Honoring Our Vets 11.04.2022

THE PRESS

NOVEMBER 4, 2022

HONORING OUR

Photo by Chris Campos

Brotherhood and Camarderie

Jefferson Award Winner

American Legion

Army veteran Gary Bostick

Discovery Bay man honored for service

Brentwood’s Sons of the American Legion revived

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HONORING OUR VETS

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NOVEMBER 4, 2022

His benches honor service members

Former Discovery Bay man wins Jefferson Award from KPIX-TV SEAN TONGSON

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enuine, Humble, Dedicated, Compassionate, Inspirational. These are just

a few words by many to describe Ed McClelland, who through his nonprofit organization Operation Creekside, received the Jefferson Award, a public service award given to individuals at both a local and national basis.

The Jefferson Award highlights unsung heroes while inspiring those to become involved in community and public service, according to YoursHumanly.org.

“Every week, we honor a quiet hero who is doing extraordinary things for our community,” said KPIX-TV Jefferson Awards reporter Sharon Chin. “We recognize his dedication and commitment to active military veterans ON THE COVER: Army Lt. Col. Curtis L. Yankie, commander, 834th Transportation Battalion of Military Ocean Terminal Concord, speaks at the 75th anniversary of the Port Chicago disaster in July 2019.

HONORING OUR VETS

Press photo

Operation Creekside has teamed up with 22TooMany to create custom memorial benches for family members of veterans who have died by suicide. through his volunteer-based distribution of care packages, overseas, and at home. We also honor his (McClelland’s) compassion for veterans and the families who have lost veterans through suicide. He has brought much comfort to them through the memorial benches he custom orders and delivers thousands of miles across the country for free. Ed is an example that one person really can make a

difference. What an inspiration he is to us all!”

McClelland, formerly of Discovery Bay, says he is not big on individual recognition and doesn’t want it to be all about him, but was humbled and taken aback by the honor.

“The Jefferson Award was a surprise to me,” he said. “One of our supporters nominated me, and I am very humbled. I had seven uncles that served this country, and I thought

of how our veterans have kept us safe 24/7 just like the troops serving today. What a fine group I chose to serve!”

Kurt Buyer, a friend and supporter of McClelland, nominated him for the award, crediting him for turning his life around after experiencing personal struggles and emphasizing his propensity for dedicating himself to helping others, in particular among veterans.

“He overcame a lot of obstacles in his personal life and dedicated himself to the mission of serving the veterans and the active people in Afghanistan and some of the other places overseas we used to send care packages,” said Buyer. “Just the way he goes about it on a shoestring and using a lot of his own money. I just really admire and respect him as a person. We need more people like Ed in the world today, who put other people first, especially the veterans and what they have done for our country.”

McClelland, 62, spoke about his reasons for wanting to start Operation Creekside, detailing his battle with alcoholism and wanting to do something positive in his life after becoming sober in 2006. While he started Operation Creekside in 2009, McClelland said his support for the veterans in the form of sending care packs to the troops goes back further. see Honor page 3B

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HONORING OUR VETS

NOVEMBER 4, 2022

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Operation Creekside Troop Pack at veterans hall

“In 2010 with the help of Creekside Church members in Brentwood, we quickly started shipping 50 to 100 care packs to U.S. troops deployed every month, with much more being shipped in November and December,” said McClelland, who is the chaplain for Operation Creekside.

“I am not in this non-profit ‘business’ for awards or any attention for me. We are trying to fill tremendous needs in the veteran community which includes loving ‘The Families of the 22.”

The ‘Families of the 22’ references the loss of 22 veterans daily by suicide.

According to 22toomany.com, the reasons vary from post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injury, and the challenges of readjusting from military to civilian life.

Operation Creekside has formed a partnership with 22TooMany, a group of runners nationwide who run races with photos of veterans lost to suicide and send medals to the families. In addition, Operation Creekside has teamed up with 22TooMany to create custom memorial benches for family members of veterans who have died by suicide.

