Vol. 15, No. 1

© 2010 AMVETS Department of California | 120 N. M St, Tulare, California 93274 Powered by CVN, Inc.

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PAWS With a CauseDeb Davis, National Marketing Director

for PAWS With a Cause, Sheryl

Shaffer, AMVETS CA Dist. 4 Cmdr.,

and Kevin Stone, U.S. Army, Retired

and PAWS With A Cause Service Dog

client.

This year has been a very exciting year! We have begun to show the great state of California what it means to be an AMVET! I am pleased that we

are making giant strides towards victory. We are attaining victory in many areas of our organization. But, we need to keep focused and we need to continue to strive toward excellence. With Spring around the corner, take inventory of your post. What do you want to accomplish this year? It is my hope that you begin to reach out to the community, take stock in your area and contribute to where there is a need.

I was fortunate to visit the Veteran’s Home of California at Yountville. It is a wonderful place. I would like to thank Commander Orlando Resendez for taking the time to show me around. And, I would like to thank Mr. Dick Hum, for allowing me to visit the different areas and setting up the tour. I was able to meet several wonderful people and to enjoy the beautiful campus and scenery. I was also honored to be a speaker at the monthly Memorial Service. Special thanks to Chaplain Sarchipone for that privilege. One of the many perks of being commander is being able to visit places like Yountville.

Another event I was honored to attend was the Four Chaplains Memorial Service Presented by Post 22 in Visa-lia. Commander Amador Garcia and Adjutant (and Depart-ment Finance Officer) Jerry Guevara did a fabulous job of putting this together. The speakers told a very moving and inspirational story that I had never heard. Events like these need to happen across the state. There are too many stories like the Four Chaplains that are not taught to our youth.

Department Executive Committee Meeting this January was a huge success. Reports are that it was the most heavily attended DEC in recent history. We were fortunate to have Mr. Mike Bledsoe from the Foundation to teach us a class in effective grant writing. He laid it on the table and his class was very informative. Thank you for your hard work Mr. Bledsoe. We also had a great Women Veterans Committee Meeting. Special thanks to District Commander Ann Reed-er for her dedication and spirit. Her drive and commitment to women veterans is a great example for us all.

Our next challenge will be at our State Convention and National Convention. I challenge each of you to dig deep and make every effort to attend both events. The Depart-ment of California is counting on you to make each event a huge success. Our goal is to have 200 delegates in St. Louis! If you need any information on how you can attend please call me or the Department Headquarters.

Spring, 2011 Vol. 15, No. 1

commander’s remarks

Commander Ramos

By Commander RamosPast Commander Passes

Jimmie D. Adams was born August 12, 1940 in Wister, Oklahoma. He passed away February 9, 2011 at the age of 70. Jimmie made his career in the Navy as a Signal Man

(rank E6) for 20 years. He was a member of a few different organizations: AMVETS Post 56, where he served as past Post Commander in 1981 & 1991, as well as Department of California Commander in 1984.

Commander Ramos with Alex Haley

Cmdr & Mrs Ramos having fun at the Santa Maria DEC.

www.calamvets.org

2—California AMVETS Voice Vol. 15, No. 1

Commander Charles Ramos 559-300-0853 [email protected]

1st Vice Commander Jerry Greer 707-725-3687 [email protected]

2nd Vice Commander Mike Clay [email protected]

Northern Area Commander Bud Simmons 707-971-0523 [email protected]

Central Area Commander Frank Guerra 559-875-5353 [email protected]

Southern Area Commander John Bernier 760-240-2300 [email protected]

Finance Officer Jerry Guevara 559-786-9106

Judge Advocate Chuck Kissel [email protected]

Provost Marshal Ben Aguayo [email protected]

N.E.C. Person Ronald Ferrara 626-577-2454 [email protected] Alt. N.E.C. Person Filbert Bejarano 559-686-0335

Officer at Large Baldy Salmon 559-303-4528

Officer at Large Ray Delgado [email protected]

Chaplain Tom Sarchipone 707-226-3978

Chief of Staff Jeff Sharp [email protected]

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 Blackman120 North “M” Street Tulare, CA 93274or E-mail: [email protected]

T.O.C.Officer’s Reports .................................................................................... 3Area Commander's Reports .................................................................. 6Membership/Upcoming Events ............................................................. 7District 6/Americanism............................................................................ 8 Certificate of Appreciation ...................................................................... 9Project Gold Star .................................................................................. 10Coterie Group 2011............................................................................... 11Santa Maria DEC ................................................................................... 14Post Reports ......................................................................................... 16Sad Sacks/Stories of Service ....................................................... 26-27

www.calamvets.org

120 North “M” Street

DEPARTMENT OFFICERS FOR 2010-2011

Vol. 15, No. 1 California AMVETS Voice—3

Issue Deadline Convention Book April 1 Vol. 15, No. 2 June 1 Vol. 15, No. 3 September 1 Vol. 15, No. 4 December 1 Vol. 16, No. 1 March 1

Deadlines for Quarterly Submissions by Issue

Hello again! We came through the first six months in pretty good shape. I want to thank each and every one of you for your reporting. We finished the pe-riod with 96% of the Posts reporting, which in reality is 100%, because we have some defunct Posts still on the books. Well Done.

Once again we are starting a reporting period. Yes , it’s neverending. So please be sure to report your activities AS YOU DO THEM because if you wait, some activities will not get reported because you forgot the details.

I want to ask each of you to do something. As you go about your daily rou-tines in your towns and cities, please wear your AMVETS cap or insignia. We need to show the world that we are AMVETS and proud of it. Sure, some of us have stickers on our vehicles, and wear our hats at meetings, but how many of us are shouting out “We are AMVETS from California, and damned proud of it?” Please show your pride in your post and the department. I am looking forward to seeing all of you at the Department Convention in June. Keep up the good work.

IF YOU DIDN’T WRITE IT DOWN, IT DIDN’T HAPPEN.Mike ClayDepartment 2nd Vice CommanderDepartment of California

BenefitsPlease 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.

2nd ViCe Commander's rePortBy Mike Clay

AMVETS: Senator Darrell Steinberg, the President Pro-Tem of the State Senate, today named the members of the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs:

Lou Correa (D-Santa Ana) - ChairAnthony Cannella (R-Ceres) - Vice ChairTom Berryhill (R-Modesto)Ron Calderon (D-Montebello)Doug La Malfa (R-Richvale)Gloria Negrete-McLeod (D-Chino)Mike Rubio (D-East Bakersfield)

Contact info, district office locations, biographies, district maps, etc can be found at: http://www.senate.ca.gov/~newsen/senators/senators.htp

assemblyman Paul Cook introduces aB 1209 to restore the funding for veterans services

California State Assemblyman Paul Cook (R-Yucaipa), Chairman of the Assembly Committee on Veterans Affairs and retired Colonel (USMC-Ret) has introduced AB 1209 which seeks to restore the full funding for

the County Veterans Service Officers (CVSO’s) and the Veterans Re-integration Project {aka Operation Welcome Home (OWH)}.

Veterans Service Organizations with a strong showing by AMVETS, Department of California lobbied hard for the restoration of the funding that was deleted in its entirety in the Governor’s January budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2011 (July 2011 to July 2012). AMVETS Legislative Chair Lorraine Plass spent numerous days at the Capitol testifying before budget committees and visiting legislators and key budget staff. The goal was to restore the full $7.6 million which had been in the last fiscal year’s budget and the $2.3 million for OWH. As the CVSO’s lobbied In the midst of this endeavor the Governor’s De-partment of Finance, in response to the state’s worsening financial situation ($26 BILLION shortfall), went back into the 2010-2011 Fiscal Year and took away $5 million from CVSO’s and VSO’s $7.6 million. However, because of

LegisLatiVeadVoCate's rePort

By Pete Conaty

Continued on next page

It’s official,

DD-214’s are NOW

Online www.vetrecs.archives.gov/


the efforts of veterans groups to educate the Legislature and the Gover-nor’s office on the importance of this funding to veterans they changed the Fiscal Year 2011-2012 allocation from zero to $2.6 million.

Legislators who went above the call of duty in helping us fight to restore the funding were:

Senator Mike Rubio (D- Bakersfield), Senator Doug La Malfa (R-Butte), Assemblywoman Joan Buchanan (D-San Ramon), Assembly-man Jim Nielsen (R-Biggs), Assemblyman Don Wagner (R-Irvine) and Assemblyman Dan Logue (R-Chico).

Therefore, the battle we must now fight is to convince the Legisla-ture and Governor to fully fund the CVSO / OWH budget to the full $11 million authorized by state law (state law authorizes the Legis-lature to allocate up to $11 million, provided the Legislature can be convinced to allocate that amount). Assemblyman Cook’s AB 1209 is now the vehicle to rally around in the battle to restore the CVSO / OWH funding.

To give the bill the political punch needed to effect this change we need to get as many of Mr. Cook’s fellow legislators to join him as co-authors on the bill. To date the following legislators have joined as co-authors on AB 1209.

This article is an update on the veterans service budget, what is going on in Sacramento and what we need to do. I recently spent several days over a two-week period at the state capitol representing the commander to

lobby the legislature and testify on behalf of AMVETS. It was an eye opening experience. Here is what I have to report.

