District 15 Legionnaire Veterans Day 2020

15TH DISTRICT

LEGION

NAIRE

“The Nation that forgets its Defenders 15th District Legionnaire

...will itself be forgotten.”

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties"

TON Y D. S T R AU S S 2 0 2 0 - 2 0 2 1

COMMANDER'S CORNER It is an honor to serve as Commander of the 15th District for 2020-2021. This is a position I do not take lightly and will do my best to carry on the rich traditions of the “Friendly Fifteenth.”

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I have been blessed with several mentors who have nurtured and guided me as I advanced through the chairs prior to becoming District Commander.

To them, I am forever grateful.

My main focus this year will be our Posts, Membership, and the Legion Family.

There are 14 Posts within the 15th District who serve our veterans, their families, and our communities. They all bring unique programs to the table, which we can all learn and benefit from. I would like to assist them in their endeavors wherever I am needed.

(Continued on Page 2)

Wednesday, November 11, 2020 | VETERANS DAY | 1

A R E A 3 A M E R IC A N L E G ION R I DE R S

VICE PRESIDENT MESSAGE First and foremost, it is my hope all of you and your families are safe and healthy during these difficult and trying times.

PLUS INSIDE...

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For those of you who I have not met, allow me to introduce myself. I am Ralph Wenzinger, Area 3 Vice President for the American Legion Riders, Department of California (ALRDOC). Immediately prior to being elected to my current position I served as the Judge Advocate for ALRDOC. Some of you may recognize me as a past Commander of the 15th District. I am a member of Post 26 – Bakersfield. I served in the United States Air Force during the war in Vietnam.

I represent the seventeen ALR Chapters in Area 3 to the ALRDOC Executive Committee and vice versa. Four of those chapters are in the 15th District. Amongst my duties are to ensure those chapters comply with administrative, Uniform Manual and By-laws requirements while also serving as a source of information and a mentor to chapter officers and members. I have three Alternate Vice Presidents scattered across Area 3 to assist me.

Women Veterans............Page 14

Our WWII Story................Page 24

Art Contest.................. Page 26

When I was asked to write an article for this publication, one of suggested topics was how ALR has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the raging wildfires, and the economic downturn. Like many of our Posts, Auxiliary Units and Sons Squadrons,

(Continued on Page 4)

Memorial Poppy.......... Page 32

Legion Baseball........... Page 44 THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

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2 | VETERANS DAY 2020

15th District Legionnaire

C OM M A N DE R ' S M E S S AG E

(Continued from Page 1) Membership is vital to the success of The American Legion. Our programs to support veterans, mentor youth and provide for military families facing hardships would not be successful without a strong and vibrant membership. It is imperative that we continue to RECRUIT new members, ENGAGE current members, and RETAIN all members.

The American Legion Family is part of a larger family that includes the American Legion Auxiliary, Sons of The American Legion, and American Legion Riders. We must all work together to carry out the Four Pillars of The American Legion – Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation, National Security, Americanism, and Children & Youth. I like to think of us as One Family, One Mission, and One Goal. I would like to see an increase in the presence of our Legion Family at our District Meetings, so together we can accomplish the aims and purposes of The American Legion.

15TH DISTRICT OFFICERS COMMANDER Tony Strauss, Post 221

CHAPLIN Eddie Orosco, Post 20

1st VICE COMMANDER Jose Rocha, Post 19

HISTORIAN Brian Adams, Post 20

2nd VICE COMMANDER Ralph Wenzinger, Post 26

JUDGE ADVOCATE Juan Lopez, Post 779

SERGEANT-AT-ARMS Bob Atcley, Post 20

SERVICE OFFICER Michael Johnson, Post 221

FINANCE OFFICER David Graham, Post 26

ADJUTANT Dennis Ragsdale, Post 221

Let us not forget our veterans. Previously known as Armistice Day, Veterans Day is commemorated every year on November 11 to mark the armistice signed between the Allies of World War I and Germany at Compiègne, France at 5:45 am, for the cessation of hostilities on the Western Front of World War I, which took effect at eleven o’clock in the morning—the "eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month" of 1918.

15TH AUXILIARY OFFICERS

On Veterans Day we honor and remember every man and woman who has ever worn the uniform of our country. These are individuals who stepped forward and swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic.

We use this day to show appreciation to our armed forces - Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, Airmen, and Guardsmen. We salute the spirit of the American service member and we honor the sacrifices of those who fulfilled their obligations and now proudly call themselves American Veterans.

To my fellow veterans, thank you, God bless you, and may Veterans Day and every day bring you joy in the freedoms our country has because of your sacrifices.

Tony D. Strauss 15th District Commander 2020-2021

President Genieca Risner, Unit 213

Historian Dee Ann Graham, Unit 26

First Vice President Barbara Goodlow, Unit 26

Parliamentarian Dee Ann Graham, Unit 26

Second Vice President Linda Carmichael, Unit 221

Sergeant-at-Arms & Marshall Jan Fletcher, Unit 711

Secretary Treasurer Karen Herrera, Unit 20 Treasurer Brenda Preston, Unit 26 Chaplain Kathryn Johnson, Unit 221

Marshal Zana Chaney, Unit 124 Finance Commitee Linda Charmichael, Chairman Helen Bartholomew, 2 year Zana Chaney, 3 year

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

15th District Legionnaire

MEMBERSHIP REPORT

AU X I L A RY

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

DISTRICT 15 STANDINGS

Post # Post Name & City

ne s rs nli fer l be s O s L d m d n F i i ta oal e l M PU Pa 0 Pa 0 Tra 0 To G 0 0 0 oa 2 2 2 2 2 2 20 G 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 %

18

Visalia, Visalia

0 18

15

64

6 103 143

72.03%

19

Alta, Dinuba

0

7

5

18

0

30 45

66.67%

20

Porterville, Porterville

0 27

11

80

2 120 188

63.83%

26

Bakersfield, Bakersfield

0 71

92

292 16 471 752

62.63%

63

Fellows, Taft

0

6

10

23

0

39 67

58.21%

94

Exeter, Exeter

0

6

8

21

0

35 57

61.40%

124

Merle Reed, Delano

1 15

6

23

1

46 81

56.79%

128

Lindsay, Lindsay

0 12

0

2

0

14 16

87.50%

221

Tehachapi, Tehachapi

1 21

36

60

4 122 159

76.73%

682

East Bakersfield, Bakersfield

0 23

10

58

2

93 147

63.27%

711

Kern River Valley, Lake Isabella 0

9

9

29

1

48 77

62.34%

743

Charter Oak, Ivanhoe

0

9

1

4

0

14 31

45.16%

779

Terra Bella, Terra Bella

0

4

2

7

0

13 23

56.52%

785

Sierra, Visalia

1

44

7

87

4

143 127

112.60%

District 15 Totals

VETERANS DAY 2020 | 3

3 272 212 768 36 1,291 1,913 67.49%

W

Welcome to year 101 of the American Legion Auxiliary

Even though we are not able to get together as we have in the past, we need to do our best to make it work for us. Whether its a meeting using zoom, conference calls or getting together in small groups practicing social distancing, we need to remember our programs still need us. We can honor our Veterans in many ways. Contact local care facilities and ask if they have any residents who are veterans, just get the numbers and send thinking of you card or make tray favors, so they know they are not forgotten. Sign cards or notes and send them to the VAMC or a California Veterans home. Our children will get to go back to school and we can be ready with the give 10 program, we need to let the teachers know how much we care. We may not be able to offer our Poppies to the public, but we can put a poppy in a letter to our members and ask for a donation to the program. And remember to add poppies in the cards and letters to our veterans. Remember a Veteran on November 11th. The day set aside for us to remember all those who have served.

