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Donations sought for military

Project brings joy to service members during holidays

“ O n Christmas Eve, I got a message from Iraq that was a troop saying, ‘I don’t know how you know where I am, I don’t know how you know my name, I don’t know where Brentwood California is, but you guys made our Christmas and God Bless You.’ ”

Linda Wilson is quoting a service member from a previous Operation Creekside, and the co-organizer of the annual event said she wants the program to have that kind of impact again this year.

Operation Creekside is requesting donations of prepackaged food items, clothes such as T-shirts or socks, and hand-written ‘thank you’ notes for the 13th annual Holiday Pack For The Troops on Dec. 9 at the Brentwood Veterans Memorial Building at 757 First St. at 6 p.m. so that they can see Creekside page 5B

ISAAC ARRIAGA

Photo by Adobe Stock

Veterans have options for therapy

ilitary service members provide an invaluable service that protects national ideals and ensures the country and various regions around the world are safe havens for people from all walks of life. That service requires considerable sacrifice, and the cost of service can extend well beyond the time military personnel are on active duty.

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), more than 1.7 million veterans used mental health services at the VA last year. That need is not exclusive to American veterans, as the Government of Canada reports that one-fifth of Canadian veterans experience a diagnosed mental health disorder at some point during their lives. Mental health services can help veterans successfully navigate difficult periods in their lives, and the following are various types of therapies service members may encounter during their treatment journeys.

♦ Individual and group counseling: American Addiction Centers notes that individual counseling is a one-on-one approach to therapy that can help veterans work through their issues, thoughts,

Mental health problems are common among military veterans, but various therapies are available and effective at helping veterans navigate those problems. More information is available at va.gov.

concerns, emotions, and individual situations. Some veterans may prefer individual counseling because of confidentiality and the one-on-one attention each session provides. But group counseling provides an opportunity to receive and give support from and to others who may be in similar situations and have similar experiences during their time in the military.

♦ Couples and family counseling: Couples and family counseling can help veterans open up with those closest to them, which some veterans struggle with after their time in the military. The VA notes that couples therapy for veterans

Better Rates. Better Rides.

and their significant others can help them reconnect spiritually and romantically. Therapists leading this type of therapy aim to create a space for listening and mutual understanding.

♦ Military sexual trauma counseling: The VA notes military sexual trauma refers to sexual assault or harassment experienced during military service. Counseling for military sexual trauma can help veterans cope with how a traumatic sexual experience while serving is impacting veterans’ current lives and can involve in-depth discussions of the experience.

♦ Readjustment counseling: Readjustment

counseling aims to help veterans and their families successfully transition from military life to civilian life. That transition can be difficult for both veterans and their families, and it’s important to note that family members of individuals who served in combat zones or received a military campaign ribbon are eligible for readjustment counseling.

♦ Bereavement (grief) counseling: Many veterans go through emotional and psychological stress after the death of a fellow service member who they knew or served alongside at some point during their time in the military. This type of counseling offers support after the death of a loved one. It’s important to note that bereavement counseling can be sought even if a loved one who passed away was not in the military.

♦ Substance use treatment: The VA notes many veterans have problems with alcohol, tobacco, street drugs, and prescription medicines. Various services, including medically managed detoxification, are offered to veterans under the umbrella of substance use treatment.

For more information, contact Contra Costa Veterans Services at 10 Douglas Drive Suite # 100, Martinez. Call (925) 313-1481 or visit www.contracosta.ca.gov/1557/ Veterans-Services.

– Courtesy of Metro Creative

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Mental health resources available for local veterans

If you are an active-duty service member or a veteran having mental health problems, there are plenty of local resources to help you. Local experts say you just have to ask.

One such problem is Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a psychological disorder that can develop after exposure to traumatic events, such as combat, accidents, or assaults. Symptoms of PTSD include intrusive memories, hyper-vigilance, irritability, and emotional numbness.

Seven out of every 100 veterans (seven percent) will experience PTSD at some point in their lives, with PTSD more common among female veterans (13 percent) than male veterans (six percent), according to the National Center for PTSD.

Asking for help is the hardest step, but also the most important step, while emphasizing that veterans in East County have a variety of options for assistance, according to Donald Hester, commandant for Delta Diablo Detachment 1155, Marine Corps League.

“The Concord Vet Center offers confidential counseling for combat veterans and their families,” Hester said. “The Contra Costa County Veterans Service Office helps connect veterans to VA benefits, including mental-

health care and disability compensation. In our area, community-based groups such as the Delta Veterans Group, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10789, American Legion Post 202, and the Marine Corps League Delta Diablo Detachment 1155 all provide peer support, camaraderie, and outreach.”