It seems like a decade of State Budget woes. A week before the hearings, I read an article that suggested the politicians find money and go after it, especially in the “Untouchable programs like Veterans Affairs”. Really? I really had a hard time believing that one. But, guess what happened? Our funding for Op-eration Welcome Home is getting the “ax” – it’s true and county veterans service offices are being cut back to their previous level.

While standing in line for a handout at the capitol, I was sure if we could convince the legislature that our programs produce THE VERY BEST results – they’d fund us again. After all, we convinced them last year! But, with a team of new Freshmen Legislators eager to balance the budget and the new Governor - all our work had little effect.

We had some great people testify. Pete Conaty had representation from walks of every veteran’s life - even from the War. One particular gentleman, a C- 17 Aircraft Commander gave testimony about the wounded he had carried aboard his aircraft bound for safety. He spoke to the Assembly stating:

“Our Native sons and daughter soldiers are returning home – and they are broken… They are really broken and need our help…”

It rocked me to the core. It was good to see some legislators were moved by this and they voted for our funding in the sub-committee.

First, I’ve got to tell you, we need representation constantly to establish a good working relationship at the Capitol. We need to work our agenda as hard as anyone else, not just at budget time. These legislators are making decisions about our future generation of veterans, and they have never walked in our boots before. They are gambling and playing with our allocations.

Secondly, all too many of us assume someone else is going to show up to testify. I need more AMVETS to assist the process, so, if you live within a 50 mile radius, of the Capitol, chances are – I’ll be calling you soon. If we have one chance of assisting our returning veterans with help from the CVSO’s, we must do battle on another level. We need to turn the TV volume level on high for them to hear us.

Third, I’m going to remind you that in 2010, AMVETS cre-ated the National Legislative Agenda a priority to work to improve the lives of American Veterans. Then California fol-lowed suit. We need to re-focus in short order, because we lost the first battle with the budget, but, as Pete said, the war is not over. Those who have letters from the front they can copy and share, or Flip video clips they can send to me to share with our Legislators office at the Capitol – send ‘em in.

Lastly, I NEED YOU to at-tend AMVETS Legislative Day on April 12th. We still have to wait for our bill to pass which may take time in this economy. While we were lobbying, Pete invited our legislators to sup-port or co-author some of our upcoming Bills. Assembly Bill 1209, by Assemblyman Paul Cook (Col-R, USMC) aims to

permanently resolve our CVSO funding issues - This is our Plan “B” – Back-up Plan. We need to start writing letters to our legislators about and showing up on their doorsteps to talk with. Now that we have our marching orders, let’s get busy!

On a positive note for the day: We noticed the governor has a veteran of current conflict, in the front office. His name is Dustin and he proudly wears a service ribbon on his lapel. It’s a start people !

I really do hope to have more help legislatively, from members around in the State, in the form of support letters. I believe there are certain ideas that every member in this state that could share to make a difference in our strategy. You can help me develop ideas to help veterans. I salute you for your efforts over the years to aggressively advocate on behalf of America’s veterans.

God bless you & God bless the United States of AmericaLorraine PlassAMVETS Dept of CA, Legislative Chairperson AMVETS Post 40 Judge Advocate175 Foss Creek Circle, Healdsburg, CA 95448 707- 953- 6016

AMVETS’ GOVERNMENTAL ADVOCATE PETE CONATY RECEIVES CDVA SECRETARY’S AWARD FOR 2010

Pete Conaty, Veteran’s Governmental Advocate, was awarded the California Department of Veterans Affairs Annual Secretary’s Award for 2010. The award was given in recognition of Mr. Conaty’s distinguished service to

the nation and in acknowledgement of his invaluable contributions to California’s veterans over the past 15 years as a legislative advocate.

Mr. Conaty is a lobbyist in Sacramento whose firm, Pete Conaty and Associ-ates, represents the interests of California’s veterans, as well as other clients, before the State Legislature and state agencies, boards, and commissions. Mr. Conaty, on behalf of veterans service organizations, advocates for the benefits and services that California’s 2.1 million veterans and their families have earned

LegisLatiVe rePorts, Cont. from PreVious Page

department Legislative Chair

Lorraine PlassDepartment Legislative Chair


by virtue of their service to this country. “I am deeply humbled and honored by this award” stated Conaty. “Advocat-

ing on behalf of veterans is the greatest job in the world”.Conaty has also been honored for his work by the California chapters of the

Vietnam Veterans of America, Jewish War Veterans, Military Order of the Purple Heart, and the National Guard Association.

Pete Conaty (Lt.Col. USA-Ret) retired from the Army in 1985 and pursued a second career in the California Legislature. Pete served as a legislative staff person in a variety of positions in the State Assembly. In 1995 Conaty left the Legislature to start the lobbying firm of Pete Conaty and Associates. Pete, who is a Vietnam veteran, is passionate about veterans issues and is known around the Capitol as the “go-to guy” on all things related to veterans and the military. Pete represents the American Legion, AMVETS, CAL-MOAA, California State Com-manders Veterans Council, California Association of County Veterans Service Officers, Student Veterans of California, and the Vietnam Veterans of America.

In 2010 Pete was instrumental in helping to push through increased fund-ing for the County Veterans Service Officers, and helping to broker agreements between AMVETs and the CDVA regarding the Gold Star License Plate Fund and Native American outreach. Pete and his firm monitor close to fifty pieces of veterans and military related legislation each legislative year as well as assisting AMVETS in formulating and shepherding through the process legislation spon-sored and supported by the Department of California. Pete is one of the principal organizers of the State Assembly’s Annual Veteran of the Year luncheon of which the Department is a key sponsor. AMVETS is now well known to the Legislature and the Administration as a result of Pete’s advocacy and his organization of the yearly Day at the Capitol events in which AMVETS members from across Cali-fornia travel to the Capitol to educate legislators on veterans issues and support key legislation.

AMVETS Department of California is proud to have Mr. Conaty on its team and assisting the Department in its goal of preserving freedom, supporting Amer-ica’s defenders and serving her communities.

AMVETS or American Veterans was formed in 1944 to help WWII veter-ans obtain the benefits promised to them by the federal government. AMVETS continues this commitment to America’s veterans, their families, and the active military by assisting them to secure their earned entitlements. AMVETS, Depart-ment of California has approximately 10,000 members and over 50 local posts. AMVETS strongly supports legislation to provide extended care services to vet-erans which will improve the needs of an aging veteran population as well as the new generation of veterans.

from the desk of the executive directorBy Rose Blackman

Thank you to everyone who attended DEC and made it a success. Even the weather cooperated with us this year. A few reminders: Life membership is now $200, Annual dues is whatever your post decides to charge, the

minimum has to be $23 as $13 is national’s share and $10 comes to the department. Anyone wanting to run for a department office needs to get their candidate

form turned into the department no later than May 15th. Contact the department if you need one sent to you.

Revalidations are due to the department no later than July 1st. Hopefully ev-eryone has been reporting their programs (this is a department bylaw requirement in order for you to revalidate). You must use the form that says 2011, it can be downloaded at www.amvets.org (just be sure you download the one for Post not department;).

We have some posts that are very close to becoming compliant, if you need help please contact your district commander or a member of the Audit Committee (Ray Delgado for the southern area, Baldy Salmon for the central area and Dave Richey for the northern area).

AMERICANISM entries are due to Chuck Kissel no later than June 1st. It would be great to have at least entry from every post.

Welcome to our newest Chartered Posts 50 from way up north in Willows, and 1774 also from way up north- Orville. It’s nice to see us adding to our ranks with new members who will join us in making life better for our veterans and our communities.

Thank you to Post 311 for the Valentine vase of candy flowers; Post 922 for the red, white and blue crocheted lap blanket for my office chair; to the many people who have sent me candy (no more please). Thank you to Post 113 for the wonderful Honoring Women Veterans program that they put on. It was a pleasure to be among one of their first honorees. More about that evening will be in the next edition of the VOICE when Post 113 makes their report. Special thanks to the AMVETS Department headquarters staff: Phil, Lynda and Kathy for all the hard work they do each day to help all of our veterans. Last but not least, thank you to every member of California AMVETS for giving me your support as I try my

best to do the job that I enjoy so much- helping our veterans and their families. I hope to see all of you at State convention in Concord June 10-12 at the

Concord Hilton, Hilton Concord Hotel 1970 Diamond Boulevard Concord, CA 94520. 925-827-2000 $92 plus tax per night mention AMVETS to get this rate. Cut off date is 26 May 11

Our host Post 26 has some fun things planned for our entertainment. If you have not made your reservations or ordered your banquet tickets (tickets are or-dered through AMVETS Department) please do so soon.

Important dates for 2011 can be found on page 7. For those who like to plan REALLY far ahead.

