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Veterans
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- Written by: Editor
If approved by voters, the measure would help thousands of veterans of recent conflicts buy a home or farm through the state's CalVet Home Loan program.
The bond act would have no impact on the state's General Fund because veterans repay the bond costs through low-interest mortgages.
"The Veterans Bond Act will help California's veterans achieve the American dream of homeownership," said Schwarzenegger. "I'm asking voters to say yes in November so that veterans who risked their lives in places like Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan will be eligible to join the more than 420,000 others who have bought a home with a CalVet loan – at no expense to taxpayers."
The Veterans Bond Act of 2008 asks voters to approve $900 million in Veterans General Obligation Bonds, which will allow the California Department of Veterans Affairs to fund the purchase of homes and farms for veterans under the CalVet Home Loan Program. This money will fund approximately 1,300 low-interest loans for California veterans without expense to the state's General Fund.
The bond act also provides for the provision of CalVet Home Loans to veterans of recent conflicts. Previously, only veterans who served from the end of World War I to the Vietnam era were eligible to apply for CalVet home loans.
The governor noted that the Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax Act of 2008 (HEART Act), signed into law by President Bush last month, was actively pushed by the Schwarzenegger administration and that the bond act is the next step toward providing low-interest loans to veterans of recent wars.
The federal legislation (HR 6081) makes veterans who entered active military duty after Dec. 31, 1976 eligible to apply for Qualified Veterans Mortgage Bond funded loans under the state's longstanding CalVet Home Loan Program.
Since 1922, the CalVet Home Loan Program has helped more than 420,000 wartime veterans buy a home or farm, at no expense to the state's General Fund. The program currently has more than 13,000 active loans to veterans in this state and the costs of administering the program and servicing the debt on the bonds is covered by the payments veterans make on their loans.
On July 15 the governor also signed SB 1680, a bill authored by Sen. Mark Wyland (R-Carlsbad). This bill allows California Community Colleges and the California State University, and encourages the University of California, to coordinate services for students who are veterans or members of the military by designating Military and Veterans Offices to provide specified services
At the event, the governor noted he looks forward to signing SB 1455 when it reaches his desk.
Authored by Sen. Dave Cogdill (R-Modesto) and Sen. Jeff Denham (R-Merced), SB 1455 would honor those who died while serving our nation by allowing their family members to display a special "Gold Star" license plate on their vehicles.
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- Written by: Editor
LAKE COUNTY – With the new requirements for hands-free devices required for cell phone use in vehicles, many folks will be upgrading to a Blue Tooth capable phone.
However, don't throw that old phone in a drawer! It will just collect dust and take up space.
Operation Tango Mike, a local group that sends care packages to troops overseas, asks that you donate your old cell phones (working or not), along with chargers, cases, etc. These will be "recycled" into calling cards for our deployed troops.
Check around, you and your family and friends may have old phones now. If you belong to a club, group, etc., please consider asking your fellow members to do the same. Just toss 'em in a box – it's that easy.
You may put your phone(s) in any Operation Tango Mike donation bin. The bins are located at Judy's Junction, Upper Lake; Sentry Market, Nice; Red and White Market, Clearlake Oaks; American Legion Hall, Clearlake; Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall, Clearlake; Hidden Valley Market, Hidden Valley Lake; Hardester's Market, Hidden Valley Lake; Hardester's Market, Middletown; Riviera Foods, Kelseyville; Mackey Tire, Lakeport; The Ink Spot, Lakeport; Kerrie's Quilting, Lakeport; Ironworker Gym, Lakeport; Safeway, Lakeport; Grocery Outlet, Lakeport; Bruno's Shop Smart, Lakeport; Umpqua Bank, Lakeport; and Sutter Lakeside Hospital, Lakeport.
Phones may also be dropped off at a packing party.
For more information call Ginny Craven at 349-2838.
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Freeborn, a test pilot, is currently a doctor of philosophy student at the Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio. The lieutenant colonel has served in the military for 15 years.
He is the son of Richard and Kathryn Freeborn of Clearlake.
In 1987, Freeborn graduated from Lower Lake High School and received a bachelor's degree in 1992 from the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Freeborn earned a master's degree in 2000 from Auburn University, Ala.
