Vol. 13, No. 3

Fall, 2009

Vol. 13, No. 3

commander’s Remarks

By John Byrum, Commander, Department of California AMVETS

W

ay down yonder in New Orleans, California AMVETS put the votes on the floor. I must say, looking around and seeing so many of you behind me sure made me feel darn proud to be the Commander for California “Team AMVETS”. What a great feeling knowing that California has finally stepped out into the spotlight at Nationals Convention.

All that attended should feel pride of what we were able to accomplish in just a few days. I assure you, from now on, everyone will look at California as a true Leader in AMVETS and our strong desire to serve. I hope all had a great time and managed to return home with a few dollars left. My best wishes for speedy recovery to the two gentlemen from Post 1 that had the unfortunate fall on the escalator.

I hope all of you returned with a desire to get out, and get some things rolling in your area. I saw a lot of spirit and togetherness in New Orleans that I haven’t seen in a while as a Department. Some of you told me the whole experience and camaraderie made you want to get back home and get your Post out and doing more for others. As I told you in New Orleans, you are also veterans and should never forget that. As long as we pull together we will continue to be successful in our endeavors to serve others, as well as ourselves.

By the time you read this I would hope that the Posts have or are working on turning in their request for support from the Foundation. Please understand that it would be nice to fund everything we come up with, but it just may not be possible. I believe the Foundation will do it’s best to support us. Remember, if you do a project, you must report it to National. If you

don’t know how to report on-line, please contact Rose for help.

I would like to see California with 100% of Post reporting. You want to continue getting National HQ and other states looking at us as true leaders get your projects reported.

I ask you to pass the word to our wonderful ladies in the Auxiliary that I consider their efforts a major reason we are able to do so much for so many. Ladies you are all that, and more. Thank you for all you do. Please know that you are a vital part of our success. As for the ladies that worked so hard to make our hospitality room the best at Convention, thank you ten times over.

Now, to clear the rumor mill on moving the main office in Tulare. We only moved the office two blocks from where it was located. I have had calls asking why we moved the Department HQ down south and/or why we moved the Foundation to Tulare. Foundation has not moved at all, and as far as I know has no plans of moving. The Department HQ has been moved to a larger building giving our people more office space (which was desperately needed); along with a large area that can be used for a conference area for board meetings with thirty or so members.

The Foundation will also be placing two new service officers in the building, which a lot of you may know is definitely needed for the area. We want to have a building and location worthy of your AMVETS Department’s status as the number one veteran’s organization in the state. I’m confident you will be pleased once you see the lay-out.

I ask you to stand with me as a united front - “Team AMVETS” goes forward – with “Service to The Past – The Present – The Future” 

Commander Byrum

“Service to the past, to the present and to the future.”

65th AMVETS National Convention

A

t the 65th annual AMVETS National Convention in New Orleans, Duane J. Miskulin, a life member of Stevens Point AMVETS Post No. 1051 Wisconsin, was elected to serve as national commander for 2009-2010.

Commander Miskulin, joined AMVETS 20 years ago, and has held leadership roles at the post, department and national levels. He has served on numerous state committees in Wisconsin and received a variety of awards from AMVETS including the New Post Award, Convention Board Award, Membership Award, and State Fundraiser of the Year.

In 2005 he was the National Department Commander of the year, in 1999 he was the

Department AMVET of the Year, and in 2004 the District Commander of the Year.

Commander Miskulin served in the Air Force from 1960 to 1966. During his time in the military, he was stationed in Ankara, Turkey with the 36350th Communication Squadron. After leaving the military, he continued his work in telecommunications with AT&T in Skokie, Ill., then MidGuld Corp., where he installed communications equipment in Lebanon and across the Middle East. He retired in 1990 as an engineering manager with Krafts Co. in Schiller Park, Ill.  More Convention pics on pages 12-13

Photo by Al Verret, Post 56

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.

Submit articles to: California AMVETS Voice, Attn: Rose Blackman 611 N. Sacramento St. Tulare, CA 93274 or E-mail: roseblackman@hotmail.com

DEPARTMENT OFFICERS FOR 2009-2010

Commander John Byrum NCTOP1950@aol.com

714-321-3972

1st Vice Commander Dennis Starkey silverstar40@juno.com

909-355-1061

2nd Vice Commander Charles Ramos charlie@charlieramos.com

559-300-0853

Northern Area Commander Thomas Johnson 530-357-3380 lpsost1996@rackotier.com Central Area Commander Frank Guerra

559-960-3682

Southern Area Commander Cephus R. Daniels 310-397-0810 cephusa45@aol.com

120 North “M” Street

Table of Contents Officer’s Reports........................................................................................ 3 Legislative Advocate’s Report................................................................... 5

Finance Officer Phil Plascencia

559-686-8289

Judge Advocate Chuck Kissel aamvets@yahoo.com

714-484-9826

Provost Marshal Ben Aguayo

626-337-6152

AMVETS Riders......................................................................................... 8

N.E.C. Man Filbert Bejarano

559-686-0335

Women Veterans Conference.................................................................. 10

Alt. N.E.C. Man Ron Ferrea

626-577-2454

Trustee S.E.B. Leo Simon

530-275-0574

Trustee S.E.B. Ray Delgado delmon99@prodigy.net

310-410-8856

Chaplain Tom Sarchipone

707-226-3978

Auxiliary................................................................................................... 21

Inspector General Terry Mc Carty

714-585-5804

Stories of Service...................................................................................... 22

ocdawf@yahoo.com

2—California AMVETS Voice

Americansim................................................................................................ 6

Convention Pics..........................................................................

11, 12-13

Land Grab......................................................................................... 11, 20 Post Reports.............................................................................................. 13

Vol. 13, No. 3

From the Desk of the Executive Director

By Rose Blackman

I

t is my pleasure to be your Department Executive Director and to know most if not all of our Posts Commanders and many of our members, if not by face at least by name. At the national convention I made it a point to visit as many hospitality rooms as possible and talk to as many delegates as possible.

I was surprised to learn that a lot of members and many post commanders have no idea of who their state Executive Director is. While a few states do not have an E.D. most do. For me it’s important for you to know who I am so that I can help you when you have a need that concerns your post and our AMVET family.

We have a new Membership Director at National, his name is Phillip Ledwell.

While at the National convention I attended the Membership meeting, as well as the business sessions including the resolutions meeting. Here are a few of the important things that I learned that each post needs to know about: 1: As of 1 January 2010 the life membership dues will go up from $150 to $180. This means that national will get $90 and the dept. will get $45 and your post will get $45. If your post decides not to raise their dues, you still MUST send the dept. $90 for national and $45 for the dept. So if you know anyone who wants to switch from annual to life, NOW is the time to do it.

2: It is the responsibility of ALL posts to check new members to be sure that they qualify to be AMVET members. We were told of a post that was audited by the IRS. According to Jim King (national Executive Director), your post does not have to keep a copy of the DD214 or active duty on file. Because many posts do not want the responsibility of keeping these on file, the post can have a log book. This book should contain the name of the new member, the statement “I have seen a copy of member’s DD214/ active duty card.” This should be signed and dated (also the person signing should print his/ her name). Anyone with a less than honorable discharge does not qualify for membership. One of the example’s that was given was of a member who had served in one branch of

the service, got out with a honorable discharge, then went into another branch and was given a less than honorable discharge. He did not qualify for membership, but no one knew until after he joined that the DD214 he showed was for his first tour of service. It wasn’t until someone who knew him from the second tour brought up to the Post that he had a dishonorable that he was removed from membership. The only way to know is if you ask if they have served more than once or someone is honest enough to admit their discharge is less than honorable. Neither national nor the department checks the status of MALS, according to national when they sign up they state they do qualify and that is acceptable. BUT if they transfer into a post, it is the post’s responsibility to see a copy of their DD214 or active duty card. Please protect your post by doing so with ALL new members and transfers.

3: Please make sure that the writing (preferably typed or printed) on the paperwork you send in on new members is legible. There have been many complaints from members b/c their names or addresses are wrong. Many times this is b/c the information is not written clearly.

4: National will continue with the Challenge Coin reward. A challenge coin will be issued to each member who signs up 5 new members. You must fill out the proper form to get this. As soon as I receive the forms from national or they go online, I will send a form to each post so you can copy it.

5: The Green for Green hats will continue. For every 25 new members a green hat signs up between November 11 and May 31, he or she will receive a gift card. You must fill out the proper form to get this.

As soon as I receive the forms from national or they go online, I will send a form to each post so you can copy it.

