector organizations to improve services and support for veterans and their families.  Encourage the IVC to focus initially on homelessness, healthcare, and outreach to underserved women and minority veterans. Veterans’ Homelessness Reduction and Treatment:  Work with the VA, CDVA, community based and faith based organizations, municipal, and private sector organizations to address the root causes of veteran’s homelessness by: • Improving veterans employment opportunities. • Increasing substance abuse prevention and treatment programs. • Implementing California’s alternative sentencing law. • Establishing Veterans Courts. • Developing affordable housing programs for veterans. • Improving rehabilitation efforts for homeless veterans. Veterans Healthcare:  Strive to ensure that California’s veterans receive information about their federal VA healthcare benefits including: • Counseling and information about treatment options for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), and physical disabilities. • How to apply for compensation. • How to appeal denied claims. Department of California National Legislative Priorities Support AMVETS National Legislative priorities for 112th Congress:  Underserved veterans and military members Today’s diverse veteran and military communities have unique and complex needs that the VA and the Department of Defense (DoD) need to address such as: • Women Veterans Our nation is welcoming back its first generation of female combat veterans. As such, the VA and the DoD face challenges to their health care systems. They must adapt to keep pace and meet their needs in areas such as gender specific clothing, equipment, healthcare, etc. • Services to remote and rural veterans Veterans living in rural areas comprise only 19% of the population whereas most of our Vet population [45%] lives remotely in America. The death rate to rural Veterans is 60% higher than those living in larger cities with better care provisions. • VA care services Convey to Congress that blast injuries, PTSD, TBI, and prosthetics and sensory aides are issues that the VA has named as the signature injuries of modern warfare. When the VA cannot adjudicate claims for these disabilities in a timely manner, critical care is denied to those who need it the most. • Claims backlog, education, employment The veterans benefits claims backlog, education, entrepreneurship and veterans employment are intertwined issues which require a seamless transition that the VA has yet to attain. The VA procurement process must modernize to provide opportunities to which services veterans are entitled. Congress must ensure that education benefits for veterans are readily available and equitable across the board.

California AMVETS Voice - www.calamvets.org —9

Legislative Advocate's Report, cont. from previous page To be addressed at the Federal Level: 2011 Adopted Resolutions

• Increase Congressional funding so that the VA can implement uniform data exchange claim processing and processor training which insures timely accurate claims for every veteran. • Support continued POW/MIA recovery and identification. • Increase travel reimbursement rates for disabled Veterans and remote Veterans. • Survivor benefit plan income loss. • Protecting service disabled veteran owned small business and veteran owned small business in federal procurement. • Increase DoD mental health funding programs. • Pursue enactment of legislation to provide full Concurrent Receipt for all disabled military retirees health care cost. • Oppose Tri-Care increases and fully fund Tri-Care premiums that protect and provide the free healthcare promised to career military retired members. • Support advanced appropriations and pass stronger laws to insure proper function of the federal government and thereby protecting VA services, programs and entitlements. • Providers of services to veterans must be veterans.

• Continue and expand veterans preference considerations in employment and training programs. • Authorize Cold War Service Medal. • Elimination of the VA’s means test. • Increase veterans burial benefits. Issues to be addressed at both the Federal and State Level: • Increase funding for Military Sexual Trauma issues. • Support veteran’s preference in public employment. • Hire veterans to provide civilian credentials of military training and experience. • Protection of American war memorials, veteran’s graves, and monuments. • Establish more veterans courts.

Official Licensed GEAR

IS HERE!

10—California AMVETS Voice - www.calamvets.org

Vol. 15, No. 4

Foundation Executive Director Charles Kissel's Perspective on the Commissioning of the Submarine USS California (SSN 781) at Norfolk Naval Station

AMVETS Department of California AMVETS Department of California Service Foundation; AMVETS Department of California Ladies Auxiliary; Team AmvetsTM California Charities Inc. Norfolk, Virginia; 29 October 2011 epartment Commander Greer received two invitations from the Naval Department to attend the Commissioning Ceremony for the USS California in Norfolk, Virginia. The Commander selected me to attend the event with him on Saturday, 29 Oct 11. We flew separately on 28 Oct 11, and linked up in the Norfolk International airport. (Note: the usual airport travelers do notice and appear to understand the "Team Amvets" look.) I am taking this opportunity to relate some observations we had while attending this media-making occasion. There are two broad categories of observations relating to the ceremony and about the Boat. The Ceremony The original ceremony was to be conducted outside on the dock in front of the USS California. However, the weather moved in on Friday and lasted through Saturday, so at the last minute, the event was moved to a local navy aircraft hangar on the base. There were about 2500 attendees, but since we went early, we secured good seating. In reflection, this ceremony was all about the crew bringing the boat up to the required duty level. Both the Commander and I are former Army and wore our black AMVETS jackets with the white Department caps. This look afforded us some extra attention, since the jackets and caps have California on them, and the caps being white looked somewhat "naval" to others. The indoor ceremony inside an aircraft hangar looks as it might be expected; many chairs, a raised platform for dignitaries, and a huge 30 x 60 foot 50 Star flag backdrop. We were provided with a glossy book covering the ceremony, and mementos were for sale. By the time the thing began, the military band was in place and it was strictly SRO. This was a very well

Vol. 15, No. 4

and smartly done affair. The various speakers were short and direct. The whole concept is to ceremoniously present the boat for duty and set the first watch. There is a part where an old-timer "colonial-looking" person passes the watch symbol of authority to the boat, which. signifies the commissioning. The Boat's Commander then reads his orders. Near the end, the 180 some crew came running in like football players into a stadium; they lined up single-file in front of the audience with the speaker platform behind them. Here is how the booklet describes the agenda: Announcement of Platform Guests, Parade of the Colors, National Anthem, Invocation, Welcome, Remarks from Distinguished Guests, Principal Speaker, Placing the California in Commission, Assuming Command, Setting the First Watch, Manning the Ship and Bringing her to Life, Reporting for Duty, Commanding Officer's Remarks, Benediction. The speakers were thoughtful. Our US Representative was Buck McKeon from the 25 District (Santa Clarita, CA); he is a member of the Republican Whip team in Congress, and chair of the Armed Services Committee. The Honorable Stackley, Asst. Sec. of the Navy was also present. The Boat is constructed by two companies and their product appears when each other's work merges with the others. Peters is the president of the Huntington Ingalls Industries, whose subsidiary Newport News Shipbuilders did part of the work. The General Dynamics Electric Boat Company president is Casey. Admiral Greenert (Chief of Naval Ops), Admiral Donald (Naval Reactions), Vice Admiral McCoy (Cmdr. Naval Sea Systems), Vice Admiral Richardson (Cmdr. Submarine Forces), Rear Admiral Caldwell (Cmdr. Submarine Force Pacific), Vice Admiral Bruner (Dir Submarine Warfare Div), Rear Admiral Johnson (Program Exec Officer Submarines), and Rear Admiral Breckenridge (Cmdr. Submarine Group Two) were present. I later spoke with Admirals Richardson and Breckenridge; they are two neat guys. The "master of ceremonies" was the Boat's Exec Officer Lt. Cmdr. Jason Rhea. The first Captain of the California is Cmdr. Dana Nelson. Greer and I met Nelson, and he too is a really neat guy. The Chief of the Boat is Master Chief Kevin Bond, and appears to fit the bill (much like the chief in the movie "U571"). - The Boat's sponsor is Donna Willard, wife of Admiral Willard, Cmdr. US Pacific Command. The ceremony's booklet says the California's keel was laid on 1 May 09; its Christening was on 6 Nov 10; and the Commissioning is 29 Oct 11 (8 months ahead of schedule). The boat is currently at Pier 14 in the Norfolk Naval docks, and is big and black and ready to go; While in harbor, it flies the 1776 First Navy Jack (a Rattlesnake flag") on the bow, and the 50 Star Ensign at its stem Oust like all other Naval and Coast Guard ships around the planet do when in

