Vol. 15, No. 2 by JM Publishing

Summer, 2011

Vol. 15, No. 2

commander’s Remarks

By Commander Greer

would like to start by saying thank you to all of the AMVETS members who supported me over the last few years. Special thanks to those who voted me in to office last year in Modesto to be your Department First Vice Commander and this year in Concord for voting me in as your Department Commander. I believe we had a really good year for our department last year, and I feel that this coming year is going to be a great year. “HooRa Team AMVETS!” I can see many changes ahead for Team-AMVETS California. In the next few years, I foresee our department growing into maturity, which means that all of our posts will become compliant with the state and federal laws, as well as knowing and following our “Chartered By-Laws” which we should have been doing for many years. Team means all of us working together for the common good of our department. United we stand is our motto, and

that is what will make us strong—all of us pulling in the same direction. We will be able to accomplish any job that we undertake. We need to grow our membership. We also need to work more on our programs, as well as start a few new programs in some of our posts that will appeal to some of our new members, or should I say younger members? I feel that we need to quit focusing on money in our general membership, and leave that to the committees like finance and budget, also the foundation board. I feel that we need to get back to our main purpose as a “Veterans Service Organization” and serve our fellow veterans. Get them the help they need, put them in touch with a service officer, or get them registered at the local VA clinic or Vet’s Center for counseling! Thanks again for electing me your commander. 

Commander Greer

Jerry R. Greer

AMVET of the Year Baldy Salmon from Post 56 Auxiliary Woman of the Year Charlene Newell

Department Raffle Winners: 1st Place: Linda Arty, 2nd Place: Ron Ferrara and 3rd Place: Rea Cichocki.

From the Desk of the Executive Director By Rose Blackman

hank you to everyone who attended the convention in Concord and to Post 26 for being such great hosts. This was our best attended department convention in the 10 + years that I have been a member of AMVETS. It was a pleasure to have our National Commander Jerry Hotop, National Sons of AMVETS Commander Charles Summerall and his First Vice Dave Spencer with us. Congratulations to all of our new officers and welcome back to the former ones who were re-elected. Congratulations to this year’s AMVET of the Year: Baldy Salmon from Post 56, Auxiliary Woman of the Year: Charlene Newell. Our Department raffle winners were: 1st Place: Linda Arty, 2nd Place: Ron Ferrara and 3rd Place: Rea Cichocki. This will be my last message as your Executive Director. While there have been times that the demands of the job made me wonder “What the heck am I doing here?” most of the time I was thankful for the opportunity to serve so many wonderful veterans and their families. California AMVETS has grown a lot in the past several years and I am glad that I could be a

small part of that. We have some great posts that are doing great things to help our veterans and their families. You may not think you are doing much when you don’t have money to give someone to help them with their needs, but something as simple as a call or a visit to a veteran or his or her family to let them know that someone cares about them means a lot. Please report your programs and remember to send in your activities to the editor so we can help others know what you are doing. While I may no longer be around as the Executive Director I will still help the editor with the paper and be involved with my post when my health allows. Thank you for the support that you have shown me. Yours in Service, Rose

www.calamvets.org

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: Rod Blackman 120 North “M” Street Tulare, CA 93274 or E-mail: roseblackman@hotmail.com

DEPARTMENT OFFICERS FOR 2011-2012 Executive Director Rod Blackman Commander Jerry Greer vfwjerry@yahoo.com

707-725-3687

1st Vice Commander Mike Clay mikeclay40@hotmail.com

530-824-6615

2nd Vice Commander Jerry Guevara

559-786-9106

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

120 North “M” Street

Jr. Past Commander Charles Ramos

T.O.C. Officer’s Reports.....................................................................................

From the Executive Director's Desk....................................................... 6 N. Area Commander's Report.................................................................

Distric 6/Upcoming Events.....................................................................

Trustee SEB A Dennis Boyce

760-252-8491

Trustee SEB B Ray Delgado

310-410-8856

Letters/ROTC............................................................................................ 8

Northern Area Commander Greg Raffia

530-549-3248

Project Gold Star.....................................................................................

Central Area Commander Alex Halley

559-625-4643

Coterie Group 2011............................................................................... 10

Southern Area Commander David Diehl

760-323-9085

Friends of AMVETS...............................................................................

SERVICE FOUNDATION Executive Director/President JIm Pidgeon 559-688-7269 Directors Pete Ramirez, Helen Wong, Gene Clements, Gene Sustaita and Cephus Daniels

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Post Reports.......................................................................................... 12 Sad Sacks.............................................................................................. 23

www.calamvets.org

Vol. 15, No. 2

2nd Vice Commander's Report By Mike Clay

e have had quite a year, and the department is better because of the struggles we have gone through. Thanks to Dr. Kissel, Rose Blackman and Commander's Pidgeon and Ramos we are almost out of trouble with the state and the IRS. It is hard to imagine any other staff being able to carry the Department through like these people have. Thank you for all the hard work. So now we look forward to another great year. I urge each and everyone of you to attend our Department Conventions and DECs. If you have never been to one, you’ll be amazed at the amount of information available and hard work done there by all the different committees. You will get to see your Department at work getting all of the things we do coordinated and reported. A trip to the Department Convention is an education that I highly recommend to every member. It will show you WHO we are, WHAT we do and HOW we get things done. I am proud of our Department, and hope that you are too. We have a great Department and worthy of all of our admiration and respect. Those of you that wish more involvement in the running of the Department (a thankless task) are so very welcome at the Convention to run for a office. We need more members who want to be part of the solution instead of part of the problem, so come and speak up. Your Department staff is always ready and willing to listen to you. I wish to thank each of you for the support that you have given all of the staff this past year and especially for reporting your programs for me. I hope you had a great convention! 

Legislative Advocate's Report By Pete Conaty

At a recent meeting AMVETS lobbyist Pete Conaty signed up the newly appointed Adjutant General of the CA National Guard as an AMVETS member. Brigadier General David S. Baldwin The Adjutant General CA National Guard

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.

Deadlines for Quarterly Submissions by Issue

Issue Convention Book Vol. 15, No. 3 Vol. 15, No. 4 Vol. 16, No. 1 Vol. 16, No. 2

Vol. 15, No. 2

Deadline April 1 September 1 December 1 March 1 June 1

Brigadier General David S. Baldwin was appointed as the 46th Adjutant General on 16 April 2011. Governor Edmund G. Brown recalled General Baldwin from his second deployment to Afghanistan, where he served as Deputy Commander of the 101st Airborne Division Tactical Command Post and senior mentor to the Commanding General of the 201st Afghan Army Corps, to assume command of the California National Guard. As the Adjutant General he leads the largest, most tasked National Guard force in the United States, with an authorized strength of 23,000 personnel. He is responsible for the operation of the State Military Department which consists of the California Army and Air National Guard, State Military Reserve, and California Youth Programs. Continued on next page