68TH NATIONAL CONVENTION AUGUST 2-9, 2012Hotel: Hilton Dayton Beach Ocean Front 100 N Atlantic Ave. Daytona Beach, FL 32118Reservations: (866) 536-8477 (386) 254-8200 Room Rate: $119-129.00 Cut-off Date: July 1, 2012 Parking: $9 Per Night

69TH NATIONAL CONVENTION AUGUST 2-9, 2013Hotel: Dearborn Hyatt Regency 600 Town Center Dr. Dearborn, Michigan 48126www.dearborn.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotelsReservations: (888) 421-1442 (402) 592-6464Room Rate: $106.00-129.00 Cut-off Date: July 12, 2013 Parking: Complementary

Yours in service,Rose


CentraLarea

As submitted by Central Area Adjutant Jerry Guevara and Commander Frank Guerra

First of all, I wish to congratulate all my fellow AMVETS that participated by attending the DEC meeting in Santa Maria this past January.

Department officers presented workshops to help the Posts. They helped with the reporting process, program reporting and especially helping those posts that are compliant with grant writing. I do believe that the most important meeting was advising the posts just how important it is to submit the proper paperwork to the State of California. In order for a Post to submit the necessary paperwork for a grant they have to be compliant. I am proud to report that posts 22 – Visalia, 56 – Tulare, 98 – Sanger and 99 – Fresno are all compliant. Great work and job well done.

The DEC meeting, in its self, wasn’t the only good thing that happened, but the dinner-dance Saturday night was fantastic. All of those that attended enjoyed a fine meal and dancing afterwards. I would certainly like to thank our Executive Director Rose Blackman on the behalf of all the Central Area members that attended.

The posts that didn’t attend from the Central Area defi-nitely missed a lot. I would encourage that all of the Posts from my area attend all State functions.

Kudos to Post 22 – Visalia and Post 99 – Fresno, they presented ceremonies that honored The Four Chaplains. The chaplains, who gave up their lives, by giving soldiers on board the transport ship that they were on their life jack-ets. The USAT Dorchester was torpedoed Feb. 3, 1943 and sunk. These Four Chaplains (of four different faiths) ulti-mately went down with the ship. What a courageous act. The ceremonies, by these two Posts, which I was honored to attend, were held on the 4th and 5th of February.

We had a Central Area meeting on Sunday Feb. 13th; the significant of this date was that it was Su-per Bowl Sunday. We had posts 22, 56, 98 and 99 as well as the District 6 Commander. Everyone that at-tended did so with one thought in mind and that was ”Veterans Helping Veterans.”

Items discussed were: the success of the latest mem-bership drive and how important it is to retain those new members. So, Operation Retain has been set in motion.

We are also looking at setting up an organizational meeting to help establish a new post in the Clovis area. A meeting place could be at the Clovis Veterans Memorial Building. More to come with this venture, so we will keep you all informed.

Once again, it is up to each one of us to inform every-one on what AMVETS do. So, pass the word.

nortHernarea

Bud Simmons Named Sonoma County Veteran of the Year

Bud Simmons has been named “Sonoma County Veteran of the Year” by the United Veterans Council of Sonoma County. Bud, a Korean War Veteran, served honorably in the United States Air Force from April 1951 to July 1958, and he has remained

active in various veteran groups ever since.Bud said his patriotism and devotion to our country started during his youth back in the

1940’s in San Francisco, then a military and a most patriotic town. He said, “What I do, I do for all veterans in the memory of my Uncles, Al, a Marine, and Howard, a U.S. Army soldier who both served during WW II. And my late brothers - Ray, U.S. Navy, and Jim, USMC, who both at the same time as I during the Korean War.”

More recently, Bud was inspired by Lee Martini, US Army WW II of American Legion Post 21, Tom Aumack US Army, WW II of American Legion Post 21 and Bob Wynant, US Army WW II of VFW Post 1844. Bud explained, “I further value my association with the Pearl Harbor Survivors, and of course, treasure my membership in Michael Ottolini AM-VETS Post 40 of Sonoma County, The American Legion, Post 111; The VFW, Memory Post 1844;; the Air Force Association and my Associate Membership in two great out-standing organizations, the Marine Corps League 686 and the Vietnam Veterans of Amer-ica Chapter 223.” Bud serves as the Adjutant of AMVETS Post 40 as well as the Northern Area Commander for AMVETS Department of California. He also is the Adjutant of American Legion Post 111 and the Quartermaster of VFW Post 1844.

“What an honor to be so recognized and I want to thank, from the bottom of my heart, each and every one of you from whom I received support over the years. I am only an ex-tension of what you do, serving our great veterans, their families, our active duty military, and their families.”

“I have to thank my wife of 55 years, Elaine, who has unselfishly let me pursue my recent life’s work of helping our fellow veterans and active duty military.

Bud, most sincerely says, “Thank all of you for what you do, and do, and do, and do, and most importantly, to all veterans, THANK YOU for your service.”

“Thank all of you for what you do, and do, and do, and do..."

- Bud Simmons

area Commanders' rePorts


uPComing eVentsIMPORTANT DATES: 2011

APRIl 12: Legislative Day at the Capitol

APRIl 15: TAXES DUEAMVETS NATIONAl SchOlARShIP PROgRAM DEADlINE

Visit www.amvets.org for more information

MAY 26Cut off date for reservations for State convention at the Concord Hilton (convention is June 11-13).

POST ElEcTION OF NEW OFFIcERS AT YOUR regular meeting.

JUNE 1DEADLINE TO GET YOUR NEWS TO ROSE FOR THE AMVET NEWSPAPER (VOICE)

JUNE 10-12: Department 66TH ANNUAL CONVENTION Hilton Concord Hotel 1970 Diamond Boulevard Concord, CA 94520

925-827-2000 $92 plus tax per night mention AMVETS to get this rate.

JUNE 14: Veterans Luncheon at the Capitol

JUNE 30LAST DAY TO REPORT PROGRAM ACTIVITIES

TO NATIONAL FOR THIS QUARTER

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 6-13August 6-13, 2011: 67TH NATIONAL CONVENTION

Hotel: Millenium Hotel St. Louis 200 S. 4th Street St. Louis, MO 63102www.milleniumhotels.com

Reservations: (800) 325-7353 (314) 241-9500Room 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 1DEADLINE 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 1DEADLINE TO GET YOUR NEWS TO ROSE for the VOICE.

DEcEMBER 30LAST DAY TO REPORT PROGRAM ACTIVITIES TO NATIONAL FOR THIS QUARTER

POST Total renewal # of RENEWALS cards on file DONE BY POST MAL 214 106 (3 conversions) 1 43 21 (6 conversions) 2 2 0 3 16 9 (1 conversion) 4 108 16 (2 conversions) 6 43 17 11 0 0 17 32 25 18 18 5 20 47 15 22 38 14 (1 conversion) 26 19 10 30 26 22 33 0 0 34 27 5 (1 conversion) 40 11 9 48 54 7 53 14 13 56 213 41 (4 conversions) 66 15 9 (2 conversions) 80 10 6 85 1 2 88 4 4 94 0 96 21 18 (1 conversion) 98 49 17 99 51 34 (4 conversions) 100 7 2 101 59 7 113 45 17 116 10 3 311 13 6 367 8 4 542 9 10 (1 conversion) 700 16 6 922 19 2 (2 conversions) 940 14 0 1240 152 14 1775 14 13 1776 30 8 1944 4 0 1990 1 0 1996 42 22 (6 conversions) 2002 3 2 2003 7 9 2007 22 3 2009 23 2 2813 19 12 7093 1 0 9126 7 2

membership


district 6 reportFrom Modesto to Bakersfield, To Santa Maria DEC meetings…Now

preparing to meet in Concord, CA for the last DEC meeting this year.How the year has flown by. It is going to be exciting in Concord, to

see all the hard working members of all the posts in California. But it doesn’t stop there…next will be the National in Saint Louis, MO. The AMVETS is a constant, moving and learning program.

Our meetings in Post 56 are going well—usually 45 to 50 members attend-ing each meeting. All members are working hard to make the Farm Ag Show, blood drive, Thanksgiving and Christmas programs successful.

I have interacted with all the posts in District 6, and with our Central Area meetings each month. This is when we all come together and tell our stories about what we have hoped for and what we have accomplished.

Tom Donwen, Commander Post 56, Tulare, and I posted colors for the Four Chaplain’s First Annual Honors Program in Visalia. There was a very good turnout for the program, thanks in great part to Jerry Guevara from Post 22. I also attended Twilight Park activity in Woodlake, CA, Rest homes, Care Bears Programs and Suicide Prevention Programs.

A group of Post 56 members, in addition to me, met at the Fresno Airport to welcome home a young soldier who had lost a leg. This was an emotional time to see our young warriors come home injured.

I have been busy meeting all posts in District 6. I had a great Thanksgiving dinner with Post 922 in Shafter with Commander Clifford Pierce Jr. Christmas dinner was with Post 22 in Visalia invited by Commander Amador Garcia Jr. I attended a fund raising project by Commander Clifford Pierce Jr. of Shafter Post 922 on February 12, and put on a few more pounds eating biscuits and gravy (Mmmmmm). I am planning a visit to Camp Nelson to see Commander Rod Coffey and his Post 542 when the snow has melted.

Since becoming District 6 Commander, the Fresno VA Hospital is in my district, and this added another job to my credit (or detriment, depending on how you look at it). Along with Carl Bates, Phil Plascencia, along with Tony - VAVS liaison, we have smoothly provided money for the veteran patient’s extra-curricular activities.