Reminder, there is money in the dept. budget for free memberships. Each post can sign up a NEW annual, send their paperwork to the Dept. with a note to say that they come under the Veterans Outreach membership account and we will process them. Neither the post nor the Dept. will get money but it is a

Message from Phil Plascencia Dept. Finance Officer:

R

eminder all posts need to have sent copies of their articles of incorporation to the Secretary of States office, when you get it back with her stamp/ signature, please send me a copy for the dept. records. If you have any questions concerning filing your taxes, etc. please call the dept office 559-688-3407 and ask for Phil (afternoons are best). 

Vol. 13, No. 3

way to add to your numbers. The money is used on a first come first serve basis, once it is gone there won’t be anymore until the next budget year. Increase your numbers while we have plenty to go around!

Department request concerning annual memberships: when you receive your annual cards please get them out to the members in a reasonable amount of time. I am getting to many complaints from members who say they are not getting their cards. If you want the cards mailed directly to the member please make a note on your dues remittance, Please everyone do NOT expect us to mail all of your annual cards for you, our budget cannot handle mailing to all annuals, nor do I have the time. But in cases where someone lives out of state or is on active duty and won’t be attending a meeting soon then we will be glad to mail for you. There seems to be some confusion about the difference between life member cards and annual cards. Life member cards are plastic (‘gold’ if you paid an extra $11 for it) and come from national with the national commander’s signature. Annual member cards are heavy paper and come from the department with me as authorizing agent and an expiration date of 12/31 on them and are sent to the person who made out the dues remittance form. It is that person’s responsibility to get the card to the annual member.

By the time you read this paper, we will hopefully be in our new offices at 120 North “ M” Street. We will do everything in our power to continue to serve you in a timely manner with as little disruption as possible.  Yours in Service, Rose

Golden Gate Awards Congratulations to Post 1240: First Place Post 96: Second Place Runners Up: Post 1776, Post 56, and Post 53

California AMVETS Voice—3

1st Vice Commander's Report

I

KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!

want to thank everyone for their vote of confidence electing me a 1st Vice Commander. I will do everything possible to serve in this position with Honor and Dignity. We had a very good year last year and got a lot of good things accomplished. Our reporting was up to fiftysix percent and I hope that everyone stands behind our Commander and 2nd Vice Commander Charlie Ramos and go for one hundred percent this year. Our membership is on the rise and if everyone participated in the Veterans Outreach Program we should do very well in membership this year. Our AMVET name is really getting out there in the State of California. I personally want to thank everyone that has put in the time and effort working with our Veterans and Communities to make this happen. Keep up the good work. Let’s all work together moving forward making the Department of California number ONE. 

Yours in Comradeship Dennis Starkey

4—California AMVETS Voice

Vol. 13, No. 3

Legislative Advocate's Report

By Pete Conaty and Dana Nichol

T

he official end of the 2009 Legislative Year is September 11. On or before that date, the Senate and Assembly will decide the fate of hundreds of bills. Some will land on the Governor’s desk, whereupon he will have 30 days to sign or veto them, and many will die on the Senate and Assembly Floors.

Normally the Legislature would adjourn and return to their individual home districts until January.

However, due to California’s ongoing budget crises, the Legislature may stay in special “extraordinary sessions” to deal with water, prisons, and education. Also, California now no longer passes a budget which actually lasts for a year. Due to the recession and declining tax revenues, the state now undergoes midyear tax revisions to adapt to the economy. The last budget passed, a mid year correction is already in trouble and the state may incur increased budgetary pressure to fight the August/September wildfires.

Recent veterans bill action: AB 264 – Cook. Enrolled to Governor. Designates March 30 of each year as “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day” and calls for the day to be observed by public schools as a day of special significance. Requires the Governor to annually proclaim March 30 as “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day.” AB 264 passed through every committee and floor vote unanimously. In 2007, the U.S. Senate and House proclaimed by separate resolutions to declare March 30 “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day. California is one of the first states to designate a Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day. AMVETS: Support.

AB 265 – Cook. Signed into law by the Governor. AB 265 requires an elected state official to forfeit his or her office upon the conviction of a crime that involves a false claim of receipt of any military decoration or medal pursuant to the federal Stolen Valor Act of 2005. California is one of the first states

Vol. 13, No. 3

to pass a law such as this which applies to elected officials at the state level.

AMVETS: Support.

AB 1463 – Smyth. Enrolled to Governor. Provides that a pupil who has fulfilled the requirements to receive a diploma of graduation from a high school, is otherwise eligible to participate in a graduation ceremony, and has completed the basic training for, and is an active member of any branch of the United States Armed Forces, has the right to wear the dress uniform issued to him or her by that military branch while participating in the graduation ceremony for his or her high school.

AMVETS: Support SB 369 – Maldonado. Signed into law by the Governor. Requires that the Prisoner-of-War/Missing-in-Action (POW/MIA) Flag be flown during business hours at all state-owned buildings where it can be attached to existing flagpoles or structures and the United State flag or the California flag are also flown. Also authorizes the state to accept donations of POW/MIA flags.

AMVETS: Support.

SB 469 – Aanestad. Enrolled to Governor. Authorizes the fee for the interment of the spouses and children of honorably discharged veterans, in certain state-owned and operated veterans’ cemeteries, to be waived if the cemetery administrator determines that the families of the spouses or children do not have sufficient means to pay for the costs of interment. Requires any costs for these interments to be paid from nonstate funds. Authorizes administrator to solicit private donations to offset any fees lost due to the fee waiver.

AMVETS: Support SB 644 – Denham.

Enrolled to Governor.

Amends existing civil service law that requires that veterans be allowed preference points for civil service employment. Provides that disabled veterans shall be allowed a certain number of additional points and other veterans shall be allowed a certain number of additional points.

AMVETS: Support SB 818 - Senate Veterans Affairs Committee.

Enrolled to Governor. Requires the Board of Directors of the State Military Foundation to submit an audit report to the Adjutant General, the Chair of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee, the Chair of the Joint Legislative Budget Committee, and the Director of Finance. Substitutes California State Military Museum and Resource Center for California National Guard Military Museum and Resource Center wherever that term appears.

AMVETS: Support JROTC Update: AB 351 and AB 1569 – Salas. Physical Education, JROTC. Authorizes the governing board of a school district to exempt any high school pupil from course in physical education if the pupil participates in Cali-

fornia Cadet Corps, cheer team or dance team, color guard or drill team, Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, or marching band as part of the regular course of study or regular school-sponsored extracurricular activities. Specifies minimum standards for the physical education substitute courses. Requires that a certificated employee teach the course.

AB 351 had been stalled since July in the Assembly Education Committee. Assemblymember Salas then tried to resuscitate the issue by amending the JROTC language into AB 1569. That bill became stalled in the Senate Education Committee. Assemblymember Salas is now considering what the best course of action may be to reach a solution for JROTC. She may carry another bill next year or she may be able to work with the bill’s co-sponsors, LA Unified and San Diego Unified, to reach some understanding directly with the State Board of Education.

AMVETS supported both bills.  The office of Pete Conaty of Pete Conaty and Associates reports he was recently honored with a Burt Herman Citizen of the Year Award from the CA branch of the Jewish War Veterans. The award recognized his “tireless efforts in support of the veterans of the State of California” and was presented at the group’s 72nd annual Convention in Culver City last month. Past recipients of this award include three previous secretaries of the CA Dept of Veterans Affairs and US Rep. Bob Filner, Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs. Contact: Dana Nichol 916 492 0550.

Our new national officers are:

Commander Duane J. Miskulin (Wisconsin) 1st Vice Cmdre: Jerry Hotop (Missouri) 2nd Vice: Gary Fry (Pennsylvania) Judge Advocate: Daniel M. Snyder Finance Officer: Fertie Brand Provost Marshal: Eugene Meyer

Congratulations to Terry McCarty (Ca Post 18) our new National 6th District Commander

Congratulations to Post 56 PPC Tony Gonzales who won a chess set in the Exhibition drawing.

Congrats to Post 18 members Jeff Sharp and Jack Isaacson and to Post 1775 Commander George Little and District 13 Cmdr Pat (Paternoster) Perez who won gift cards in the preregistration drawing.

California AMVETS Voice—5

Americanism Flags hung for Young American Alumni performance

My Father’s Flag District 4 Report

O

n a recent trip to New Orleans to attend the AMVETS National Convention, I visited the National WWII Museum This truly wonderful and informative exhibit presents an overall view of WWII that is both astonishing and remarkable, made even more so, by 2 minute “first hand” accounts, oral histories of people, both veterans and civilians who were there. These accounts of what they witnessed are truly moving and inspiring. All aspects of the war are presented, all sides of the story, the good, the bad and the ugly.

It is an impressive museum and when I came to the section about Guadalcanal, I was overwhelmed by what I saw there. My father, James C. Hoke, a Kansas farm boy, was 17 years old when he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. A proud member of the First Marine Division, he was sent to Guadalcanal in August of 1942. He was in hand to hand combat, where he killed the Japanese Army “Superior Private” flag bearer.