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During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches, and field training exercises.
He is the son of Christie Greenfield of Hidden Valley Lake.
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During the nine weeks of training, the soldier received training in drill and ceremonies, weapons, map reading, tactics, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid, and Army history, core values and traditions.
Additional training included development of basic combat skills and battlefield operations and tactics, and experiencing use of various weapons and weapons defenses available to the infantry crewman.
He is the son of Veronica Vining of Hidden Valley Lake.
Vining is a 2007 graduate of Middletown High School.
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During the nine weeks of training, the soldier received training in drill and ceremonies, weapons, map reading, tactics, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid, and Army history, core values and traditions.
Additional training included development of basic combat skills and battlefield operations and tactics, and experiencing use of various weapons and weapons defenses available to the infantry crewman.
Pruitt is the grandson of Roy Sewell of Greers Ferry, Ark., and brother of Samantha Pruitt of Upper Lake.
In 2006, the private graduated from West Side High School, Greers Ferry.
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The new officer will be branched to a specific corps in the Army to serve on active duty or in the National Guard or Reserve.
The lieutenant will attend an officer basic course relating to her particular military occupational specialty/job. Afterward, the officer will complete advanced training by attending basic officer leadership courses for career progression purposes.
The ROTC curriculum prepares students with the tools, training and experiences to help them succeed as effective leaders in any competitive environment.
Army officers serve as leaders, counselors, strategists and motivators, who lead other soldiers in all situations occurring in ever-changing environments.
As trained problem-solvers, key influencers and planners, they are driven to achieve success with their team on every mission.
The new lieutenant will serve in the Army Medical Service Corps.
Darby is the daughter of Dan and Tracey Newell of Hidden Valley Lake. She is a 2004 graduate of Middletown High School.
Her husband, Garrett, is the son of William and Michele Tarry of Lower Lake.
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- Written by: Genevieve Snow
LAKEPORT – In conjunction with the 233rd birthday of the U.S. Army, Chapter 951 Vietnam Veterans of America honored its Army veterans at the chapter's June meeting. The group met at St. Mary's Church Hall, Lakeport.
The Army birthday coincided with June 14, Flag Day. Dean Gotham, president, distributed certificates to15 Army veterans who were in attendance at the chapter meeting. There are many more Army veterans in the chapter and they may pick up their certificates at any meeting.
Robert Deppe, commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2015, presented awards to Gotham, Randy Sutton, and Warren Fox as top fundraisers during the Memorial Day weekend. The chapter equally shared a percentage of the proceeds with VFW and the Ladies Auxiliary.
VVA allots funds for its outreach program. In recent months assistance exceeded $1,000 to help a family pay a portion of utility bills as well as educational assistance, food, medical referrals, rides to medical appointments and help for the homeless.
Meredith Lahmann, associate member, presented Gotham with a $250 check from her church, Gaililee Lutheran. This represented an initial grant from the church and will be applied to the "Seniors Not Forgotten" project.
During the holidays, the chapter distributed socks and blankets to local residents in nursing homes. Local merchants were exceptionally generous, donating almost $2,000. Dan Davi and Frank Parker from VVA succeeded in raising these funds all within a two week period.
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LAKEPORT – On Tuesday, June 24, at high noon, there will be a special funeral ceremony for the first indigent veteran buried in Veterans Circle at Hartley Cemetery.
George Oliver Elder was born on October 21, 1936 in Mineral Wells, Texas, and passed away in Lakeport on May 26.
He served his country honorably in the US Air Force from 1957 to 1961. He was an aircraft maintenance man.
Unfortunately, at his death, Elder was indigent; he had no family and few friends.
The United Veterans Council Funeral Honors Team will provide traditional military honors including the three-volley rifle salute, the playing of Taps, and the folding and presentation of the flag.
Captain Woody Hughes, U.S. Navy, Retired, Chaplain for the Funeral Honors Team, will deliver the eulogy at the simple, but dignified, ceremony at Veterans Circle.
A representative of the Avenue of the Flags will receive the flag to be flown in his honor each Memorial Day and Veterans Day.
Hartley Cemetery is located at 2552 Hill Road, Lakeport.
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