California AMVETS Voice—3

Legislative Advocate's Report, cont. from previous page June 3 was the deadline for all bills in the State Legislature to have passed out of their house of origin. Therefore, in order to stay alive, an Assembly bill must have made it through all of its committees and an Assembly Floor vote by June 3. The same applies to Senate bills. On June 6 the surviving bills switch houses. All Assembly bills go to the Senate and vice-versa. These bills will go through the appropriate policy and fiscal committees and floor votes in the other house. Some bills have been held back from a committee vote in order to allow the bill’s author and sponsors time to work on the bill, gather more support, etc. If a bill has not failed passage in a committee it may become a “2 year bill”. Two-year bills can be brought up again in January 2012. One of these bills is AB 1209-Cook; Funding for County Veterans Service Officers and veterans outreach. AMVETS is a major supporter of this legislation. AB 1209 seeks to restore funding for the County Veterans Service Officers (CVSO’s) local assistance and other veterans outreach programs. Making AB 1209 into a 2 year bill was a strategic move which will allow the veterans community to continue to gather support for the bill. AB 1209 currently has 43 co-authors from the Senate and Assembly. AMVETS has been instrumental in convincing legislators to become co-authors of the bill. During the AMVETS Capitol Legislative Day, attendees walked the halls of the Capitol and visited their local legislators to educate them on the importance of this bill to California’s 2 million veterans, their families, and the 30,000 service members discharged in this state each year. During this event, Department Commander Ramos was able to secure the Assembly Republican Leader, Connie Conway (R-Visalia) as a co-author. Since that event AMVETS members have also been approaching their local legislators in their home districts and urging them to come on board. Department Legislative Chair Lorraine Plass did a fantastic job on getting co authors during and in the weeks after the Capitol event. She is personally responsible for at least five if not more co-authors. Now that AB 1209 is a 2 year bill, this gives us until January to obtain as many co-authors as possible in order to make this fight for veterans funding a slam dunk when the bill begins to move again. There are 40 Senators and 80 Assembly members, a total of 120 legislators, and we currently have 43 coauthors. We need 2/3rds or at least 80 co-authors to assure this increase in funding. This is a great start and we now have our work cut out for us. If your local legislator’s name is not on the list below, contact them and ask them to come on board. Prospective co-authors can contact Assemblyman Cook’s office and ask to listed. In addition to the legislative thrust via AB 1209, Veterans Committee Chair Assemblyman Paul Cook (R-Yucaipa) is continuing to fight for this funding through the budget process. Recently, the California Assembly Republican Caucus released a budget plan which proposed full funding for CVSO’s. Cook, a retired Marine Colonel, personally saw to it that the Assembly Republican budget plan included

4—California AMVETS Voice

this full funding proposal. Cook stated, "It's absolutely crucial that we provide CVSO funding. They fight battles with bureaucracies every day on behalf of our nation's heroes. In many cases, CVSO's are the only link between a service member and certain benefits. The January budget proposal, which eliminated all state funding for CVSO's, sent the wrong message to our California veterans: 'Sorry, we're not going to honor your service and help you obtain the benefits you deserve.' Veterans living in other states like Virginia and Texas are much better off, because their states provide adequate funding for veterans outreach. We can correct this by providing the full funding." THE FOLLOWING LEGISLATORS HAVE JOINED ON TO THE BILL AS CO-AUTHORS: SENATORS Joel Anderson Tom Berryhill Ron Calderon Anthony Cannella Tom Harman Doug La Malfa Ted Lieu Michael Rubio Sharon Runner ASSEMBLYMEMBERS Katcho Achadjian Michael Allen Toni Atkins Jim Beall Bill Berryhill Marty Block Susan Bonilla Joan Buchanan Betsy Butler Wes Chesbro Connie Conway Roger Dickinson Tim Donnelly Nathan Fletcher Martin Garrick Jeff Gorell Shannon Grove Linda Halderman Diane Harkey Kevin Jeffries Steve Knight Dan Logue Fiona Ma Jeff Miller Mike Morrell Brian Nestande Jim Nielsen Allan Mansoor V. Manuel Perez Anthony Portantino Jim Silva Cameron Smyth David Valadao Donald Wagner

*Almost every member of the Assembly Republican Caucus has signed onto the bill except Brian Jones (R-El Cajon, La Mesa, Santee, Lakeside, Winter Gardens, Ramona, Campo, Alpine) and Chris Norby (R-Fullerton, Anaheim, Brea, La Habra, Orange, Placentia, Yorba Linda). AMVETS members living in these Assemblymember’s districts are encouraged to contact their offices and urge them to sign onto AB 1209 as a co-author. STATUS OF KEY VETERANS LEGISLATION AB 167-Cook. Stolen Valor Act Relates to existing law which provides that any person who falsely represents himself or herself to have been awarded any military decoration, with the intent to defraud, is guilty of a misdemeanor. Provides that those provisions shall be known as the California Stolen Valor Act. Requires that certain elected officers forfeit their office upon conviction of any of the crimes specified in the act. Status: Senate Committee on Governmental Organization AMVETS position: Support AB 201-Butler. Veterans Courts Authorizes superior courts to develop and implement veterans courts for eligible veterans of the U.S. military with the objective of, among other things, creation of a dedicated calendar or a locally developed collaborative court-supervised veterans mental health program or system that leads to the placement of as many mentally ill offenders who are veterans, including those with post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, substance abuse, or any mental health problem due to military service. Status: Senate Committees on Veterans Affairs and Public Safety AMVETS position: Support AB 557-Speaker John Perez. National Guard: Interagency Council on Veteran Services Creates in state government the Interagency Council on Veteran Services and Programs for the purpose of bringing together key state agencies and departments, federal officials, legislative representatives, local governments, and stakeholder organizations to ensure that the state's programs that serve veterans are efficiently administered and properly integrated with federal and local government and stakeholder organizations. Status: Passed out of the Assembly on a unanimous vote. To the Senate. AMVETS position: Support AB 649-Harkey. Postsecondary Education: Veteran's Enrollment Grants priority class registration for public postsecondary education to members or former members of the Armed Forces, who are State residents, within 5 years of leaving active duty. Status: Senate Committee on Education AMVETS position: SPONSOR

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AB 1093-Davis. Student Financial Aid: Military and Veterans Benefits Requires the Community Colleges and the California State University, and encourage the University of California, to establish on each of its respective campuses a Military and Veterans Benefits Office and appoint a fulltime Military and Veterans Benefits Advisor for each office to assist a qualified student in determining that student's eligibility for state or federal educational benefits or grants. Status: 2 Year Bill AMVETS position: SPONSOR

bingo games to be conducted to permit the conduct of remote caller bingo games. Limits the number of remote caller bingo days in a week. Requires advanced notice to a local entity of the intent to hold such games. Deletes all state licensure requirements for remote caller bingo. Requires a related Internet registry. Relates to related start-up loans. * The American Legion post in Dixon (Yolo County) is successfully using remote caller bingo as a fundraising tool to raise money for veterans services. Status: In Senate AMVETS position: Support

AB 1209-Cook. Department of Veterans Affairs: Veterans' Services Appropriates a specified amount of funds from the General Fund to the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide veterans services. Status: 2 Year Bill. AMVETS position: Support

SB 404-Anderson. Firearms: Handgun Safety Certificates: Exemptions Amends existing law regarding a reference to charges pertaining to handgun safety certificates. Requires a firearms dealer, at the time of delivery of a handgun to a handgun purchaser who is exempted from possessing a handgun safety certificate, to provide a copy of the instruction manual on handgun safety. Status: 2 Year Bill AMVETS position: SPONSOR

AB 488-Cook. Veterans' Homes: Fees and Charges Amends existing law regarding operation of the Veterans Home of California at various sites for aged and disabled veterans. Requires nonveteran spouses to pay the same fees and charges as paid by the veteran members of the home, as determined by the department and subject to the same prohibitions. AMVETS position: Watch SB 340-Wolk. Remote Caller Bingo Permits a city, county, or city and county pursuant to an ordinance, and under specified conditions to amend an existing local ordinance that allows

AB 487-Cook. Veterans' Homes: Fees and Charges Requires a veterans' home member's fee and charges for any fiscal year be the lesser of a percentage of the member's annual income or a flat amount. Requires the flat amount to be recalculated to reflect any changes in the VA disability compensation from the previous year. AMVETS position: Watch