“As a civilian who spends a lot of time with veterans, I’ve learned what an honorable group they are and serving them and the families of the 22 is an amazing mission,” said McClelland.

Linda Wilson has worked with McClelland for many years. “He does an amazing job,” she said. “They are beautiful benches. The joy that they bring to those is

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his year’s Operation

McCLELLAND amazing. Each one has these troops’ names, their birthdays, and whatever is significant to them. If they had a favorite saying or biblical verse, they are engraved into them.”

McClelland said that the feeling of delivering a bench to a troop’s family is difficult to explain. “Over the last five years or so, I have been meeting some of these families across the country, and we have built and delivered about 16 benches now,” said McClelland. “It can be very solemn, but it is extremely important to recognize these families and show them that we care for their loss. The families never want their loved ones forgotten. We become family with them.”

McClelland, who now resides in Tuolumne, says he wishes to keep doing this mission for as long as he can. “I am hoping for eight to 10 years more, or basically as long as I can serve efficiently,” said McClelland. “As a believer who believes that God rescued me from alcoholism, my strength to serve comes from Him. In fact, my favorite prayer is, ‘Lord give me the ability to do more than I am capable of.’”

To view a video of the event, visit www.thepress.net/multimedia

Creekside Troop Pack is scheduled for 6pm on Dec. 13

at the Brentwood Veterans Memorial Building, 757 First St. Co-sponsor is Brentwood NAPA Auto Parts.

Volunteers will fill care packages with necessities that will be sent to U.S. service members stationed overseas in time for the holidays.

Here is a list of needed items, according to the Operation Creekside website: ♦ Small individual packs of all kinds of nuts ♦ Granola bars and energy bars ♦ Powdered drink mixes ♦ Pop-Tarts ♦ Fruit snacks, sunflower seeds ♦ Beef jerky ♦ Gum ♦ Socks, T-shirts, gloves Monetary donations also are needed to mail the packages overseas. To donate money, send it to: Operation Creekside, Box 1758, Discovery Bay, CA 94505.

Operation Creekside relies on the taxdeductible donations and support from local businesses, said Ed McClelland, a chaplain in Brentwood. And it’s not just about paying for

what goes inside the packages. Each box also costs about $23.50 in postage to send, he said.

Operation Creekside will ship a care package to anyone service member or veteran who needs one, McClelland says, adding that he always keeps a few with him just in case. ”I’ve probably mailed care packs from more post offices than anybody in the country,” he said last year. “I’ve mailed them across the nation. And it’s fun. Sometimes, it’s boring. Other times, I’ve had the clerks cry.”

About 15,000 boxes are sent across the U.S. and to those deployed in countries such as Iraq, Afghanistan, Japan, Kuwait and South Korea.

The packs contain dry, packaged food and treats that won’t spoil and can survive the shipping process, such as granola bars, nuts and beef jerky.

Sometimes the packages contain special gifts, such as letters and homemade pillow cases.

McClelland founded Operation Creekside in 2009, and is the nonprofit’s director and outreach liaison. The organization also has a small board of directors and 12 people who regularly help assemble care packages throughout the year for service members and veterans.

For any assistance with donations or if you have any questions, call Brentwood Auto Parts at 925-634-3952 and ask for Linda or Beth, or email at naparick@sbcglobal.net. Visit https://operationcreekside.org/

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HONORING OUR VETS

NOVEMBER 4, 2022

‘A sense of brotherhood and camaraderie’ SEAN TONGSON

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that he says propels humans to achieve feats believed before to be impossible.

rmy veteran Gary Bostick

Bostick additionally describes encoun-

described his eight years in

tering the darkest side of war, including

the military as being one of

loss of life, yet still having the need to

his most impactful experiences in his

be focused and contribute to the rest of

life. Experiences of war represent one’s

the team, while dealing with the after-

proudest moments yet also one’s dark-

effects of the physical and mental scars

est, recalling harrowing experiences

that many people don’t see.