In addition to all these important activities, the Post 56 Honor Guard per-formed 31 funerals this past quarter with two more scheduled for next week.

We continue to get requests from high schools for veterans to come out, tell stories, and show medals, and weapons. We were asked to fold the flag and teach the high school students what each of the folds stands for, and how the honors funerals are conducted. The numbers of requests are growing each year.

Our own Post 56 and Honor Guard member, Kent Cheeseborough, passed away and his funeral was held at the new National Cemetery at Bakersfield, CA on November 8, 2010. The family of Mr. Cheeseborough funded a special dinner for the Post 56 Honor Guard and their spouses, as he had requested be-fore he died. At that time, I presented each member of the Honor Guard with a Soldier Cross Pin for the dedication to our fallen brothers and sisters. We were happy and honored to have in attendance Jim Pigeon, President of the Foundation, Charles Ra-mos, California AMVET State Commander, Tom Donwen, Post 56 Commander, Len Smith Chaplain Post 56, and many others of our home team.

So, again I wish you all success for your posts and projects, and am looking forward to Concord in June. God bless you all and safe travels. God bless our troops in all the world.

Alexander Halley Commander District [email protected] (home)559-302-7155 (cell)

ameriCanism Deadline for entries to be to the Department Ladies Auxiliary is June 1st

Co-sponsored with the AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary, this is a K-12 program offered through schools and youth programs to educate our youth on the meaning of being an American. We do this by providing a series of

contests involving flag drawing, posters and essays that are age appropriate and grade specific. All national entries receive a Certificate of Participation signed by the National Commander. Gift cards are awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners, with the 1st place winners also receiving a plaque.

Since 1987, AMVETS National Service Foundation has provided a special recognition and unique four-day educational experience for the 9th grade Na-tional Americanism Essay Contest winners. They receive an all-expense paid trip to a four-day "Spirit of America" youth conference that is held at Freedoms Foundation, in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.

Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge is a national, not-for-profit, non-parti-san, non-sectarian, educational organization. It exists to help preserve the ideals and principles upon which the United States was founded and to help Americans become informed, responsible and active citizens in the social, political and eco-nomic life of our nation to prevent the erosion of those ideals and principles.

How does a child or young adult participate?Teachers or youth group leaders hopefully will take the initiative to involve

their students. The program addresses learning standards in civics and presents excellent topics for writing and art assignments, which teachers can incorporate into their classes. Teachers may also contact a local AMVETS post to invite veterans to visit their classes. Students whose teachers or schools are not par-ticipating in the program can still enter the contest specific to their grade as a take-home or after-school project. Parents may contact a local AMVETS post, on behalf of their children, to submit entries or contact the AMVETS National Programs Department at 301-683-4031.

How do I enter?Entry forms (PDF files) with contest rules, including the “themes” can be

downloaded by clicking on the appropriate link below.Flag Drawing (For students in kindergarten and 1st grade)http://www.amvets.org/pdfs/programs_pdfs/americanism_flag_drawing_form_rules_07.pdfPoster (for students in 2nd through 5th grades)http://www.amvets.org/pdfs/programs_pdfs/americanism_poster_form_07.pdfEssay (for students in 6th through 12th grades)http://www.amvets.org/pdfs/programs_pdfs/americanism_essay_form_07.pdf

Theme: 2010-2011 Why Is it Important to Vote?2011-2012 I am Proud to Be an American Because ..

District 6 Cmdr Halley & wife at Santa Maria Post 56 Honor Guard dinner


AMVETS

Dept of California Membership

“BURY A HERO“

166 Veterans sponsored

Missing in America Project

Frederick R. Salanti - Executive Director Missing in America Project


Project: Gold StarLicense Plate Application

Gold Star License Plate Eligibility Requirements

DateSignature

The California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) or designee shall, upon receiving proof of eligibility from an applicant, authorize DMV to issue Gold Star Family specialized license plates. The vehicle must be owned by an eligible family member of a member of the Armed Forces of the United States who was killed in the line of duty while on active duty during wartime service, or during an international terrorist attack that has been recognized by the United States Secretary of Defense as an attack against the United States or a foreign nation friendly to the United States, or during military operations while serving outside the United States, including commonwealths, territories, and possessions of the United States, or as part of a peacekeeping force, which includes personnel assigned to a force engaged in a peacekeeping operation authorized by the United Nations Security Council. An eligible family member is defined as all of the following:

1. A person must have a licensed vehicle registered in California. 2. A person who attaches proof of one of the following relationship to the servicemember identified on DD Form 1300 / or verifiable proof of death in combat:

Widow / WidowerBiological parentAdoptive parent

StepparentFoster parentBiological child

Adoptive childStepchildSibling

Half-siblingGrandparentGrandchild

Family Member Information:

Name (Last, First, Middle & Suffix):Date of Birth:

Veteran Service Identification:

Name of Applicant:

City: State: Zip:

Telephone:

Current Address:

What is the current license plate number of the vehicle that this new plate will be assigned:

I certify under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California, the information I have provided is true and correct. I authorize California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) employees, off icers, and designees to verify these documents.

Note: Attach a copy of DD Form 1300 / or verifiable proof of death in combat

DateSignature, title

As County Veteran Service Officer of County and designee of the California Department of Veterans Affairs, I certify under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California, that I have reviewed the documentation required and that the above named individual meets the qualif ications of the section 5156(d)(2)(C) of the State Vehicle Code.

Relationship to Servicemember:


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 April 11, May 9, June 13, 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.)


Frensno VAVSBingo workers and good food.

Congressional Medal of Honor recipient SSGT S. Giunta, Silver Star Recipient SSGT E. Gallardo

Fresno VAVS Congressional medal of Honor &

Silver Star recipients

WARNING VETERANS


ANOTHER EAGLE FLIES Unpublished work © Mike Swagerty, 7-26-10

An eagle landed outside my door and spread his wings this morning

His eyes transfixed upon my face, as if to give a warning.

I stood in awe of this noble fowl, (that somehow showed no fear)

And wondered why this majestic bird would land so very near?

We stood there, staring eye to eye, and neither of us flinched

He stood his ground, as I stood mine, and he never moved an inch.

Oh! What a blessed sight to see! He stood so straight and proud!

I dare not move; there was no sound, ‘cept my heart that beat so loud!

Did minutes pass? I cannot say. But, my mind began to wonder

Was it silence that we both heard here, or was it sounds of thunder?

Then suddenly I understood, as his head cocked so very slightly

And, I swear to God, I saw a tear drop fall, and land so very lightly.

How could this be? WHAT could this be? An Eagle cannot weep!

Is this my mind just playing tricks? Or am I really still asleep?

Then suddenly, without a thought, I understood the tear..

This eagle bore a message, and he brought it to me here!

Another hero must have fallen, and God sent this King of prey

To tell me the gates were open, and he would be with God today.

Then the weight I felt upon my heart was lesser in degree,

Another hero up in heaven, another Eagle flying free.

Dedicated to Robert, (Bob) Simonsen, U.S.M.C.

I Remember YouUnpublished Work, © 2009 Mike Swagerty

I remember HIM…That man I fought beside,When I was just a scared young kid with no place left to hide.They thought they taught me how to fight before I went to warBut I knew then I could never be like that hero of the Corp.

Oh, I tried to do the things he did, but I just was not that goodAnd, I always did what I was told to do; but HE did all he should.He’s the one who saved my life, time and time againAnd I knew then I could never be a warrior just like him.

I saw him charge a bunker once when he was hurt real badSo, I followed him and I gave some; But he gave all he had.And when I thought the end had come and this was where I’d dieHe stepped up and saved my life, and spit in the devils eye.

Oh, yes! I saw him pick off snipers, standing up to get the shot!While men fell all around him in a battle burning hot.And I saw him carry wounded while he bled from wounds himselfAnd I wondered how he carried on, yet never asked for help.

Hell! How could I forget him? I can still see him today!When no one else knew what to do, HE could find a way! When all was lost, and BRAVE men cried, for their brothers fallen deadHe racked a round, and stood his ground, and always moved ahead.

MY GOD!Where do men like him find the strength to carry on?And who will take this heroes place when he is finally gone?Will anyone remember the sacrifices that he made?To save his fallen brothers so they could fight another day!

Oh! I do remember him! I still see him in my mind.He was fighting everywhere! Right, left, front and behind!HE was not just one man! He was ALL the men… like you!Who stood their ground, and racked a round, that’s why we’re called THE FEW!

Mike Swagerty, 7 April 2009 (Dedicated to our heroes who fell)

AMVETS Poetry Page


Photos by Ray Delgado

Ray Delgado and Lorraine Plass

Amador Garcia (Post 22 Cmdr.), Paul Casares (Post 56 1st Vice)

District 14 giving their reports

Orlando Resendez receiving Post 101 Quality Post award

Cmdr. Ramos receiving thank you from Post 4 Chaplain for support of Fred Salanti and MIAP

District 12 Cmdr. & PDC Frank Gonzales reporting

santa maria deC


Photos by Al Verret

Photos by Orlando Resendez

Chaplain George McNally, Post 100

Ladies Auxiliary

Cmdr. Ramos receiving thank you from Post 4 Chaplain for support of Fred Salanti and MIAP

Mr. & Mrs. Delmer Clements, Post 50

Post 100 Cmdr McNally w member Fil Fremont

One of many meetings

santa maria deC


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

Post 1 Post 2events

On February 6, we held a great super bowl party featuring Ron & Joan’s ribs.