Department Legislative Chair

Lorraine Plass Department Legislative Chair n early May, as a follow-up to previous visits to the California Legislature, I began visiting the offices of every legislator who had not co-authored some of the bills AMVETS supports, mainly AB 1209 – the veterans’ services funding bill. I believe this is truly one of the most important pieces of legislation we have this year, as it affects so many of our soldiers coming home – and other key quality of life issues. I had a list of legislators to visit and a mind set to succeed. I was reminded by watching the teacher’s union representatives visiting at the Capitol to have patience, stay on course and be persistent. Most legislative offices have staff assigned with certain responsibilities, and it is good to remember that regardless of their position, each staffer has some measure of influence with the legislator they work for. It is also good to remember that elected officials are in office for at least 6-14 years, so, don’t make enemies the first time you’re in their office – just get acquainted with them or you may never get into see key staff again for a long time. It was my plan to try to meet with the elected legislator. Failing that, I try to start with the Chief of Staff or District Director. Not to my surprise, the theme at the state Capitol these days is “The Budget Dance”. Many of the legislators just came right out and said, “If it costs money, forget it. We are balancing the budget.” I tried to steer around this issue stating it will cost the state more money down the road if we don’t at least start to address returning veteran’s issues before they come home. I testified in the Assembly Appropriations Committee at the Capitol in sup-

Vol. 15, No. 2

SB 888-Lieu. Crime: Picketing (protesting at funerals for fallen military members) Makes it a crime, punishable by a fine, imprisonment in the county jail, or both, for a person to engage in picketing, except on private property which is targeted at a funeral during the time period beginning one hour prior to the funeral and ending one hour after the conclusion of the funeral. Status: To Senate AMVETS position: SPONSOR THREE BILLS FAILED PASSAGE IN THEIR HOUSE OF ORIGIN BECAUSE OF MONETARY CONSIDERATIONS: SB 251-Correa. Vehicles: Driver's License: Selective Service Requires the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to revise the application for a driver's license, to include a specified statement that would allow a person who is required to register with the federal Selective Service System to consent to registration. Requires the DMV to forward to the federal Selective Service System the necessary personal information for the registration in compliance with the federal act. Prohibits forwarding the information of persons who did not consent to registration. AMVETS position: Support

CDVA Secretary Peter Gravett and Pete Conaty.

port of Assembly Bills: AB 1224, AB 1226 and SB 314, AB 557, AB 697, AB 882, and AB 905 (as printed in Pete's article). Because of the “If it costs money it won’t pass attitude,” AB 1209 was changed to be a two-year bill in an effort to avoid it being killed in the Assembly Appropriations Committee that week. For more in-depth coverage, see my monthly report. Rose Blackman had all reports available in a binder at convention. I was also busy helping the AMVETS lobbyist, Pete Conaty. As a side note, Pete recently signed up CDVA Secretary Peter Gravett who will be speaking at the convention (picture above). Pete, good post member and advocate, also signed up the new Adjutant General of the California National Guard, Brigadier General David Baldwin. What the Legislation Committee is doing for veterans: Recently AMVETS voted to “support” AB 312 by Assemblywoman Lowenthal regarding homelessness. About a quarter of the homeless population in the U.S. are California Veterans. Assemblywoman Lowenthal spoke to us at AMVETS Legislative Day at the Capitol and AMVETS agreed to support this bill I wish to extend thanks to the 44 AMVETS members who came from all over the state to support AMVETS work at the Capitol on Legislative Day and to meet key legislators and CDVA members. While this is great – we must acknowledge that there is much more work to be done. Note: accomplish this grassroots mission - I NEED YOU ... the reader of this article - to walk into your hometown legislators’ office and tell them to support our legislation!

California AMVETS Voice—5

When: Wednesday, September 14th from 10:00am ‐ 1:00pm

What: The 3rd Annual VETS Program Resource Fair is open to Saddleback College Student Veterans, military, active duty, and family members in the community. The Resource Fair will have over 40 on and oﬀ campus service organizations and agencies targeted to assist Veterans and/or dependants.

Where: Saddleback College, Student Services Quad (upper campus) For more information please visit: www.saddleback.edu/vets or call 949‐582‐4252

NORTHERN AREA By Bud Simmons

Commander's Report

s our AMVET year is coming to a close, I have decided not to put my name in the hat for Northern Area Commander this coming year; however, I do believe that it should be a two year position. I wish to thank all of the District & Post Commanders for their support. I have made this decision for personal reasons which I will note later in this article and also on the fact that I wish to spend more of my time in Sacramento chasing our legislators along with Lorraine Plass and Pete Conaty to ensure that the issues supported by AMVETS are legislated. It is a challenge and we are certainly well manned at the state level with Pete Conaty, ably assisted by Lorraine Plass. Those of you that attended our Legislative Day at the Capitol witnessed these two in action. I also intend to devote as much time as possible to see that our Post membership is on an even keel and up to the times. I commend Dave Richey on his fine work on the Audit Committee pursuing the Posts to become compliant and providing them with the proper information. Needless to say, Michael Ottolini AMVET Post 40 of Sonoma County is well represented at the Department level with the likes of Lorraine Plass and Dave Richey. They are devoted to the fine works of AMVETS. We have updated our Northern Area C B&L’s and give my thanks to PDC John Reece for his excellent input as well as PNAC Tom Johnson. I have been active the Sonoma County Veterans Honors Team and clos-

6—California AMVETS Voice

ing in on participating in my 500th honor of providing Military Honors for our departed comrades. I attended the services of one of the finest California AMVETS, Dick Hum, whose final tribute was conducted memorably by his family. Dick was one of the hardest workers and finest gentleman you would ever meet. He has set the bar high for us to follow and as I enter my 80th year next year, I hope to do half as well as Dick. He was simply amazing, a tireless worker and has mighty big shoes to fill. On a sad note, my lovely wife, Elaine passed away unexpectedly a couple of months back which has left me with a broken heart which I must try to heal in my own way and in my own time. I spent over 55 years with this remarkable lady whom I profoundly thank for making me the kind of person I am today. I was blessed to have her as long as I did and she will remain in my heart forever. I will be dedicating the POW/MIA Memorial to be erected at Santa Rosa Memorial Park in memory of Elaine on POW/ MIA Day in September. I thank all of my AMVET friends as well as my family for their unwavering support. Elaine and Bud

Vol. 15, No. 2

District 6

t has been an honor to be Commander of the 6th District this year. I have visited or been in contact with all my posts this year. It has been a learning experience, and several things have changed; such as VAVS. I believe we have all worked this project. We have worked together posting colors for programs such as Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans on March 27. The Three Rivers Post presented colors. Post 56 gave the 21 Gun Salute. Post 56 Posted Colors for Senior Day at Mooney Grove and to kick off Softball season in Tulare, CA. While traveling to meetings such as DEC, State Conventions, and National meetings, it is a pleasure to see new faces, as well as the same, hare working members. This past year I experienced my first teleconference for the E-Board (called by State Commander Ramos. Our Post 56 AMVET banner was hung on the wall at Raw Hide Ball Park in Visalia, CA on the left field wall. I was able to take some really good pictures of the banner with some of our members. We presented a check to the Sea Cadets at the wall on Mooney Blvd, while joining Post 22. A check was for $500 was presented to a group of Girl Scouts for the purpose of sending cookies to the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Tom Donwen, Post 56 Commander, and I had the honor of presenting awards to the Lemoore High School NAS ROTC students. What an honor. I hope we can do that again. I also attended the Mayor’s Breakfast in Tulare, CA. I’m working with others to help with the Suicide Prevention Program, which is such a serious problem, and hope to encourage everyone to become involved in what way they can. I have participated with the Post 56 Honor Guard for 28 funeral services during this report period. Before my year as 6th District Commander has ended, a new post was formed. This is Post 2011, located in Clovis, California. This brings the number of posts in District 6 to eight and I had the privilege of attending their first official meeting. This has kept me very busy, and I will probably get much busier this next year, as I have put in my papers for Central Area Commander, and hope to not only visit seven posts but create new ones. I hope to bring in new members also. God bless you all, be safe during your travels. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone at the State Convention in June, then to Saint Louis, MO in August, 2011. Alex Halley