port since 9-11, and will remain so for the duration of the War on Terrorism â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Flag stuff thrown in by the flag geek Kissel). The Boat After the indoor Commissioning Ceremony, instead of staying for the reception, Cmdr. Greer and I knew we would be tarred and feathered by our AMVETS membership if we came home saying we never saw the Boat. And so we got directions from a crew member and hot-footed it over to pier 14. When we got there, the Boat was waiting. Again, our jackets and white caps seemed to suggest to others we were on a mission. The Commander spoke with a crew member, who offered to show us around after securing the appropriate permissions. We spent about 90 minutes going through the front half of the vessel. (No one gets into the aft sections where the special ops and reactor are.) The tour was provided to us by Chief Chris Hoots, whose primary mission is weapons officer; he also serves his watch as helmsman. Along with the Commander and me, a civilian naval employee and his wife went along; he was knowledgeable about selected aspects of the Boat because his job was to work on certain aspects of the upgrades. Thus, I was getting information and insight from the Chief as well as the employee. The Boat is armed with missiles and torpedoes, and is equipped for many kinds of special ops. It is an attack class submarine. (A torpedo was present when we were in the compartment, and stenciled on it is "If found, return for a reward".) The California is a Virginia-Class Boat; 118 in the series. The SSN 783 Minnesota's turn is in 18 months. I did inquire as to what Virginia Class boats had that the previous classes did not. There are several answers. First and foremost, the boat's construction is modular. Other ships have their hulls constructed first, then parts are built within that hull. In the Virginia Class scheme, each part is modular and the entire thing comes together as the modules are connected. All Virginia Class Boats have interchangeable parts. The next thing is their systems are "quad" backed-up. The mechanical/pneumatic systems are being slowly switched out for modem electrical ones. The final thing is seen in the following. I went aboard thinking I was to see something approaching the fictional Starship Enterprise. I saw "old friends"; e.g., common buttons, knobs, valves, and piping. hi fact, the plumping looks like chemical plants and some inventions I have made (using stainless, Swagelok/Gyrolock tubular fittings, and welded piping). The toilets, showers, and galley are still familiar to me. The electrical has gone away from older switches towards touch screen action. When the reactor fails, they have a diesel. I was last on the USS New Jersey when at Valley Forge with the AMVETS Continued on next page

California AMVETS Voice - www.calamvets.org â&#x20AC;&#x201D;11

Charles Kissel's Perspective, cont.

Youth Leadership project and saw things like these. Even when we got to the control room, it looked familiar ...until the Chief showed -Lis the two helmsman stations. There it was, Star Trek; in the movie "Insurrection", recall Ryker in the "briar patch" controlling the ship's course; the USS California has two joy-sticks! Also, the periscope is no longer optical, but viewed on a screen with the usual electronic capabilities. Since its Christening, the Boat was at sea doing tests. The first are called alpha trials, where the watertight, propulsion, and emergency systems are tested and proved. The second bravo series explores the boat's defensive and offensive systems. The final series of INSURV tests are for quality assurance checks and evaluation of the individual/total design technologies. Some of the present crew began back in the modular phases of construction (Chief Bond began in 2008). The Boat's crest has the California Grizzly Bear and submarine with dolphins The Boat's motto in Latin is "silentium est aureum" (silence is golden)- The usual long narrow commissioning pennant was not seen by me at any time. Historically, the first ship California (May 1869) was the renamed USS Minne Tonka (launched in Jul 1863); the older photo in the booldet suggests 20 some cannon present on the 3-masted ship; it performed duties in the Pacific. The WWI California was a Pennsylvania Class Cruiser, launched in Apr 1904, also performed duties in the Pacific, but was on escort duty during WWI. California #3 and 44 were motor patrol boats used in NY and San Francisco, resp. California BB-44 was a Tennessee Class battleship during WWII, commissioned in 1921; after being sunk at Pearl, she was refitted and served during WWII in the Pacific towards the war's end. The nuclear cruiser California was commissioned in 1974, starting her duties in the Atlantic Fleet, but eventually being homeported in Alameda. SSN 781 is the seventh vessel named California. The Boat's Commander, Nelson, is from Clinton, Conn. He graduated from the Academy in 1992. Obviously, he chose the nuclear submarine service right away. The Exec. Officer Rhea graduated OCS in 1999; he was selected for submarine duty. Both officers joined SSN 781 in 2010. Chief of the Boat Bond enlisted in 1984, and has been a submariner since. All three have college degrees.

12—California AMVETS Voice - www.calamvets.org

Friends Aend Industries Inc. Bacome Insurance Agency Bas Roofing Brewhouse Dentaform Corp. Empire Painting Contractors Epicurean Group Inc. Gary Van Grinsven Dds Harbor Dental Bleaching Group Holiday Spa Innfinity Software Llc Krehbiel’s Automotive Repair Leyla Hanson Cpa Mail Boxes Etc. #1307 Mike’s Truck Repair Patriot General Engineering Paul’s Haul Ted Lamont Inc. Traffic International PLATINUM Asi GOLD Glen Story Construction Sundt Construction Inc. Tradition Aviation SILVER Agm Investments Inc. Direct Construction Monster Tool Co. Therapak Corp. Unlimited Text & Talk Vol. 15, No. 4

POST Reports Here are some great ideas your post can do to help veterans and your community!

Post 2

Activities Report submitted by Commander Ray Delgado Post II Commander/ Director at Large, 310-462-3654

Director at large Report

ost 2 had its annual Christmas Party at Post 2 Dec 17, 2011 time is 6:00 for dinner there is a $15 donation for dinner. All veterans and friends are invited. Place 10858 Culver Blvd. Culver City CA 90230. Post 2 is having a casino Day at the Pechanga Resort Feb 24, 2012 $15 Donation for a seat on the Bus. Post 2 attended a Veterans Day Program at City of Los Angeles City hall. Along with members of Post 113, and Post 116. Post 2 has served Bingo every 3rd Thursday Since January 2011 at West Los Angeles Medical Center. Post 2 has held its officers meeting 2nd Tuesday of each Month since January 2011. Post 2 has had its monthly general meetings the 3rd Saturday of each month. April meeting had Post 2 elections. Post 2 Hosted Salute Hospitalized Veterans, Spring BBQ, AMVETS Because we care. Post 2 Honor Guard will participating in Wreaths Across America Saturday Dec 10, 2011. Post 2 have been doing maintenance on the Medal of Honor Wall every Sunday Morning at 8:00 a.m. Thanks to Frank Juarez, Joe Romo, Paul Perkins for there help. Post 2 Host a thanksgiving day at the West Los Angeles V.A. Thank you to David Echaveirra and Keith Jeffrey’s for there help. Thank you to Jim Johnstone, Glen Smith, Levon Brooks, Jackie Folly, Keith Jeffrey’s, Richard Cooks, April Fitzmans, Andrew Douglas, & ucla rotc for helping out with bingo. Director at Large Report Post 2 has been the watch dog on VA property. Attended a stake holders meeting in Feb. 10, 2011 represented State of California American Veterans. Nothing new. Promises were made but nothing has changed. VA has many non-veteran groups on the property, property still looks like a parking lot for School buses. The health part for veterans is 100% better. Please note the Car Rental has left. I also attended District 2 meeting. Post 2 Honor Guard has 12 burials. Total 1438 miles. 12 AMVETS members. Total Bingo hours 80 hours Total. Total Miles 350 miles. Post 2 Honor Guard on Nov 2,2011 Posted colors wreathe across America. Posted colors Nov. 12, 2011 Cypress Park on 13th of Nov. Posted Colors Eagle Rock CA. On the Nov 14, 2011 posted Colors at Los Angeles National Cemetery.