National is promoting a new program — Giving Tuesday From now until #GivingTuesday, December 1, 2020, the ALA Foundation will be accepting donations via this link: https://donate.legion-aux.org/CSiDonate/Give.aspx/ QDSQ9AAB#c.

After December 1st, they will be tallying up how many donations came from each department, and the department with the most donors, (number of unique donors, not dollar amount) will be crowned the #GivingTuesday Department of the Year!

Assemblyman Salas wrote the law to save jobs for disabled veterans at a time when our servicemen and women were returning from

The ALA Foundation is here to assist in carrying out the educational, charitable, and other exempt purposes of the Auxiliary. As a 501(c)3) public benefit corporations, the ALA Foundation provides a resource to engage additional investors interested in supporting our mission. The ALA Foundation offers multiple Grants that help the units, districts, and departments in their efforts to support local veterans, military, and their families.

active duty.

Assemblyman Salas continues to fight to support veterans and their families. Over the years, he

Genieca Risner 15th District Auxiliary President 2020-2021

has honored and recognized Blue Star and Gold Star families for their dedication to our troops and our country. Assemblyman Salas has been honored as "Legislator of the Year" by the American Legion and the American GI Forum.

He saved Future Farmers of America.

He increased law enforcement funding.

He saved jobs for disabled veterans.

He protected taxpayer money.

ASSEMBLYMAN SALAS Our Assemblyman. *NOT PAID FOR AT PUBLIC EXPENSE, ID: 1414982

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“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

4 | VETERANS DAY 2020

15th District Legionnaire

Proud To Support Our

V IC E P R E SI DE N T ' S M E S S AG E

(Continued from Page 1) ALR Chapters across California have had to change how and where they meet. Many have learned new technologies to keep their membership informed and involved while also keeping them safe. We, too, amended our Department By-laws to allow us to cancel our convention in the interest of everyone’s health and safety while providing for continuity of leadership. We had to cancel our annual Department motorcycling social event, the West Coast Rally, and the California Legacy Run which benefits the American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund for the same reasons. Numerous chapters have canceled their own fundraisers which benefit various charities, scholarships, community organizations and our own parent organizations. Then there are the Veteran’s Day Parades which we so enjoy participating in as a rolling billboard for the American Legion and other Veteran’s Day events which will not happen this year due to public health concerns.

But more importantly, you should know ALR chapters are continuing to serve Veterans and their families and communities in the 15th District and beyond while representing their sponsoring Post and the American Legion. Even in these difficult days, ALR Chapters have been escorting Veterans to their final resting place at local and National cemeteries. They provide solemn and respectful flag lines during graveside services. We still welcome home and send off active duty military and young men and women who are leaving for basic military training. During the pandemic lockdowns we have participated in numerous “drive by parades” for children and older Veterans celebrating birthdays. 15th District Chapters have met and escorted home the caskets of several active duty service members from Area 3. We attended the service at the World Trade Center Memorial in Bakersfield on Patriots Day and participated in a memorial ride that evening. Chapter members continue to serve as officers as their respective Posts, Units and Squadrons. We continue to plan fundraisers and other activities for the day we are no longer hampered by the pandemic and wildfire smoke. And like all of you, we hope that day comes soon.

Veterans 303 Mt Vernon Ave # B • Bakersfield, CA 93307 (661) 846-3200 • www.west-mark.com

Have ALR Chapters been impacted by the events of 2020? Certainly. Have we given up on “Riding and Continuing to Serve?” Not a chance! Happy Veterans Day!

Ralph Wenzinger Area 3 Vice President American Legion Riders Department of California

LEGION MOBILE APP

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“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

15th District Legionnaire

VETERANS DAY 2020 | 5

UNIT 221

EDUCATION CHAIRMAN HA R D AT WOR K

The American Legion Auxiliary believes education is vital to democracy and that investing time and money to educate our youth is literally an investment in America's future.

go back into session through distance learning, families have to create a proper learning environment for their children at home and provide some of the educational supplies themselves.

Community support has never been more critical during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This moment in history has brought about a monumental challenge for our educational system.

Ms. Phillips reached out to the Tehachapi Unified School District to see what their needs may be.

She learned that the Art Program at the Jacobsen Middle School was in need of supplies.

ALA Unit 221 has a long history of responding to the needs of Tehachapi schools with funding so learning can continue. They work alongside teachers to deliver various supplies to include pencils, pens, paper, and art materials.

On August 19, Unit 221 presented a donation of $400 to Art Teacher Debbie Haeberle to assist her in obtaining the much needed art supplies to be distributed to students.

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Education Chairman Sandy Phillips, along with Unit Chaplain Martha Strauss, presents Art Teacher Debbie Haeberle with a $400 donation.

Unit Vice President Sandy Phillips, who also serves as the Education Chairman, continuously looks for opportunities to assist schools. She knows as schools

Thankful

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THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

It is truly a blessing to the teachers, staff, and students to have Unit 221 invest in their future.

Thank you Auxiliary unit 221 for all that you do to help the community.

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

6 | VETERANS DAY 2020

15th District Legionnaire

CALIFORNIA EAGLE SCOUT R E C E I V E S A M E R IC A N L E G ION AWA R D

BY JERIC WILHELMSEN

veterans’ stories because their stories are so important for Americans to hear.”

The Eagle Scout’s mother, Erin McPhie, an American Legion Auxiliary member at large, said she appreciates the values The American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary teach young people.

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“I wanted my children to learn about Americanism,” she explained. “I wanted them to know the things they had to be grateful for. And I think The American Legion Auxiliary does such a wonderful job helping our youth learn these things. I think it’s really humbling to see Michael recognized by people who we look up to, rightly as true American heroes, who have given up so much for their country. And it makes me grateful for the country he’s inheriting.”

Restrictions on large gatherings may have prevented The American Legion from having its 101st National Convention in 2020, but it didn’t stop the organization from personally presenting its national Eagle Scout of the Year award in person on Aug. 29.

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Eagle Scout Michael McPhie of Irvine, Calif., who was sponsored by Post 862 in SaddleBack Valley, earned the recognition and a $10,000 scholarship for his work to memorialize the stories of Orange County veterans through the Veterans History Project and the Library of Congress.

“I went through a lot of project ideas, and a lot of these came back to honoring veterans because they have given so much for our country,” McPhie said after receiving the award at the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center in Mission Viejo, from California 6th Area Commander Micheal Wier and District 29 Commander Sandy Schneeberger. “So when I learned about the Veterans History Project at the Library of Congress, I thought that was a really amazing way of preserving

An active Scout since 2011 who received his Eagle Scout in 2018, McPhie also received commendations from several local officials and organizations.