UPCOMING EVENTS IMPORTANT DATES: 2011 JULY 1 All revalidations due to the Department office (if you revalidate on line you MUST still send a signed copy to the Department. JULY 9: Cut off date to reserve room for national Convention AUGUST 6-13 August 6-13, 2011: 67TH NATIONAL CONVENTION Hotel: Millenium Hotel St. Louis 200 S. 4th Street St. Louis, MO 63102 www.milleniumhotels.com Reservations: (800) 325-7353 (314) 241-9500 Room Rate: $115 Cut-off Date: July 4, 2011 Parking: $5 Per Night Cut off date to reserve your room for the Fall DEC at the Marriott in Visalia SEPTEMBER 1 DEADLINE TO GET YOUR NEWS TO ROSE FOR THE AMVET NEWSPAPER (VOICE) September 30 & October 1 Fall Department Executive Conference (DEC) MARRIOTT Visalia at the Convention Center 300 South Court Street Visalia, Ca 93291 Phone: (559) 636-1111 Single/Double: $89 Complimentary Parking Cut off date: August 30, 2011 TBA: Annual YOUNTVILLE Picnic DECEMBER 1 DEADLINE TO GET YOUR NEWS TO ROSE for the VOICE. DECEMBER 30 LAST DAY TO REPORT PROGRAM ACTIVITIES TO NATIONAL FOR THIS QUARTER

Left: Post 56 AMVET banner was hung on the wall at Raw Hide Ball Park in Visalia, CA on the left field wall. Below: Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans on March 27. The Three Rivers Post presented colors.

Post 56 gave the 21 Gun Salute. Post 56 Posted Colors for Senior Day at Mooney Grove and to kick off Softball season in Tulare, CA.

Vol. 15, No. 2

California AMVETS Voice—7

LETTERS

WARNING VETERANS

Sheryl – what a tremendous job you and your colleagues did on this video! I am so very impressed. You are gifted!!!! How can we ever thank you enough, well I just don’t know. We look forward to doing other great things with you. Please thank your wonderful AMVETS for us. WE love our AMVETS! Jeanne Bonfilio Public Information Officer California Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Homes of California for Greater Los Angeles and Ventura Counties 11500 Nimitz Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90049 HONORING CALIFORNIA’S VETERANS To view the videos go to: http://blip.tv/veterans-helping-veterans

We've got video! Click on the preview to view!

Army ROTC Santa Clara University Ladies and Gentlemen, n behalf of LTC John Tao the Professor of Military Science at Santa Clara University (ROTC), I would once again like to extend a most humble thank you for making our award ceremony such a wonderful and successful event! Without your support throughout the year and past years our program could not and would not be what it is today! I would also like to inform you that many photos of the event have been posted on the Santa Clara University ROTC Facebook page for your viewing and downloading pleasure. Just click on the link provided below and enjoy the photos! If you have any questions do not hesitate to contact us. Gratefully, Bronco Battalion Cadre and Cadets

Click our logo to follow us on facebook!

8—California AMVETS Voice

Vol. 15, No. 2

California AMVETS Voice—9

Coterie Group 2011 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 July 11, August 8, September 11, October 9, November 13 in 2011

@ 10 am to 12 noon

Contact: Jim Busher @ 530-341-2242 cell (Please call between 8a.m. and 6p.m.) 10—California AMVETS Voice

Vol. 15, No. 2

Friends of AMVETS

Aend Industries Inc.

Leyla Hanson Cpa

Aig Financial Advisors

Mobile Choice

Alto Corralitos Ranch

National Flooring Systems Inc.

Bacome Insurance Agency

P & Y Supplies

Brewhouse

S K J Industdries Inc.

California Motorcycle Adventures

Sam Joaquin Prime Care

Certified Smog

Ted Lamont Inc.

Concord Termite Control

Tin Man

Farnesis Rest & Cocktail Lounge

PLATINUM

Frank D. Wilson Insurance

Asi

Frye Construction Inc.

Core-Mark International Inc.

Harbor Dental Bleaching Group

GOLD

Holiday Spa

Sundt Construction Inc.

Innfinity Software LLC

Tradition Aviation

J W Mc Clenahan Co.

SILVER

Kevin Stotmeister

Direct Construction

Lance Chaney

Therapak Corp.

Vol. 15, No. 2

California AMVETS Voiceâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;11

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

Post 2

Post 2 Officers for 2011-2012 Ray Delgado Post 2 Commander DAVE CARTER 1ST VICE CMDR RON STEWART ADJUTANT ARONALD TENA EDITOR JIM JOHNSTONE PROVOST MARSHALL GLEN JIMINEZ 2ND VICE COMMANDER KEITH JEFFREY’S FINANCE OFFICER RAY DELGADO COMMANDER FRANK JUAREZ JUDGE ADVOCATE JOE ROMO SERVICE OFFICER NOT SHOWN DANNY CANO HISTORIAN DEAN BISHOP HISTORIAN JESSE CRAIG INSURANCE ELIZBETH SHADDIX SUPPLIES RICHARD COOKS 3RD VICE COMMANDER

Post 4

Mike Wiley & Jim Davis

MVETS Post 4, in Bella Vista, (just east of Redding in Northern California), is sponsoring a Land Speed Racing car! A logical question might be “why?” would a Veterans service organization be involved with a racing team? Post 4 hopes to attract some attention from our young returning Veterans. To help make them aware of what AMVETS is about. At the end of World War II, so many veterans returned home with much of the same skills, experiences and difficulties experienced by today’s Veterans. Fast cars and motorcycles offered a way to re-capture the excitement, adrenalin rush and danger experienced when flying airplanes or driving all sorts of vehicles in the various theaters of war. At home, street racing became all too common and many young Vets found themselves in hot water due to their need for speed. The Southern California Timing Association (SCTA) was formed to bring young Hot Rodders together, and off public streets. It allowed an outlet for the young street racers to race in a more organized and safe manner. Many of whom were also WWII Vets. The many dry lakes of Southern California offered a relatively safe location to experience the opportunity to utilize much of the technical skills, teamwork and creativity learned by Veterans during their service. Dry Lakes Racing or Land Speed Racing offered a more positive way to channel their energy. Then, as now, the racers didn’t compete for money, but against the clock, in a Time Trials format. In 1948 the Southern California Timing Association held its first major event at the famed Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. This and other Lakes Meets offered opportunities for young Veterans to have fun, work together as a team and to express their ingenuity and creativity and experience the thrill of speed in an effort go fast! All this is still going strong over 60 years later! Our AMVETS Post 4 is proud to sponsor the “Hop UP Racing Team” (H.U.R.T.) and its racer, a highly modified 1927 Ford Roadster built by the team at Mitchell Motor Works, in Anderson, California. The Modified Roadster was built with an eye towards both safety and top speed. The Racecar has streamlined bodywork, a wheelbase stretched to 132 inches, a full “Funny Car” style roll cage, and an on board fire suppression system. The Drive train consist of a hopped up vintage 1934 Ford flathead 4 cylinder engine with dual carburetors, a

12—California AMVETS Voice

1939 Ford Transmission and an early Halibrand quick-change differential and competes in the Gas Modified Roadster class. Currently the Land Speed Record at Bonneville in this class is just over 123mph. Hop Up Racing Team hopes to push this to beyond 125mph, lofty goal indeed! Hop Up Racing Team’s efforts are dedicated to honoring and thanking those Veterans who have served our country and competed in this sport since before WWII. There are still many Veterans active in this exciting sport and going FAST today! Post 4 displayed the car in the 2010 Veterans Day Parade in Shasta Lake City. Hop Up Racing Team was also honored to participate in a display of some very fast racecars at the Redding Kool April Nites Car Show in April 2011. May 2011 was the first outing on the race course for this new car, at El Mirage Dry Lake, California. The Post 4 sponsored racer and team posted a successful first run, recorded a 106+ mph! Not bad for a bunch of antiquated machinery (and old guys)! Hop Up Racing Team recently participated in the Whitmore Mountain Faire this past May as well, and is scheduled to compete at Bonneville Speed Week in August, 2011. Post 4 and the Hop UP Racing Team encourage all veterans to cheer us on, and to honor all veterans who have participated in their racing efforts in the past and present. We invite veterans to join us at Bonneville in August. It’s a place and sport you will fall in love with! For further information on AMVETS Post 4 or Hop Up Racing Team’s efforts, please contact…Greg Raffa (530) 549-3248 (grhuron132@frontiernet. net) 