This Japanese flag was something I heard about my whole life and when my father passed on, he had left me the flag. This moment, back in 1942, was the shining moment of my father’s life. If he had lost the battle, I would not be here. A year later he was sent to a military hospital in Arkansas to recuperate from his war wounds and tropical diseases, he met my mom on a blind date, and they were married shortly thereafter.

I never really fully understood until I saw the Guadalcanal exhibit there at the WWII museum.

My father loved the Marine Corp more than anything. He retired as a Master Gunny Sergeant after 25 years of military service.

The visit to the museum made me think of his sacrifice and what he had to do to survive, really make me think and to appreciate the “Greatest Generation.” My father passed away, before the museum was built but in memory to my father, his Japanese battlefield flag has been donated to the

National WWII museum. He was so proud of that battlefield flag.

My generation, the baby boomers, are lucky; we are the children of these brave men and women willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we all enjoy in this country. How lucky are we. My regret is that I was not able to share a visit to the WW2 museum with my father.

This is a plea to all you people out there with friends and family who served during WWII, take the time, if you can, and honor your loved ones by taking them to the National WWII Museum. Listen to their stories, try to understand what they are saying, appreciate and honor them for their service.

They changed the world and made it a better place for all of us to live. Honor your national treasures, those of the greatest generation and take them to the National WWII museum, you owe it to them. 

By District 4 Commander Sheryl Shaffer

James C. Hoke

6—California AMVETS Voice

Vol. 13, No. 3

Foundation Officer’s Report

W

Southern Area Commander’s Report

I

would like to express my heartfelt thanks to State Commander, John Byrum, for demonstrating his concern for and loyalty to Veterans by coming to the West Los Angeles Veterans’ (WLA VA) Hospital campus for a site visit. On the WLA VA campus Commander Byrum visited the New Directions Program, and spoke about the program and the Sepulveda Project with Director Toni Reinis. The Sepulveda Project is a proposed housing project for disabled vets.

I especially appreciated the opportunity to discuss concerns and show Commander Bryum two valuable, threatened work therapy programs at WLA VA, Veterans’ Gardens with an aviary and the Golf Course. Both of these therapeutic programs are under attack by the WLA VA Administration and Assets Management, who are trying to contract out the operations to private non-veteran organizations.

I would also like to mention that it was an honor to share one of Post 116’s veterans’ activities, bowling and lunch, at the Mar Vista Bowling Alley, where Commander Byrum met the Director of the Dual Diagnosis Treatment Program, Dr. Barbara Chase.

I was honored to install officers at Post 33’s mass installation.

I would like to express my thanks for their hospitality and dinner at Arturo’s Restaurant.

I would like to thank Doug Bradley and the Foundation for their support of the State of California Delegates’ participation in the inspiring 2009 Amvets National Convention in New Orleans.  Southern Area Commander, Cephus R. Daniels

hat an exciting time to be a California AMVET! I would personally like to thank Cmdr. Byrum for his leadership. Your Service Foundation is working with great enthusiasm, in the spirit of cooperation, for the betterment of all California veterans. I also want to personally thank the Directors of the Foundation. Your Directors have worked tirelessly in this historic revamping of the way we do business helping veterans in our great state. I would be remiss of my duty, if I did not thank your Foundation Executive Director, Mr. Doug Bradley. Mr. Bradley has introduced many new policies and procedures for your local service officers that have greatly increased their ability to service the needs of our veterans. Last, but surely not least, I would like to thank all our new and veteran service officers for their service. Our service officers and their assistants are on the front lines, spearheading the efforts to reach every veteran who needs help in this state.

I also would like to thank all the members who made up the California delegation to the National Convention in New Orleans. Over 100 California delegates dominated the convention floor! The strength of our delegation and the work from your Department Cmdr. Byrum, along with his Executive Board, made giant strides on the road to becoming a major force in National AMVETS. Your spirit of Team AMVETS has opened a new era of transparency and cooperation with National AMVETS. With the support of you the membership, Team AMVETS is ahead of schedule on reaching our 5 year goal of becoming the BEST Department in AMVETS. I believe California has already has already reached that goal.

The best is not judged by shear numbers...the best is judged by what they do.... California AMVETS may be small in numbers now...but you are the BEST in helping veterans!

This concept of Team AMVETS is the start of unifying the entire state of California. The Foundation board of Directors have pledged to service California from San Diego to the Oregon border....and all points in between.

I might propose we set a new a new goal for the National Convention in Louisville next year. Why not shoot for 200 delegates! With the support of the membership , the leadership of Cmdr. Byrum (and his successor)....coupled with the direction of your Foundation Board of Directors...

Team AMVETS is unstoppable! I would like to quote your Department of California Judge Advocate, Dr. Chuck Kissel...”be careful what you do, you might just win big”! Thank you Mr. Kissel for you service. All AMVETS from coast to coast stand to “win big”...from your dedicated work in the service of Team AMVETS. On behalf of your Foundation Board of Directors and staff, we stand united with you, as Team AMVETS, to ensure you are able to grow and continue what you do “BEST....SERVE CALIFORNIA VETERANS”!  Yours in Team AMVETS, Jim Pidgeon

Radiation Exposure Compensation Act www.amvets-ca.org/prog_reca.html

Vol. 13, No. 3

California AMVETS Voice—7

AMVETS Riders

W

elcome to another day in my world, So Cal and riding.

AMVET Riders have been doing so many things and trying to help start new chapters, and live with in Nationals rules (not that hard really). Other bikers are welcoming us at every ride.

I came onto 80 Post Office Biker Bears (both boy and girl biker bears). We took them to the Chula Vista Veterans Home. I knew some of the AMVET members would like them a bit, as it turned out they all loved them. Some shared their own bike riding stories of old. I have to admit the ladies told some of the best I have heard in long time.

AMVET Riders were at the Paralyzed Veterans Ride, Strive and Roll Motorcycle Run, which ended at Lakeside Post 367.The turnout was great. Warmest moment was seeing paralyzed vets on their own trikes.

Memorial Day at Post 367 was something to see Congressman Duncan Hunter and County supervisor Diane Jacob were on hand as well as the Marine Corps band, Marine Corps helicopter and sheriffs helicopter. The turn out was great even with so many other memorial events elsewhere. Marine band gave one he-- of a concert to the delight of all.

Flag Day Parade in La Mesa had us riding with the VFW Float but we were seen.

Department Convention in Ontario sparked some interest and from there it is only up ward and onward. 

By Neil Remnant, Dept. Photographer AMVETS RIDERS CHAPTER 367 members Clarence Wright and President Jon-I Shandera at Department convention.

See ya on the Road, Jon-i

America’s Heroes At Work

T

he following information is to help our returning veterans suffering from PTSD/TBI to secure employment.

The DOL has undertaken a project that focuses on the employment challenges of service members returning to the United States with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and/or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder(PTSD). The goal of the project is to educate employers and the workforce development system on TBI and PTSD as well as on accommodations they can make for these individuals. This website is designed to be a link to information and tools that will help service members, primarily returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, affected by TBI and/or PTSD succeed in the workplace. Some of the resources include: job sharing, coaching and mentoring programs, fact sheets, training tools and success stories. For all these resources please visit: www.AmericasHeroesAtWork.gov

AMVETS ARE ONLINE

C

heck 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

www.amvetspost2.com

Post 85 www.montereybayamvets.com

Post 940

www.amvetspost940.org

Post 1240

WWW.AMVETS1240.US

Post 1996

www.rhmercer.org/amvets.HTML

Post 1997

www.amvetspost1997.org

8—California AMVETS Voice

Vol. 13, No. 3

Friends of AMVETS Art Silva

PLATINUM

B & H Technologies

Asi

Bacome Insurance Agency

Black Hawk Tobacco Inc.

Concord Termite Control

Parker Hannifin Corporation

Enterprise Aware Solutions Fujii Melons

GOLD

Gyl Decauwer Cpas

Cunningham-Davis Corp.

Hardcore Construction Inc.

Prolog Enterprises Inc.

Hi-Desert Industrial

Wrex Products Inc. of Chico

Lancaster Plumbing Supplies

SILVER

Lathrop Construction Assoc.

Mobile Choice

Command One Security

Natural Lifestyle Brand Inc.

Therapak Corp.

Nemesis Arms Inc.

Waste Recovery West Inc.