Vol. 15, No. 4

Post 4

TEAM AMVETS MOJO Post 4

Cmdr. Greg Raffa

ost 4 members attended the Redding VA Inpatient/Outpatient Clinic Open house, 15,000 veterans have signed up for services and this Veterans Clinic has expanded to two other locations for services to help our veterans because we have out-grown the building in Redding with now 160 employees. It is a real tragedy that AMVETS, the American Legion, VFW, DAV, MOPH and MCL no longer have a service officer attached to this VA Clinic, and how this happened we will probably never know the reasoning behind the powers to be in the VA. So many veterans have to travel way over on the other side of town to see County Service Officers. Many of us feel this is a dis-service and hardship to our veterans and their families and many of us pray that someday we can keep all services in one location. Many volunteered for this year's North State Homeless Veterans Stand-Down in Anderson, CA. Kudos to Frank Rose, Marty Wyatt & Lyndia Kent’s Ladies Team from our post members for your long hours of dedication. We have pondered a request for many months now. So many people ask our post members weekly what to do with their tattered, worn out American Flag. We now have a box at Tobacco and Brew in Redding where we meet monthly. We built a Burn Box guaranteeing their

American Flag will be given last rites of passage by either the Girl/Boy Scouts or American Legion with a traditional retirement ceremony. We have closed for the winter months the Meliora Ranch/Coterie Horse Therapy in Happy Valley, CA. Our 2nd Vice Cmdr. Jim Busher will reopen in April of 2012. All Combat Veterans and their families can contact Jim Busher at work # 530-341-2242 – cell # 415-847-1233 – join Jim’s website www.amelioraranch.com. A special tribute to Tobacco & Brew for giving free coffee on Veterans Day. What the proprietors Shelli and Post member Joe Levy do for veterans is truly a Godsend. Lastly, our AMVETS Post member MIAP National Executive Director Fred Salanti, AMVETS District 4 Cmdr. Carroll Erickson and WalMart Heart will have completed, by Dec. 6th, moving 10,000 books which were donated by Roxanne & Marty Lord Punchak from Punchak Paperback Bookstore of Cortez, Colorado. TEAM AMVETS, this was quite a Monumental feat outside the box. Seven pallets will be at WalMart of RedBluff, CA. All Veterans Homes in California will have 1st priority. Further information will be provided at our Fall DEC Santa Maria, CA. The MOJO AMVETS members wish each of you Happy Holidays/Merry Christmas/Happy New Year. God Speed. More Post 4 on next page

California AMVETS Voice—13

POST Reports Here are some great ideas your post can do to help veterans and your community!

Post 4

Member Spotlight

Frank Rose

hanks to the Redding Record Searchlight Newspaper, finally someone has captured a snapshot of our very own Member/Historian and Photographer (right) at the Nov. 5th Northern Area Shasta Lake City Veterans Day Parade. Korean Veteran/Steeler Fan Frank Rose, Army Cpl 195355 served with the 3rd Armored Calvary Regiment. Frank is everywhere in our community and never says no to anyone. He is a member of the NCVC in Igo, CA. volunteering as Historian/ Photos and also doing free maintenance inside the Bldgs. at our Veterans Cemetery, Public Relations Officer to the North Valley Stand-Down, Christmas for the Troops, Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day VVA Chapter 357, Redding American Legion 197, Historian/Membership Chairman Order Sons of Italy at Redding America Lodge 2453 and volunteering for the Redding Veterans Museum. We all are truly blessed by what you do and how you do it without remorse. Our post members salute you. ď&#x201A;Ť

Coterie 2011

Right: Jim with Dude, Maverick, and Quintsie

Below: Mike, Tom, Jim, and Quintsie

Visit our website

www.calamvets.org 14â&#x20AC;&#x201D;California AMVETS Voice

Vol. 15, No. 4

Coterie Group 2012 Who are we? Any military veteran of any war is welcome to join our Coterie group. At no charge. What is it?

The Coterie Group offers combat veterans a safe environment for communication and interaction through the powerful presence of horses. Each group session will include three parts: each session will start with a “check-in” or “introduction” with the participants, followed by a group exercise period utilizing the horses, and concluding with a reflection period on the completed exercise. Refreshments are served.

Where?

A.Meliora Ranch 16170 Renee Court Happy Valley, California 96007

When?

The second Monday of each month @ 10 am to 12 noon Contact: Jim Busher @ 530-341-2242 cell (Please call between 8a.m. and 6p.m.)

Vol. 15, No. 4

California AMVETS Voice - www.calamvets.org —15

POST Reports Here are some great ideas your post can do to help veterans and your community!

Post 18

AMVETS Hal Camp Post 18 Activities September 1-November 30, 2011

uring this reporting period the Legion of Honor (LOH-Honor Detail) participated in a variety of activities:

1. The LOH Participated in the reunion of the USS Washburn (AKA108), under the guidance of LOH and past crew member Captain Rich Florence. The LOH provided the rifle volleys to honor the deceased members of the crew. The service was held at the Maritime Memorial in Los Angeles Harbor (San Pedro). 2. On Veterans Day the LOH participated in the fourth Annual Veterans Day celebration the Stanton Veterans Memorial Park. Master of Ceremony’s was Post 18 member John Dugan. Post Chaplain, and two time Purple Heart recipient, Frank Orzio, gave the invocation. LOH members, Ivan Ashbaugh, Brent Neilson Richard Florence and Dennis Marfice provided the three rifle volleys. CoCo Duran and Fred Schrieber played “Echo Taps.” 3. The LOH conducted seven military funeral services, including one at sea, aboard the MS Orca Too. The saddest of these services was for one of our own LOH members, Bill Leonard. We were assisted by members of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. In addition to being a Coast Guard Veteran, Bill was a 35-year veteran of the OC Sheriff’s Department.

Post 22 POST 22 Activities Submitted by Jerry Guevara

here has the time gone? It just seems like we were sending off a report to the Department for an article in the Voice.

Under the leadership of Post Commander Amador Garcia and Post 1st Vice Commander Raymond Carrillo, Finance Officer Robert Cadena members have been very active in attending events and functions. See the list below: •

•

Set up informational/educational table at the Central Valley Vietnam Veterans Car Show and handed out White Clovers, Suicide Prevention Information as well as AMVETS memberships and transfers. Attended Central Area Membership Drive and BBQ setting up a table and selling tickets for POW/MIA Metal sculpture. This metal piece was donated and the post is selling tickets as a fund raiser, with the winning ticket to be drawn Nov. 11, 2011 – Veterans Day. Attended a Job Fair in Hanford by setting up an informational/ educational table. Handing out membership applications for veterans attending this event. Spoke with several individuals about the possibility of establishing a Post in the Hanford/Lemoore area. Handed out close to 25 membership applications. Post members attended several 9/11 events and functions – one being at the Visalia Mall handing out membership applications and suicide prevention information and talking about Veterans benefits.

• • •

• •

Another 9/11 function was attending a ceremony at the Visalia First Assembly Church of God where there was quite a few speeches and recognition for ALL veterans. Attended a POW/MIA Recognition Day ceremony at the Tulare County Historical Museum where the guest speaker was a World War II pilot that was actually shot down and evaded capture. Along with members of Post 56 – Tulare helped them with an informational/ educational table at the Tulare County Fair. Was able to show off the Departments new Team AMVETS banner, handing out membership applications, Veterans Resource Books as well as Suicide prevention information. Attended the Central Valley Veterans Stand Down in Fresno for two days. Helped by handing out clothing (that was donated by AMVETS Fresno Thrift Store) to ALL veterans. Organized and participated in a Blood Drive at the Visalia Veterans Memorial Building, called “Honor Our Troops”. Working with many members of Post 56 they and Post 22 members set up an educational/informational table at the Air Show NAS Lemoore. Hoping to gather information from Veterans attending about establishing a new post in the Lemoore/ Hanford areas. With several post members in attendance helped with the Project Homeless Connect event that took place at the Visalia Veterans Memorial Building. Preparing food, handing out clothing and speaking with veterans that participated. Several post members attended and helped out with the Traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall while it was in the Orosi/Cutler area. Continued on next page

16—California AMVETS Voice - www.calamvets.org

Vol. 15, No. 4

POST Reports Here are some great ideas your post can do to help veterans and your community!