Vol. 15, No. 2

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

Post 18

Hal Camp Post 18 Report June 2011 Submitted by Ivan Ashbaugh

uring this reporting period, (ending May 30, 2011) the Legion of Honor (LOH) (Honor Guard) participated in seven funeral services, including one at sea, out of Newport Beach, onboard the Orca Too. Post 18 was active in the annual 5th Grade Walk of Honor, where 5th grade students from all over Orange County are bussed to the Santa Ana Civic Center to get an understanding of what it means to earn the Medal of Honor. Jeff Sharp was the big hit, giving examples of actions required to be deserving of the Medal of Honor. He included the children as participants, dressing them in WWII style uniforms. (bottom right) Auxiliary and LOH member Co Duran, told the story of Taps and played it for them. Later she teamed up with members of the Fleet Reserve Association, and played taps in conjunction with their flag folding demonstration. Other LOH members served as guides and escorts. A rewarding part of the event was receiving letters written by the students, stating what the Walk of Honor meant to them, many promising to bring their parents to see the displays. On Memorial Day we had minor participation in the service at the Harbor Lawn-Mt Olive Memorial Park in Costa Mesa. Post Member (and Freedom Committee Chairman) Jack Hammett, served as the Master of Ceremonies. Newly elected Post Chaplain, Sgt Frank Orizo, USMC (retired), gave the Invocation and Benediction. (far right) LOH team leader Ivan Ashbaugh was invited to make a slide presentation to the Spurgeon UMC Mary Martha Circle Ladies group. It was interesting since we had performed military services on three occasions at the church, one for one of the lady’s husband. Since we fired and played taps outside, most of the ladies didn’t get to see us perform (top). 

Post 22 Submitted by Jerry Guevara, Adjutant

he activities of post members continue to be strong and well attended. This was very evident when post members set up a table at the 2nd Annual Welcome Home celebration that was put on by the Central Valley Vietnam Veterans in Tulare. This event was well attended on Sunday March 27th with close to 800 community members and veterans in attendance. Post members handed out quite a bit of literature: Suicide prevention information, Veterans resource booklets,

Grant presentation from AMVETS Post 22 to Flying Eagles Sea Cadets in front of World War II Worlds Greatest Generation Mural in Visalia. From left to right: Executive Officer Gabe Miata, Commanding Officer Josh Beyers, Post 22 Adjutant and Department Finance Officer Jerry Guevara and Department Commander Charlie Ramos with check.

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California AMVETS Voice—13

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

Post 22, cont.

AMVETS information and also discussed and handed out information for the AMVETS Service Officer. There were also White Clovers for donations. There were about 14 post members that were in attendance though out the day and a lot of them were able to speak with members of the community and veterans about the activities and services available and to answer questions. Several memberships were handed out and several transfer papers were filled out as well. April was certainly a busy month for post members. One of the 1st functions was to meet with members of Tulare’s Post 56 and gather at Visalia’s Rawhide baseball field where a new banner, that with the help of Central Area Commander Frank Guerra, Department of California, Post 56 and Post 22 members purchased to be installed in the outfield of the Rawhide baseball team for the 2011 season. This banner is in left field and cannot be missed by anyone visiting the team play baseball. Last year the team played before a crowd of over 100,000 and we are hoping that will generate a lot of interest in AMVETS. Post members applied for a grant thru the Department for the local Sea Cadets – Flying Eagles Squadron and met with them to make a nice presentation of the grant. All met at the World’s Greatest Generation Mural in South Visalia. All members of the Sea Cadets, including their Commanding Officer and Executive Officer, Department Commander Charlie Ramos, Executive Director Rose Blackman, Post 22 Commander Amador Garcia, Post 56 Commander Tom Donwin, District 6 Commander Alex Halley, Department Finance Officer Jerry Guevara and many members of both posts as well as family members were in attendance. Veterans Opportunity Day at the Tulare Memorial Building was another function that many post members attended. This yearly event attracted over 25 different job vendors and close to 100 veterans. Post members were able to speak with quite a few veterans that took advantage of what was being offered and was even able to sign up a couple of new members. Following that job fair even was able to attend the Kings County Veterans Job Fair that was held at the Kings County Fairgrounds. At that event there were close to 80 job vendors and close to 250 veterans in attendance. The purpose of that visit was to see what they did and to try and get a feeling on trying to establish a new AMVETS post in the Hanford/Lemoore area. Since attending those two job fairs thought that there should be someone to attend the Veterans Job Fair for the Fresno/Clovis areas. This event was at the

Evening with the Stars - From left to right: Raymond Carrillo, Robert Cadena, Temple Haley, Ramon Rodriguez, Jerry Guevara and Amador Garcia.

14—California AMVETS Voice

Downtown Car Show - From left to right: Ernie Garcia, Jerry Guevara, Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Col. Bruce Crandall, US Army (Ret), Robert Cadena and Temple “Butch” Haley.

Clovis Veterans Memorial building and was attended by over 100 job vendors and service groups and attended by several hundred job seekers. This was a very well organized event and was even able to speak with the new members from Clovis Post 2011. Let us be one of the 1st to welcome them aboard. Several members met in Woodlake at US Towers Twilight Park to attend a Service Dog Fundraiser. Post 22 was one of several groups in attendance for this all day affair that showcased training and dog handling of several groups in the area. Members were there to support the Wounded Warrior Project and handed out quite a bit of literature to those who stopped by. The 23rd Annual Lions Downtown Car Show in Visalia was next on the posts agenda. Many members showed up to hand out lots of different literature and discuss veteran’s benefits with members of the community that stopped by. With over 250 cars showing their stuff there was a LOT of community representation. Post 22’s table was right in the middle of all the festivities and directly across the street from the Master of Ceremonies. In fact, with the Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Bruce Crandall in town for a function that night, he was the Grand Marshal for this event. A local Boy Scout troop presented and posted colors at the Post 22 booth and Col. Crandall, (ret) led all in attendance in a salute to the flag and then he took time to shake a lot of hands and get his picture taken with anyone that asked. The purpose of the Medal of Honor recipient in town was actually to attend an event at the Holiday Inn, called “Evening with the Stars”, where he was the guest speaker. This event was sponsored by a local veterans group, American Legion Post 785, and was to recognize all Silver Star recipients in Tulare as well as Fresno and Kings Counties. There were 16 of these special veterans in attendance as well as AMETS Service Foundation representative Ramon Rodriguez. Several post members attended this event and was even seated at the same table as Ramon and his wife and son. Col. Bruce Crandall, US Army (Ret.), Congressional Medal of Honor recipient gave a very inspirational and emotional speech and we also were treated to Bruce Brereton, Board Member of the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation being in attendance. Up to 6 post members attended the 1st Annual Veterans Appreciation Day at La Sierra Military Academy in Visalia, they were taken on a tour of the facility and were treated to a lunch as well as went thru their orientation that the students

Vol. 15, No. 2

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

Post 22, cont. participate in. This event took place Friday May 27th. The following weekend being Memorial Day was very busy for quite a few post members as several belonged to the Avenue of the Flags Committee. This committee is responsible for the placing of flags not only at all veterans gravesites but lining all streets at the Visalia Cemetery. There were at least 12 post members that helped through out the weekend with the placing of flags and then taking them down and putting back to storage. Members helped with the placement of approx. 2,500 small flags and then 1776 casket flags to line the streets. Following the flag placement several of the members then attended a pancake breakfast they proceeded back to the Cemetery for the Memorial Day ceremony. There were over 400 community members that attended the 2 hour program along with several of the town’s leaders. The posts sponsored Sea Cadets presented the colors. As you can see, the activities that the post members participate in are usually well attended by community members. This is on purpose as we feel that it is important to get the word out about AMVETS. There are several programs/ events/functions that the post will be at in the coming months. In order to participate and help make a difference, come to a meeting. We meet the 3rd Thursday of each month at 6:30 pm at the Visalia Veterans Memorial Building. That is on the corner of Willis and Center in Visalia. Some of the upcoming functions are: Flag Retirement, Veterans Appreciation Day at the Rawhide, selling fireworks at our own fireworks booth leading up to July 4th and gearing up for the National Convention in St. Louis.