North Hollywood Care Givers Public Sector Excellence Si Manufacturing Solvere Stahl Companies Inc. T & S Hoist & Rigging Inc. Todd Schaus Cpa

Valley Mobile Service

Velascos Mexican Restaurant W. Charles Perry & Associates Woodruff Design and Construction Inc. Vol. 13, No. 3

Deadlines for Quarterly Submissions by Issue

Issue Vol. 13, No. 4 Vol. 14, No. 1 Vol. 14, No. 2 Vol. 14, No. 3 Convention Book

Deadline December 1 March 1 June 1 September 1 April 1

California AMVETS Voice—9

LAND-GRAB The following information has been compiled by Veteran advocate Frank E

Juarez who originally reported “Land-grab” at Post 2, Pete Valdez, Sr. Post, Culver City, CA. Per the request of District 2 Commander, Jeff Sharp, Frank has put this information together, complete with a diagram pie-chart, to describe and demonstrate the “whittling” away of the land gift that was established by an Act of Congress and Grant Deed in the 1800’s.

These examples do not represent all of the leases and sharing agreements on this federal establishment but they do represent some of the most glaring examples of irresponsible land-use in the history of Asset Management of the VA. VETERANS PARK CONSERVANCY PUBLIC PARK Veterans Park Conservancy, otherwise known as VPC, is a neighborhood organization formed by the Brentwood community of Los Angeles, California. This neighborhood resides in the 90? And 90? Zip code areas, two of the highest political contributor zip codes in the nation.

VPC was called Veterans Park Preserve until the wording was found not to be conducive of a public park.

SALVATION ARMY MULTI-DWELLING RESIDENCE BUILDING Acquired through a deal facilitated by Judge Pregerson, Col. Joe Smith and others, the Salvation Army built a multi-unit residential building that charges current market rents. The deal for this was that the Salvation Army pays $1 a year.

JACKIE ROBINSON STADIUM In the ‘60’s, American Legion Baseball developed the original baseball field where this stadium is today. The AL allowed UCLA to come and play on the field that post members had weeded, watered and maintained. UCLA went to the VA, offered to build a stadium (under unknown conditions for veterans or veteran Patients) and, today, AL must ask UCLA for permission to rent the field and, if the night lights are used, pay $1,500 a night. The conditions of the lease or sharing agreement are unknown (FoIA) and what amount of payment goes towards services that are 100% direct benefit of veteran patients has not been divulged.

BRITE BURN SLANT OIL DRILLING YARD Occidental Oil, established by Armand Hammer, was the company that originally contracted with the VA to use nearly 7 acres as an oil drilling yard. There, supposedly is a “2% plus 2%” gift to Veterans built into this contract because the drilling was being done on land that was gifted to veteran patients. This area of the yard is adjacent to the west side of the 405 freeway between Wilshire and Church. The current owner of record for the lease is Brite Burn Oil Company and the original contract has been taken out of the hands of the VA and moved over to the Department of the Interior. The lease or sharing agreement arrangements are unknown (FoIA). There is no confirmation whether or not the 2% gift is still in force, how much the VA has made from that gift, how much has been funneled back to this facility, how much of that money has gone towards services that are 100% direct benefit to veteran patients, how much longer before the land will be returned to veteran patients and, whether or not the 2% is appropriate considering the huge increase in the cost of a barrel of oil since this contract was made.

TUMBLE WEED BUS COMPANY Tumble Weed Bus Company has maintained a bus yard adjacent to the main hospital building for over 5 years. The bus yard houses, at minimum, 30 buses and occupies over two acres. These buses are for the transportation of school children and do not carry Veterans or Veteran patients at all. The lease arrangements are unknown.

RICHMARK ENTERTAINMENT GROUP Richmark has taken over the only two theaters, built for the benefit of veteran patients, on the reserve. Richmark also controls the use of the “Grand Lawn”, the area where VPC intends to build its public park as a gateway into the Brentwood Community. Richmark has sponsored large, lavish, private parties with circus atmosphere, big top air conditioned tents, fountains of booze flowing and loud bands playing, not only on a reserve that, by law, is alcohol free, but within walking distance of long standing veteran patient sobriety programs.

When veteran advocates first brought this to the attention of Senator Feinstein her office did not mention any intended action. When, in subsequent meet-

10—California AMVETS Voice

ings with the Senator’s staff, the subject was mentioned the staff person said that the serving of booze had stopped. If this was done it was not reported back to the veteran constituency community.

BANDINI FOUNDATION GOLF COURSE Most recently, it has been brought to our attention that the Bandini Foundation has moved on and received approval to take over the nine-hole Veterans Golf course. A letter that was circulated demonstrated that Foundation’s plans to renovate the course and make it a more “welcome” place for the public or invited non-veterans and non-Veteran entities, to play on. The mention of allowing veterans to play on the course, during certain hours, reads like an afterthought. There is no access to the terms and conditions of this agreement if it exists today (FoIA).

VETERANS GARDEN Former members of the once thriving “Vet’s Garden” were recently interviewed and explained that the program that used to help a rotating schedule of approximately 30 Veteran patients, by exposing them to the tranquil environment of approximately 15 acres of garden space, structured horticulture activities and interaction with the public, has been dismantled by the VA. In fact, according to these two gentlemen, the program has been changed from a patient therapeutic program to a customer based program, thus, explaining the influx of public sales, exotic birds (abused birds at that) and non-Veteran activities. Sales, used to offset the overhead of the program, have ceased and there are approximately six veterans left to, apparently, maintain a presence.

10 ACRE U.S. ARMY ARMORY This portion of the original gift was put in the hands of the Army during the Cold War. There is an Armory with its cache of arms necessary then and, many will say, necessary now. Recently, the Army decided that it did not need this location and, instead of returning it to the VA, as it is part of a gift to veteran patients (ideal with its facilities and built in housing), it has attempted to sidestep the challenges of its unique Deed by offering any qualified contractor to be able to anonymously bid, on-line, over the Internet, an exchange of construction upgrades to other Army locations in exchange for this property. This action was challenged by the usual die-hard veteran advocates and local political forces that

Dee Wright & Mona Moan Productions Present "16 - 44" Dee, Guy, Romona, Megan, Denise, Chriscynthia

Come be Informed, Empowered, and Inspired

AMVETS POST 116 WOMEN VETERANS ESTEEM PROGRAM

PRESENTS

5th ANNUAL WOMEN VETERANS INFORMATION CONFERENCE

“Whole Woman, Healthy Woman; Mind, Body & Soul”

OCTOBER 16, 2009 11301 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, California 90073 Building 500 Multi- Purpose Room 1281

10:00am-3:30pm

9:30 REGISTRATION, MORNING REFRESHMENTS & LUNCH PROVIDED RSVP BY OCT. 1ST (323) 517-1145 Any questions please contact ANN REEDER at VetWomenUnity@hotmail.com

Vol. 13, No. 3

want the public park inserted on the 16-acre corner of Wilshire and San Vicente.

The current situation is unknown and VA will not divulge that information to veteran advocates.

MARRIOT LAUNDRY FACILITIES The original laundry building that was used to wash linens and veteran materials, near the entrance to Jackie Robinson Stadium, is leased to MARRIOT. It is assumed that the sheets and materials for its chain of hotels are washed here because the laundry service for the main hospital or for veteran patients are not washed here. The terms of the lease or sharing agreement are not public (FoIA) and this area occupies approximately two acres.

The issue of “Land-grab” regarding the insertion of a public park at the “HOME” at VA, WLA, CA, is only the “tip of the iceberg” and, overall, has contributed to years of excluding the Veteran community from “Main Street”. President Obama has clearly stated his intentions to make Veterans the “backbone” of middle-America. The possibility of that notion materializing in this present environment is slim, to say the least. Far worse is the greater possibility that Veterans will continue to be stereo typed, “pigeon-holed,” or, secluded from society and cast in a non-productive, consumer-only, role.

Today, across the nation, veteran patients are being robbed of valuable land resources because America has negotiated its “debt” to veterans. Past and present day quotes by presidents and statesmen attest to the health care, treatment and benefits that all veterans deserve. Observe the “Those who have borne the battle” statement by President Lincoln. Unfortunately, the continuous efforts to erect memorials and place gothic fences around cemeteries in honor of fallen heroes (Veterans who can’t complain) become hollow when the land and resources necessary to treat more ailments of more living Veterans are traded, leased, sold and given-away in an atmosphere of political favoritism. The best example of this is in Southern California.

The Brentwood community of Los Angeles, CA, has used its wealth and political power to award itself a rent-free, long term, sharing agreement for the install a public park on land that was donated, long before the Brentwood existed, for the specific purpose of treating veteran patients. The actions of this group demonstrate years of unmonitored negotiations, termed “sweetheart deals” that violate the terms, conditions, spirit and intent of the Congressional Act of 1887 and Grant Deed of 1888, for the establishment of the Pacific Branch of the Old Soldiers Home, that specify how the land must be used exclusively for veteran patient care.