“Sometimes, explosions were so intense, only pieces of a person remained,” said Bostick, 44, of Pittsburg. “In the Army, we never leave a soldier behind. I am proud that any time a fellow soldier met his end next to me, I carried what was left of him off the battlefield with me. War brings out opportunities to see the depth of who you are as a person.”

Bostick said he has seen and experienced things firsthand many would consider inconceivable. Bostick’s combat experience in Afghanistan, Operation Enduring

MILITARY/VETERAN

The City of Brentwood Military/Veteran Banner Program has been established to honor and recognize active duty military personnel or military veterans that reside in, or have immediate family living in the City of Brentwood.

Military/Veteran Banners will display the official military photo of the service member or veteran, as well as their name, rank, and branch of the United States Armed Forces. Honor those who served in the U.S. Armed Services and recognize their bravery, commitment, and sacrifices to protect the values and freedoms of Americans.

Freedom, and Operation New Dawn primarily consisted of dismounted fighting with small arms, rocket-propelled grenades, and improvised explosive devices, serving in the 14th Psychological Operations Battalion (POB), 301st Psychological Operations Company (POC), and 870th Military Police (MP) Company, leaving in 2017 as a first lieutenant. Yet, he recounts his reasons for wanting to serve in the first place.

“I longed for a sense of brotherhood and camaraderie that I knew could only be forged on the battlefield amongst soldiers willing to sacrifice everything for their country, unit, and fellow soldier,” said Bostick. “Both of my grandfathers served.

One served in World War II. One served in the Korean War. I saw it as a young child as I watched my grandfathers and their friends and saw the bond that they shared. There was a brotherhood and camaraderie.”

According to Bostick, war revealed that the most precious thing any person may have is time, because once spent, it is never regained. And no matter how much time people are given, it is never enough.

Bostick says that this lesson changed his personal value system from one focused on materialism and status, to one that values personal relationships and the time spent with friends and loved ones.

“I find that many people who have never served take much for granted and seem to have no value system that guides their actions,” said Bostick. “The Army values are leadership, duty, responsibility, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage. Violation of an Army value is grounds for court martial. At my unit, I was surrounded by women and men of convictions rooted in the Army values. I miss that in civilian life.”

Adjusting to civilian life for Bostick has been difficult in more ways than one since leaving the service five years ago.

He said he struggles, along with other combat veterans today, and how these experiences will impact him and his fellow veterans for the rest of his life. Today, Bostick is the owner and operations director of Junked: Powered by Veterans, a fullservice junk removal and hauling service, whose mission is to provide eco-friendly junk removal while hiring and supporting veterans.

“I have some physical and mental injuries that will be with me the rest of my life, which has impacted my quality of life,” Bostick said. “It has taken the unyielding support of my wife and battle buddies. Often, I feel like there is no place for me here at home, but organizations like Delta Veterans Group created a community for veterans like me where I can feel a sense of belonging and purpose.”

The Delta Veterans Group is a group composed of veteran and civilian volunteers who wish to serve local veterans. Located see Bostick page 5B

HONORING OUR VETS HONORING OUR VETS

Bostick from page 4B

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Your chiropractic care is included in the Medical Benefits Package for Veterans. It is VA policy that access to chiropractic care is consistent with policy for access to any other specialty.

Referral for chiropractic care must be made by your VA physician through the outpatient Community Care Program.

Photo courtesy of Junked: Powered by Veterans

“Movies are sensationalized,” said Bostick. “When you read an account, one can get the mental and emotional impact of the events and can get inside the head and hearts of people more so than a movie. It gives you a better understanding.”

Bostick said emphatically that he absolutely would serve all over again “without question”, while also offering some advice for young people interested in serving, in the meantime putting a great emphasis on the friendships, the clear value system, and codes of conduct from serving.

“I would advocate joining,” said Bostick. “The friendships you make in the military are unparalleled to those made in any other aspect of life. So in addition to the skills you gain, you gain an extended family that will see you through your most trying times. Friends end up being more like family when it is all said and done. It was proud for me to show up for me, for my fellow soldiers, and for my country.”

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Veteran Gary Bostick would do it again if he was asked to serve.