Post 22, cont. • • • • •

Along with Veterans through out the area, attended the Annual Veterans Parade in Tulare. Lots of participating groups, floats and marching bands. Attended the annual Veterans Day Program at the Visalia Fox Theater. This 2+ hour event was sponsored by Visalia Veterans Committee and attended by over 300 community members. Attended the renaming of the National Guard Armory in Visalia to Spc. Daniel Unger who was killed while serving overseas. This dedication was attended by several Generals and many local community members. Attended the dedication of a “Battlefield Cross” statue to honor 8 high school students from Exeter, who were killed while stationed in Vietnam. Set up an informational/educational table at the 3rd Annual Veterans Appreciation Day event at Twilight Park in Woodlake. Several members helped out by handing out several membership applications, Veterans Resource Books and even the new Career Center brochure.

One of the many things that members of Post 22 are very happy about and that is of “our” Sea Cadets and how they help us with some of our events/functions that we attend. One of the Sea Cadets, 16 year old Milcah Vizcarra, attended one of our post meetings and read to us a letter that she received from Connie Mariano, M.D. Connie Mariano, a retired U.S. Navy Rear Admiral and a practicing physician for close to 30 years who was also the first military woman in American history to be appointed White House Physician. Mariano actually nominated Milcah to attend the National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine to be held this coming summer 2012.

Post 34 Recent events: • • •

•

The Tax Credit For Veterans has passed and President Obama has signed the changes into law! I hope everyone enjoyed Veterans Day, I sure had a lot of fun at the Swords To Plowshares Annual Veterans Day Dinner!!! City College of San Francisco had a great event on the 21st. Maj. Gen. Myatt spoke to all of us Vets and I was there to announce GC4Vets programs for Veterans!!! I hope you all enjoyed a wonderful Thanks Giving Day!!! I sure had a lot fun having Thanks Giving Day dinner with the President of the Veterans Club at CCSF, Jack Jacoby!!! Ended the evening with a food coma to prove that it was an absolute success. I have been meeting with Bauer’s IT and they are going to have a company representative meet with Veterans at City College of San Francisco. This is a program for Veterans who can’t handle to accelerated pace of the GI Bill. Veterans can work and take only two classes and collect full BAH plus wages from Bauer’s. Bauer’s is starting Veterans at $15/hr plus medical and dental. Still working with Cisco and others to iron contracts and deals where Veterans can be hired, I will keep you posted!!!

Upcoming events: •

I will be attending The White House Christmas Reception in Washington DC very soon!

Detailed Report: •

It appears that the Jobs Bill was finally signed and companies who hire Veterans get huge tax savings!!! This has been a long time coming and it will prove to make my negotiations with companies much easier. My hat goes off to the President for signing it and sealing the fate of all Veterans who will be searching for jobs in the future!!!

Damage Report: •

•

The qualifications required to attend the Forum on Medicine are very strict and is based upon exemplary academic record, leadership potential and an interest in medicine, especially in the field of nursing. By attending this 10-day program, she will team with practicing physicians and interact with real patients, explore what life is like as a medical resident. Milcah is 16 years old and is currently a junior at La Sierra Military Academy in Visalia. All Post 22 members are very proud of what she has accomplished. She represents the Sea Cadets to the fullest and that reflects on the post as well. Great Job Milcah. Members of Post 22 continue to be a very visible force in the Visalia/Tulare County area. Several members are working with Tulare’s Post 56 at these events/functions just proving that in order to make a difference it is better to TEAM with another Post. Commander Eddie Acosta (Post 56) and Commander Amador Garcia (Post 22) see the benefits of this and totally endorse this concept. What better way to promote – TEAM AMVETS…….. Come, take in a meeting and see what a difference you can make. The Post meets the third Thursday of each month at 6:30 pm at the Visalia Veterans Memorial Building, corner of Willis and Center, downtown Visalia. 

Vol. 15, No. 4

Thanks to Morgane my health is much better than it was before and my pain has decreased thanks to acupuncture. I still am a long way from how my life was before the war, but at least I am not hurting as bad as before when I get out and cover the terrain that I have to cover in order to get jobs and careers for Veterans. Financially, the damage is also taking it’s toll. My GI Bill benefits which help to subsidize my costs have been reduced by $1,000 per month and my mortgage has increased by $530 per month. I am considering taking some breaks and cutting back on operations. Using email, phone, and other means of getting work done.

Conclusion: •

•

I would like to thank all the organizations that support me and work with me to help Veterans obtain resources like gas money, food money, money for tools, money for rent; groups like The Mission Continues, Project Hired, and Swords To Plowshares. I would like to thank all the organization that support me and my Veterans; groups like Marine Corps League, AMVETS, Marine Corps Memorial, and the War Memorial Veteran organizations. I would like to also thank great organizations like the EDD, Vet Centers, CVSO’s, VA, Vetsuccess, and many more organizations who are working to make sure Veterans succeed when they get out of the military.

Sincerely,-Jarom Lee Vahai 2011 Veteran of the Year, CA

President Barrack Obama Community Leader Committee Member Congresswoman Speier Veteran Advisory Committee Member Chairman of San Mateo County Veterans Employment Commission Founder of Green Careers 4 Veterans

California AMVETS Voice - www.calamvets.org —17

POST Reports Here are some great ideas your post can do to help veterans and your community!

Post 40

A promise to POW/MIAs, etched in stone

Monday, September 12th, 2011 | Posted by Chris Smith By Chris Smith/The Press Democrat

or years, Jan Urdzik and her co-workers at Santa Rosa Memorial Park yearned to place a POW/MIA monument in the veterans’ section of the cemetery on Franklin Avenue. The problem was money. The problem vanished earlier this year when Bud Simmons, who served with the Air Force in Korea and was named Sonoma County Veteran of the Year for 2010, wrote a nice, big check. Simmons made the gift as a tribute not only to all the members of the armed services who suffered as prisoners of war or are missing in action, but to the love of his life. His wife, Elaine, who died last February. Simmons’ gift, and a second one from Oil Stop, allowed the cemetery’s Urdzik to go to work with artist Tim Montesonti and Gary Galeazzi’s North Bay Monument on the design of a creation in India black granite“It is so beautiful,” Urdzik said Monday at the cemetery, where Galeazzi’s crew will make finishing touches to the piece this morning. “It’s just stunning.” The monument to U.S. combat soldiers who are unaccounted for — the Department of Defense puts the number at more than 83,000 — will be dedicated at 11:11 a.m. Friday by the memorial park crew and Michael Ottolini AMVETS Post 40. Sure to be there is Santa Rosa’s Connie Norris. Her late husband, George, who is buried at the memorial park, survived WWII’s Bataan Death March and for 42 months wasted in a Japanese prison camp.“I’ve waited many years for this,” she said.Expect an annual “You Are Not Forgotten” observance at the new monument every POW/MIA Recognition Day, always the third Friday of September.

ORDER Offical TEAM AMVETS gear

Get your AMVETS gear HERE!

Page 12

18—California AMVETS Voice - www.calamvets.org

Vol. 15, No. 4

POST Reports Here are some great ideas your post can do to help veterans and your community!

Post 48

Post 48 – Long Beach, California As 1-NE Post 48 (As 1-NE) making the rounds to serve our veterans. John Byrum

rom ceremonies to turkeys for Thanksgiving, Post 48, along with our ever growing Ladies Auxiliary have been out and about. Post 48 members attended four different ceremonies for 9-11, Chapman Legal Clinic, Cypress College, Long Beach City College, and Long Beach Polytechnic High School. Poly HS had 3,000 small American Flags set out in the quad, pretty amazing. During the Long Beach Veterans Day Parade Post and Auxiliary members rode on a truck (provided by the California National Guard) with Commander Peterson and his wife Lee (Auxiliary President). Commander Peterson and others also attended a Flag Raising Ceremony at Cypress Community College and Magnolia High School. Thanks to a grant from our Foundation, Post 48 members were instrumental in sponsoring a Veterans Day BBQ on the Long Beach City College campus. What an event, over 1,100 veterans, families, and friends from other schools attended, as well as guest speakers from the Tuskegee Airman, and Pearl Harbor Survivors. Post 48 member, Mabel Miller, a construction major, and an Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan veteran, said, “Veterans Day is a day for me to reflect and connect with some fond, and at times harsh memories, of a time that will forever be etched in my heart and mind”. A special thanks to our young veterans for all the hard work in making the event such a success. Thanksgiving, hearing those words and what comes to mind? Maybe not in this order, but for many of us we think; turkey day, football, family, friends, and napping. Above all we take a moment to give thanks, for family, friends, and freedom. Again, with a grant from the Service Foundation, Post 48 was able to sponsor seventy turkeys with the fixings to veterans and families. With the work of our Ladies Auxiliary and others we had a chance to make sure families in need had a well deserved dinner on a special day to so many. Thank you to the many new members for your time and support with all of our special projects to the Past, Present, and Future of our community and country. We look forward to doing some of the same for Christmas this year. Post 48 continues to give out AMVETS Care Bears throughout our community to put a smile on the face of the little ones. We are proud to do our part as we continue to see our membership grow with both the AMVETS and the Auxiliary.