Feb 12th: The Auxiliary had a success-ful Valentine Dinner/ Dance and auctioned off baked goods to raise money for a local charity.

Feb. 16th: Post annual Crab feed, much fun was had by all.

Post 2 and VaVs activities:

The month of December 2010 was very busy for Post 2. On December 5, V.A.V.S Officer Dean Bishop and I took Vet’s to and from the Vet’s Holiday show. Spent some time with Rudy Hernandez M.O.H. (Korea) and others.

Dec.7th posted colors. Dec.10th visited a vet in North Hollywood with a broken hip, Dec.11th. wreaths across America in (W.L.A.) National., Dec.13th visited Vet’s in hospitals in North Hollywood, Sherman Oaks, & West LA, V.A. with Honor

guard’s Larry Cardiness, Dean Bishop, L.V. Brooks, Pete King, and I.On Dec.15th. Shopped for Christmas bingo on the 16th, over 100 people there gave out canteen books,

phone cards, 5 fruits 2 drinks, energy bars, and gifts.

Submitted by Jim Johnstone AMVET”S POST #2

On the 19th, gave a vet. A ride home after a fall.Christmas Day Pete King and Lorena Barahona and I went the VA’s North Cam-

pus to two clinics and gave out $350.00 in canteen booklets most from our recycle program, some phone cards. While there I met some of Santa’s helpers giving out gifts there caps said J.W.V. so I know they were real.

On the 29th, Pete, Dean and I went out to restock some of our Honor detail sup-plies.

february 2011The post 2 Honor Guard from Culver City was not very busy last month thank-

fully, so went every few days to convalescent homes and some private homes and the V.A. dorm’s The new home at the V.A. now has 22 livens it is verrrrry nice and well kept. We in V.A.V.S.drove 1252 miles in and around L.A.visiting with the Honor Guard, and 2 aux. members. Please if you have an elderly vet close to you check on them we don’t need any of the things like the PEARL HARBOR survivor Vet in San Diego went thru.

FEB.7 th. Had a meeting at the new soldiers’ home regarding their recreation activities. FEB. 14 Visited hospitalized Vet’s in nursing homes in North Hollywood. Feb.14th.Visited hospitalized VET’S in the nursing homes building 213 & 215 (shut ins) FEB.17 Post hosted bingo and a Valentines dance Volunteers were Jim Johnstone, Ray Delgado, Levon Brooks, Jackie Holey, Glen Jimenez. Refreshments and over 300 canteen books were handed out. Feb19 th. Gave out fruit and juices to VETERANS in nursing home building 213. Talked a while with a Korean war VET served with the 65th.inf.reg.3rd.div. Feb 21st. gave out fruit and juices to Vets in nursing home Bld. 215.Talked a while with life mem-ber Max Virgil. Heard more stories about Post 2 in years past. Still serving Pete H.King Sr. V.A.V.S.rep 1-310-902-8763

CONGRATULATIONS to Post 2 life member Joe Juarez 2010 Air Force Space Commander COMMUNICATION

EXCELLENCE AND MEDIA CONTEST AWARD WINNER 2010 AFSPC MEDIA CONTEST AWARDS: BEST COMBAT DOCUMENTATION PHOTOGRAPH - 2ND PLACE: MR. JOE JUAREZ BEST NEWS PHOTOGRAPH - 3RD PLACE: MR. JOE JUAREZ BEST SPORTS PHOTOGRAPH - 2ND PLACE: MR. JOE JUAREZ BEST PORTRAIT/PERSONALITY PHOTOGRAPH - 3RD PLACE: MR. JOE JUAREZ BEST PICTORIAL PHOTOGRAPH - 2ND PLACE: MR. JOE JUAREZ BEST PICTURE STORY - 2ND PLACE: MR. JOE JUAREZ The AFSPC Communication Excellence & Media Awards recog-nize the great work being done by AFSPC/PA personnel world-wide. There were many outstanding nominees from throughout AFSPC, and the competition was fierce. These individuals and teams represent some of AFSPC’s best and brightest, and serve as shining examples of our great organization. Thanks for what all of you do every day!


Post 4

POST Reports

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

Visit our website

www.calamvets.org

Editor’s apologies to Post 4 that these were not included in the last edi-tion of the paper.

Four Veterans honored from the Maurice Johannessen (MOJO) AMVETS Post 4, Colonel Carl Bott

USMC Ret. for Veteran of the Year Award by State Assemblyman Jim Nielsen, Chaplain and Wisdom Keeper Indian Dan Hollingsworth hired and sworn in by Governor Swartznegger Operation Welcome Home/Americorp Northern California, Major John C. Cleckner Sr. US Army Green Beret Retired, and Major Fred Salanti US Army Retired honored by the Shasta County Supervisors for his involvement in the MIAP Project. We participated in the Shasta Lake Veterans Day Parade & Red Bluff Veterans Day Parade, the 2nd Annual Shasta College Veterans Day Event and the Northern California Veterans Day Program at Igo, Ca. Our MOJO AMVETS Post 4 Race Car entry drew many onlookers and positive comments. We will keep you informed for the MOJAVE Desert Race coming up in May of 2011. Thank you Mitch & Wisdom Keeper Mike Wiley for getting our post involved in having fun with this unique historical car, hopefully many whom show up will have an opportunity to drive this car on the flats of the Mojave Desert. “Brigadier General Bennet S. Sacolik, Commanding General of the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Center for Special Warfare on November 18th, 2011 by orders from the Secretary of the Army inducted Major John C. Cleckner Sr. into the Special forces (Green Beret) Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Member of the 1st Special Forces Regiment (DMOR). Family and friends from around the United States attended this event at the John

F. Kennedy Center for Special Warfare, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.” We want to express our gratitude to Past AMVETS PDC Mel Posey, AMVETS Dept. of CA 2nd Vice Cmdr. Mike Clay for attending and witnessing our 3 Day White Clover Program, Membership Drive and watching AMVETS Dept. of CA Service Foundation Veterans Outreach Service Officer works in action by Gary Douglas. Out of the 92 veterans seen by Gary, over 70% of these veterans did not know they had claims, they had Notice of Disagreements (NOD’s), and DIC’s coming. We hope and pray that Gary will again come up in April of the year 2011. Gary Douglas also outreached to the Shasta County Veterans Service Officers in sharing and wanting to work with them through AMVETS. I want to say a special Kudos to our Cmdr. Gordon Baugh, Wisdom Keeper’s Mike Wiley and Indian Dan, and Wanda Kent for volunteering their time manning the White Clover tables. Because of our efforts, Ray Roberts from KQMS FM, Mike Quinn from KXLR AM Radio Stations joined as members for our Godly works helping and working with all veterans.

MOJO AMVETS Post 4Greg Raffa / Adjutant


POST Reports


Post 6Thank you so much for your support. The American

Legion Shooting Match we held on Saturday was a huge success with 11 teams and 49 competitors.

Those who had been to our previous matches said it was the best run so far. The lighting system used for the match that finally brought the illumination up to an acceptable standard on our range was funded by AMVETS. For the first time we had no complaints about poor lighting. You can see how we constructed the lighting system you funded. I put AMVETS stickers on lights and gave AMVETS a thank you during the awards ceremony.

Semper Fi,Mike

MOUNT PLEASANT HIGH SCHOOLMarine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps1750 South White RoadSan Jose, California 95127-4799

1533SMI28 February 2011 From: Senior Marine Instructor

To: AMVETS Service Foundation, Attention: Mr. John Byrum, 1213 South Dale Avenue, Anaheim, California 92804

Subject: LETTER OF APPRECIATION FOR AMVET SERVICE FOUN-DATION GRANT

1. I would like to express my sincere appreciation for the funds California AMVETS Service Foundation provided that enabled us to conduct the 2011 AMVETS JROTC Belleau Wood Air Rifle Match that was held on 12 Febru-ary at Mt. Pleasant High School in San Jose. The funds you provided went for trophies for the top 3 teams, medals for the top 3 individuals, and lunch for the participants. Additionally, a Daisy Model 888 that AMVETS purchased previ-ously was presented as 1st place prize. Thirty-five shooters participated. The final results and receipts are attached.

2. The trophies and medals were engraved “___ (1st, 2d, 3d) Place AM-VETS Belleau Wood Shooting Match.” A prominently displayed poster identi-fying AMVETS as the sponsoring organization is pictured here:

3. Six members of AMVETS Post 6 ran the match. Pictured below from left to right are Mike Clough (Match Director), Jim Reese (Post 6 Commander), Dennis Foggie, and Bob Knight. Not pictured are Dennis Weisgerber and Low-ell Gresham.