Section 2 of the Congressional Act of 1887 stipulates: “That all honorably discharged soldiers and sailors who served in the regular and volunteer forces of the United States, and who are disabled by disease, wounds, or otherwise, and who have no adequate means of support, and by reason of such disability are incapable of earning their living, shall be entitled to be admitted to said home for disabled volunteer soldiers, subject to like regulations as they are now admitted to existing branches of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers”.

March 3, 1888, in compliance with the Congressional Act of 1887, John P. Jones and Arcadia Bandini de Baker, deeded and entrusted 300 acres of some of the most desirable and advantageous land in Los Angeles to the United States Government with the restated promise that the land was “to be permanently maintained as a National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers”; Actions speak louder than words. Visit the “HOME” and see for yourself.

The observable actual Lease-uses allowed by the VA administration violate the terms and conditions contained in the Act and the Deed. This is clearly behavior that demonstrates gross lack of attention to high rates of PTSD, Brain Trauma of returning Veterans, Veteran Homelessness, Gender Specific facilities, the high percentage of Vietnam Veterans establishing claims and absolutely no consideration of an effective “preventative medicine” program.

It is reasonable to conclude that over the past 20 years, at the time that Veterans Administration became Veterans Affairs, the NIMBY-minded community of Brentwood in Los Angeles, CA, by sticking its nose into VA land-use, managed to delay and hamper the progress that was needed to develop and establish the health programs that, by now, would have returned many veterans to a productive life and fulfilled the goal of the “gift” land donors. Today’s bureaucratic red tape, i.e. C.A.R.E.S., combined with the politics and the “feeding frenzy” for valuable real estate has only facilitated the neglect of veteran patient treatment, like the highest suicide rate of veteran patients in the history of the VA. Aggressive Veteran patient treatment has been stymied, causing a backlog of patients and issues.

Vol. 13, No. 3

There is absolutely no advantage for veteran patients by allowing non-veteran entities, such as a public park group, to influence VA land-use policy or to be inserted within the fence line of, in this particular case, the “HOME”. In fact, the disadvantage is the eventual movement of services from the area north of Wilshire over to a, comparatively, “postage stamp” size facility on the south side of Wilshire. This process will be repeated at VA facilities across the nation.

Every combat and trained-for-combat veteran knows that peaceful space and “quietude” are necessary to regain the calm a veteran needs to get a grip on reality or to re-enter civilian life. Moreover, if the VA were to develop psychiatric treatment centers, capable of handling the caseload of Southern California, on this “gifted” land, a significant percentage of Veterans would begin to use the VA system for treatment, today, rather than opt to handle things on their own because of the VA’s expressed attitude.

All Veteran Service Organizations, VSO’s, must be made to realize and understand the danger in remaining silent about this particular “Land-grab” because, if it is not reversed at the “biggest and the busiest” VA facility in the nation, the precedent will allow for it to happen whenever and wherever money and political influence decide to take over.

Not since the “Bonus Army” of the Great Depression, the “honest” but failed national cause demanding government promises, has there been greater reason to unify America. VSOs, Veteran advocates, individual veterans, families and friends of Veterans must rally to destroy “Land-grab” because it is an open and ugly wound that will take the life of the veteran community. The Act and the Deed are legal and documents, designed to be “permanently maintained” and these violations and abuses, left to the resolve of local administrators, are clear and damaging. Only a national dialog that brings the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and researched Veteran advocates to the same table will work to solve this problem.

“Every journey begins with a single step,” while veteran advocates have waged this war against poor land-use policy at the “HOME” for years, it was so convoluted and behind-the-scene that VSOs and John Q Public thought that everything was going fine at the “HOME”. Not true. Fortunately, where the power of money, political influence and, last but not least, ignoring the issue managed to squash earlier “whistle-blowers”, today’s Veteran advocates have managed to put this issue into a clearer perspective and develop a “paper trail”. Because the VA refuses to recognize veteran advocates, VSOs must, now, take up the challenge, without negotiation, and take “Land-grab” to the “Hill”. Every post in California must be supported by as many posts outside of California as soon as possible. Every district in California must support the posts and “package” this challenge for the California Department. The California Department must solicit the endorsement and support of every state department across the nation and those endorsements must be brought to the attention of the National HQ. To be effective, this must happen in all VSOs and all of the National Commanders must, ASAP, approach the Secretary of the VA to demand, without negotiation, a specific solution. The first part of this proposed solution calls for a moratorium on any further leases at any VA facility to any non-veteran, non-profit or for-profit entity that does not provide a service that is not 100% direct-benefit to veteran patients.

The present VA land-use system (1) ignores veteran advocates, sometimes known as “whistle-blowers”, (2) allows local administrators to enter into real estate leases without scrutiny by local veteran advocates or national HQ, (3) is not transparent to the local veteran community or inquiring public, (4) does not include local Veteran Service Organization or veteran advocate input for land-use or service improvement ideas, and, (5) while any Veteran can walk into any VA facility and expect service, the local elected representatives refer questions and complaints about a VA facility in his/her venue according to ZIP code, creating a system of run-around and non-accountability.

The advantages to unifying and rallying behind this very important issue are: 1) Mobilizing the VSO community that has fallen asleep at the wheel, as demonstrated by the virtual take-over of many facilities across the nation.

2) Provides veterans an opportunity to expose a deep-rooted problem to the new administration and present the comprehensive solution of an allinclusive (as compared to today’s exclusive) infrastructure that will (A) safeguard the service of all veteran patients and (B) demonstrate the sense of urgency that the extenuating circumstances of Land-grab deserve.

3) Opens more ailments of more Veterans to be addressed because the solution to Continued on page 20

California AMVETS Voice—11

65th Annual AMV

Left: Joe Leal and Edgar Robles, Post 1240 speak at National Convention. Right: Jane Hum, Dick Hum interviewing Tom and Debbi Johnson during reception at National Convention in New Orleans.

Left: Foundation President Jim Pidgeon, 1st Vice Cmdr Johnny Byrum presenting $500,000 check to Chapman University School of Law. Right: Dick Hum thanking outgoing Cmdr.

Posey for his service and congratulating incoming Commander Johnny Byrum.

12—California AMVETS Voice

Vol. 13, No. 2

VETS Conventions Department and National Pictures taken by Neil Remnant and Al Verret

Vol. 13, No. 2

California AMVETS Voice—13

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

Post 6, 34 & 53

AMVETS GOLDEN GATE POST 34 SF & REDWOOD CITY POST 53 & POST 6

May Activities: Commander Wong went with the inaugural NorCal Honor Flight group to Washington, DC. Attended the JROTC Annual Competition held at the Presidio of SF Parade Grounds.

Post 34 members present were: Woody Chan, Ray Wong, Mack Pong, Leonard Steinberg, Quin Jung, & Helen Wong. (Below right) Helped at Golden Gate National Cemetery with Memorial Day weekend display table of AMVETS and other veterans group information. Post 53 & 34 were represented.

June Activities: Attended State Convention, Post 34 supported NorCal 2nd Honor Flight by securing a donation of sandwiches and delivering to the group at SFO from the local grocery store Safeway.

July Activities: Participated with Post 53 at the Redwood City 4th of July Celebration with booth displays.

August Activities: Post 34 attending the Organization for Chinese Americans National Convention, opening day tribute to Asian Pacific American Veterans. Master of Ceremonies was Richard Lui, anchor, CNN-Headline News, pictured with Helen Wong, Woody Chan, & Mack Pong. Other members not in photo include Ray Wong, & Richard Ow. (Above right) Post 34 & Post 6 (San Jose) members Helen Wong, Leonard Steinberg, & Randy Richmond attended the 3rd Annual Day of Remembrance at History Park in San Jose. Edith Shain, national spokesperson for the Stories of Service was present. She is the original nurse pictured in the V-J Day Kiss at NYC’s Times Square. Photo: Randy Richmond, Edith Shain, Helen Wong, Leonard Steinberg. (RIGHT) Randy Richmond with Warren Hegg, founder of the Digital Clubhouse’s Stories of Service.

(BELOW) 

Post 22

P

ost 22 was organized and installed in 1965 and has since been very active and participated in many various functions since.

With Commander Manuel Garcia at the helm post members attended the DEC to begin 2009 in Bakersfield. Since then they have actively participated in the Avenue of the Flags (Memorial Day) Ceremony (going back to 1988).

Post 22 requested a grant from the Service Foundation and were able to purchase approximately 200 3 X 5 flags for the Flag Retirement Program put on by the Visalia Veterans Committee. Those flags were used for exchange for flags that we put to the burn barrel for proper retirement. Post 22 has been helping with this service since 2005 when that program was introduced.