Vol. 15, No. 4

ATTENTION PLEASE!

VETERANS WITH TATTOOS!

y name is Dig Wayne. I am working on projects for the tattoo magazine, REBEL INK.

We are looking for military personnel from World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam, with TATTOOS.

We are very interested in the stories behind the TATTOO(S). I would like to do short interviews and take pictures of the former soldier, sailor or however you preferred to be addressed along with the artwork. We would like to remember the brave men and women from these important eras with these articles. If there are any old photos from your time of service, we would like very much to see them and possibly run them with the stories. The whole project will be handled with the utmost respect for the veteran. If you are interested please contact me at 213-793-1864. I look forward to hearing from you. Thanks very much. Sincerely, Dig Wayne digwayne.com

California AMVETS Voice - www.calamvets.org —19

Post 56

POST Reports

EVERY DAY IS VETERANS DAY

AMVETS ONLINE

MVETS Post 56 Honor Guard from Tulare, Ca. is proud to announce they have completed final military honors for 860 of our fallen veterans in the last five

years. Final honors consists of a gun salute, bugler playing taps, and folding and presenting of the American flag to the family of the deceased veteran. Any family of a deceased, honorably discharged veteran who requests the service of Post 56 will be served. Post 56 Honor Guard consists of 20 members of which it is possible to field eight to ten members for each service.

Members are all veterans of WWII, Korea, Vietnam and the Cold war. This dedicated group of veterans have traveled to cemeteries in Tulare, Kings, and Kern Counties to serve these honors. Veterans Day is acknowledged every day by this group of caring veterans regardless of weather, location, or time.  See the Central Area Commander’s report on page 11 for more on Post 56. Pictured standing left to right: Len Smith, Commander Alex Halley, Rudy Dees, Jim Pidgeon, Tom Donwen. Seated: Leroy Hall, Mel Hunt, Teno Florez, Joe Castro, Paul Casares, John Sanchez, Jerry Guevara, Bill Payne.

Check out the websites of some of our posts to see what they are up to. If you find a site you like contact the post to learn how you can set up your own. Post 2 amvetspost2.com Post 6 www.amvetpost6.org Post 11 www.humboldt.net/veteran/post11 Post 26 amvets26@yahoo.com Post 34

www.amvets34.org Post 40 www.caamvets40.org Post 53 www.vecsamnet.org/amvts53 Post 311 barstowamvets311@yahoo.com Post 940 amvetspost940.org Post 1240 amvets1240.us

Post 100

George McNally Department Deputy Chaplain November 2011

n a few days I will be eighty one years old. But it seems like yesterday I was a boy of Canadian birth living on our family farm in Michigan: doing chores, planting crops, bringing in the harvest, driving a team of horses and a tractor too; working hard, sometimes fifteen or sixteen hours a day. One of my fondest memories is of taking a long drink of ice tea from a quart canning jar while sitting under a shade tree. Soon my wife (the sweetest, smartest, prettiest girl I know) and I will be moving into the Barstow Veterans Home until Jesus calls us Home. What a deal! No cooking, cleaning, repairing things or shopping. I plan on spending most of my time glorifying God, serving my country and community, helping my family, giving hope and aid to my fellow veterans, troops and others in need and write the story of my life.

Post 1775 vfwlamesa.org

I have overcome two dozen diseases, almost half of them were life threatening and another dozen physical ailments. With only a eleventh grade education and some Air Force schools, with God’s help I was able to have over seventy occupations. Everything from a engineer, owner of five small businesses to a janitor. My favorite job was being Santa for the last seventeen years. I’ve volunteered for over fifty organizations and received over one hundred awards and certificates. The reason for this article is to give hope and comfort to those who are sick, afflicted or have any other need. The solution is simple: Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and all others will be added onto you. Anything is possible with God.  Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, God Bless America God Bless AMVETS

20—California AMVETS Voice - www.calamvets.org

Post 1996 rhmercer.org/amvets Post 9126 amvets9126@yahoo.com

Vol. 15, No. 4

POST Reports Here are some great ideas your post can do to help veterans and your community!

Post 113 Activities:

onated clothing for female veterans Assisted USMC League and Served 120 Wounded Warriors/ patients at a BBQ at the San Diego Naval Hospital Honor Guard took part in / attended funeral services for Joe Morris Paul Rubio, Larry Guttirrez, Ed Garcia, Vox, Victor Corral, Gene Nash and David Martinez. Presented colors at the Long Beach Stand Down and the Honoring our veterans at Citrus Community College in Glendora. Members attended 9/11 Memorial Services, DEC in Visalia, took part in the CA military vehicle historical society display, attended the POW Ceremony at the Irwindale City Hall and one at Baldwin Park City Hall. 

Post 116

LETTERS OF APPRECIATION

April 14, 2011 To Our Friends at Amvets Post 116: I am writing with heartfelt gratitude, on behalf of the veterans of the Mental Health Intensive Case Management (MHICM) program at the WLA VA Medical Center. Thanks to your kind generosity, we were able to take 40 veterans on a bowling trip complete with lunch. The veterans really enjoyed several hours of bowling and socializing. Bowling is such an event for our veterans. They rarely socialize much but at the bowling alley, they truly enjoy themselves and each other. After bowling, the veterans were given an enjoyable lunch of chicken wings, quesadillas, chili and cheese nachos, and drinks. The veterans really enjoyed being able to eat a catered lunch instead of a bag lunch like they usually get. This was an extra special treat for all of them. Every veteran {despite their impairments} expressed how thankful they were for the fun day they had. Our bowling trips have turned out to be one of our most attended events. Outings such as these are especially important to the veterans we serve, all of whom live with serious mental illness, physical disabilities, financial limitations, and are often isolative and sedentary as a result. Although the VA provides excellent mental health treatment, we do not have funds allocated for these outings that provide much needed socialization and recreation, and are very appreciative of our friends, such as you, that share so generously with us. I can be reached at 310-261-3463 if you have further questions about our program or the outing. Thanks again! Sincerely, Cherrie Lee Katayama, RN-BC, RCP, PHN Acting Program Leader, MHICM WLA VA Greater Los Angeles

Vol. 15, No. 4

sponsoring a great, Veterans Day Luncheon, on November 8, 2011. One of our goals in the program is to promote socialization by challenging and encouraging Veterans to attend events in the community as well as program events when scheduled. Most of our Veterans in PRRC are diagnosed with chronic schizophrenia, PTSD, Bipolar and TBI and are often confronting barriers in interpersonal relationships, social isolation and withdrawal. Therefore, our staff want to thank you for your continuous support in providing such excellent supportive services, accommodations and resources to our Veterans in PRRC. Many of our Veterans cannot afford eating out so for you to provide a Veterans Day Luncheon delivered by El Pollo Loco Restaurant meant much to them. I especially want to recognize, Mr. Cephus Daniels, for his time, follow up and commitment to assure that the event took place with no complications. The Veterans describe the attention received from Mr. Daniels as, “being treated with respect, integrity, and excellence.” The PRRC Staff sincerely express our appreciation for your hard work in providing excellent services to our Veterans. We salute you and thank you for providing numerous and continuous opportunities and resources to our Veterans and for bringing pleasure into the lives of many Veterans who otherwise could not afford to eat at restaurants in the community. Your annual accommodations, hard work and dedication to our Veterans are greatly appreciated. Again, thank you for all that you do on behalf of our Veterans. Sincerely, Viola McCloud-Bevly, LMSW Date Clinical Social Worker WLA-PRRC To: Daniels, Cephus R Subject: letter of THANKS! DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System 11301 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90073

To: Cephus Daniels, Commander AMVETS POST #116

Dear Cephus,

I am writing this letter on behalf of the WLA PRRC Staff to thank you and your organization for

Tuesday, August 30th, 2011 the veteran’s of the Dual Diagnosis Treatment Program (DDTP) were given a SECOND CHANCE! Thanks to the undying support, generosity and UNDERSTANDING (since we missed the boat last month!)