During his acceptance speech, McPhie expressed his gratitude for the recognition and for the experience of hearing the recollections of veterans. “I wish everyone could hear these stories and listen to what this country means to those veterans and why they were willing to sacrifice so much,” he said in his acceptance speech. “I am so humbled to receive this award and this scholarship. I think about why members of The American Legion who have already given so much for our country, continue to give their time, their means, and devote their lives to this country … why they support youth programs like the Boy Scouts of America. Based on the stories they’ve told me, I would say they’ve done enough for our country. But this helped me realize that the work of Americans is never done. I’m grateful to the men and women of The American Legion and The American Legion Auxiliary in their work in building and preserving America. I’m grateful to be your Eagle Scout of the Year and I want you to know that I will do my best, to do my duty, to God and my country. Thank you.”

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“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

15th District Legionnaire

VETERANS DAY 2020 | 7

AMERICAN LEGION & THE GI BILL TO G E T H E R F ROM T H E B E G I N N I N G

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Matt Dahm 661.565.6358 dahmmatthew@yahoo.com 4208 Rosedale Hwy, Suite 302-120 Bakersfield, CA 93308

The American Legion etched a permanent place in history in 1944. That year, Legionnaires ushered into law the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act – better known as the GI Bill. Since then, millions of veterans have received free or discounted higher education benefits. So effective was the GI Bill, it is often credited for spurring more than 50 years of economic prosperity across the nation.

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President Franklin D. Roosevelt signing the G.I. Bill into law on June 22, 1944 As the decades unfolded, however, the benefit fell out of pace with the changing times. The GI Bill was no longer covering fast-rising tuition costs. In some communities, it barely covered transportation cost to and from campus.

National Guard and Reserve veterans were not receiving the same GI Bill benefits as those who’d served in the active-duty branches, regardless of their combat experiences

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in places like Iraq and Afghanistan. Nearly 25 years removed from its last major overhaul, it was no longer your grandfather’s GI Bill.

Everything changed in the summer of 2008.

The American Legion and Congress had worked together for more than three years to overhaul the federal veterans’ education benefits package, including elimination of a $1,200 “buy-in” for service personnel and extending the time span a veteran has to use the benefit after discharge.

The Post-9/11 Veterans Education Assistance Act was signed into law on June 30, 2008, and implemented Aug. 1, 2009. Four different education programs now exist: the Post-9/11 GI Bill, the Montgomery GI Bill, the Montgomery GI Bill/Selected Reserve and the Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP).

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

8 | VETERANS DAY 2020

15th District Legionnaire

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15th District Legionnaire

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

VETERANS DAY 2020 | 9

COVID-19

N OW PA RT OF O U R S TORY

BY BILL OXFORD, NATIONAL COMMANDER

After my election as national commander at the 101st national convention in Indianapolis last August, I was optimistic about the 2019-2020 membership year. I set a goal of a 90 percent retention rate and a recruiting goal of 100,000 new members.

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With the passage of The LEGION Act in July 2019 and the dedication, commitment and participation of so many posts, departments and individual Legionnaires, I believed these were achievable goals. Nationally, we have surpassed the retention goal but fell short in the new member gains. This year, we will be just over 60,000 new members. But earlier this year the world changed. The American Legion changed when COVID-19 took center stage.

Like the Marines say, adapt and overcome.

We responded to the national emergency like the patriotic servants that we are. We dedicated ourselves to helping others.

FREEDOM IS NEVER FREE. Thank you to all the men and women of our Armed Forces.

I am proud of the Buddy Checks, food and supply distributions, blood drives and fundraising efforts that our American Legion Family members have undertaken in communities across the United States and overseas. When the history of the COVID-19 pandemic is written, the American Legion Family will be able to look back with pride.

But right now, let’s look ahead.

We can use our response to the COVID-19 emergency as part of our story. The story of why veterans should belong to The American Legion. The story of what The American Legion does for veterans, their communities, their departments and their nation.

The American Legion is about service. And we are about patriotism.

The most important message that we have to remember is that we need every Legionnaire to be a recruiter. Remember, I’m extremely proud of your efforts and with everyone’s help and participation I believe The American Legion is, and can continue to be, a growing, dynamic, effective organization with our best days still ahead.

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10 | VETERANS DAY 2020

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

15th District Legionnaire

CALIFORNIA'S VETERANS AFFAIRS C O U L D M AS SI V E N U M B E R S OF N U R SI N G HOM E DE AT H S HAV E B E E N P R E V E N T E D ?

BY MAGGIE SEVERNS

One system — California’s Veterans Affairs Department — has dramatically reduced death rates through organization, access to PPE and full staffing.

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While the vast numbers of nursing home deaths have been the greatest horror of the coronavirus crisis, the system operated

by California’s Department of Veterans Affairs has been a rare bright spot.

Across the country, at least 43,000 nursing home residents have died of the coronavirus. In California, at least 3,400 have passed away. But at the eight CalVet veterans’ homes, it’s been a different story: Among 2,100 residents, half of whom require round-the-clock care, including hospice patients and Korean and

Vietnam war veterans with complicated health conditions, only two have died of the coronavirus.

An average nursing home patient in California is 31 times more likely to die from the coronavirus than a resident of a CalVet home. Months ago, city hospitals were fighting over essential medical supplies as COVID cases surged. That’s not happening anymore. But doctors, nurses and caregivers say they’re still struggling with resources.

The diligence with which CalVet has fought the coronavirus — a battle which leaders characterize more as trench warfare than a blitzkrieg — stands in sharp contrast to the failures of the many privately owned, loosely regulated homes that have seen

residents die by the dozens. While more than 300 California nursing homes asked for waivers exempting them from the state’s minimum-staffing rules prior to the pandemic, for example, CalVet kept its homes fully staffed and hired extra professionals such as full-time doctors and nurses. Its facilities stockpiled masks, ensuring they wouldn't run short when the rest of the world did.

All in all, CalVet’s experience suggests that the sweeping losses of elderly victims and people with disabilities across the country weren’t inevitable — a better system of care might have saved tens of thousands of lives.

In addition to the two residents who died, CalVet homes have seen six others get

the coronavirus and recover. More than a dozen staff members have contracted the virus, threatening to infect the homes — but through a rigorous program of testing, contact tracing and encouraging employees who think they may have COVID-19 to stay home from work, CalVet has kept the virus mostly out of its campuses.

The secret of CalVet’s success has been leadership, quick efforts to obtain protective equipment, extensive testing and advance planning — the lack of which have long been cited in the homes with the most serious coronavirus outbreaks.

A POLITICO investigation involving interviews with California state officials and outside experts, along with a review of state documents and data, found that (Continued on Page 11)

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15th District Legionnaire

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

VETERANS DAY 2020 | 11

C A L I F OR N IA ' S V E T E R A N S A F FA I R S

(Continued from Page 10)

AMERICAN LEGION

while CalVet homes benefited from greater resources than the typical nursing home, the key to their success was more in effective management and planning. As soon as word of the coronavirus appeared in China, CalVet leaders kept one eye on the virus, and carefully charted a consistent, unified response, based around the idea that one slip-up — be it an employee failing to wash his hands or an administrator falling to issue a test — could cost a resident his or her life.

“We should be doing everything we can to prevent coronavirus and help people recover if we can, and not just give up on an entire group of Americans because some people believe it’s inevitable,” said David Shulkin, former VA secretary. | Jose Luis Magana/AP “It’s important to have a plan,” said David Shulkin, secretary of Veterans Affairs in the Trump administration from 2017 to 2018. “And secondly, you have to stick to your plan. And I don't think we’ve consistently seen that throughout the country. We’ve seen 50 different plans, and we’ve seen a lack of consistency and a lack of people sticking with a plan.”