14—California AMVETS Voice

On August 15th, they dedicated park benches that they built for the Kaweah Oaks Preserve.The Preserve is a 322-acre nature preserve, which protects one of the last remaining valley oak riparian forests in the San Joaquin Valley. More than 300 plant and animal species live, feed or reproduce at the nature preserve, including gray fox, great horned owl, Nuttall’s woodpecker, wild grapevines, willow thickets and majestic valley oaks. The Preserve gets hundreds of visitors a year who will use the benches.

Vol. 13, No. 3

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

Post 22, cont.

On July 4th, The post attended a flag replacement ceremony at Casa Grande Retirement and Assistant Living Facility in Visalia. The ceremony included the boy scouts folding the flag, this is one of the many activities that the Scouts do for our community.

Post members also participated in the Woodlake High Schools Veterans Appreciation Day program. Those attended were able to speak with students regarding their service days and what it meant and how it affected them.

There was a change in post officers in June and Bill Morland was elected as the new post Commander.

Amador Garcia makes a valiant effort to keep the post members aware of the activities and news with-in the post by sending out a quarterly newsletter.

Post 22 continues to contribute to the Sanger High School ROTC program.

Thru the hard work of several post members a Veterans Assistance program at the Visalia Veterans Memorial Building the 1st Sunday of each month was created to assist area veterans regarding their benefits and any questions they may have.

Several post members attended the State Convention in Ontario in June.

Post members worked with other Veterans groups to sell fireworks for the 4th of July. Also in July they participated in the Transition Meeting held in Tulare.

With the establishment of the Visalia Veterans Committee in 2000, Post 22 has several of their members hold office in that committee. That committee has several programs and functions through out the year, Veterans Day Program and Pearl Harbor Day, just to name a few that the post helps with donations and contributions.

Post 22 actively participates in the monthly District Area meeting, held the 1st Sunday of each month at the Visalia Veterans Memorial Building. Along with the other area posts is working to promote the 1st Central Area Barbeque and Membership Drive at the Tulare Veterans Memorial Building in September.

Another monthly participation is that several members of the post also sit on the Visalia Memorial District Board.

Post 22 received 2 new life members so far this year.

Post 40

O

n Saturday, 4 July 2009, the Award Winning Honors Team of Michael Ottolini AMVETS Post 40 participated in the Santa Rosa Stake Flag Ceremony.

The Post Honors Team had recently taken FIRST PLACE in the annual Sebastopol Apple Festival Parade followed by another FIRST PLACE in the Armed Forces Day-Santa Rosa Rose Parade.

The ceremony consisted of a children’s parade, followed by patriotic songs including each of the songs of our military services. The local Boy Scouts presented in order - The first flag planted on North America soil more than 500 years ago, the St. George Flag which flew atop the Mayflower and planted on American soil by the Pilgrims. The Saint Andrew Flag, The Flag of Scotland, also brought by the earliest colonists. The Kings Colors which united the St. George and Saint Andrews Flags. The British Red Ensign Flag, the Kings Colors on a red banner which was the British Maritime Flag, that flew on ships during the Colonial period and over the thirteen American colonies just before the American Revolution. The Grand Union Flag was risen under the orders of George Washington during the siege of Boston in 1775; raised with a 13 gun salute as the American Colonial Flag, the first thirteen red and white stripes of the united colonies with the King’s Colors - sending the message that the colonists claimed their rights as both Colonists and Englishmen. The Betsy Ross Flag created by the congress on 14 June 1777 (A month later Betsy Ross made the First Battle Flag with the white stripes and stars from a soldier’s shirt; the blue from a captain’s cloak; and the red stripes from the flannel petticoats of the women of the garrison.) The Fort McHenry/Star Spangled Banner Flag with 15 stars and 15 stripes which flew over Ft. McHenry during the British Navy attack on 13 September 1814 which during the dawn inspired the writing of our National Anthem by Francis Scott Key. The Southern Cross which was the main emblem for the Confederacy Flag during the presidency of Abraham Lincoln. Fort Sumter Flag with a unique star pattern of 35 states, the flag of Lincoln, flying at Fort Sumter on 12 April 1861 when the Confederate batteries opened fire beginning the Civil War.

Vol. 13, No. 3

The AMVETS Post 40 Honors Team then presented the Flag of Our Nation celebrating our 233rd birthday honoring our founding based on the hope of liberty, the hope of justice and the the hope of dignity and respect. This presentation was followed by the pledge of allegiance and our National Anthem.

The members of AMVETS Post 40 take pride in being a member of the community and participating in community events bringing recognition to our great organization and the fact that we are not only here for our veterans and active duty military, but we are also supportive of our youth and our community.

Left to right in the photo: Dave Richey, Dennis Smith, Post Commander Jay Matthews, Bud Simmons

A side note: These members of our Honors Team further serve on the Sonoma County Veterans Honors Team which in the past 18 months have provided military honors for overe 130 of our deceased comrades.  Bud Simmons

California AMVETS Voice—15

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

Post 56

P

ost 56 has had a busy summer: 17 volunteers manned the July 4th fireworks booth and had an excellent sales year. This is one of the post’s main fundraisers. On July 4th, volunteers visited two convalescent hospitals and presented a fire works show and song for the patients. This is a yearly activity that the patients look forward to. Several honor guard members visited a post member at the VA hospital in Fresno. By the time this paper is printed our new post auxiliary will have held their first pot luck picnic at the Memorial Park in Tulare. All post members and their families were invited. The Honor guard will have posted colors for a new Veterans Pavilion at Visalia cemetery, posted colors at the Tulare Fair and done several funerals. The Post Auxiliary will be serving a spaghetti dinner for all blood donors at the annual community 9/11 blood drive being sponsored by the local fire dept. and Post 56. The post will have a membership/ information booth at our local Tulare fair, and members including the honor guard will participate in the parade. Several Post 56 members attended the national convention in New Orleans where they attended meetings to learn more about the workings of AMVETS, During break times they visited the many hospitality rooms that were held in the hotel and met many new and old friends. Many of our members also took advantage of the sites of New Orleans. 

Post 66

BY David L. Diehl

O

Post 96

n July 29, 2009 the Volunteer Services of Loma Linda VA Medical Center hosted a luncheon for the AMVET Express volunteer drivers and dispatchers in Palm Springs at the Look restaurant. The drivers volunteer to drive veterans, with appointments, to the VA at Loma Linda every day of the week in an AMVET donated van.

The luncheon was hosted by Diana Gellentien, Chief of Volunteer Services. Also in attendance were Donald Moore, Director of Loma Linda VA medical Center, Shane Elliott, Associate Director and Annie Tuttle, Public Relations. Certificates of appreciation, and gift cards were presented to each of the volunteers.

Also at the luncheon was a representative from the office of Roy Wilson 4th District Supervisor of Riverside County. His office also presented certificates of appreciation to the volunteers,.

Our drivers are Charlie Brown, Frank Hagen, Steve Jones, Glenna Liburdy, Barney Miller, Bill Rupracht, Charles Davidson, and David Diehl.

Our dispatchers are Robbie Cleek and R. C. Sloan. 

Get your AMVETS gear here! www.amvetsquartermaster.com/

Post 1996 Commander and 16th District Commander Jerry Greer presents medal at Eureka High School JROTC awards ceremony. 

16—California AMVETS Voice

Vol. 13, No. 3

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

Post 101 The “Honey Bee Trio” providing entertainment venue for Operation Gratitude.

Natalie Angst, Karli Boaler, Sarah Mclwain.

Retired SMSgt Caryl Ann Hathaway started the first Operation Gratitude in 2002, addresses the crowd.

Bottom picture: Deputy Administrator Bart Bucehner in discussion with Rita Umphries, Past Post Commander AMVETS Post 101.

Post 101 would like to thank the AMVETS Service Foundation for their financial support for their many programs including Honor Flight, which makes it possible for WWII veterans to travel to Washington D.C. to see the WWII Memorial. Without the support of the AMVETS Service Foundation many of these veterans would not be able to go.

SSgt Chavez from Travis AFB

national convention, cont.

Vol. 13, No. 3

California AMVETS Voice—17

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

Post 116

P

ost 116 meets every second Saturday of the month at 10:00 a.m. at a new meeting location AFGE Local 1061 Union Hall W.L.A. Medical Center. If you need help getting to the meeting, please do not hesitate to call Commander, Cephus R. Daniels, at 310-463-6380. The Post continues to host a bingo at the WLA VAMC nursing home every second Sunday of the month at 2:00 p.m.

Post 116 continues to provide food deliveries to the “Feed a Vet Program”, with the help of Post 116 Women’s Coordinator, Ann Reeder, Post 116 Ladies Auxiliary President, Alma Gant, and Post Commander, Cephus R. Daniels.