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Post 34

“One man making a difference: Jarome and the electric car.”

e first met Jarome Vahai, in mid March, when he attended our quarterly Veterans Employment Committee of San Mateo County meeting at the EDD office in San Carlos. He was introduced to us by one of the EDD vet reps, German Alvarado. Jarome is a US Marine Corps SGT (Ret.), a new AMVETS Post 34 member, and he is on a mission: to get training for veterans to learn to repair and maintain EV’s electrical vehicles. Jarome is the President of the Veterans Club at Skyline College in San Bruno, Ca. He has persuaded Tesla Motors, green energy companies from the East Bay and Skyline College to create job opportunities and training for veterans. On Tuesday, May 17, Jarome appeared on the “Veterans Helping Veterans” TV episode “Operation: Electric Cars, Clean and Green.” Highlights from Earth Day 2011 videotaped at Skyline College features Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D) Congressional 12 District, the keynote speaker. In the studio, Jarome gives an update to the progress of training and employment opportunities with Tesla Motors and green energy companies from the East Bay. This community collaboration has resulted in many veterans receiving job opportunities at Tesla Motors in Palo Alto. Also the training curriculum at Skyline College’s Automotive Department is on the fast track to offer EV training, repair and maintenance within a year. Normally the process takes two years to complete. This is an amazing accomplishment by Jarome. It gets better though- he has returned from a trip to Washington D.C. While in the capitol, he visited law makers. In a recent e-mail from Jarome, he wrote “We did some personal recon of the situation in Congress. Here is the plan we formulated. Here are the names of the Representatives in the House Ways and Means Committee.

These are basically the Reps who hold the keys to unlocking the Veteran Employment Tax Credit. This Credit will give employers tax breaks for hiring Veterans. This is a major bill that needs to pass. As veterans we need to pass the word and get other Veterans involved. It’s as simple as sending these guys an email.. Especially if you are a Veteran who lives in their districts.. All you need to do is send them a short email that says your name.. Where you live in their district.. And the phrase “vote yes on the Veteran Employment Tax Credit Bills.” It’s important for all Veterans to get involved in this. For non Veterans, this is important for your friends, family members, and loved one’s who are Veterans now or who may be getting out of the service and becoming Veterans.. Please help out in this mission. Here are the names below. Dave Camp, MI, Chairman Wally Herger, CA Sam Johnson, TX Kevin Brady, TX Paul Ryan, WI Devin Nunes, CA Pat Tiberi, OH Geoff Davis, KY Dave G. Reichert, WA Charles W. Boustany Jr., LA Peter J. Roskam, IL Jim Gerlach, PA Tom Price, GA Vern Buchanan, FL Adrian Smith, NE Aaron Schock, IL Lynn Jenkins, KS Erik Paulsen, MN Kenny Marchant, TX Rick Berg, ND Diane Black, TN Sander Levin, MI Ranking Member Charles B. Rangel, NY* Fortney Pete Stark, CA Jim McDermott, WA John Lewis, GA Richard E. Neal, MA Continued on next page

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California AMVETS Voice—15

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

Post 34, cont. Xavier Becerra, CA Lloyd Doggett, TX Mike Thompson, CA John B. Larson, CT Earl Blumenauer, OR Ron Kind, WI Bill Pascrell Jr., NJ Shelley Berkley, NV Joseph Crowley, NY

Updates on the Electric Car Program - Skyline and Tesla are working on developing a training curriculum as we speak. The new class is scheduled to open Fall of 2012. It will be open to all students who enroll at Skyline. This class will train in the requirements that Tesla is looking for. - In the mean time, Tesla is still getting back to me on the names of the Veterans they have picked to hire. I will contact those Veterans and meet with you guys prior to a private awards ceremony which will be held at Tesla’s factory in Fremont. After those Veterans have cleared probation we will have an official award ceremony at the War Memorial Building with the “new hires”. At that same ceremony we will also have another hiring event.. Tesla will be able to interview as many Veterans as possible that day.” - So now I can focus on Nissan.. Nissan is very interested in helping Veterans now.. In fact they are very interested in Veterans who have Motor Transport backgrounds who go through the course that we are pushing for in June. So I will keep you updated on that progress.”

Post 40

ay 5 was the National Day of Prayer. The organizers of the Santa Rosa event asked Dave Richey of Michael Ottolini AMVETS Post 40 of Sonoma County if he would say a prayer for our military personnel, to which he agreed. What Dave really found himself involved in was a bit more than just a prayer. Prior to the lunchtime event in the city plaza, he was tasked to pull together active military representatives of the various Services, and to arrange a Color Guard for the opening of the NDP ceremonies and prayer. Through the local recruiting office, and via telephone contacts, he produced three members of the Army, a National Guard soldier and a Marine. Another Post 40 member, Bud Simmons, represented the Air Force. Dave was not able on the short notice to get Navy and Coast Guard persons. The Army contingent presented the Colors. When it was time for the prayer for the military, Dave related a brief story from Lt General Jerry Boykin’s book, Never Surrender, and then prayed specifically for each branch of the Service, and generally for all troops deployed around the world. Note: LTG Boykin is one of the founding members of Delta Force. His book Never Surrender relates his journey of reconciling his deeply Christian convictions with his military calling.

EVERYTHING’S COMING UP ROSES

n Saturday, May 21, Michael Ottolini AMVETS Post 40 of Sonoma County participated in the annual Santa Rosa (Luther Burbank) Rose Parade and Festival. The post entered in the Color Guard category. This year we invited AMVETS Post 101 from Yountville to join us in the parade. Some of them were able to make the jaunt over the hill to be with us in spite of a virus that was floating around the Veteran’s Home. The Color Guard consisted of Jay Matthews (rifle), Bud Simmons(Ensign), Dave Richey (Post Flag), and Claude Ashen (rifle), all

Submitted by: Dave Richey

Get your AMVETS gear here!

16—California AMVETS Voice

wearing their American Heritage tartan kilts. We’re looking for a piper… Member Hattie Stone followed in her WWII Navy jeep, driven by member, and incoming First Vice, Dave Marquardt. Second Vice, Winston Sehrt, drove a pick-up with hay bales in the back on which Post 101 members Orlando Resendez, Dondy Leedom, and Benjamin ?? sat. The bales of hay helped fulfill the theme of “Hometown Hoedown”, along with the neckerchief tied to the antenna. Dave’s wife, Jackie Richey, was responsible for the super decorations on the vehicles. For the third year in a row, Post 40 picked up First Place in category, beating out the Marine Corps League for the second time. Guess they like our “skirts”.

www.amvetsquartermaster.com/

Vol. 15, No. 2

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

Post 56

Right: Rod & Rose Blackman presenting $500 check to Girl Scout troop #2615 for the purchase of G.S. cookies to be sent to front line troops. Rose (a post member) is the project manager for Post 56s Soldier’s Angel project, Rod is the Post Finance officer. Far right: Kermit Roberts, Fresno VA Volunteer of the Year

Post 66

lex Silva a member of Cathedral City High School Air Force Junior ROTC Program receiving The Amvets Merit Award. We were not able to participate in the presentation personally so we requested C/1st Lt. Robert Zarasua, the programs senior advisor to sent us these pictures. To my knowledge Cadet Silva is the first ROTC member to receive this award in the Coachella Valley from the AMVETS.  Thank you for your support of our AFJROTC unit. Respectfully, C/1st Lt. Robert Zarasua Alec Siva is receiving the AMVETS Award from Colonel Steven E. price (at the podium), C/ 1st Lt. Joseph Fuentez(on the left), and C/ 1st Lt. Robert Zarasua (on the right).