California AMVETS Voice - www.calamvets.org —21

POST Reports Here are some great ideas your post can do to help veterans and your community!

Post 116, cont.

of AmVets, Post 116 and Commander Cephus Daniels our veterans were truly blessed and treated to another chance to experience deep-sea fishing on the Betty-O with Captain Mike. We got there early this time with a group of very happy veterans – some experienced fisherman and a few who have never fished before in their life! All aboard were provided delicious food in the morning and again in the afternoon. Several fishing spots were tried and just about everyone caught at least one fish – including bass, sculpin and even one shark! The wonderful crew of the Betty-O helped with all the gear, bate and, thankfully, cleaning the fish!

Altogether, this made for a great experience full of relaxation, good company and lots of fun for all. We cannot thank you enough for providing us with this great opportunity for our DDTP veterans.

With Mountains of Gratitude, The DDTP Veterans, Staff and Barbara Chase, Ph.D., Program Director

Post 1996

ovember 3-6, 2011 it was a privilege to escort two students from California back to the AMVETS Spirit of America Youth Leadership Conference held at Valley Forge (Freedom Foundation). I saw potential leaders and others that I believe in time will blossom from the experience as well. To be at the spot where the Colonial Army became an Army and the actual birth place of our nation was overwhelming. If these students retain just a portion of the experience, the trip was well worth it. It is our youth that we have to educate and hope that those who receive these valuable lesson go forth and educate others. It is our youth who will be the leaders of tomorrow. How can we put a price tag on that? I want to thank all those who made this possible. Some of the activities were Court: this was a mock trial that had to do with the Stolen Valor Act; students played the part of Defense, Prosecutor, and Judge Jefferson: This was a well played debate between Hamilton and Jefferson and gave some insight to coming events because of the Nations actions

Patriot Act: this was where the students re-wrote the act ... using senate procedures (Robert Rules of Order) and debated their results Team: this may seem as a fun and games, but this was where they learned to become a team and to assist one another to accomplish a goal. Valley: this was at Valley Forge; the spot was not

22—California AMVETS Voice - www.calamvets.org

only explained but could be visualized as to why it was important to be here at that time. This is only a small part of the education and leadership skills that the students were exposed to. Thank You Larkin David Cockrill AMVETS Post 1996 Commander

Vol. 15, No. 4

POST Reports Here are some great ideas your post can do to help veterans and your community!

Left of center: Grandson of former Post Cmdr. Tom Johnson.

Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge: an Adult Chaperon’s Perspective

recently returned from my trip to Valley Forge. As always, while I am happy to be home and get some much needed sleep, I am already looking forward to next year. Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge has truly been a unique experience not only for myself, but for the several students who are fortunate enough to get the opportunity to travel there each November. It’s hard to pick just one favorite part of the program as there are so many great activities that I have gotten to experience and places I have gotten to explore. Perhaps one of my most favorite things that I have gotten to do over the past couple of years is the tour of Valley Forge. While we “camp out” in Valley Forge for the first few days, the focus is on other activities and then on the great city of Philadelphia. Valley Forge is an incredibly vibrant and beautiful place in early November. The air is crisp and fresh and the trees are blinding with a riot of colors. While the scenery is definitely a sight to behold, the historical importance is not to be overlooked by the area’s beauty. To have the opportunity to walk through the mostly original structure of the home that George Washington and his wife lived in during their time at Valley Forge is awe inspiring. It was during this time while our country was in its infancy and the Revolutionary War was not yet won that Washington and his troops slumbered and suffered during that winter. Even though no battles ever took place

Vol. 15, No. 4

in Valley Forge, the preservation of that winter in our history is not to be forgotten. While I most certainly have my own experiences at Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, the real focus of the trip is on the students who come from all over to learn about the principles upon which our country was founded and acquire leadership skills that they can carry throughout their entire lives. I have personally seen many students who are at first spectators in the events become some of the most active participants by the time they leave to go home. Many of the students form fast and hopefully lifelong friendships with other students despite any differences they may have, no matter where they may come from. Their time at Valley Forge seems to forge a bond that only such a unique experience can form. That is perhaps the greatest thing to witness. Overall, I think the program at Freedoms Foundation is excellent; however, I would like to see some slight changes made. For example, I think the day we spend in Philadelphia is quite a whirlwind. I would like to see the students have more time to be able to

By Crystal Byrum, Post 48 Auxiliary

experience the sights and sounds of the city and have a chance to linger and more fully absorb the true historical value of the city. For instance, my first year we had the opportunity to visit the National Constitution Center which I really enjoyed. Perhaps an extra day at Valley Forge to accommodate this time would be an option. On a positive note, I would like to see Freedoms Foundation continue to incorporate the Medal of Honor workshop. I don’t think most of these students truly realize what this medal is about and I think that this workshop provides an opportunity for them to really learn about the great and unselfish sacrifices that these recipients make in the line of duty, sometimes the ultimate sacrifice of their lives. I hope Freedoms Foundation continues to offer such a great program to others and that AMVETS continues to sponsor students that they think deserve to attend such a program. I wish I had been able to attend a program like this when I was in high school. 

California AMVETS Voice - www.calamvets.org —23

POST Reports Here are some great ideas your post can do to help veterans and your community!

Post 2007 Activities:

embers attended the Mardi Gras Parade in Barstow. Took Barstow Veterans Home clients to Nellis AFB T-bird headquarters. Attended Veterans Ceremony at Sierra Vista Retirement Center Members took part in the Victorville Veteran’s Day parade, and put on a Veteran’s Day ceremony at Hesperia Lake, also attended a ceremony at the Mojave Cross. Member and District Commander John Bernier attended the Americanism program at Valley Forge in Philadelphia, PA Post members delivered 250 turkeys to schools and military bases, Post 20 gave post 2007 $1500 to help buy the turkeys. 

Post 2007 handing out 250 turkeys for Thanksgiving Left to right Larry Thompson (commander) Lisa Rey Gary Russall Darrell Richter (Third Vice) in the truck is Brandon Rey (Lisa Son) Left to right: Larry Smith’s son Mel Whitmore Larry Thompson Page Stieringer (behind Larry) Dianne Garica Larry Smith (rear)

Bill Francis Kim Snetsinger

24—California AMVETS Voice - www.calamvets.org

Vol. 15, No. 4

Post 101 Project KIKS: “Kind Initiative for Kids Shoes” Founder: Post 101 member Paul Cheatham II Goal: “Shoe children without shoes” KIKs provides shoes for children all over the world (including New Orleans, Los Angeles, Vallejo, Sacramento, South Africa and Liberia) and now includes providing shoes for barefoot homeless veterans and their families. Donations: All donations are tax deductible and go solely to the cost of shoes and shipping. Project KIKS is a grassroots, humanitarian mission. Volunteers donate their time and pay all their own travel related expenses. Currently the primary source of donations is Bake sales (held every 1st Saturday) and a Recycling Program. Donations may be sent to: Project KIKS AMVETS Post 101 , Post Box 1111, Yountville, CA 94599 To learn more about Project KIKS go to www.projectkiks.org From the Project KIKS fall newsletter:

THE FORGOTTEN KIDS OF POST KATRINA NEW ORLEANS August, 2011

Vol. 15, No. 4

ver 30 billion of the defense budget ends up in San Diego County. I would like your advice and counsel---to interest the AMVET leadership in a cause marketing program.