Shulkin ticked off a litany of problems facing nursing homes around the country, from lack of access to protective equipment to lengthy lag times in receiving test results. Indeed, nursing homes across America spent much of June and July arguing that they should be treated more like hospitals when it comes to testing, rather than receiving a second-tier prioritization that can cause delays in obtaining test results of five to seven days.

“We should be doing everything we can to prevent coronavirus and help people recover if we can, and not just give up on an entire group of Americans because some people believe it’s inevitable,” Shulkin said. “In our nursing homes, we have to provide the highest level of protection and prevention.”

THANK YOU VETERANS

California Veterans Affairs secretary Vito Imbasciani keeps up with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website like some people do the weather, scanning it daily for reports of outbreaks in faraway countries.

Viruses are a particular area of concern for Imbasciani, a urologist by training who served with the U.S. Army during the Gulf War. He got an education in infectious diseases starting in second grade, when he contracted polio and spent four months in the hospital, followed by years of physical therapy and specialized camps, working to regain the strength in his legs, which can still limp when he's tired. As a young gay man, he started medical school in 1981, the same year the AIDS epidemic hit the U.S.

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This past winter, around New Year's Eve, as nursing homes in the CalVet system were readying for the annual flu season, Imbasciani noticed a report on an unusually infectious new disease in China, COVID-19, during one of his trolls of the CDC website. “I said to my team, ‘We have to prepare not only for influenza, but for the possible spread of this,’” Imbasciani said. “I knew people who leave China and are coming into the United States come in through L.A. and Seattle.”

As parts of the state government, homes in the CalVet system were required to take precautions that private facilities were not: They had to maintain extensive emergency preparedness plans in the event of an earthquake or other natural disaster, including stockpiles of N95 masks. They also had taken formal steps to protect against viral diseases such as hantavirus, a deadly rodent-born disease that appeared in California and other states in the last decade.

By contrast, while federal law requires that all nursing homes have some sort of emergency plan in place, a whopping 43 percent have been caught violating that requirement, and the long-term care industry strongly opposed the Obama administration-era rule that created it.

By Jan. 21, when a 35-year-old man outside Seattle became the United States’ first known COVID-19 diagnosis, Imbasciani and his team had been monitoring COVID-19 for weeks (Continued on Page 13)

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“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties�

12 | VETERANS DAY 2020

15th District Legionnaire

R E TA I N A N D I N C R E A S E

MEMBERSHIP

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I have a new post with The Department of California. After serving last year as the District 14 Commander, I was asked to serve as the Area Three membership Chairman.

The last weekend of August I attended a training seminar in Visalia on what must be done to be successful. In the past the focus has been on recruiting new members to meet our membership goals.

Last year several Post reached 100% of goal along with several districts. One of the Key factors was moving those in Post 1000 into Regular Post. The folks in the Department did an outstanding job in this endeavor. over 2200 legionaries accepted this change.

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Now the challenge is to Retain these members into next year. We need all post to engage these members. Give them a reason to stay with it. Find out what they want to do to be involved. I will be visiting all of the Districts in Area 3. I will also show up at the Post who need help. Area Three includes Districts 11, 12, 14, 15 and District 27.

Andy Reeve 559-977-7322 andyreeve49@gmail.com

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VETERANS DAY 2020 | 13

C A L I F OR N IA ' S V E T E R A N S A F FA I R S

(Continued from Page 11) and advising staff to stay home and let them know if they felt sick. By early February — a month before the first person died from the coronavirus in the U.S. — the administrators for the system’s eight veterans homes were dialing into a video conference call each day at 11 a.m. to discuss the potential pandemic, retraining their staff on how to prevent infections and auditing residents’ emergency contact information. Working with the governor’s Office of Emergency Services, each nursing home built up a stockpile of 50,000 N95 masks and other PPE, in preparation for a scenario in which the homes woul have to completely lock down.

Each CalVet home followed a 38-point action plan, designed to help them prepare for the worst.

As the number of COVID-19 cases slowly grew in the United States, CalVet’s leaders issued more directives: By Feb. 26, the homes enacted plans to clean their common areas every 30 minutes. By March 3 — still more than a week before the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus a pandemic, and ten days before President Donald Trump declared a national emergency — every CalVet nursing home had a detailed protocol for what to do if they suspected a case of COVID-19. Soon, group activities were suspended, residents were required to eat and live in their rooms and staff and residents were given instruction in how to keep social distance. Each CalVet home followed a 38-point action plan, designed to help them prepare for the worst.

And March 15, four days before California’s Gavin Newsom became the first governor in the country to order California residents to shelter in place, CalVet decided to close its doors to outsiders. It marked the start of months of challenging isolation for residents, who were divided into halls and barred from leaving their designated areas.

“There’s a lot of sadness that goes along with our record,” said Imbasciani. “These are veterans who are in their seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth decade of life. And we’re restricting visits and access to hugs. There have not been any birthdays, and even the traditional Memorial Day party. They can’t eat in their congregate dining halls — it’s sad.”

For administrators who run the CalVet homes, vigilance is top priority. CalVet has not invented any new ways of fighting the coronavirus. But its nursing homes are presenting a united front, something the rest of the country is struggling with.

“If you let your guard down, you are in trouble with this virus,” said Thomas Bucci, director of long term care at the California Department of Veterans Affairs. “We are only as good as our weakest employee who decides they are not going to wear a mask and just gave a resident a bath and breathed all over him.”

“I think at that time, during the end of February and beginning of March, there was a sense of, ‘This isn’t coming here.’

But with the tone of the department, there was also a sense of, ‘Well, what will we need to do if it does come?’”

Chris Walter, acting administrator of CalVet’s West Los Angeles veterans home CalVet nursing homes have benefited greatly from their ties to state and federal government. Such was the case in early April, when Chris Walter, acting administrator of CalVet’s West Los Angeles veterans home, a 396-bed facility close to the University of California, Los Angeles, had a dangerous scenario on his hands: a potential case of the coronavirus at a time when tests were still in extremely short supply.

Walter’s problem was solved by the local VA office, which sits across the street from his nursing home. The VA leader offered to run tests at the veterans home, quickly determining that COVID-19 had not spread far within the facility.

Walter is, for legal reasons, restricted from discussing individual results of COVID-19 testing, but said his building has been able to quickly obtain and run tests, both for surveillance and when there were suspected infections, since April. He’s now run multiple rounds of tests for all residents of the West Los Angeles home, in accordance to rules established in June by the state of California. The West Los Angeles home has had at least one case of COVID-19 among its staff, and accounts for at least one of the two deaths in the CalVet system.

Like other CalVet homes, Walter's home in Los Angeles houses some residents in assisted living, and some in skilled nursing. Overall, roughly half of CalVet residents are in skilled nursing, including hospice patients. The homes have had three COVID-19 cases and one death among residents in assisted living, and three cases and one death among residents in skilled nursing.

Walter recalled having early meetings with his on-staff medical director and infection control nurse, both of whom work full-time at his facility, and discussing the possibility that the coronavirus would come to Los Angeles in February.

“I think at that time, during the end of February and beginning of March, there was a sense of, ‘This isn’t coming here.’ But with the tone of the department, there was also a sense of, ‘Well, what will we need to do if it does come?’” Walter said.