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in Antioch, their goal is to bring veterans the four pillars of success: housing, employment, health and education.

“Our goal is simple; to bring together all of the Veteran Service Organizations in our communities and champion support for our nation’s finest men and women Veterans,” said J.R. Wilson, founder and president of the Delta Veterans Group.

“Through the four pillars of success as a veteran myself, I was able to find peace and balance in my life, and a chance to bring about positive changes for veterans in our community.”

While many veterans endure the physical and mental injuries that leave debilitating scars and lasting effects, Bostick said veterans aren’t treated with enough respect, exemplifying the United States Congress’ use of the PACT Act, which provides expanded health benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits, herbicides, and other airborne toxins, as a political tool.

“Veterans and their supporters had to protest and obtain vast media coverage to get a bill to pass that should have passed without incident,” said Bostick. “It is sad when the leaders of this country treat its veterans with such disregard.” Bostick said he feels however, that there are ways the public can be more supportive and respectful of veterans, like getting to know veterans by volunteering with organizations that support veterans, or reading a historically accurate account of war, such as books as opposed to what may be depicted in a movie.

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TreVista Honors Our Veterans From left to right: Dolores Weiman, Bryan Carver, Maurice Lynch WWII😏😏😏😏, Tommy Hudson, Harold Juhala, Lou Flores, Ralph Knauss, Leo Fontana, Huey Miller, Alec (Sanny) Fontana, Don McFarland, Charles Wagner, George Ebeling, Don Schneider, Robert Bagwell.

Veterans not in photo: William Leah, James Flynn, Bob Gallup.

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NOVEMBER 4, 2022

Brentwood’s Sons of the American Legion revived DANE DICKERSON

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Some members of the Sons of the American Legion gather at the Brentwood Veterans Memorial Hall to practice their 21-gun salute for Veterans Day.

Sons of the American Legion chapter existed in Brentwood some 50

years ago, but a dedicated group of longtime residents is reviving its legacy to serve its community.

Brentwood’s Sons of the American Legion Squadron 202 was established at the brink of the COVID-19 pandemic but managed to thrive in community involvement despite restrictions. They are fully operational as the pandemic winds down, and are involved in a little bit of everything.

Nationally, Sons of the American Legionwas founded in 1932 and exists to “honor the service and sacrifice of Legionnaires.” It is a national non-profit organization composed of males of any age whose parents or grandparents are U.S. military veterans. It is a brother organization of the American Legion, a U.S. veterans association, created to allow families of veterans to serve the local community and perpetuate American values.

The local Legion consists of about 30 active members, headed by their newly appointed Commander, Britt Parks. They meet the last Tuesday of each month at Bentwood’s Veterans Memorial Building, the

Photo by Dane Dickerson

interior of which was renovated by Legion members within their first year of operation.

The son of a Vietnam veteran and longtime Brentwood resident, Parks explains that Sons of the American Legion is about honoring those who have served and improving the community that raised him.

“I joined right after my father passed away,” said Parks. “I’ve lived in Brentwood for 54 years, and I wanted to give something back to the town, you know, I think the group is great. We’re all together because we all grew up in this town. It’s about respect for what they [veterans] did. They went and served our country, and some of them have seen some

things you don’t want to see.”

Squadron 202 partners with other local nonprofits to provide aid wherever needed.

Members volunteer at the food bank, have helped with the Brentwood Strong food drive, they provide set-up of events like Brentwood Oktoberfest, they have worked security for the Dia De Los Muertos festivals in the past, and they partner with One Day at a Time to hand out food to the needy.

They also distribute turkeys and other Thanksgiving essentials to veterans around the holidays. Soon they will prepare Veterans Park for Veterans Day festivities on Nov. 11 and perform a ceremony complete with a

21-gun salute.

In addition to service hours, Sons of the American Legion raises funds for the community. They run an Adopt-A-Senior program, where they donate college school supplies and gifts to select graduating students at Heritage High. They host an annual crab feed fundraiser and have gifted past proceeds to Legion members with sudden health expenses, including cancer and stroke. The Chris Berumen Memorial scholarship is also supported with fundraising by members of Sons of the American Legion annually and is named after one of their founding members.