In addition to PTSD, veterans may also experience survivor’s guilt, itself a symptom of PTSD, which is a related feeling of remorse when one has lived through an event that others did not, Hester said. According to the

National Center for PTSD, survivors might also feel guilty for not being able to rescue others, feel guilty for actions that they committed during the traumatic events, or also may feel responsible for the overall traumatic event.

“Both are normal human reactions to extraordinary circumstances, not signs of weakness,” Hester said. “With the right support, treatment, and community, recovery and renewed purpose are absolutely possible.”

For veterans seeking assistance, Hester recommended starting with the veterans

center in Concord or the County Veterans Service Office, where they can walk veterans through their available benefits, counseling, and referrals. In terms of how the community can do to support veterans, Hester said that the best thing a community can do is to “listen and include”, adding that simple acts, such as sincerely thanking a veteran, inviting them to community events, or supporting local veterans’ organizations, can go a long way. Employers meanwhile, can learn about transferable military skills and create supportive workplaces.

The public also can encourage open, stigma-free conversations about mental health so veterans feel safe seeking help.

“No Marine, soldier, sailor, or airman has to fight this battle alone,” Hester said. “Lean on your brothers and sisters in arms. Local organizations like ours were built so Veterans always have a place to belong, talk openly, and heal together. We are here for you. We will not leave you behind.”

For anyone in crisis, the national Veterans Crisis Line is available 24 hours a day at 988 then press 1 or text 838255.

The Concord Vet Center is at 1333 Willow Pass Road. Visit www va gov/concordvet-center/ or call 925- 680-4526. The County Veterans Service Office is at 10 Douglas Drive in Martinez. Their phone number is 925-313-1481.

For details on PTSD, visit https://share. google/uINvdn3Pgzzc9kYSW.

SEAN TONGSON

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Many East County events honor veterans

Veterans Day is Tuesday, Nov. 11. There are several local events to honor and celebrate veterans and their service. Details are below.

Saturday, Nov. 8

Veterans Day Second Annual Parade in Brentwood

The second annual Veterans Day parade is in downtown Brentwood, followed by the first VETJAM, which will start at the conclusion of the parade. The parade will start at 9:30 a.m. at First and Birch streets and end at Maple Street. The VETJAM will be at the Brentwood Veterans Memorial Building, 757 First St. and feature ‘80s and ‘90s classic rock band Austin Ma. Admission is free. Hot dogs and a bar will be available. For more information, call 925-354-2868. See parade map on page 7B.

U.S. Marine Corps’ 250th birthday dinner

The Delta Diablo Detachment 1155 hosts a dinner to celebrate the U.S. Marine Corps’ 250th birthday. The celebration will be at Smith’s Landing at 1 Marina Plaza in Antioch at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $90,

which includes appetizers, dinner, nonalcoholic beverages and dessert. They can be purchased at www.zeffy.colm/enus/ticketing/ united-states-marine-corps-250th-birthdaydinner.

Sunday, Nov. 9

The Final Bab-A Veterans Charity Fundraiser

Hosted by the Creekside Disc Golf Club, this event will be a singles tourna-

ment at Creekside Park, 1010 Claremont Drive in Brentwood. Proceeds will benefit the Brentwood Veterans Memorial Building. For more information and to register, visit dgscene.com/thefinalbab.

Monday, Nov. 10

Veterans Breakfast in Brentwood

Hosted by American Legion Womens Auxilliary, the Veterans Breakfast is free for all veterans. It will be from 7:30-10 a.m. at the Brentwood Veterans Memorial Building, 757 First St. Pancakes, eggs, bacon and fruit will be served. For questions, call Dolores at 925-584-6712.

Veterans Appreciation Night Fundraiser

Presented by the Antioch Chamber Nonprofit Council and Hops and Grapes, the event will take place at Hops and Grapes, 24 W. 10th St. in Antioch, from 5-10 p.m. Participants can enjoy food and drinks and help give back to local heroes. Ten percent of all proceeds will be donated to the Delta Veterans Group. For more information, visit antiochchamber.org

Tuesday, Nov. 11

Brentwood Veterans Day Ceremony

The Brentwood Veterans Service Organization along with the City of Brentwood, will host to this year’s Veterans Day ceremony at Veterans Park, 3841 Balfour Road, at 10:30 a.m. During the ceremony, there will be guest speakers, music, a rifle salute, a tribute to veterans, and the playing of TAPS. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/ groups/1504007233250596

Oakley Veterans Day Ceremony

Join the City of Oakley in honoring veterans at the annual Veterans Day Ceremony from 11 a.m.-noon in Civic Center Plaza, 3231 Main St. Those interested in participating should contact the Oakley Recreation Division at 925-625-7041. For more information, visit oakleyca.gov.