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14 | VETERANS DAY 2020

WOMEN VETERANS THE AMERICAN LEGION

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Post-9/11 combat veteran Kathryn Wilgus joined American Legion Post 35 in Mount Dora, Fla., three years ago because it was the first veterans service organization where “she had a voice.”

Prior to joining, Wilgus visited Post 35 as a member of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association in seeking donation support. A number was thrown out among post members but for one Legionnaire it wasn’t enough – she knew the post could do more and voiced that.

“That is why I joined The American Legion because of this one woman who had a voice,” Wilgus said. Vietnam War-era Air Force veteran Joan Kennedy is now on Post 35’s women veterans only mural because Wilgus told her “you are the reason why I’m here. You were heard.”

The women veterans mural inside Post 35 was created by artist Cary diValentin, who also painted the veterans from all wars at the post. The 8 feet by 25 feet mural is a canvas of real women veterans from the Revolutionary War to Afghanistan.

It took diValentin and her son, Tony, who assisted, 660 hours to complete. “The veterans mural I sketched as I went, except for the women’s mural as Kathryn had a vision,” diValentin said.

Wilgus said as women veterans “we are forgot about, we are disrespected, we are overlooked. And we are underestimated. Post 35 sees me as a woman veteran. So I felt the need for this mural and said I will commission it myself.

“There is a lot on the (mural) wall that just moves me.”

A few of the women highlighted in the mural include Civil War prisoner of war and surgeon Mary Edwards Walker, the only woman ever to receive the Medal of Honor; World War I Navy Chief Loretta Walsh, first woman to enlist in the

(Continued on Page 15)

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VETERANS DAY 2020 | 15

WOM E N V E T E R A N S

(Continued from Page 14)

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Navy as a woman and not as a nurse; World War II Army Sgt. Donna-Mae Smith, first woman bugler; Korean War Col. Ruby Bradley, most decorated woman in military history; Vietnam War Army 1st Lt. Sharon Ann Lane was killed in action and her name is on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.; Army Sgt. Heather Johnsen, first female guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery; and Wilgus, a retired Navy Nurse Corps lieutenant commander, represents the Afghanistan War. A replica of the Nurse Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery, members of American Legion Post 35, military scenes and vehicles, and more also is highlighted in the mural.

At the bottom of the mural reads, “Let the generations know that women in uniform also guaranteed their freedom that our resolve was just as great as the brave who stood among us. And with our victory our hearts were just as full and beat just as fast – that the tears fell just as hard for those we left behind.” – 1st Lt. Ann Sosh Brehm, World War II Army Nurse Corps

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Post 35’s women veterans mural “represents our being,” Wilgus said. “Don’t ask us (if we are a veteran when wearing a military cap or shirt). Thank us.” The American Legion did just that for Wilgus. “The American Legion gave me a voice.”

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16 | VETERANS DAY 2020

POST 26

Doughty-Calhoun-O'meara

ADJUTANT M

15th District Legionnaire

Funeral Directors FD 359

Gina Fanucchi

Most of the stories put forth in newspapers like this usually are treatises on stories that Veterans’ regale themselves while lounging around the American Legion “Post.” This effort is a little different; in that I am going to tell you a little, somewhat amusing tale of a “dependent” early in the history of the USAF.

I was reminded of this incident when our Post Secretary told me a story of one of her children being left at a store when the child was very young.

Dad had returned to CONUS in June of 19454 when he completed his 32 missions as the Aircraft Commander of the B24, Nona Rhea, (named for my mother). He went to work for TWA at the end of the war.

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In 1947, when the USAF became the fifth military department Dad was offered a regular commission and he began the remainder of an illustrious thirty year career.

My parents had purchased a new 1947 Chevy Club Coupe; which had no seat in the back. My sister was just a year old and was ensconced in a bassinette located in that space. They had place several blankets as a pallet for me.

If any of you traveled old US 66 back in the day; you remember the gas stations located several miles apart across the panhandles of Oklahoma, Texas and the high desert of New Mexico and Arizona. You remember; the ones that had signs reading “STOP HERE! SEE THE TWO HEADED SNAKE! Well, Dad needed to stop for gas and we pulled into one of these “tourist traps.”

He and Mother dismounted from the care to use the “facilities;” leaving Linda and I asleep in the car. At least they thought we were both asleep! I was wide awake when we pulled off the highway. I saw a corral with some burros munching on hay; so I got out to investigate.

After a few minutes of looking around I needed to use the Men’s room and I headed for the facilities. I didn’t realize that Dad and Mother had finished their business; loaded up in the Chevy and headed east!

They thought my sister and I were still asleep and they were in such a hurry they didn’t realize I was not there!

An hour later Mother said she looked in the rear and saw that I was not there; and she became stricken!

Dad immediately turned around and blasted back to the gas station!

When the attendant realized I had been left behind; he sat me up on the Coke machine and plied me with soft drink for the next hour.

The “folks” returned and Dad was out of the car like a flash…came into the station; grabbed me by the hand and as we went back to the car I received the hand of his ire on my backside.

Col. (retired) flew B24s in WWII, Air Rescue helicopters in Korea and finished his career as a Tactical Group Commander in Vietnam. He remained on flying status until the day of his retirement.

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VETERANS DAY 2020 | 17

A LEGACY OF SERVICE, NOT SELF IS BORN NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY

A

A group of 20 officers who served in the American Expeditionary Forces in World War I were asked to suggest ideas on how to improve troop morale. One officer, Lt. Col. Theodore Roosevelt Jr., proposed an organization of veterans, which we know today as The American Legion.

ning caucuses held by a committee of officers who had the confidence and respect of their military comrades, they designed a constitution to govern the group and set up headquarters in New York City to begin work on its programs of relief, employment and Americanism.

The original purpose of The Legion was to “preserve the memories and incidence of our association in the great war,” helping those who had served in foreign wars to reintegrate into their hometowns while still remaining connected to those with whom they had served abroad.

History After the formation of The American Legion, a number of women's organizations wanted to become the official affiliation of The American Legion. The women who had served so faithfully during the trying days of the war wanted to continue to serve.

The Legion served as a support group, a social club and an extended family for former servicemen. After two plan-

After careful consideration, the committee agreed that a new organization should be made up of the women most

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closely associated with the men of the Legion, and that these women would serve with the Legion, in peace as they had in war.

The committee decided to build a new organization from the ground up, so the Auxiliary could then carry forward the phases of Legion activities more suitably performed by women.

In less than one year, 1,342 local units of the Women’s Auxiliary to The American Legion had been organized in more than 45 states.

18 | VETERANS DAY 2020

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15th District Legionnaire

11 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW AB OU T THE LEGION ACT

With President Trump’s signature on the LEGION Act, the extension of the ongoing declared period of war was extended back to Dec. 7, 1941.

The congressionally approved act is a way to honor thousands of veterans who were killed or wounded on duty during periods not previously considered a time of war.

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“Finally Congress has acknowledged the service and sacrifice of at least 1,600 veterans who died or were wounded in previously undeclared periods of war,” said American Legion National Judge Advocate Kevin Bartlett. “This new law honors the memories of those veterans while allowing other veterans from those previously undeclared eras to receive all the American Legion benefits they have earned through their service.”

The LEGION Act — Let Everyone Get Involved in Opportunities for National Service Act — also redefines The American Legion’s membership eligibility dates. The eligibility now span from Dec. 7, 1941, until a time when the U.S. is no longer at war, as determined by Congress.