Vol. 15, No. 2

Post 100 Matters of the heart. AMVETS Auxiliary: In pursuit of a young child’s future.

ebecca “Boo” Recalde is only eight years old and she has survived many serious Epilepsy seizures. She has suffered through and endured 70-80 seizures a day. “Boo” has had two brain surgeries in an effort to try and alleviate them. Boo continues to have seizures but not as intense. Boo’s sister and family have supported Boo in many ways but no one has a clue as to when the next seizures will occur. However,there is hope in sight for this young lady. Boo’s family has been alerted to the Service Dogs who will know and is able to warn the parents or teaches, just prior to, a seizure that is about to occur. The anticipated cost of these beautifully trained dogs is $18,000. Currently, it is my understanding that the family, the church and the community plus AMVETS Aux has labored to raise, to date, approximately $14,000. For Boo's family, to apply for this special dog, they need to have the total sum $18,000 by June 2011 or she will have to return to the waiting list, that is currently five years long. On Good Friday, Boo secretly pulled from the basket, the tickets for the raffle prizes that were donated on her behalf through the community and AMVETS and the AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary #100. Sadly, on that occasion we were informed that her mother Edwina fell seriously ill, and her diagnosis of a possible MS is pending. As of this date, tests on Edwina are continuing.

The volunteers from AMVETS and the AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary #100, Chino that sold an outstanding number of tickets were: Virginia Espinosa, Noreen Mannis, Cruz Soliz and special very special thanks to Shirley Cullum for selling the most. On April 17, 2011 we also did a breakfast fundraiser, bake sale, tamale sale, while continuing to sell raffle tickets. AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary #100 Chino’s alone sold $1,362 and community donations and proceeds $1,949. Respectifully submitted Eileen J. Hogan California AMVETS Auxilary State Credentials Chairman Auxiliary #100 Below: Edwina and Boo Recalde, Cruz Solis

California AMVETS Voice—17

Post 113

POST Reports

AMVETS 1ST HONORING WOMEN VETERANS AWARD BANQUET

By Gilbert Becerril

n behalf of Amvets Post #113, we want to thank Irene Cruz, for doing an outstanding job of putting together in such short time, a wonderful banquet honoring our women veterans. This honor was long over do. Irene came to the Board of Directors in January 2011, and shared her ideas with the Board regarding her vision on honoring women veterans. On March 25, 2011, Irene pulled it off. Everything went without hitch, the honorees were well chosen for their hard work over the years, their dedication and continuous service to their Country by giving back to the Veteran Community. The awards were very distinguished, the honoree’ speeches were very motivating; the singers and dancers were marvelous, and the food was superb. Irene, we congratulate you on your achievement. Irene is a Marine Corps veteran whose past includes being a Program Manager for the American Women’s Economic Development Corporation; Host and Producer of “Women’s Council in Action” and a panelist for MAC Fair’s “Women Breaking the Technology Barrier”. She currently works for Los Angeles County as a Information Systems Analyst. Take a closer look at the members in your post, maybe you have a hidden treasure also.

AMVETS 1ST HONORING WOMEN VETERANS AWARD BANQUET

By Irene Cruz

AMVETS ONLINE

n March 25, 2011, AMVETS held its 1st Annual Honoring Women Veterans “Who Are Making History” Awards Banquet. The Inaugural Event was held at

AMVETS Post 113 in Irwindale, CA during Women’s History Month and Women’s Military History Week The Honorees were well chosen for their hard work and dedication over the years, as well as their continued service to their Country by giving back to the Veteran Community. The Honorees are as follows: Rose Blackman – AMVETS Department of CA 1st Female Executive Director, began her military career as a Medic in the Air Force in 1974, joined AMVETS in 1998. Co-editor of AMVETS VOICE since 2000. Rea Cichocki – American Indian Veterans Association 1st Female State Commander of CA, began her military career in 1968 by serving in the Women’s Army Corps. Commander Cichocki is also affiliated with the American Legion and the Buffalo Chips Running Club. Patricia Jackson-Kelley – American Legion Department of CA Area 4 Vice-Commander; National Director of Twenty and Four (Honorary Society for Women Legionnaires); 3rd Vice President of the Beverly Hills/Hollywood NAACP, began her military career in 1973 in the Naval Reserves. Lorraine Plass – AMVETS Department of CA 1st Female Legislative Chair; 1st Female Commander of American Legion Post 111; Staff Judge Advocate of AMVETS Post 40 began her military career in 1974 when she joined the Army. Ann Reeder – AMVETS Department of CA District 2 Commander; Chair of AMVETS Women Veterans Committee; Founder/Director of the Women Veterans Esteem Program began her military career by serving in the Army. Peggy Reiber – President of the Edith Macias Vann Southern CA Chapter of the Women Marine’s Association; President of Escondido Sunrise Rotary; Human Resources Director of the Villa Ranch Bernardo Skilled Nursing Facility began her military career in 1973 obtaining the rank of First Sergeant.

The Honorees for 2011-2012 (Left to Right) Lorraine Plass – Army, Army Reserves/National Guard; Sheryl Shaffer – Women’s Army Corp; Rea Cichorcki – Army; Irene Cruz – Event Chairwoman - Marine Corps; Patricia Jackson-Kelley – Air Force, Reserves: Army/Air Force; Rose Blackman – Air Force; Ann Reeder – Army; (Not present) Peggy Reiber – Marine Corps; Barbara Ward – Air Force; Helen Wong – Army Reserves

18—California AMVETS Voice

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 85 montereybayamvets.com Post 311 varstowamvets311@yahoo.com Post 940 amvetspost940.org Post 1240 amvets1240.us Post 1775 vfwlamesa.org Post 1996 rhmercer.org/amvets Post 9126 amvets9126@yahoo.com

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

Post 113, cont.

Sheryl Shaffer – Host and Producer of the Public, Education, and Government Access TV series “Veterans Helping Veterans”; Chair and Founder of the Veterans Employment Committee of San Mateo County began her military career in 1968 serving in the Women’s Army Corps. Barbara Ward – Deputy Secretary of Women and Minority Veteran Affairs; Board Member of Big Brothers and Sisters and the Health Education Council began her military career in 1972 in the Air Force. Helen Wong – Northern Area Commander for AMVETS CA; Vice Chair/ Treasurer for the Veterans Employment Committee of San Mateo County; Secretary for Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 464 began her military career

with the Army Reserves in 1973 obtaining the rank of Lt Colonel. A joyous time was had by all who attended. One of the Honorees stated that she “felt like she was receiving an Oscar”. Men and women veterans throughout the state attended the event. Guests as well as the honorees were treated to presentations and a host of entertainment. Coming soon is a CD that will contain a presentation, a complete bio of each honoree, additional pictures as well as much more from this special evening. Information regarding the CD will be distributed through an e-mail blast or you can send a message to WomVetCoorAMVETS@yahoo.com

Post 116 MICHM Staff W. L.A. bowling

Cephus & ROTC Candidate

Continued on next page

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California AMVETS Voice—19

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

Post 116, cont. Carnival & Block Party at the WLA VAMC 6-8-11.