4. Additionally, using funds granted previously by AMVETS, a Daisy Mod-el 888 (pictured below) with AMVETS logo affixed to the stock was awarded to the top individual shooter, Cadet Ben Westmoreland of Silver Creek High School’s Navy JROTC program.

Very Respectfully, Michael F. Clough Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) United States Marine Corps

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



friends of amVetsAend Industries Inc.

AIg Financial Advisors

Air Service Specialist

Art Silva

Bacchus Fulfillment LLc

Bacome Insurance Agency

Brewhouse

california Motorcycle Adventures

chalo S. and Son Plumbing

champion cooling

creedon Trucking & Hay Hauling

David Yaffee Realtor

Frye construction Inc.

Future State consulting

giampolini & co.

glass concepts LLc

Herkert & Son Inc.

Jeanette Martin State Farm Agent

Johnson Transportation Service

Mail Boxes Etc. #1307

Redi Room

Stahl companies Inc.

Steve Forcum construction

Tice gardner & Fujimoto LLP

Unlimited Text & Talk

Virtual construction Inc.

World Wide Parts and Accessories

Zebron corp.

PLATINUM

ASI

core-Mark International Inc.

gOLD

Otto Instrument Service Inc.

SILVER

Alexander Merten Fine Art

Brent Macqueen & Barb Helgesen

Direct construction

Patriot general Engineering

SportRx Inc.

Superior construction

Transwest Truck center LLc


Members of Post 22 have been very active since the last article in the voice. They have: Occupied a booth at the local Home Show in September, members spoke to quite a few local county residents

handing out Veterans information and also signed up 4 new members under the Veterans Outreach Program as well as 1 transfer. Members also sold White Clovers to support that program as well.

Attended a Veterans function provided by the City of Tulare.Attended a POW/MIA Ceremony in support of a veterans function provided

by another Veterans Service Organization in Lemoore.Members also drove to Fresno and supported the Stand Down that was orga-

nized by local veterans groups from that area.Attended the Area Commander/District Commander training session that was

organized by Commander Ramos and took place in Tulare. A lot of good infor-mation was handed out and discussed by all that attended.

Attended a veterans workshop for COS (College of the Sequoias) Veterans Group. Was one of several speakers that gave information regarding AMVETS and what they do and how they not only support the veterans from this area but also how they help with community service projects.

While speaking at the workshop mentioned that AMVETS is signing up new members under the Veterans Outreach program and can offer a free years mem-bership.

Several members visited the VA Hospital in Fresno and handed out packages to the sick and hospitalized veterans.

Finalized the Task Force DVD/CD drive by picking up at the close to 20 dif-ferent locations that were used for drop off points. Several boxes of DVD’s and CD’s were sent to the troops overseas. It was a very successful drive.

On Nov. 4, several members participated in a Homeless Project with several other local civics groups.

Several members participated and marched in the Annual Veterans Parade in Tulare. They marched as a group with many other veterans group. This was the 6th annual parade and sponsored by the Central Valley Vietnam Veterans.

Members also participated in the Veterans Appreciation Day for the COS Veterans Group. There were several different groups that had set up tables and handed out information regarding their group. Members spoke with the students and citizens that attended the 2 hour program with several guest speakers. This was the 2nd such event put on by the college veterans.

Attended several planning meetings with the college veterans and was part of the process to put on that event.

Several members helped put on a Veterans Day pancake breakfast at the Visa-

lia Veterans Memorial Building. Work-ing with a local American Legion post, members served close to 200 break-fasts. They deemed the event a “huge success”.

Several members, getting together over several months, helped plan and then put on the local Veterans Day pro-gram. This event, which was attended by over 250 Tulare County residents, heard such speakers as the Visalia Chief of Police Colleen Mestas and former nurse May Alm (who served with Gen-eral Patton). The theme for this year’s event was “Women in Service, Women in Uniform”. Several members of the local services groups in town, Visalia Police Department, Visalia Fire Depart-ment, Tulare County Sheriffs Depart-ment and the various veterans group attended in uniform. A very fitting pro-gram with music and a slide show.

Attended the 2nd Annual Veterans Appreciation Day in Woodlake, setting up a table, selling White Clovers and speaking with the veterans and other indi-viduals that stopped by. This group also signed up 14 new members under the Veterans Outreach Program. There were a lot of military booths set up and well attended with guest speakers, music, dancing and plenty of bar-b-que food.

Participated in the annual Post Thanksgiving dinner. Commander Garcia and family decorated the Memorial Building where many members with families met on the regular meeting date and had a great time eating and sharing stories. Members were advised of one of the fund raiser the post is doing is having a beef raffle. Tickets were sold with a winner announced a next meeting.

Members continue to attend the Central Area meetings that meet monthly to discuss other post events, functions and programs. We all try to support the other post activities as well.

Attended a 3 day NEC meeting in Washington DC the 1st weekend in Decem-ber and was able to bring information back and share with post members.

After several months planning several members help plan and provide a Holi-day Concert to the citizens of the Visalia area. This concert showcased all local high school student choirs (5) as well as the local COS men’s choir. All proceeds from this event were divided up and given back to all the schools that partici-pated. In past close to $ 300.00 was given to EACH school.

Several members also took part in the planning over several months in the pre-senting of a Pearl Harbor Day remembrance. Taking place at 10:55 am on Dec. 7, veterans, organizers and members of the community met at the World War II World’s Greatest Generation mural and listened to several guest speakers. There was also a moment of silence followed by a 21-gun salute provided by AMVETS Post 56 Color Guard.

Members also continue to belong to other veteran’s service groups in the Tu-lare County area and stay very active with functions, events and programs that promote veterans issues and the AMVET philosophy.

Post 22 members sat at booth at the Visalia Home Show on Saturday Jan. 29 and were able to speak with several non AMVETS veterans about joining and also giving several pertinent information regarding their benefits and who to speak with regarding that.

On Feb. 4 many post members helped with the Four Chaplains Ceremony


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

Post 22 Submitted by Post 22 Adjutant Jerry Guevara

www.amvetsquartermaster.com/


Post 34Jim Blank was nominated to receive the Silver Beaver Award. This

is the Boy Scout Council’s highest award for service, awarded by National BSA.

Last year he received two AMVET National Awards for scouting. The Beaver Award was in part for what all he does in scouting, and in

part for AMVET sponsored scouting too. All the awards are special, but this one is quite unique. The AMVET award was in recognition for participation in scouting

and encouraging the partnership between the AMVET membership and the scouting program, sponsoring/supporting a scouting unit (pack, troop, band)

After completing a host of requirements (usually taking several years to complete), participation in events, training, tenure, and etc; you get to submit an application.

The Silver Beaver is a result of your peers providing a secret nomina-tion.

A person could be recommended by several peers in a year or over several years and still this award could elude them.

On average it takes a decade or more of service in a local council to rise to the top of the selection list.

One could liken this to the Oscars, Emmys or the Nobel Prizes (except for the cash stipend of course).

It is the ultimate of recognition for an adult volun-teer in the scouting program.

POST Reports


Post 22, cont.

Post 56 Carl Bates, Post 22 Robert Cadena, and Ray Carrillo 4 Chaplains readers

4 Chaplains Committee

that was put on. There was a nice community turn out for this event. Not only did they listen to what happened to these Four heroic Chaplains on Feb. 3, 1943, but there were also many informational tables set up. Special thanks to Al Verret for tak-ing the pictures.

Post 22 continues to meet the challenges of the Department by increasing membership and with that comes more involve-ment of post members. We continue to meet the 3rd Thursday of each month at the Veterans Memorial Building, corner of Willis and Center in Visalia. Hope to see you there. Come, join in and help your fellow post members do all these wonder-ful things. Your participation makes a difference.

Congratualtions to Jim Blank who was awarded the Silver Bea-ver - Boy Scouts highest award for service.



Post 40

Post 56

“Young” Post 40 WitH HistorY

On February 19, 2011, Michael Ottolini AVMVETS Post 40 of Sonoma County participated in a bit of Sonoma County history. One hundred years ago, on February 17th and 18th, pilot Fred Wiseman, made the

first ever Air Mail flight, hopping from Petaluma to Santa Rosa. It was an inauspicious beginning to the era of Air Mail, because he developed engine trouble shortly after takeoff and had to set down in a field not far from the Petaluma airport. Mechanics were able to find and repair the malfunction, and Mr. Wiseman completed the flight the following morning, delivering three letters, fifty copies of the Sonoma Press Democrat and some produce to Santa Rosa. The current Postmasters from Petaluma (Barry Amiri) and Santa Rosa (Irma Zine) were present to receive the mail from the commemorative flight.

The Post 40 Color Guard was called on to present the Colors for the commem-oration ceremony. Post Commander, Jay Matthews, carried the American Flag. Dave Richey (who retired from the Postal Service, and had worked for Irma Zine) marched with the California State flag. Claude Ashen (Provost Marshall) and Winston Sehrt (1st Vice) were the flanking rifles. As Colors were posted, Hattie

Stone (Chaplain) played Colors on the bugle, fol-lowed by the Pledge of Allegiance. The organiz-ers of the event also re-quested that we lead the citizens present in the Na-tional Anthem. The dual connection, with the Post Office and being a part of the Color Guard, made it a special day for Dave.