(Continued on Page 19)

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VETERANS DAY 2020 | 19

1 1 T H I N G S YO U N E E D TO K N OW

(Continued from Page 18) Here are answers to 11 key questions about the new law and what it means for The American Legion.

vice. Some veterans were ineligible to join because of the war eras that were defined

by Congress. The recent bill passage and president’s signature changed that.

Question: How does this change the eligibility requirements for The American Legion?

Question: So how does this differentiate The American Legion from AMVETS?

Answer: The only change is that Congress has reduced the number of eligibility periods from seven to two. They are April 6, 1917, to Nov. 11, 1918, and Dec. 7, 1941, and continuing. No other restrictions are changed.

Question: What’s the impact on veterans who previously were not eligible for American Legion membership?

Answer: Veterans who were honorably discharged but whose service did not fall into the previous defined war eras may now join The American Legion immediately. To do so, eligible members may sign up at www.legion.org/join.

Question: I am among the veterans who were not allowed to join previously, so why do you want me now?

Answer: The American Legion’s founding fathers believed, “a veteran is a veteran,” an axiom that has held true throughout the organization’s more than century of ser-

Answer: The American Legion’s eligibility criteria states that veterans must have served during “wartime.” When Congress decides the U.S. is no longer in a state of war, the Legion’s membership eligibility period will close, while AMVETS will still be open to those who served.

Question: How does this affect the Sons of The American Legion (SAL)?

Answer: The Sons’ eligibility criteria will change along with that of The American Legion. Any son or grandson of a living American Legion member will be able to join the SAL program. (Sons and grandsons of deceased veterans are also eligible.) For example, a son of a veteran who served between 1985 and 1988 previously would not have been eligible. With the extension of the war period, that veteran would immediately be eligible for The American Legion and the son would be able to join the SAL.

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(Continued on Page 20)

20 | VETERANS DAY 2020

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15th District Legionnaire

1 1 T H I N G S YO U N E E D TO K N OW

(Continued from Page 19) Question: How does this affect the eligibility for the American Legion Auxiliary?

Question: What steps should departments, districts and posts focus on?

Answer: This follows the same concept as the SAL, as noted previously. Membership in the American Legion Auxiliary is currently open to grandmothers, mothers, sisters, spouses, and direct and adopted female descendants of eligible veterans.

Answer: A good first step would be to review all recruiting materials to look for eligibility dates. Information on electronic media (websites, social media channels, etc.) should be changed immediately. It is up to departments to decide on the best way to handle printed materials, while updated ones are being produced.

Question: How does this affect membership for departments, districts and posts?

Answer: This change opens up American Legion membership to thousands more veterans who likely live in your communities. They may become members immediately.

Question: How does this change the Paid Up For Life program?

Answer: There are no changes to the PUFL program, though the newly eligible members would be able to become PUFLs. To learn more about the program, visit https://www.legion.org/PUFL

Question: The current membership applications don’t address the eligibility change. How do we process those members?

Answer: New membership materials will be developed and provided as quickly as possible. Until then, it is recommended that prospective members from a previously undocumented war era write “Other Conflicts” in the eligibility date section and send it in to their department with the appropriate dues.

Question: Who can I contact for more information about this change as it applies to membership and recruiting?

Answer: Contact the national Membership Division. Visit this web page to find the representative in your state. https://www.legion.org/membership/contactus

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VETERANS DAY 2020 | 21

A M E R IC A N L E G ION

GOOD NEWS

F OR C A L I F OR N IA V ET E R A N S

THE AMERICAN LEGION

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Veterans exemplify the best values of our country, and have earned the respect and gratitude of a grateful nation. To that end, I wanted to make you aware of two programs that may be of interest to you or the honorably discharged veterans in your life.

Online Exchange Honorably discharged veterans can now sign up for tax-free, online shopping on select clothing, electronics, food and more at the online Exchange. Since 1895, the Exchange's mission has been to support the men and women of the armed forces during military operations, humanitarian missions and other endeavors around the world.

In the past, only active-duty troops, members of the National Guard, reservists and their dependents, and military retirees and their dependents could use this money saving and convenient benefit.

To sign up, visit https://www.vetverify.org.

Veteran Designation on California Driver’s License or California ID Card.

California’s veteran designation is available to all honorably discharged military service members for their California Driver’s License or California Identification Card.

In addition to displaying the honor they have earned, with this designation, veterans can easily prove their eligibility to businesses offering discounts without having to carry papers.

Applying for the veteran driver’s license and ID is easy: 1. Locate your military discharge certificate (DD214). If you need help obtaining your military records, then contact your local County Veteran Service Officer (CVSO). Click Here to Find Your Local CVSO offices.

2. Stop by your local CVSO with your DD214 for verification. While there, learn about the many improved and expanded benefits and services available to veterans: • Assistance with the transition to civilian life; • Education; • Healthcare;

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• Housing; and • California specific veteran’s benefits.

3. G o to www.dmv.ca.gov, or call the DMV at 1-800-777-0133, to make an appointment.

Bring your verified application form, and the small $5 application fee.

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22 | VETERANS DAY 2020

POST 20

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15th District Legionnaire

VETERANS DAY 2020 | 23

POST 20

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24 | VETERANS DAY 2020

15th District Legionnaire

OUR WWII STORY T H E U N DE RG RO U N D P O S T I N SIC I LY

BY JEFF STOFFER

Gino Valpredo

T

The summer of 1943 had a key objective for the Allies during World War II – attack the European theater’s so-called “soft underbelly,” topple fascist dictator Benito Mussolini and begin the northern advance toward the western front. The first step in that journey, all of which was accomplished, began with a massive assault campaign and liberation of Sicily.

Victory in Sicily – a Mediterranean island about the size of Vermont in area, off the southern coast of mainland Europe – would stage the Allies for its bloody march through Italy, rooting out German defenses while Italy itself was deposing Mussolini, denouncing fascism and withdrawing from the Axis.

That summer, when U.S. troops entered the mountain village of Monte Albano, they were greeted by thankful Sicilians.

They were also shocked to discover that an American Legion post had been secretly operating there during the war and German occupation.

(Continued on Page 25)

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VETERANS DAY 2020 | 25

O U R W W I I S TORY

(Continued from Page 24) “The existence of the underground American Legion post came to light when American troops entered Monte Albano,” the November 1943 National Legionnaire newspaper reported. “The commander of the post, a 1918 doughboy who displayed an American Legion membership card for 1940 in a San Francisco, Calif., post, introduced himself to Maj. George M. Riser, artillery observer, of Alexandria, Va. He told Maj. Riser that the moment he and his comrades had been awaiting for two years had come.”

At its height in 1927, the American Legion’s Department of Italy counted 2,253 members. Membership drifted downward in the years leading up to World War II and was all but erased when Italy entered World War II in alliance with Germany and Japan against the United States and the Allies.

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The self-proclaimed commander of the post at Monte Albano had reportedly been unable to submit a charter application before he and his six charter members – all U.S. military veterans – were forced underground. The commander, unnamed in the Legionnaire article, swore in the members of his post on his own and kept their identities under wraps.

“Naturally, everything had to be done in the utmost secrecy,” the National Legionnaire reported. The post had monthly meetings at members’ homes. There, they “made plans and carried them out to aid the American cause by undermining local morale, and in every other way.”