Veterans returning from service are some of the highest unemployed. There are veteran programs to help them prepare for the work place but not as much work in putting veterans resumes before employers and of course a place for employer to look over the probable applicants. The Daily Transcript is the most read news information by senior executives and business owners. 77% "C" level 15% Business and Professional Owners: Doctors, Lawyers, Brokers, Dentists etc. 8% Philanthropists and Venture Capitalists. The Transcript team would like to offer a free service to veterans around the country no matter what their circumstances and allow them to come into our office or e-mail us for a free posting of photos, resumes and profiles of military service now out and ready to be hired. The program is called "Ready for Hire" (order your Vet here).

I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Was I back in Soweto, South Africa, or was I in the United States? That was my first reaction when I visited the lower 9th ward and the Algiers neighborhood in New Orleans, after I left comfortable surroundings of Uptown and the French Quarter. Survivors of Katrina were still suffering from effects of a contaminated environment, the emotional horrors of the hurricane, a devastated infrastructure, inadequate medical care, nonexistent public transportation and the lack of stores and markets. They lack the basis of life, the social fabric is torn. My fact finding mission took me downtown to the industrial section of the 9th Ward, Saint Bernard’s Parish. My first request for shoes and socks was an unemployed disabled Veteran of the Afghan War, his wife and three barefoot, near naked children living in a single room. All were ill with influenza and the veteran had not worked since he returned from the war. We put shoes on the entire family. My next referral was a family of four, mother and three children living in a downtown hotel room since 2005, displaced by Katrina and stuck. Mother was deaf, but wrote, they had not see new shoes and socks in five years. With the delivery of two shipments to New Orleans in August, to date, Project KIKS has placed shoes and socks to more than 2,500 of our forgotten children of post Katrina. Paul Cheatham II

"Ready for Hire"

Veterans will be before employers nationally through this program because the Transcript reach is worldwide. Many of the Annapolis officials picked up on line our series on 100th Anniversary Naval Aviation. www.sddt.com

http://www.sddt.com/Reports/reports. cfm?RID=827 “Wings of Gold” A hard copy of the series is being used by educators at Annapolis today. Once veterans’ profiles are posted--employers can go on line and order up veterans to interview--after reviewing their service time highlights and particular skill sets. We can post the AMVET story with video interviews and copy. Kind Regards, Jerry Kwasek The Publisher’s Office The Daily Transcript 619-742-9591

California AMVETS Voice - www.calamvets.org —25

Hue City 20th annual memorial observance By Vince Rios

ctober 2, 2011 marked the 20th annual memorial observance, during September 30-October 2 the Memorial Weekend held at the Mayport Naval facility in Jacksonville Florida, of the USS Hue' City, a U.S. naval vessel commissioned in 1991 in recognition of and named after the horrendous battle and magnificent victory by the Marines at Hue City, Vietnam fought 43 years earlier during the Tet Offensive of the Vietnamese Lunar New Year celebration of 1968. The battle essentially devastated the North Vietnamese army as a fighting force and wiped out the communist Viet Cong; a much ignored or overlooked fact today as it was in 1968 in America's eagerness to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. The featured speaker was Scott Nelson, who as a 1st lieutenant, was there at Hue' as a company commander of two 1/5 companies - Charlie then Alpha - on separate occasions and later became 1/5 operations officer, all this as a first lieutenant ( he was unjustly ribbed by one of his troopers, that all that was some accomplishment, as was his service as a first lieutenant for 15 years !). There to lend moral support were 1/5ers Bud Covert, Travis Curd, Vince Rios and Nick Warr; Travis was the designated photographer. Scott spoke of his fondness for Jacksonville , where he met his wife Ann, was commissioned into the Marine Corps, graduated from Jacksonville University, left for Vietnam and now has the honor of being a part of the 20th Annual Battle of Hue' City Memorial. Those he recognized from the podium were: Nick Warr, Rich Lowder, Bud Covert, Dick Hudak, Mike Riciarrdo and Vince Rios then he asked all combat veterans "from Hue City" to stand. He then thanked Navy Captain Paul Stader, Lt, JG Paul Denaro and everyone for carrying on the traditions of the Battle of Hue, especially Operations Specialist First Class Michael Postle who received this years Battle of Hue' Spirit Award. Thank you so much for that warm welcome. I'll keep my comments brief and would ask that someone merely wave "Maggies drawers" - a red flag slowly moved across the face of a target for the unfortunate Marine sharpshooter who missed the target completely and I'll simply sit down.

JACKSONVILLE

It's always a real pleasure to be back in Jacksonville where I have wonderful family memories, met my dear wife Ann, joined the Marine Corps, graduated from Jacksonville University, was commissioned as a 2nd Lt in the Marines, and boarded that fateful commercial airplane for Vietnam. My life was changed forever.

AN HONOR

And, being part of the 20th Annual Battle of Hue City Memorial is quite an honor and I am truly humbled by this occasion. There are many here who served in Hue City and other combat zones and I want to thank you for your service: Vince Rios, Nick

Warr, Rich Lowder, Bud Covert, Dick Hudak, Mike Riciarrdo among them. And many more right here today. I would like to ask that all combat veterans from Hue City and other conflicts stand up and be recognized. And a special thank you to Captain Paul Stader, Lt JG Paul Denaro, and all the men and women of the USS Hue City for carrying on the traditions of the Battle of Hue City. Special congratulations to Operations Specialist First Class Michael Postel who received this year's Battle of Hue Spirit Award. Here is the excerpt of Scott’s presentation:

PARTNERSHIP

Truly, the Navy/Marine Corps partnership is unique and special. Many of us Marines remember all too well those amphibious exercises when the Navy coxswain dumped the young Marines with 60 pound packs, weapons, and miscellaneous gear 20 feet off the beach because they just couldn't get anycloser. The old Marine Gunnery Sgt swears they do water drops on purpose.

USS HUE CITY

The USS Hue City is a marvel of engineering and a beacon of Freedom. a high, and enduring honor. The USS Hue City shield, crest, and motto are telling. The fortress on the crest recalls the Citadel at Hue, captured by US Marines at great cost. The dragon symbolizes both the fierceness of the siege and the fighting spirit of the crew of the USS Hue City. The motto - Fidelity, Courage, Honor - represents the finest qualities of the US Navy and Marine Corps and along with the USS Hue City motto is the motto of the Marine Corp – Semper Fidelis/Always Faithful.

SERVICE TO COUNTRY

More than those who are here today are those who are not. Many gave the ultimate sacrifice and are certainly joining us from afar. I feel them, I see them, and I know you do too! They are in our midst. Joe Morrow, my brother in law in a "Notes from Home" letter sent by Nick Warr to our 1/5 Marines overseas said it like this: Dear Marine: When I think of valor and strength, you and your comrades come to mind immediately, for these traits are of your nature. And when I consider human kindness and caring, I see you in minds-eye as well, for these things are also what make you a Marine. The rare combination of such traits are the essence of nobility and why the United States Marine is a special person and worth of honor. They are why you fight for all of us, both the strong and the weak. They are why we regard you with the pride and gratitude that you so much deserve.

HISTORY

History also tells an ongoing story of Marine sacrifice and valor. The terms "First to Fight" and "Devil

26—California AMVETS Voice - www.calamvets.org

Dogs" come to mind as does the statement "Uncommon valor was a common virtue" I particularly like the Marine concept that "Adversity builds character" although I'm not so sure this shouldn't read "Adversity builds CHARACTERS. We do see a few Marine Characters out there, don't we. I can remember more than a few in Hue City. At the Chosin Reservoir battle in Korea it is said that Chesty Puller said, "We've been looking for the enemy for some time now. We've finally found him. We're surrounded. That simplifies things," And so too it was in battles like Khe Sanh, and Hue City.

VIETNAM

Vietnam was different, wasn't it? Today there is an overwhelming groundswell of support for our fine military men and women. But even today, some like to publically praise our soldiers but damn what they do. This is certainly a convenient, comfortable moral stance, but it doesn't equate to the reality of the human existence and today's world. The Vietnam war remains a huge contradiction. It is a war in which we never lost a battle but in fact lost the war. Sad but true. We still hear so much about the bitterness and rancor that our Marines returned to, but in my case it wasn't that at all.