After speeches by local dignitaries and descendants of Fred Wiseman, the Post 40 members circulated among the crowd, chatting with other veterans, and potentially garnering three new members.

We are grateful to the organizers of the event, Sharie Sbrazza and Bob Parker and their staff from the Pacific Coast Air Museum and the Sonoma Jet Center at the Charles Schultz Sonoma County Airport.

Pictures by Al Verret

Post 56--In the process of finalizing requirements for JROTC Cadet Corp/ Arrow after school program, and Young Marines of Tulare Corps. Both programs are designed to promote physical, moral and mental

development, healthy drug free lifestyle, ideals of fairness, honesty, respect, loyalty, dependability and attention to duty.

Americanism. After a wildly successful first year we are in the process of visiting schools to again promote our Americanism Program. Word has gotten out to the youth of the community, regarding the awards available and they want in on the "action".

Honor Guard has been busy as always with 22 funerals in January and Febru-ary. Posting colors at various schools and Boy Scout events. Also posted colors at a Four Chaplains Memorial in Visalia.

We completed another annual fund raiser at our Farm Show Booth. This years menu was BBQ Ribs and Beans. We sold out of ribs all three days. This year was also the maiden voyage of our new donut machine. We had a total of 53 hard working volunteers and 394 hours for the three day event.

Central Aea Posts are very active in handing out materials at events in and around the area for our Suicide Prevention program, Save Just One.

Hattie Stone

Postmasters from Petaluma (Barry Amiri)

and Santa Rosa (Irma

Zine)

Cmdr Donwen presenting check to Captain Brooksher for Young Marine program

Farm show cooks (below left) and Donut maker and Rib BBQer. (below right).


POST Reports


I would like to thank all Post 56 members and the AM-VETS Service Foundation that have made the sponsorship of these programs possible.

Cmdr. Tom Donwen

Post 99AMVETS Post 99 Fresno/Madera is on the move.

From is very start this organization has participated in many events throughout

Fresno and the state of California. Its members are active in the communities, volunteering with over $100,000.00 of volunteer hours from June to December of 2010. We are now noted as a Quality Post by our National Headquarters. So to end our year in fashion our membership scheduled a Christmas Party, with silent auction, food, drinks and lots of dancing. We are always planning ways to get ahead and be involved. This year we started with a fund raiser at the New Years Pow Wow, Fresno, at our booth are Commander Enrique Rudino, Finance Officer David Cropper and two members Rea Cichocki and Brenda Ashton. The event proved to be successful and lots of fun. But as always the need to improve is just a step away; our Color Guard set a date to practice with the American Indian Veterans Association (AIVA) in the cold of winter. These are dedicated men and women wanting to perform their best for every event to be scheduled, here is their photo at the start of practice. With the new year already here our plans are to help and serve as many Veterans and their families. We plan to be a play a big part of this year’s Fresno’s Stand Down scheduled for September 21-23, 2011, we are scheduled to help with the clothing distribution for the homeless vets. Hope to see you there.


Post 56, cont.

K.C. Mitchell (wounded warrior) with Dad, Rowdy and Sister Chayanne, picture by Al Verret

Gene Sustaita, receiving Post 56 AMVET of the Year award


amVets onLineCheck 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 2amvetspost2.com

Post 6www.amvetpost6.org

Post 11www.humboldt.net/veteran/post11

Post [email protected]

Post 34www.amvets34.org

Post 40www.caamvets40.org

Post 53www.vecsamnet.org/amvts53

Post 85montereybayamvets.com


Post 940amvetspost940.org

Post 1240amvets1240.us

Post 1775vfwlamesa.org

Post 1996rhmercer.org/amvets


POST Reports

Post 101Katrina survivor arrives at Vet’s Home

This program is in memory of Kathleen “Katy” Denslow.

AMVETS Post 101 and Project KIKS hosted an Appreciation Ceremony in

conjunction with The Black History Month Celebration at the Yountville Veterans Home. Activist and Family Advocate, Ms. Sidney A. Coleman, New Orleans, Louisiana served as guest speaker. As Office and Case Manager for the House of Ruth, a non profit, community based organization, Ms. Coleman specializes in homeless, veteran families, providing food, clothing, shelter, morale support and employment opportunities throughout the 9th Ward and Algiers.

Ms. Coleman’s visit to California comes as a result of her connection with AMVETS Post 101 and their Project Kind Initiative for Kids Shoes, Project “KIKS” distributes shoes to needy children New Orleans, Sowe-to, South Africa and most recently, Vallejo, California. Ms. Coleman is volunteer director and co-founder for newly established Project KIKS, New Orleans. Her trip here was sparked by her community’s and by her personal desire to personally thank Yountville and Napa communities for their gener-osity in providing 2,500 pairs of ath-letic shoes locally purchased (Payless Shoes Stores, Napa, American Can-yon, Vallejo (2 stores) and Fairfied). Plus, 800 pairs of athletic socks in sup-port of our Forgotten Children of Post Katrina Campaign. Special thanks to Ms. Linda Adams, Gordon Training In-ternational, for her generous donation to purchase 800 pairs of athletic shoes.

A very special thanks to Vans Shoes of Cypress, California, who donated five pallets of new shoes to Project KIKS. Paul Cheatham II, 1st Vice Commander, AMVETS Post 101 and founder of Project KIKA went to Af-rica where he handed out shoes to the children. Paul announced that to date over 5,ooo pairs of shoes have been donated to children in Africa, New Or-leans and youth in the Vallejo area.

Post 113Hidden treasures in your post

Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. (Romans 13:7)

AMVETS Post 113 Board of Director ( 12/2010 )As a member of AMVETS Post # 113 for over 25 years, I have realized that there

are many members that have been over looked. These folks are hidden treasure in our post. Allow me to make mention of theses fine members.

Pete RamirezPete has been Commander of post 113 for over 9 years and was appointed to AM-

VETS Service Foundation as Vice President. Pete was honorably appointed to sit on the Board Of Directors as an elder AIVA Native American Tribal Veterans.

Ron FerraraRon is a member of the Board of Director and is recording secretary and Depart-

ment N.E.C. Ron also helped raise monies for scholarships in a local boys and girls club. He also helped in raising funds for his church to help feed the needy and those who have fallen on hard times.

Ben AguayoBen was elected State Provost Marshall 1994 and still holds this position today

(2010). In the early 1980’s, Ben was asked by the State Am-Vets Commander to start a State Honor Guard. Today the honor guard is well known through out the state. Per-forming service�s for our fallen brothers and sisters and bringing comfort and closure to families. Ben has been commander for over eight years and sits on the Board of Directors.

Ray Ramirez Ray is a member of Board of Directors, 3rd Vice. Ray was honored in the City of

Whittier as Veteran of the Month 2010. Ray was president of chapter 10 and 14 of the 173rd Airborne Brigade Association for many years. Ray sits on the Board of Director for the 173rd Airborne Brigade Monument Committee, honoring our falling Soldiers at Fort Benning, GA.

Chaplin Gilbert Becerril Phd./D.D. Gilbert has been the Chaplin for many years and sits on the Board of Directors

He founded and is pastor of Pathfinder Ministries in 1995, 501-C-3 non-profit was granted by the IRS. He also oversees a weekly food bank. Gilbert was honored by the State of California Assembly as Veteran of the Year 2010 and Civic Grand Marshall in Azusa Golden Day parade 2010, He was also honored by U.S. House of Representa-tives for community involvement. He was awarded an Emmy from National Academy of Television and Science for Fox Sports in 2001.

These are just a few of our members which are outstanding.

Submitted by Gilbert Becerril

http://www.amvetspost2.com/

http://www.montereybayamvets.com/

http://www.amvetspost940.org

http://WWW.AMVETS1240.US

http://rhmercer.org/amvets.HTML


POST Reports


Post 116

Post 1996

Post 2813

Dear Mr. Daniels,On behalf of the PRRC staff and veterans I would like to

thank you for the wonderful Christmas gifts you presented to the veterans.

These were so thoughtfully prepared and purchased by your organization. They are so appreciated by the veterans!

I cannot thank you enough for your generosity to this pro-gram and all that you do for the veterans.

Sincerely,Donna Ames, MDProgram Leader PRRCGreater Los Angeles VAMC

Bill Schnorering passed away on Jan 29th, 2011. He was a well-known veteran in the Chico Community who served 20 years in the service

of his country. He was instrumental in bringing to the City of Chico the Memorial Tribute to all Veterans in the City Plaza. Military honors for Bill were presented by the Chico Veterans Honor Guard.