Mere hours after the Germans fled the village, the post revealed itself, among citizens who lined the streets and cheered the arrival of the liberators. The National Legionnaire reported that the villagers brought bread and wine out to serve the GIs and volunteered to string communication wires. Meanwhile, disconsolate fascism supporters in the village stood silently by, understanding that outright defeat was inevitable.

The community’s comfort with the Americans was believed to have been nurtured by the American Legion post and other U.S. veterans living in the village.

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“They showed no fear of the newcomers, largely due to the assurances they had received from the veterans,” the National Legionnaire reported.

In 1994, the American Legion Department of Italy and its five existing posts at the time were merged into the Department of France, as were the Departments of Canada and Panama.

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26 | VETERANS DAY 2020

15th District Legionnaire

LN C OM N DE R' S 'S ANAT M EIONA R IC A L EMGAION

ART CONTEST T W O $ 5 0 0 . 0 0 P R I Z E S O F F E R E D I N T H E A M E R I C A N L E G I O N D E PA R T M E N T O F C A L I F O R N I A’ S ‘ PAT R I O T I S M & P U R P O S E ’ A R T C O N T E S T F O R K I D S

The 2020 Patriotism & Purpose Art Contest reflects the positive impact our veterans are making in communities across the country and is open to California kids ages 5-17. The contest will award $500.00 in each of two categories for children ages 5-12 and teens between 13-17.

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CONTEST RULES 1. Entry deadline is September 1, 2020. Winners will be notified after judging. Contest winners will be officially announced via the Department website and social media.

2. Children who have not turned 18 before September 1, 2020 are eligible.

3. T he child must produce the artwork without assistance from anyone else. The art submission must be original and not a copy of another work.

4. A rtwork can be a drawing, painting, collage or other two- dimensional piece, including digital art. Artwork must be horizontal in layout (also known as landscape), without a matte, frame or border and created on paper no smaller than 8” by 11” and no larger than 18” x 24”.

5. A rtwork will be judged on its positive representation of military veterans and their impact on children.

SUBMISSION RULES Artwork and form may be submitted via US mail.

1. I ncluded with the artwork, but not stapled to the artwork, should be the student first and last name, birth month and birth year, parent name, home address, parent or child email address, and parent phone number.

2. T he contest may copy and modify any entry for reproduction. Artwork will not be returned and may be used for future contest promotions.

3. A ll entries must be postmarked to the address listed below no later than August 29, 2020.

Patriotism & Purpose Art Contest The American Legion Department of California 1601 7th St., Sanger, CA 93657

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VETERANS DAY 2020 | 27

Memorial Hospital 420 34th Street Bakersfield, CA Mercy Hospital Downtown 2215 Truxtun Avenue Bakersfield, CA Mercy Hospital Southwest 400 Old River Road Bakersfield, CA Dignity Health Medical Network (formerly GEMCare) 4550 California Avenue, Suite 100 Bakersfield, CA Dignity Health Management Services 4550 California Avenue, Suite 100 Bakersfield, CA

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BIO

TODD COTTA FOR ASSEMBLY 2020

BY TODD COTTA

I love California but am saddened to see what it has become.Poverty and homelessness are rampant due to our legislature’s inability to pass and enforce laws that protect good, law abiding citizens. We can and must do better. I have the ability, knowledge, and skill to stand firm against higher regulation, higher taxes, and the destruction of our natural rights.

Born in Hanford, I am Valley born and Valley proud, coming from generations of farming. My grandfather owned a dairy, my father managed a cotton gin, and I worked in agriculture for over 40 years. I’ll fight in Sacramento to preserve our agricultural heritage. Finally, I have operated my retail company in Hanford for eight years. I have had to deal with increased regulation, taxes and managing the staff.

This knowledge is vital to knowing the heartbeat of small business in California.

Public safety will be my top priority. I spent 20 years as a deputy sheriff working to keep criminals behind bars and our community safe.I’ve served as a Director on the Laguna Irrigation District for 12 years. I know what it takes to make government efficiently and effectively serve the people.

A vote for me, Todd Cotta, is a vote to begin the long road back to restoring our place as the greatest state in the nation.

Our motto is Believe in a Better California, because together we can save our State.

I

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VETERANS DAY 2020 | 29

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VANDALISM OF THE EL SOLDADO STATUE C A LV E T S E C R E TA RY V I T O I M B A S C I A N I R E L E A S E S S TAT E M E N T

“I am deeply saddened and troubled by the crass vandalism of this significant minority veterans memorial. Monument disputes are not exclusive to the 21st century as memorial landscapes have been profoundly transformed during political upheavals throughout history. However, vandalism of a memorial dedicated to Mexican American and Latino veterans – men and women who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces in war and in peace – is heartbreaking. This simple monument was built by mothers, daughters and families of heroes who went off to fight in World War II. No vandal can damage the spirit of El Soldado, who stands to honor the past, current and future minority veterans who serve their country with distinction and honor.”

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BACKGROUND The California Mexican-American Veterans Memorial, known as El Soldado, is unique among the many memorials dedicated to war veterans both in Sacramento's Capitol Park and throughout the United States. The statue was established and funded by the mothers and wives of California's Mexican-American soldiers who had fallen during WWII. Creating "La Sociedad de Madres" (Society of Mothers) in 1948, these hard-working women remained on task for many years, hosting fundraisers until they were able to raise enough money to buy the marble stone carved statue from Italy for $4000.

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Originally placed in 1951, at what was once Sacramento's Mexican-American Center, the statue was moved in the 1970s, then relocated again to its current location facing the State Capitol in 1990.

A beautification project, El Soldado was removed from his pedestal at the corner of 10th Street and Capitol Mall on September 1, 2016. The statue spent several months under special care where experts fixed his broken rifle and cleaned off years of dirt and mold.

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Shortly after removal, CalVet and the Department of General Services began a year-long expansion project of the memorial's plaza. Improvements included enlarging the pedestal and installing ADA accommodating pathways.

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VETERANS DAY 2020 | 31

TANGO ALPHA LIMA M E DA L O F H O N O R VA L O R , BU R N PI T A DVO C AC Y A N D V E T E R A N S U I C I D E AWA R E N E S S

THE AMERICAN LEGION

In this week’s episode of The American Legion’s Tango Alpha Lima podcast, the co-hosts discuss today’s most relevant issues to military and veterans including a recent Medal of Honor recipient, toxic exposures and veteran suicide.

I

Co-hosts Mark Seavey, Ashley Gorbulja-Maldonado and Jeff Daly open by sharing the story of Sgt. Maj. Thomas “Patrick” Payne. A Ranger assigned to the U.S. Army's Special Operations Command, Payne received the U.S. military’s highest honor for valor on the 19th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

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“This is impressive even among the rare air of the heroes he now joins,” Daly says.

Read more about Payne’s valor here.

Turning to toxic exposure, Gorbulja- Maldonado points out that it was only last year when Congress passed the Blue Water Navy Act, which enabled more Vietnam veterans to receive VA benefits due to their Agent Orange exposure.

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“Why does it always take this long? And knowing the system, the fact that veterans are put through to prove or deny their claim is heart-breaking,” she says, turning to a recent Capitol Hill appearance by Jon Stewart. ”The fact that we have to get major celebrities to network and advocate for us is sad, even though I’m happy that it is happening. It makes me lividly mad that we have to force the VA to do anything.”

