How to resolve AdBlock issue? 
Veterans
- Details
- Written by: Editor
The Thanksgiving dinner meeting will take place on Saturday, Nov. 19. Doors open at 5 p.m.
The Christmas Christmas dinner meeting will be on Saturday, Dec. 17. Doors open at 5 p.m. for that meeting as well.
There is a recommended donation for each event.
Meetings will be held on the fourth Thursday of the month, with doors opening at 5 p.m., January through October of 2012.
The post is located at 5005 Second St., Kelseyville, telephone 707-279-1349.
- Details
- Written by: Editor
CalVet Secretary Peter J. Gravett was on hand to receive the ceremonial check from Frank Salvas, Director USDVA State Cemetery Grant Program. Also on hand during the ceremony was Stephen Jorgensen, Administrator, Northern California Veterans Cemetery.
“We are grateful to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for approving this grant to expand the number of burial niches at the Northern California Veterans Cemetery,” said Peter J. Gravett, CalVet Secretary. “This expansion in the number of columbaria will allow us to provide veterans and their families with a place to honor the memory of loved ones who gave so much to preserve our Nation’s freedoms and way of life.”
The Northern California Veterans Cemetery is located at 11800 Gas Point Road, Igo, CA 96047.
CalVet applied for and was approved for this $900,174 grant from the USDVA for construction of 10 columbaria walls to provide 2,000 niches at the Northern California Veterans Cemetery.
This is the first expansion of the NCVC since it was opened in 2005 and will provide columbaria niches for an estimated 10 years.
The existing cemetery columbaria walls, offering 1,600 niches, were installed during the initial construction of the cemetery in 2005. These columbaria are expected to be at full capacity during the month of November.
There will be a three- to four-month waiting period for new niches while the new columbaria are under construction.
“This grant represents the ongoing partnership between the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the State of California,” said Salvas. “These funds will ensure that these columbaria niches are available to veterans for the next 10 years. This is one of the most beautiful cemeteries I have seen thanks to the dedication of Steve Jorgensen and his staff.”
While the columbaria niche option will not be available during the short construction period, the cemetery will offer the option of in-ground burials for cremated remains.
The cemetery has a 70 percent cremation interment rate, which is above the state average. The columbaria construction contract has been awarded to E.C. Smith Inc. of Anderson.
In addition to the check presentation, Gravett presented certificates of appreciation recognizing their commitment to veterans and their contributions to the Northern California Veterans Cemetery to:
Eagle Scout Ryan Parke, for his completion of the construction of two committal service urn pedestals honoring all five branches of the service. These urn pedestals will be used at both the Veterans Memorial Building and the outside committal shelter during services.
Eagle Scout Zachary Havens for constructing a shade shelter next to the Memorial Building as his project.
Chris McCandless for providing his sound system and musical talents at cemetery events and for also being a contributor at many other Northstate veterans’ events.
Home Depot Team No. 6682, for planting trees around the Memorial Building and painting several of the cemetery’s structures.
The Northern California Veterans Cemetery is the first state-owned and operated veterans cemetery in the Golden State.
The cemetery serves the veteran population in 18 Northern California counties and the currently developed area of the cemetery provides sufficient burial space for more than 30 years. Beyond that, the cemetery has the capacity for expansion.
Any eligible veteran, along with spouses and eligible dependents, may be interred at the cemetery.
- Details
- Written by: Editor
“Whether you are a veteran or currently serving, the DMV wants to thank you and your family for the sacrifices you have made for this country and the citizens of California,” said DMV Director George Valverde. “Many of our own employees are veterans, so we feel a personal connection to our military community.”
Veterans, active military and their families will not only enjoy convenient DMV online services at http://www.dmv.ca.gov/coi/veterans/veterans.htm, but can also link with our partner, the California Department of Veterans Affairs, to find resources including information about home loans, voter registration, medical services, and educational assistance.
In addition, a few clicks of the mouse will transport visitors to the Web sites of the U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. State Department.
“We are grateful to our partner, the DMV, for creating this website which serves and honors California’s veterans,” said Peter J. Gravett, CalVet Secretary. “This DMV Web page will greatly assist veterans in taking care of issues dealing with their motor vehicles. I also remind all veterans to make sure they identify themselves as veterans on the form when they renew their drivers license or identification card so we can ensure they get notified of all the benefits they have earned.”
An estimated 2.2 million veterans live in the Golden State and that number increases as an average 30,000 troops return each month from Iraq and Afghanistan.
Remember, you can order California veterans special interest license plates at www.dmv.ca.gov. The California Department of Veterans Affairs uses proceeds to benefit participating county veteran service offices and to commemorate veteran organizations.
Visit CalVet on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/mycalvet.
- Details
- Written by: Editor
The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11, and will include a ceremony, complimentary lunch and beverages, entertainment, awards and more.
Call the casino at 707-262-1900 for more information.
Konocti Vista Casino is located at 2755 Rancheria Road, Lakeport.
- Details
- Written by: Editor
For information about the national association and its annual reunion in Reno, Nev., Aug. 23-27, 2012, visit www.2ida.org or contact the association’s secretary-treasurer, Bob Haynes, at
- Details
- Written by: Editor
These United States flags will be “retired” with all the dignity and respect befitting our nation's flag.