Veterans Day at

Smith’s Landing Seafood Grill

In honor of Veterans Day, the staff of Smith’s Landing, 1 Marina Plaza in Antioch, are saying “Thank you” with a complimentary entrée from their special Veterans Day menu. This will be available to active-duty, former and retired military. Guests should show their server proof of military service, such as Military ID cards, Veterans Affairs Cards, or Discharge papers. Dine in from a limited menu only. Beverage and gratuity are not included. To make a reservation, visit www.smithslandingantioch.com/reservations

Friday, Nov. 14

Veterans Day Game Night

The event will take place at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church Hall, 500 Fairview Ave. in Brentwood. Check-in will be at 5 p.m., dinner will be at 5:30 p.m., and Texas Hold ‘Em game play will be from 7-10 p.m. There will be raffle prizes and a silent auction. Dinner and game buy-in is $70, dinner only is $25, re-buys are $25, add-ons are $50. For tickets and information, contact Richard Alward at 925-286-3291 or knights7467@ gmail.com.

NICOLE BECCHINA

Adobe stock photo

Schoolchildren present handmade banners to veterans during a heartfelt Veterans Day assembly.

continue to have this kind of impact on service members worldwide during the upcoming holidays.

For the past 13 years, Wilson, helps coordinate The Troop Pack with Operation Creekside which has organized the gathering and sending of packages to active-duty service members and veterans of past conflicts during the holiday season. Wilson said the goal of the packages is to recognize and bring joy to active-duty members and veterans across the globe who are away from their families like the troop who said he did not know how Operation Creekside found him.

“I got involved 13 years ago; I kind of started in it as a dare,” Wilson said. “It ended up that it was so overwhelming to do it the first time.”

Wilson, who is also co-owner of Brentwood NAPA Auto Parts, was approached by Operation Creekside founder Ed McClelland in 2012 to ask if Brentwood NAPA Auto Parts would like to host a donation box for the troop packs. McClelland had been sending troop packs since 2009, but welcomed extra help packaging and sending troop packs. After getting more involved with the project, Wilson said she now organizes the troop packs annually to allow McClelland to work on other projects for Operation Creekside.

“Last year, we sent about 500 pack-

ages,” Wilson said. “The year before, we sent about 620. Last year was really hard, I know people were having issues with donations. It all depends because of the freight, we have to put back about $10,000 every year before we even start.”

Donations for items to be sent in the troop packs can be dropped off at Brentwood NAPA Auto Parts at 7881 Brentwood Blvd., the Brentwood Press building at 248 Oak St., or at the Brentwood Veterans Memorial Building at 757 First St. Items can be donated up until the packaging event on Dec. 9.

Volunteers are welcome to help package the troop packs and will receive a free hot dog for their help.

“It’s just open and there’s no signups so you never know how many are going to show,” Wilson said. “And you think you have stuff for all these boxes and it’s going to take a while, but there are so many people that show that I would say within an hour and 15 minutes, it’s done.”

Operation Creekside uses USPS standard packages (12x12x5.5) to pack in snacks, clothes, notes, powdered mix

drinks, and artwork created by children. To cover the cost of shipping, Operation Creekside is also taking monetary donations that can be made using the QR code to Venmo on their website (trooppack.org) or by writing a check to Operation Creekside, EIN #27-4120860. Wilson said the cost of shipping the packs has risen in recent years. “When we first started out, packing was $12.95, now it’s $28 a box,” she said. “So each pack … I think is running us probably about $75 a box if you figure out everything that we’re putting in it with the freight on it.”

Despite the rising cost of shipping, Operation Creekside is requesting more names of active-duty service members, stationed both domestically and abroad, and veterans of past conflicts to send packs to. If you know of anyone who would benefit from a troop pack box, you can enter their information on trooppack.org. Operation Creekside would also like to know how many personnel are in their unit to send them troop pack box as well. However, Operation Creekside requests that the person you want to receive a troop pack be stationed at the location stated in their submission form through January 2026 as shipping may take up to six weeks.

For assistance with donations or additional questions, call Brentwood (NAPA) Auto Parts at (925) 634-3952 and ask for Linda or Beth or email NAPArick@sbcglobal.net.

Photo by Isaac Arriaga

BRENTWOOD AUTO PARTS, INC.