Parks regards excellent community support as a key reason so many people spend their whole lives here.

“My friend Rod had a stroke. In a big town, you have no help. In this little town, we got 500 people to show up and give money for him. That’s why you stay in a little town, right? There’s community; sometimes we don’t agree, but we’re all friends and stay as a team. It’s pretty cool to be a part of. In a bigger city, you don’t know your neighbors; you don’t know the people that live down the street. But here, I go anywhere and know people,” Parks said.

For more information on Squadron 202, call 925 -529-7576 or visit the group’s Facebook page at Sons of the American Legion 202.

To view a video of the event, visit www.thepress.net/multimedia

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HONORING OUR VETS

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rentwood’s Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 10789 is set to distribute its traditional

“Buddy” poppies to raise funds and awareness for needy and veterans with disabilities, and the surviving family members of deceased veterans.

Post members will be at four locations from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 4 and Saturday, Nov. 5, to hand out the poppies and collect donations: ♦ Ace Hardware, 8900 Brentwood Blvd., Suite J, in Brentwood; ♦ both Brentwood Safeway locations at 1152 Second St., Brentwood and 3110 Balfour Road, Brentwood; ♦ Discovery Bay’s Safeway, 14840 Highway 4, Discovery Bay. “We pass out the poppies, the red flowers with the white tags on them, and we ask for donations that go directly into our VFW relief fund,” said VFW member and Air Force veteran Mike Meyokovich.

“Those monies are used to help veterans in need if they are having a hard time paying their rent or utility bills, something really needs fixing on their home, if they need some type of wheelchair ramp or something like that installed … and everything we collect in our VFW post stays in our local area.”

The VFW ensures that 100% of the donations go to veterans and their surviving family members, he said. Red poppies are recognized as memorial flowers in the United States and around the world. The small paper and wire “Buddy” poppies have been handed out by the VFW since 1922 and are assembled by veterans with disabilities and serve as a reminder of those who have served, fought and died in service to their country, VFW officials say.

The origins of the tradition can be traced to Col. John McCrae’s poem “In Flanders Fields,” meant to honor the men and women who died in France in World War I. For more information on VFW Post 10789, or to donate, visit www.vfw10789. org, or attend their regular meeting the second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Brentwood Veterans Memorial Building, 757 First St., Brentwood.

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Veterans park proposed for Antioch CHRIS CAMPOS

Below: Antioch veteran groups are proposing a new Veterans Memorial Park along L Street.

Left: The map projects how the veterans park would be laid out.

L Street is being proposed to honor the city’s veterans.

Images courtesy of Delta Veterans Group

Andrew Becker called the park “a phenomenal project.” Martin Wesley, identifying himself as a co-founder of the CoCo Farms cannabis dispensary, said “We pledge our total support to the project … It will beautify downtown.”

The three presenters emphasized the importance of community support and financial donations.

The council voted unanimously to request a city staff report for details on the next steps to bring the park to fruition. They also requested a draft of an agreement with the park veterans group.

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2021

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Sponsored by the local Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6435, the proposed Veterans Memorial Park was presented to the City Council on Oct. 11 by Gerald “JR” Wilson, local VFW commander, Don Freitas, former mayor, and Pat Jeremy, vice president of VFW 6435.

Wilson called the project, “a community project that is educational, equitable and inclusive.”

The three lots, now city surplus properties, would entail a parking lot at the southern end and two other lots linked by a “Path of Heroes” honoring veterans who served from World War I throughWorld War II, the Vietnam War, Iraq and Afghanistan. The park design features obelisks with information covering various conflicts and local veterans’ experiences.

Jeremy told the council that the group “wants to be able to tell the real story” of the sacrifices that veterans endured over the decades.

Freitas noted that the park would “offer a recreational opportunity, as well as eliminate a blighted location at the entrance of the city.”

During public comments at the meeting,

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forlorn stretch of dirt lots along

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