All veterans, their families and the general public are invited to attend.
Along with the flag retirement, the American Legion will celebrate the day with an omelet breakfast to order from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., for $7 per person.
This ceremony will be held at the American Legion Post 437, 14770 Austin Road, Clearlake.
Call 707-994-8115 for information.
- Details
- Written by: Editor
The sale takes place Friday, Oct. 28, through Sunday, Oct. 30, at the National Guard Armory, 1431 Hoyt Ave., Lakeport.
- Details
- Written by: Editor
SACRAMENTO – Secretary Peter J. Gravett, California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet), praised Gov. Jerry Brown on Friday for acknowledging the contributions and special needs of veterans who make California their home, when he signed legislation that will expand housing options for veterans and extend the priority registration for veterans going to state colleges and universities.
“Gov. Brown has once more demonstrated his commitment to the veterans of our nation,” said Gravett. “I applaud the governor for signing legislation that is unprecedented for the CalVet Farm and Home Loan Program. This legislation will be a major step forward by offering veterans dynamic housing options and maximizing the effectiveness and efficiency our CalVet programs.”
CalVet thanked Assemblymember V. Manuel Pérez (D-Coachella), Assemblymember Mike Davis (D-Los Angeles) and the Committee on Veterans Affairs for carrying these pieces of legislation.
AB 697 by Assemblymember Pérez gives specific authority for CalVet to provide refinancing opportunities under the CalVet Home Loan Program to eligible veterans who are not current contract holders.
The mortgage crisis has impacted veterans who have mortgages at financial institutions outside of the CalVet Home Loan Program, and who are subject to rising interest rates as a result of adjustable rate mortgages.
This bill will allow those veterans to refinance their loan, as long as the loan is in good standing, not upside down on the value of the house and would make good financial sense for both the CalVet Home Loan Program and the veteran.
AB 1084 by Assemblymember Davis will expand the definition of “home” as defined in the CalVet Farm and Home Loan Program to include “cooperative housing corporation.”
This bill will allow CalVet to engage in a greatly needed service utilizing proven housing finance options for low and middle income people and is a pragmatic and beneficial method for housing veterans and their families, reducing homelessness among veterans and improving the economy.
SB 813 by the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs will increase the time veterans attending California’s public institutions receive priority enrollment from two to four years to facilitate the maximum and efficient use of veterans federal education benefits.
This change in statute will help alleviate the difficulties veterans face when they attempt to coordinate their federal education benefits, such as the Post 9/11 GI Bill, with registration for enrollment in classes at one of California’s public colleges or universities.
By extending the priority enrollment time frame, not only will veterans maximize their Post 9/11 GI Bill funding, but California will receive more federal veteran education money in a time when the State’s colleges and universities are in need of additional resources.
Find CalVet's Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/mycalvet.
Retroactive traumatic injury benefits no longer just for Operations Enduring, Iraqi Freedom injuries
- Details
- Written by: Editor
“Now all of our nation's servicemembers who suffered severe traumatic injuries while serving their country can receive the same traumatic injury benefits, regardless of where their injury occurred,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “We at VA appreciate the efforts of Congress and the President to improve benefits for our troops.”
Effective Oct. 1, the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) Traumatic Injury Protection benefit, known as TSGLI, will be payable for all qualifying injuries incurred during this period.
This retroactive benefit is payable whether or not the servicemember had SGLI coverage at the time of the injury.
The Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 2010, passed by Congress and signed by President Obama in October of 2010, removes the requirement that injuries during this period be incurred in Operations Enduring or Iraqi Freedom.
This is welcome news for the many servicemembers who suffered serious traumatic injuries while serving stateside or in other areas outside of Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom during this time period, but until now have not been eligible for TSGLI.
TSGLI provides a payment ranging from $25,000 to $100,000 to servicemembers sustaining certain severe traumatic injuries resulting in a range of losses, including amputations; limb salvage; paralysis; burns; loss of sight, hearing or speech; facial reconstruction; 15-day continuous hospitalization; coma; and loss of activities of daily living due to traumatic brain injury or other traumatic injuries.
National Guard and Reserve members who were injured during the retroactive period and suffered a qualifying loss are also eligible for a TSGLI payment, even if the cause was not related to military service, such as a civilian automobile accident or severe injury which occurred while working around their home.
National Guard and Reserve members make up more than 40 percent of the total force which has been deployed since 9-11. Those who are no longer in the National Guard or Reserves can also apply as long as their injury occurred while they were in service.
"I am extremely pleased that these total force warriors who defend our freedoms are getting the recognition and benefits they have rightfully earned in service to our nation," added Under Secretary for Benefits Allison A. Hickey.
VA is working with the Department of Defense to publicize this change in the TSGLI law. Additionally, all of the branches of service are identifying any claims previously denied because the injury was not incurred in Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom and reaching out to those individuals.
Although applications are currently being accepted by branch of service TSGLI offices, benefits will not be paid until Oct. 1, 2011, the effective date of the law.
For more information or to apply for a TSGLI payment, servicemembers and veterans should go to http://www.insurance.va.gov/sgliSite/TSGLI/TSGLI.htm or contact their branch of service TSGLI Office (contact information available at above link).