Recognizing the hidden toll of military service

Each November, the nation observes Veterans Day and National Veterans and Military Families

Month — two occasions that remind Americans that the cost of service is carried not only on the battlefield but also in the enduring strength of those who serve and the families who stand beside them.

These have even greater meaning for areas with deep military history, particularly Contra Costa County. Out of a total population of nearly 1.7 million as of last year, the county has nearly 33,800 veterans, including those in East County.

However, beyond holding ceremonies, these events strongly call for more decisive action to confront the burdens numerous former service members and their families still confront.

November is a month to ponder the silent struggles of veterans

For decades, November has consistently stood as a month of remembrance for all former military personnel and their families who carried their service with them. Yet behind these celebrations is a toxic legacy weighing heavily on this population: prolonged exposure to harmful substances, such as Agent Orange, burn pit fumes, mustard gas, Lewisite, radiation, and most notably, asbestos. For most of the 20th century, this hazardous mineral was extensively used in the construction of naval vessels and numerous military facilities, including Concord Naval Weapons Station, roughly 20 miles from Antioch.

Unfortunately, service members handling asbestos have become vulnerable to severe illnesses like asbestosis, mesothelioma, and lung cancer. Their families weren’t immune either, as they often fall victim to secondary exposure — when asbestos fibers cling to their loved ones; belongings and are brought home, poten-

tially inhaled by household members. Over time, this concern has taken a toll across California, which tallied 27,080 asbestoslinked deaths between 1999 and 2017. Contra Costa County specifically logged 1,198 fatalities, according to www.asbestosnation.org/facts/asbestos-deaths/ca/.

These figures emphasize the immediate need for medical support and preventive measures to protect both veterans and their families.

Turning recognition into lasting support

Dedicating a specific day and an entire month to honoring veterans and their families is essential — especially considering their sacrifices in safeguarding the country. But then, tribute alone is not enough if it fails to address the challenges they face. Federal programs have already brought significant help to toxic-exposed veterans. Among these is the Honoring Our PACT Act of 2022, which has added more than 20 presumptive conditions to streamline access to specialized care as well as benefits for those harmed by dangerous chemicals.

Since the new law’s inception, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has already received nearly 3 million claims, including 219,629 from California. To date, almost 2 million applications have been approved. And just in 2024, more than $6.8 billion in compensation has been granted to rightful victims, according to the VA.

Yet this progress notwithstanding, countless veterans still struggle to navigate the claims process — thus limiting their access to specialized care and other vital support. Policymakers and concerned stakeholders must step up to provide more comprehensive health services and benefits that extend not only to veterans but also to their families. After all, proper respect for military service is reflected in proactive action — not just in ceremonies.

Cristina Johnson is an advocate for Navy veterans for Asbestos Ships Organization, a nonprofit whose primary mission is to raise awareness and educate veterans about the dangers of asbestos exposure on Navy ships and assist veterans in navigating the VA claims process. For more information, visit www.asbestos-ships.com/

Gestures anyone can embrace in support of veterans

Community events tend to be held on Nov. 11 to honor veterans on their special day, but any day of the year is a good time to pay respect to veterans. On a local level, people can do much to thank veterans for their service and sacrifice.

Provide a free restaurant meal

Offer to take out a veteran for breakfast, lunch or dinner. If you see a veteran eating in a restaurant, anonymously pay the bill for that person.

Send care packages

Communities can gather resources and chip in to make care packages for veterans who live in town, and even to send to troops stationed elsewhere. Include foods and comforts from home. Operation Creekside on December 9 at the Brentwood Veterans Memorial Building does exactly that.

Buy from veterans

Seek out veteran-owned businesses in the area, and then make purchases from their retail stores or use their services. A few have advertisements in this section.

Volunteer at a VA hospital

Spend time with veterans where they receive care for current health needs or past injuries suffered in combat. Decorate cemeteries

Honor fallen veterans by placing flowers or flags by their gravesites.

Participate in a parade

If your town hosts a Veterans Day or Remembrance Day parade, find out how you can volunteer or be a part of it. Oftentimes parade officials enable youth groups, such as high school marching bands or scouting troops, to participate in the parade. The Brentwood Veterans Day Parade is November 8.

Write to the newspaper

Write an op-ed or a feature piece to submit to the newspaper about veterans in the community. Mention local veterans who have unique stories, or speak about the importance of veterans to the community.

Ask a veteran to speak

If you work in a school or a community center, ask veterans to share their experiences with area youth.

Visit local memorials

Spend time visiting memorials nearby and paying homage to the veterans who devoted their time, or even their lives, to service.

– Courtesy of Metro Creative