Condolences to Post 2813 and the family members of Bill Schnorering


U.S.VETS-Long Beach ADVANCE Women’s Program

Announces the opening of:

Requirements:

1. 90 days clean and sober and stable mental health

2. Honorably discharged veteran

3. Veteran women with 1-2 children up to 12 Y.O.

4. Single women veterans

5. Maximum $50.00 per week income requirement

Contact:

Claudia Munson

Office: (562) 388-8126 Cell: (310)-261-9872

E-mail: [email protected]



Requirements:






Contact:

Claudia Munson

Office: (562) 388-8126 Cell: (310)-261-9872


SAD SACKS DEPT OF CA LIST OF 2010-2011 OFFICERSSAD SACK OFFICE AMVET OFFICE TITLE OFFICIER NAME PHONE NUMBER

SADDEST COMMANDER LEWIS DERFUSS 707 592-9040ALMOST MEMBERSHIP VICE CMDR GREG RAFFA 530 549-3248ALMOST NOT QUITE PROGRAMS VICE CMDR JAY MATTHEWS 707 571-1830FEATHERS ADJUTANT ROCKY CRITES 707 441-1101MONEY BAGS FINANCE OFFICER KEVIN KILKENNY 530 219-8050HOOSEGOW PROVOST MARSHALL THOMAS PIETILA 707 986-9611SQUIRE JUDGE ADVOCATE DANIEL HOGAN 209 533-3071SOLEMNEST CHAPLAIN GEORGE MCNALLY 909 885-0731GRABBIEST QUARTHERMASTER MICHAEL ESPOSITO 925 427-4745 WORM HISTORIAN GEORGE TELLIS 707 592-7205NOSEYEST PUBLIC RELATIONS THOMAS JOHNSON 530 357-3380WAILER CRYBABY JAMES REESE 408 226-5667CUT-UP INSPECTOR GENERAL AND CUT TIES GEORGE NEWELL 714 226-0690EXTRA BAGS DISTRICT CMDR (DEPT ONLY) GEORGE MCNALLY 909 885-0731

SAD SACKS DEPT OF CA SACK # 1776 LIST OF 2010-2011 OFFICERSSAD SACK OFFICE AMVET OFFICE TITLE OFFICIER NAME PHONE NUMBER

SADDEST COMMANDER LEWIS DERFUSS 707 592-9040ALMOST MEMBERSHIP VICE CMDR GREG RAFFA 530 549-3248ALMOST NOT QUITE PROGRAMS VICE CMDR JAY MATTHEWS 707 571-1830FEATHERS ADJUTANT ROCKY CRITES 707 441-1101MONEY BAGS FINANCE OFFICER KEVIN KILKENNY 530 219-8050HOOSEGOW PROVOST MARSHALL THOMAS PIETILA 707 986-9611SQUIRE JUDGE ADVOCATE DANIEL HOGAN 209 533-3071SOLEMNEST CHAPLAIN HATTIE STONE 707 546-4889GRABBIEST QUARTHERMASTER MICHAEL ESPOSITO 925 427-4745 WORM HISTORIAN GEORGE TELLIS 707 592-7205NOSEYEST PUBLIC RELATIONS THOMAS JOHNSON 530 357-3380WAILER CRYBABY JAMES REESE 408 226-5667CUT-UP INSPECTOR GENERAL AND CUT TIES GEORGE NEWELL 714 226-0690EXTRA BAGS DISTRICT CMDR (DEPT ONLY)



Requirements:






Contact:

Claudia Munson

Office: (562) 388-8126 Cell: (310)-261-9872




Requirements:






Contact:

Claudia Munson

Office: (562) 388-8126 Cell: (310)-261-9872



Congress and State of California EndorseStories of Service We are extremely pleased and proud to announce that Dr.

Roscoe Brown has joined the Spirit of ‘45 Team as our newest National Spokesman.

Dr. Brown, a former Army Air Force Captain, commanded the 100th Fighter Squadron of the 332nd Fighter Group (the “Tuskegee Airmen”) in World War II, and was awarded the Distinguished Fly-ing Cross and Air Medal with eight Oak Leaf Clusters. He is cred-ited with being the first 15th Air Force fighter pilot to shoot down a German jet fighter, and has been honored by the Intrepid Air-Space Museum in New York City for his outstanding leadership as Squad-ron Commander. On March 29, 2007, Dr. Brown joined several of his surviving comrades for a ceremony in the U.S. Capitol rotunda, where the Tuskegee Airmen were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in recognition of their service during WWII. Dr. Brown is currently advising film maker George Lucas on a new movie about the Tuskegee Airmen called “Red Tails,” which is scheduled for re-lease in early 2012. After the war, Dr. Brown was heavily engaged in education and public service, and was a trustee of the Boys and Girls Clubs of America for more than three decades. http://www.cuny.tv/series/aalegends/brown.lasso

Dr. Brown will be involved in all aspects of the 2011 national public awareness campaign. He is preparing a public service an-nouncement that will be shared with the attendees of the leadership conference in Baton Rouge later this month.

It is an honor to have this distinguished member of the Greatest Generation with us to help assure the success of National Spirit of ‘45 Day this year!

Warren Hegg

sad saCK inputs for the VoiceI am happy to report that we have made some

positive progress in getting the Department of California SAD SACKS back to good

standing status, but need your help in completing some additional required actions. After several years of communications and meetings with Jerry Cline the National SAD SACK Administrative Director and his help in working with us with the blessing of the National SADDEST we have chartered a new SACK, SACK 1776, serving Northern CA posts. I now have SAD SACK 1776 charter in my possession, members of 1776 and have both life and annual cards in their possession except for a few I haven’t gotten to members. The good news is that SACK 1776 has met the requirements to be in good standing.

I know we have had some problems in the past with members getting their membership cards, what SACKS exist in CA and who are members of what SACK. I am happy to report that Jerry Cline has found some old records and sent them to me to help sort all this out. I have compiled the records provided into several spreadsheets that will aid with getting the rest of CA SACKS in good standing and need your help in getting this accomplished in the next few months. I have included these list and hope to have them published in AMVETS Voice so you can review. I made some updates that I am aware of as far as removing the Rouges who are no longer eligible to be members and those that I am aware of that have passed on. I may have missed a few who have since died since the info on the listings that were provided (2005) and am sorry to stir up memories. Please provide me feedback so I can update the rosters both here and at national.

In addition to updating the membership list, I need list of Current SACK Of-ficers, List of Life Members, List/D&R of annual members along with collecting dues remittance of $15.01 per member including each SACK’S Mascot. Of that $15.01 we send $7.01 to National and Dept should get $4.00 leaving $4.00 to be retained by the SACK. So for example a Sack has 9 Annual members they would collect $135.09 and send 9 + 1 for mascot times $11.01 to me and I will send $70.10 to national.

The last records found date back to 2004 so we have been out of good stand-ing since 2005 and all SACK and Dept Charter should have been pulled after 3 years of non-compliance. Jerry Cline is working with National SADDEST and myself in an effort to save our charters, asking that national grant a waiver of the three year charter revocation, if we get our requirements up to date this year. I need your help in getting this done in a timely manner. I am asking that your SACKS meet and make all efforts to get required documents and dues to me ASAP. My goal is to get this done before State Convention in June at Concord CA. For annual Members they have a choice of paying back dues from 2005---6 years worth or rejoining as a Yardbird, in which case I will need a Qualification form for each annual along with D&R

The good news is that there appears to be enough Life Members in each SACK to maintain minimums for a SACK so getting back in good standing should be easier than thought when I addressed those at Santa Maria DEC---This is Do-able. The SACKS Listed are: 12, 18, 80, 1990, and now 1776 which is the only Sack in good standing at this time. I also need to let you know that we will all have to review of CB&L and work on getting in compliance with our Non-Profit paperwork with Feds and State of CA. For SACK 1776 we elected to adopt National CB&L at least for now and we are working on other compliance paperwork.

If you need forms or have questions please contact me. You may also send me your updated SACK Officer and Life Membership list to me electroni-cally via email attachment. D&R’s will need to be mailed with correct dues remittance.

Thanks for your help

Lewis Derfuss, Dept of CA SADDEST

1213 California Drive, Vacaville CA 95687-6507

707 451-2631 HM 707 592-9040 Cell

[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

Join Now! • Veterans Service

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

EligibilityAll 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

Membership Fees: ANNUAL: $30 LIFE: $200 RENEWAL: $30

Attention Veterans!

I apply for: New Annual Renewal 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_________________________________ *Post dues vary.

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Tulare, CA

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New and Renewal Dues varies between Posts.

ATTENTION!Veterans and Military Retirees:

If 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.

Veterans' Service Records

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Military ServiceRecords

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Home > Veterans' Service Records > Military Service Records

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

Use the following to request veterans' service records from WW I -Present. (Looking for Pre-WWI Service Records?)

Our online eVetRecs system creates a customized order form to request information from your, oryour relative's, military personnel records. You may use this system if you are:

A military veteran, or

Next of kin of a deceased, former member of the military. The next of kin can be any of thefollowing:

Surviving spouse that has not remarriedFatherMotherSonDaughterSisterBrother

If you are not the veteran or next of kin, you must complete the Standard Form 180 (SF 180).See Access to Military Records by the General Public for more details.

Start Your Military Service RecordRequest (DD Form 214 & SF-180)

Launch theeVetRecsSystem to startyour requestonline.

Download formSF-180 to mailor fax yourrequest.

Online Requests Using eVetRecs

New "Inside theVaults" VideoHighlightsVeterans'RecordsRequests

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Vol. 15, No. 1

Documents

great state of california

veterans home of california

state convention

chaplains memorial service

cause service dogclient

special thanks

national convention

commander amador garcia