Also would like to thank Life Members, Christopher Shaw, Michael Friesen, Ann Reeder & Auxilary Presedent, Elma Gant for volunteering and making this a successful event.

Congratulation to Melanie Downing, Life Member Post 116, on her recent return from the Golden Age Games, after winning three gold medals in Hawaii.

Post 700

ow, what a month. First off we had a harbor cruise with a great meal, roast beef or chicken salad with great potato salad, brownies, apples and soft drinks. The guys and girls from the spinal cord ward at the VAMC La Jolla were guests and the folks from ADTP 2nd floor west also attended. This was the best one yet. We did “Because We Care Day” at the VAMC La Jolla on the 25th and the VA Clinic in Oceanside on the 26th. A total of 1680 hamburgers, all the fixins, plus chips and soft drinks and dessert were served. Next time you go the VAMC ask if they enjoyed the cookout. Planning a picnic if we can get transportation. Best of luck Jim Taylor Commander PALOMAR HIGH 480 Palomar Street Chula Vista, CA 91911 - Phone: 619-407-4800

20—California AMVETS Voice

AMVETS Post 700 Commander Jim Taylor & Scholarship Chairman Vern Vonsydow with two of the Palomar High School Scholarship certificates.

AMVETS Post 700 presented $500 scholarship awards to Eddie Recendez and Jazmin Espinosa who are recipients of 2011 Palomar High School Scholarship Awards.

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

Post 1776

New officers (left) and scholarship awards (right).

Post 1996

By Tom Johnson Adjutant

Leo P. Simon Post 1996

his past few months have been our busiest yet. I see members of the Leo P. Simon Post working at every veteran function as well as helping families of veterans and active military persons. We even have several members working in schools in the area promoting the Americanism programs Military Funerals Post #1996 Has about 15 members that attend the funerals at the Northern CA veterans Cemetery on a regular basis. I am talking about 2 to 3 times weekly. These same dedicated honor givers can also be counted upon to be standing a flag line at the local airport whenever a current military member returns home. Americanism is still strong at Post 1996, In fact we just awarded students from several schools in the area surrounding Redding with cash awards and certificates. Left: Carol Silva (1996 Aux. Pres) awarding Kindergarten and first grade winners their awards.

Vol. 15, No. 2

Honor Flight Northern California (HFNC) May 20-22 found seven Post 1996 members working as guardians assisting 30 WWII veterans on a trip to Washington DC to visit their Memorial and many other sights in the area.

Looking at Post 1996 Cmdr. Dave Cockrill & sponsored 1996 member Ellis Booth (hat), 1996 member Rob Burroughs (center) Rob Is the newly elected president of the HFNC Board of Directors. 1996 member Christine Sullivan(right) has served many times as a guardian. Continued on next page

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

Post 1996, cont.

Helen Wong also an HFNC Board member has also been a guardian before. We were very privileged to be greeted by Sen. Bob Dole. Sen. Dole has always made a special effort to greet the California veterans. Another treat we had on this last trip was a visit from Earl Morse, founder of Honor Flight Network (pictured above with Dept. Aux. 1st Vice Debbi Johnson who is also Secretary and the goto lady of Honor Flight Northern California.) Here we all are just outside the entrance to the WWII Memorial on the Pacific side. The persons in uniform (except Rob on far left) were there to greet and welcome our honored veterans.

Stand Down

This year the North Valley Stand Down will be held at the Shasta District Fairgrounds, October 20-23, 2011. I don't even know how many Post 1996 members are working to prepare for the Stand Down. I do know that whenever we meet, the majority of the people present are AMVETS from Post 1996.ď&#x201A;ś

Post 2007

Larry Thompson & Al Watson at Ft. Irwin, Salute to Vietnam Veterans

22â&#x20AC;&#x201D;California AMVETS Voice

Dennis Boyce & Al Watson

Vol. 15, No. 2

SAD SACK Inputs for The Voice

need your help in getting your Sack back in good standing with Dept and Sad Sacks National. As you may or may not have read in the last edition of AMVETS Voice I have been successful in chartering a new Sack— Sack 1776 in Vacaville to serve Northern CA and at this time it is the only Sack in good standing with Sad Sacks National. We need to get a total of 4 Sacks in good standing or National has indicated they will pull our Sad Sacks delinquent Sack’s and Dept Charter. After some extensive research we have located some old membership rosters (enclosed) and found we have plenty of Sad Sack Life Members in all existing Sacks to easily save our Dept Charter and your Sack Charter. I have included a Roster showing who is currently assigned to what Sack. I also have an individual package for each sack that I will have for you at Dept Convention with forms needed. I have provided packages to Sack 12 and 80 Here is what is needed: I need some of the life members in your unit to Scrimmage, review and update the list of Life members (enclosed) and give me this along with an updated list of Sack Officers and a set of Scrimmage Minutes. You are also required to have a Sack Mascot that need to have a name and pay $11.01 to Dept for an annual membership --$7.01 of this will be sent to National. You will receive an annual card for your Mascot. I have used Bear for Dept Mascot and Bear 2 for Sack 1776 so any other names are available. Please mail the follow to me as soon as possible of bring to Department Convention if completed by then: Updates Life Membership list with complete contact information—Form included Update Annual Membership list with complete contact information—No form Updated Local Sack Change of Officers Form with complete contact information—Form included A Dues and remittance form for your Mascot and any annual members you may have, also complete a qualification form for any returning annual

Vol. 15, No. 2

members --please indicate returning member on form. Consider upgrading to Life before 2012 price increase-currently $200.01 goes to $250.01 on 1 Jan 2012. Any deceased member or transfer forms that may be needed Scrimmage minutes New Member applications for either new Annual or Life Upgrade (Must have been an Annual member for at least one year) along with qualification form. Check made out to SAD SACKS to cover amounts due on D&R and Life Member forms Dues breakdown is as follows: Annual $15.01, $7.01 I send to National, $4.00 goes to Dept and Sack keeps $4.00 Life till 31 Dec 2011 $200.01 $100.01 to National, $50 to Dept and Sack keeps $50. Life goes to $250.01 on 1 Jan 2012 Mail to or if you have any questions contact: Lewis C Derfuss SADDEST, 1213 California Drive, Vacaville, CA 95687-6507 My Cell 707 5929040 and Home is 707 451-2631 Email Blueskier@sbcglobal.net 

http://www.amvets.org/ membership/benefits.html

California AMVETS Voice—23

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

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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)

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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.

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

• Veterans Service Special Notice Regarding • Legislative Action Requests Military Service • State Table andof National Publications Contents Records Online Requests Using eVetRecs Use the following to request veterans' service records I from WW • Local Post Activities About Service Records Present. (Looking for Pre-WWI Service Records?) Required Information Correcting Service Records • Community RecommendedService Information All American Veterans who were honorably separated after Medical and Health Records Emergency Requests and Deadlines • Memorial Carillons September 15, 1940 or are now serving in the Armed Forces, National Locations of Service Launch the Download form Where to Send my request Records Guard or Reservists, are eligible for membership in AMVETS. eVetRecs SF-180 Sf-180 to mail • V.A.V.S. Older (pre-WWI) Service Cost System to start or fax your Records Response Time • Scholarships your request request. What Records are NOT Other Methods to Obtain Service Records

Eligibility

Application For Membership online.

Available?

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

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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 __________________________ Phone _____________________ Branch of Service _________________________ your relative's, military personnel records. You may use this system if you are: Mo/Yr Entered SVC. _______/_______ Mo/Yr Discharged _______/_______ Type of Discharge _________________________ A military veteran, or Date of Birth (DD/MM/YY)

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

Signature_________________________________ Surviving spouse that has not remarried Father father

Membership Fees: Mother

ANNUAL: $30

Son Daughter Sister Brother

LIFE: $200

New and Renewal Dues varies between Posts.

*Post dues vary.

RENEWAL: $30