HUE CITY

But what about our Armageddon - the Battle to retake Hue City , as documented by Nick Warr in his book Phase Line Green, Battle for Hue, 1968. Nick, Rich Lowder, and I remember it well. Our company Charlie Company 1/5 along with the rest of the Battalion motored up Highway 1 from Phu Bai to Hue City. We did the obligatory coordination, then boarded Whiskey boats and proceeded up the so called Perfume River and entered the Citadel fortress from the North. And that was the easy part. Misguided bureaucrats ordered the limited use of supporting arms for the initial 3 days, and intelligence was sparse. We expected a reinforced company of NVA but instead faced over 10,000 embedded NVA regulars. We paid a dear price for those blunders. But that didn't stop the Marines of 1/5 from doing their job. The battle raged for more than 2 weeks. Many died on both sides. Truly, it was up close and personal, and many of us thought we wouldn't see another day. At night when the fighting generally subsided, the silence was deafening and I thought that my pounding heart would give us all away. Speaking whispers on the archaic radios sounded like shouts in a small room. The fear was palpable and we were surrounded. A picture on the cover of Life Magazine by John Letostak said it all. It was not the media favorite showing a Vietnam general shooting into the head of a prisoner; it was not the media favorite of a little girl aflame with napalm; and it was not the many other pictures so popular in the media of other actions gone wrong. Instead it was the powerful picture of a Navy Corpsman cradling a wounded Marine while

Vol. 15, No. 4

HUE MEMORIAL, cont.

another Marine held an IV. The Marine was stripped to the waist, stretched on a dirty slab of wood, and surrounded by other bandaged and suffering youngsters. All these heroes were packed on a Marine tank being racing to the rear for treatment. But the Marine Corps indomitable spirit, the Marine Corps training, and the absolute basic will to win and survive kicked in. Towards the end of this historic battle, I remember pulling down an NVA flag that was raised over the Citadel and recall that it had several bullet holes in it and what looked like blood. A small symbolic gesture, but at the time it was about all we could do. Well, I sent that flag to the Marine Corps Museum in Quantico, VA where it rests today. We even shared some humorous moments, playing with our adopted mutt "Charlie" - a small, friendly little yellow guy with muted black stripes who was the closest thing to home that we had, and filling our canteens on occasion with just a "touch" of port or sherry "comshawed" from the beautiful, abandoned homes. As they say about Marines, and it certainly is true, they are creative and industrious, plus really they adapt and overcome. Each time. Every time. END Let me close with a few brief thoughts. We've fought many wars over the years and unfortunately there are more to come. The so called war on poverty, the war on drugs, Iraq, Afghanistan, and now the war on terrorism. Each brings its own risks and its own rewards, but nothing is so final nor so deadly as the risk of biological, chemical, or nuclear weapons of mass destruction. This could be Hue City a thousand times over. Our military, our law enforcement, our politicians and our citizenry must all continue working together to defeat terrorism. We can't simply sit back in "fortress America", block the borders, and enforce the rule of law. We must take it too them every day on the land, the sea, and in the air. Whenever and wherever. And we are doing this. No more Vietnam mentality. And the military will always play a vital role. You amazing warriors continue to do so within the rules of engagement but with ferocity and focus. And with compassion, brain power, and amazing technology. The popular TV show America's Most Wanted liked to say, you can run, but you can't hide. Freedom will always triumph, because good men and women will always stand tall and continue doing the right thing, the right way, at the right time, often under tremendously difficult circumstances. That my friends is leadership resulting in freedom. And that is what America will always stand for. The brave Marines in Hue City exemplified that in 1968 and the brave men and women of the USS Hue City proudly continue that rich tradition today. Despite all the political naysayers, the back room apologists, and the weak of heart we are truly in good hands. Our future is bright! ď&#x201A;Ť

Vol. 15, No. 4

SAVE THE DATE!

AMVETS Day at the Capitol February 29, 2012 AMVETS, Department of California holds its 3nd Annual Day at the State Capitol on Wednesday February 29, 2012. AMVETS members from across California are invited and encouraged to attend. The State Legislature, the CA Department of Veterans Affairs, the Employment Development Department, the Department of Health and Human Services, the CA National Guard, and the state colleges and universities all oversee programs to assist veterans and their families. Therefore, it is important that AMVETS members attend the Day at the Capitol to show our support for these programs and to educate legislators and staff on issues of importance to veterans. AMVETS Department of CA provides free Continental breakfast and lunch buffets to AMVETS attendees. The day is spent at the State Capitol meeting your local legislators, educating legislators and staff on veterans issues, and hearing from key legislative and Administration speakers. More information to follow.

California AMVETS Voice - www.calamvets.org â&#x20AC;&#x201D;27

DEPARTMENT OF CALIFORNIA HEADQUARTERS 120 North “M” Street Tulare, CA 93274 www.calamvets.org

ATTENTION!

Veterans and Military Retirees:

f you’ve have lost your DD 214 and would like to retrieve a certified copy, or other important service record page you might be missing, this website will get the forms back to you much quicker than the past 4-6 weeks it has routinely taken you in the past. Follow the instructions explicitly and print out the request. You should have your records back in about two weeks. www.archives.gov/veterans/evetrecs/index.html Blogs

Bookmark/Share

GO Go

Search Archives.gov

Non-Profit U.S. Postage PAID ROYAL OAK, mi 48068 PERMIT #792

Veterans' Service Records Home > Veterans' Service Records > Military Service Records Request Service Records

Attention Veterans!

Start Your Service Record Request eVetRecs Help

Start Your Military Service Record Request (DD form Form 214 & Sf-180) SF-180)



Military personnel records can be used for proving military service, or as a valuable tool in genealogical research. Most veterans and their next-of-kin can obtain free copies of their DD form Form 214 (Report of Separation) and other military and medical records several ways.

New "Inside the Vaults" Video Highlights Veterans' Records Requests

Join Now!

• Veterans Service • Legislative Action Military Service of Contents Publications • State andTable National Records Requests Using eVetRecs Use the following to request veterans' service records from WW I - PostOnline • Local Activities About Service Records Present. (Looking for Pre-WWI Service Records?) Required Information Correcting Service Records • Community Service Recommended Information All American Medical and Veterans Health Recordswho were honorably separated after Requests and Deadlines • MemorialEmergency Carillons Locations Service September 15, of1940 or are now serving in the Armed Forces, National Launch the Download form Where to Send my request Records Guard or Reservists, are eligible for membership in AMVETS.Sf-180 eVetRecs SF-180 to mail • V.A.V.S. Cost Older (pre-WWI) Service System to start or fax your Records Response Time your request request. • Scholarships What Records are NOT Other Methods to Obtain Service Records Special Notice Regarding Requests

Eligibility

Application For Membership Available?

Privacy and I apply for:  New Annual Security of Veterans Records

online.

Renewal



(free for most veterans)

Checking the Status of your Request

 Life Membership & Pay $________ Post dues __________

Printed Name _________________________________________ Service# or SS# ____________________________________ Online Requests Using eVetRecs

Street Address___________________________________________ City __________________ State _____ Zip Our online eVetRecs system creates a customized order form to request information from your, or our

___________

Sponsor __________________________ Phonepersonnel _____________________ Service _________________________ your relative's, military records. You may use thisBranch system ifofyou are: Mo/Yr Entered SVC. _______/_______ Mo/Yr Discharged _______/_______ Type of Discharge _________________________ A military veteran, or Date of Birth (DD/MM/YY)

of kin Date of a deceased, former member the military.Spouse The next of kin can be any of the / Next/____ of Application / of /____ _______________________________ following:

Signature_________________________________ Surviving spouse that has not remarried

Membership Fees:

*Post dues vary.

Father father

Mother ANNUAL: $30 Son Daughter Sister Brother

LIFE: $250

New and Renewal Dues varies between Posts.

RENEWAL: $30