Post 1240

18—California AMVETS Voice

June kicked or the Post 116 annually sponsored Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball outings for Vets. We will complete baseball season in September. We estimate 75-150 Vets will have the opportunity to participate in outing to Dodgers games this season.

“Keep a tight line!” Fishing season has begun, the fish are biting. Post 116 has already sponsored three lake fishing trips and one deep sea fishing trips.

“The bite is on!” More trips are scheduled.

Post 116 Delegates thanks Doug Bradley and the Foundation for supporting their recent attendance at the Amvets National Convention. Post 116 was proudly represented by Ann Reeder, Frank Barkley, Chris Shaw, and Vincent Duncan.

Post 116 is proud to welcome twenty new annual members Alice Pierce, Lydia Angelina Ruiz Parone, Christine Salvador, Sandra Abron, Stephen Shobe, Joel Alexander, Frost Boone, Bruce Costa, Larry Grandfield, Edna Hadley, James Harvey, Larry Harvey, Bonita Hawkins, Murphy Homes, Mark James, Christina Price, Joseph Magorno, Leslie Stewart, Daphine Wright and Kregi Sabron. 

Commander Cephus R. Daniels

Vol. 13, No. 3

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

Post 1996

S

everal delegates to the AMVETS National Ladies Auxiliary convention in New Orleans are pictured. Irene Tellez, our NEC woman (front row, white cover) led our delegates through the four days of business and awards program fun.

During the Honors and Awards Program, AMVETS Leo P. Simon Post 1996 Ladies Auxiliary received two awards. The first was Show and Tell 1st place Award for a favorite project, the second was Child Welfare 1st place, to the local auxiliary doing the most outstanding work for John Tracy Clinic.

Our small auxiliary is proud of this achievement. We had many AMVETS members help us with hand-made bears and community hearing aid centers be drop-off points for unwanted or used hearing aids. John Tracy Clinic is located in our state. We are proud to have helped our military families with lessons for their deaf children. Debbi Johnson President Post 1996 Ladies Auxiliary

Vol. 13, No. 3

California AMVETS Voice—19

Continued from 11 this problem will dramatically change the attitude of a bureaucracy that is distancing itself from its clients every time it changes its name.

The disadvantages of silence can already be seen. Suicide is at an all time high, Veteran homelessness, even though many agencies have tried at the local levels, is at an all time high. Returning Veterans demonstrate that each war brings different ailments, witness head trauma, without the precious space we are trying to get back, these and other ailments will be approached in a “band-aid” form. More and more women are suffering from combat ailments and, in an institution built around the male soldier, genderspecific issues are on the rise.

We must educate every Veteran and non-Veteran we know about this scandalous situation. Let everyone know that there is a “dark side” to the VA and it has taken the form of shrinking land resources for the treatment of America’s heroes. Form “Landgrab” committees at each post or chapter and district. Gather information regarding land-use policy at each VA facility across the nation and hold the VA’s feet to the fire, at the national level, over abusive decisions. Allow information to flow both up and down the organization and do not discriminate against a Veteran because he or she is not a member of your organization, a Veteran is a Veteran, respect and support each other, it is obvious that there are forces prepared to take from, instead of give to, the Veteran community. Most of all, stop supporting memorials and statues to Veterans until this wasteful policy is allowed; “honor the dead by taking care of the living”!

Argument The issue of “Land-grab” regarding the insertion of a public park at the Old Soldiers HOME at the Veterans Administration facility at West Los Angeles, CA, only exposes the “tip of the iceberg” of institutional neglect and, overall, has contributed to years of excluding the Veteran community from “Main Street”. President Obama has clearly stated his intentions to make Veterans the “backbone” of middle America. The possibility of that notion materializing in this present environment is slim, to say the least, where, instead, the greater possibility would be the continuance of veterans remaining “pigeon-holed”, segregated and cast in a non-productive and “consuming-only” role.

Claim Veteran patients of today and tomorrow are being robbed of valuable land resources because America has misinterpreted its “debt” to veterans. There are historical and current day quotes by former and standing presidents and statesmen attesting to the health care, treatment and benefits that all veterans deserve. The continuous efforts to erect memorials and place gothic fences around cemeteries in honor of fallen heroes become hollow when the land and resources necessary to treat more ailments of more living Veterans are traded, leased and sold in an atmosphere of political favor.

The best example of this is in Southern California.

The Brentwood community of Los Angeles, CA, has used its leadership, wealth, control of media and political power to award its efforts a rent-free, long term,

20—California AMVETS Voice

sharing agreement to install a public park on land that was donated for the specific purpose of treating Veteran patients. This action demonstrates years of unmonitored and intrusive bureaucratic negotiation that violates the terms, conditions, spirit and intent of the Congressional Act of 1887 and Grant Deed of 1888, two legal documents that clearly specify how the land must be used, exclusively, for Veteran patient care.

Data; Act of Congress, February 2, 1887 and the Grant Deed of March 3, 1888 Data; Current Lease descriptions and actual use accounts that violate the terms and conditions contained in the Act and the Deed. Statistics that demonstrate the lack of attention to high rates of PTSD, Brain Trauma of returning Veterans, Veteran Homelessness, Gender Specific facilities, high percentage of pre-Desert Storm Veterans establishing claims and the lack of an effective “preventative medicine” program open to more Veterans.

Conclusion It is reasonable to conclude that over the past twenty years this NIMBY-minded group of community leaders, by interpreting unused VA facility area as “open space”, literally influenced VA landuse policy decision and several generations of local administrations have lost sight of the goals of their stewardship. This loss has delayed and hampered progress towards developing and establishing health programs that, by now, would have returned many veterans to a productive life. The bureaucratic red tape, i.e. C.A.R.E.S., is viewed as the most formal attempt at “Land-grab” that the VA has come up with, and, combined with the politics and the “feeding frenzy” for valuable real estate, has made the plight of combat-ready veterans worse. Reports of the highest suicide rate of veterans, both on and off VA facilities has not created any sense of urgency.

Aggressive veteran patient treatments have been stymied, causing a backlog of patients and issues and soaring population of Veterans without shelter.

Structuring arguments There is absolutely no advantage for Veteran patients by allowing non-veteran entities, such as a public park group, to influence VA land-use policy or to be inserted within the fence line of, in this particular case, the “HOME”. In fact, the disadvantage would be the eventual movement of services from the area north of Wilshire over to a, comparatively, “postage stamp” size facility on the south side of Wilshire.

Most combat experienced and trained-for-combat Veteran knows that peaceful space and “quietude” are necessary to regain the calm a Veteran needs to get a grip on reality or to re-enter civilian life.

Moreover, if the VA were to develop psychiatric treatment centers, capable of handling the caseload of Southern California, on this “gifted” land, a significant percentage of veterans would begin to use the VA system for treatment, today, rather than opt to handle things on their own because the VA’s attitude is to “process” a veteran to death.

All Veteran Service Organizations, VSOs, must be made to realize and understand the eminent danger in remaining silent about this particular “Land-grab” because, if it is not reversed, here, at the “biggest and

the busiest” VA facility in the nation, the precedent will allow for it to happen whenever and wherever money and political influence decide to take over.

Objective Not since the “Bonus Army” of the Great Depression, the “honest” but failed national cause demanding government promised bonuses, has there been greater reason to unify America. VSOs, veteran advocates, individual veterans, families and friends of veterans must rally to destroy “Land-grab” because it is an open and ugly wound that will take the life of the veteran community. The Act and the Deed are legal and documents, designed to be “permanently maintained” and these violations and abuses, left to the resolve of local administrators, are clear and damaging. Only a national dialog that brings the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and researched veteran advocates to the same table will work to solve this problem.

Proposal “Every journey begins with a single step”. While veteran advocates have waged the battle of poor land-use policy at the “HOME” for years, it has become so convoluted, segmented and categorized by poor stewardship that VSOs and John Q Public have the impression that everything was going fine at the “HOME”. The sight of manicured lawns, gothic fences and crisp red-white-and-blue flags along Wilshire Blvd. makes this VA an impressive looking place. Truth be told, there are veterans sleeping in the perimeter every day while a non-veteran, nonprofit, non-American entity rents housing to nonveterans on land that it obtained for $1 a year, and, a for-profit entertainment giant controls the only two veteran theaters while hosting lavish private parties that serve alcohol adjacent to long standing Veteran sobriety programs.

Fortunately, where the power of money, political influence and, last but not least, ignoring the issue have worked to squash earlier “whistle-blowers”, today’s Veteran advocates, thanks to the Internet, have managed to put this issue into a clearer perspective and develop a “paper(less) trail”. However, the VA refuses to recognize Veteran advocates who have formed ad hoc committees and organizations. Because of this, VSO’s must, now, take up the challenge, without negotiation, and take “Land-grab” to the “Hill”. Every post in California must be supported by as many posts outside of California as soon as possible. Every district in California must support the posts and “package” this challenge for the California Department. The California Department must solicit the endorsement and support of every state department across the nation and those endorsements must be brought to the attention of the National HQ. To be effective, this must happen in all VSO’s and all of the National Commanders must, ASAP, approach the Secretary of the VA to demand, without negotiation, a specific solution.

“Stop the gushing wound.” The first part of treatment must be to call for a moratorium on any further leases at any VA facility to any non-veteran, non-profit or for-profit entity that does not provide a service that is not 100% direct-benefit to veteran patients. 

Vol. 13, No. 3

2009 AMVETS AUXILIARY 64th ANNUAL STATE CONVENTION

C

ongratulations to all Auxiliary’s who have received awards dating from: April 2008 - March 31, 2009. Thank you ladies for your unselfish devotion and endless hours of volunteer work.Awards for: National, State and Local include but not limited to: Child Welfare, Community Services, Americanism, Hospital, Scholarship, Ronald McDonald house and Camp Good Times; John Tracy clinic, St. Jude’s hospital. VAVS, Child Welfare, Churches, Christmas parties for children, and abused Children’s homes A reminder from the desk of our Corresponding Secretary, Carol Smith.

Auxiliary members may purchase for $5, a subscription for one year which will include bulletins, mailings and minutes; past department presidents are $3. A Local Procedure Books are $3 and Department By-Laws $2. All bulletins and notes should be submitted to the Corresponding Secretary at least four weeks prior to SEC or Convention.

REGISTRATION Protocol for all SEC’s & Conventions Please have ready your current membership card. Print your name clearly on your registration slip and circle your choice: State Officer, Delegate, Alternate or Guest. The registration slip must be signed and dated by your local president or secretary. And finally, $5 cash or check. No change is made at the registration desk. Please, do not leave the registration desk until you have ‘signed in’ the registration book. State Officers and PDP’s are exempt from the $5 fee but are requested to turn in a registration slip and sign the registration book. See you at SEC, Santa Maria, CA.  Respectfully submitted, Eileen J. Hogan State Credentials Chairman

1st Order of business, President Michelle Scovil ‘swears in’ Auxiliary #56. It was wonderful to have them aboard. Congratulations ladies.

1st National Vice President, Pattie Piening, State President, and California State President, Michelle Scovill Newly Installed 2009 – 2010 Officers. At podium, National 1st Vice, Pattie Piening. Congratulations to all newly elected officers. Standing, L – R: NEC, Irene Tellez; Chaplain, Maria Mariono; Treasurer, Rita Gonzales, 2rd Vice, Debbie Johnson; 3rd Vice; Gloria Sandavol; State Auxiliary President, Michelle Scovil; Americanism, Irene Cervantez; Sgt.-at-Arms, Dolores Sanchez; Hospital, Mags Quinteros; Scholarship, Linda Encesco; Seated, 1st vice, Linda Diaz.

Vol. 13, No. 3

California AMVETS Voice—21

STORIES of SERVICE

Inspires New National Campaigns To Honor and Support Veterans of All Eras

W

hat began as an innovative program to mobilize youth to help veterans produce short videos of their service, has now inspired several new national initiatives to honor and support veterans of all eras and their

families.

Stories of Service, a unique intergenerational program that teams tech savvy teens with veterans from WWII, Korea and Vietnam to use computers to create “digital stories’, has been a project of the AMVETS California Department Service and Rehabilitation Foundation for the past four years.

The Foundation supports community workshops and events, a web site where more than 500 stories are available to the public, and an interactive curriculum, which is being made available to hundreds of high schools in California and the rest of the country with the help of the History Channel and National History Day. Stories of Service has received national publicity and numerous awards, including three medals from the prestigious Smithsonian Institution where more than 300 stories are archived in the National Museum of American History. The program has received the endorsements of the various service branches, and recently formed a partnership with the Navy Memorial Foundation, which will be the model for formalizing working relationships with the other service branches.

The program is also gaining the support of some famous veterans who are lending their celebrity to help publicize Stories of Service.

Academy Award winning actor and WWII Navy veteran, Ernest Borgnine, joined Edith Shain, the famous “V-J Nurse” as Stories of Service spokespersons.

This year, Ernie and Edith were the grand marshals for the National Memorial Day Parade, leading more than 100 youth from California and the rest of the country down Constitution Avenue in front of more than 350,000 cheering spectators, before speaking about the importance of service at a rally at the National World War II Memorial. The Memorial Day Rally will become an annual event to remind Americans of the true meaning of “America’s most sacred of national holidays” as a time to honor the memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.

Fellow Navy veteran and Hollywood legend Tony Curtis has also signed on to help promote Stories of Service, and joined Edith in New York on August 14, to announce the Spirit of ’45 campaign. The goal of the campaign is to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the end of WWII by mobilizing youth and adult volunteers to help members of the Greatest Generation share their

22—California AMVETS Voice

memories of August 14, 1945, the day WWII ended and they took up the task of rebuilding a shattered world. Their memories will be archived on the Spirit of ’45 website (www.Spiritof45.org) so that they can be shared with schools, museums, memorials and the public to educate and inspire future generations.

U.S. Representative Bob Filner (CA District 51) helped kick off the campaign in California with a proclamation he personally delivered at an August 14 press conference at the Veterans Home in Chula Vista. The State Office of Veterans Affairs has offered to help promote the Spirit of ’45 campaign, working with more than a dozen nonprofit organizations. More than 120 cities in California and the rest of America will be participating in this year long program, which will culminate in public events on August 14, 2010 in Times Square, San Diego, Silicon Valley and other cities. A Spirit of ’45 national rally will take place in San Diego, on the USS Midway on January 18, 2010.

While Stories of Service continues to concentrate on preserving the stories of the WWII era generation, who are now passing away at an estimated rate of one every 90 seconds, the program encourages participation by veterans of Korea and the Vietnam wars, and announced a new national initiative called Stories of the Fallen Project, which is urging youth to help Gold Star families produce videos to honor their loved ones who lost their lives wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Participants are invited to come to Washington, DC on Memorial Day. The Stories of the Fallen Project was developed from a series of workshops supported by the AMVETS in California and is partnering with the White House Commission on Remembrance and other groups.

These are major achievements for a program that began as simply a way to engage youth and schools in gaining a deeper appreciation of the true meaning of service by honoring veterans from their local community. AMVETS members should take great pride in having taken the lead in developing Stories of Service and helping make the program such an outstanding success. For more information about how your post can be involved with Stories of Service, the Spirit of ’45, or the Stories of the Fallen, please contact Helen Wong, (contact information), or Robert Corpus, Youth Coordinator, generalcorpus@gmail.com.

Vol. 13, No. 3

MAY 23-25 2009 - WASHINGTON, D.C. A Program of the

www.stories-of-service.org/dc2009

Presented to

MR. ERNEST BORGNINE In thanks for your enthusiastic support of our 2009 National Memorial Day Rally!

From the youth, volunteers and staff of

Clockwise from top right: with our team and our Rally truck; speaking at the U.S. Navy Memorial; with WWII icon Edith Shain (the nurse from the Times Square Kiss photo); group photo at our Call to Service at the National World War II Memorial; Grand Marshal of the National Memorial Day Parade; with our Gold Star parents

Vol. 13, No. 3

California AMVETS Voice—23

DEPARTMENT OF CALIFORNIA HEADQUARTERS 120 North “M” Street Tulare, CA 93274

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

Visit our website www.amvets-ca.org

Attention Veterans!



Eligibility

All American Veterans who were honorably separated after September 15, 1940 or are now serving in the Armed Forces, National Guard or Reservists, are eligible for membership in AMVETS.

Application For Membership I apply for:  New Annual



Renewal

Join Now!

• Veterans Service • Legislative Action • State and National Publications • Local Post Activities • Community Service • Memorial Carillons • V.A.V.S. • Scholarships

 Life Membership & Pay $________ Post dues __________

Printed Name _________________________________________ Service# or SS# ____________________________________ Street Address___________________________________________ City __________________ State _____ Zip

___________

Sponsor __________________________ Phone _____________________ Branch of Service _________________________ Mo/Yr Entered SVC. _______/_______ Mo/Yr Discharged _______/_______ Type of Discharge _________________________ Date of Birth (DD/MM/YY)

/

/____ Date of Application

/

/____

Spouse _______________________________

Signature_________________________________

Membership Fees:

ANNUAL: $25

LIFE: $150

*Post dues vary.

RENEWAL: $25