The co-hosts also discuss the politics that are interfering with legislation aimed at helping to reduce the number of suicides by veterans. (Help from the VA’s Crisis Line is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by phone, text or online chat.)

Download and listen to the podcast, or watch the YouTube version, at legion.org/ tangoalphalima.

Don’t forget to rate and review the podcast on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or other podcast-hosting sites. That helps others with an interest in military topics, veterans issues and patriotism find Tango Alpha Lima.

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THE STORY OF THE MEMORIAL POPPY T

The Poppy was first chosen as The American Legion's memorial flower at the 1921 National Convention and was worn in memory of the men who lost their lives in World War I. Picture vast armies on two sides in a long four year battle, along a double line of trenches. This was Europe from 1914 to November 11, 1918. In this area of death and destruction, hundreds of thousands of American boys advanced in 1917 and 1918 determined to put an end to the horrible war. You all know the story of how they did end the war, restoring peace and liberty to subjected peoples. But, many thousands of fine young lives were required to complete the task.

The one bright color on the shell torn fields and hills of these war-torn areas was the little, red poppy. On the edges of the trenches, in the ragged shell holes, brave little poppies grew and bloomed on the graves of those men buried in the sacred plots of French soil, which was Flanders Field. Remembrances of the cheery bright red flowers returned to America with our boys. And so, the poppy became the symbol of the dead, their memorial flower. It became the sign that the high ideals for which these brave young men gave their lives, still live, and are honored.

Soon a double significance was attached to our memorial poppy.

Disabled veterans quickly learned to assemble poppies while growing well again. In Connecticut, The American Legion and Auxiliary are united in our efforts to help those hospitalized veterans within our state. Through the winter months, cut materials are delivered to these veterans and soon boxes of bright red poppies are ready for a big distribution in May. And when payday arrives, what a thrill to receive their pay for a job well done! And what a joy it is to wear a poppy made by a disabled veteran, when you know the money it brought him filled a desperate need. All

money taken in over expenses is returned to the veterans and their families through our service program. Since the *wars, we find our organizations carrying on for another generation.

At the present time, thousands of veterans are confined to beds in Connecticut hospitals and we have not as yet reached the peak of hospitalization. By the time Poppy Day arrives, many more veterans will be added. That is why each year, prior to Memorial Day, millions of Americans wear little red poppies in memory of those who have died in all wars and to assist in the rehabilitation of those veterans who are now hospitalized suffering from wounds and illness.

This is the story of our Memorial Poppy, millions of which are distributed by unpaid, volunteer workers on Poppy Day. Please remember by wearing a Poppy!

Connecting the visual image of the poppy with the sacrifice of service made by our veterans has been an important goal of the American Legion Auxiliary Poppy Program since its inception in 1921. On Memorial Day and Veterans Day, millions of red crepe paper poppies, all handmade by veterans as part of their therapeutic rehabilitation, are distributed across this country in exchange for donations that go directly to assist disabled and hospitalized veterans in our communities.

The Poppy Program raises community awareness and respect for our veterans by educating Auxiliary members and the public about the symbol of the poppy, taken from a line in the poem "In Flanders Fields" written on the battlefront during World War I by Lt. Col. John McCrae, M.D.

(Continued on Page 33)

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T H E S TORY OF T H E M E M OR IA L P OP P Y

(Continued from Page 32) Facts about the program: • Although run by the American Legion Auxiliary every poppy is handmade by a veteran.

• Posts that do not have an Auxiliary with them can also work the program, and many do.

• Post and units never sell poppies, instead they offer them as a thank you for a donation of any amount.

• All donations collected in conjunction with the poppy program goes to veterans programs.

• Veterans who hand make the poppies all receive a small stipend for their work.

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VETERANS DAY 2020 | 33

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AMERICAN LEGION’S N AT I O N A L S E C U R I T Y P O L I C Y

The American Legion believes national security must be maintained to fulfill the mandate for a strong national defense. As stated in the Preamble, “FOR GOD AND COUNTRY WE ASSOCIATE OURSELVES TOGETHER FOR THE FOLLOWING PURPOSES: To uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America... To safeguard and transmit to posterity the principles of justice, freedom and democracy.”

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The Legion is an organization of veterans who fought for freedoms, which they are dedicated to keeping and preserving. As one of the Four Pillars it was founded on, the Legion believes national security is upheld by keeping a well-funded Department of Defense, a good quality of life for troops and a sensible transition between service and separation.

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VETERANS DAY 2020 | 35

STORM VICTIM SUPPORT N AT I O N A L C O M M A N D E R O X F O R D PLED GES SUPPORT TO STORM VICTIMS

THE AMERICAN LEGION

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American Legion National Commander James W. “Bill” Oxford issued the following statement regarding Hurricane Laura’s destructive path along the Gulf Coast: “The American Legion extends its support and prayers to those impacted by Hurricane Laura. Right now, priority one is saving lives. When the danger subsides, the clean-up and recovery begins. The American Legion Family has a number of support programs for our members to include TemBill Oxford porary Financial Assistance and a National Emergency Fund. TFA grants are also available to eligible active-duty service members with minor children in the home.

We have American Legion posts across the country that will offer their own forms of assistance as well. I have directed our national staff to maintain regular communications with the impacted departments to ensure that we do everything we can to help those in need. For now, people with inquiries can call our Louisiana American Legion Department Adjutant, Tony Betts (337) 652-5072 or email tonyb_la@hotmail.com or adjutant@lalegion.org. The Texas American Legion can be contacted at (512) 472-4138 or billw@txlegion.org. More details will be released at www.legion.org during the coming days.”

Oxford also pointed out that Americans can contribute to charities which help recovery efforts by donating to The American Legion National Emergency Fund or Veterans & Children Foundation at legion.org/donate or by sending a check to either of those charities at The American Legion, P.O. Box 361626, Indianapolis, IN 46236.

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FIREFIGHTERS TRIBUTE P HOTO S F ROM E V E N T

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VETERANS DAY 2020 | 37

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38 | VETERANS DAY 2020

CHAPTER 26

LEGION RIDERS

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VETERANS DAY 2020 | 39

MEMORIAL PHOTOS

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VETS AND COVID-19 8 WAY S V E T E R A N S A R E PA R T I C U L A R LY AT R I S K F R O M T H E C O R O N AV I R U S PA N D E M I C

Steve Bratcher

2416 Oak Street Bakersfield, CA 93301 ARSbakersfield.com

F

From the elderly who are facing deadly outbreaks in nursing homes to communities of color facing higher infection and death rates, different groups face different challenges from the coronavirus pandemic.

Among the most hard-hit are veterans, who are particularly susceptible to both health and economic threats from the pandemic. These veterans face homelessness, lack of health care, delays in receiving financial support and even death.

Phone: (661) 324-6170 shop@arsbakersfield.com

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I have spent the past four years studying veterans with substance use and mental health disorders who are in the criminal justice system. This work revealed gaps in health care and financial support for veterans, even though they have the best publicly funded benefits in the country.

Here are the eight ways the pandemic threatens veterans: 1. Age and other vulnerabilities In 2017, veterans’ median age was 64; their average age was 58 and 91% were male. The largest group served in the Vietnam era, where 2.8 million veterans were exposed to Agent Orange.

Younger veterans deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan were exposed to dust storms, oil fires and burn pits, and perhaps as a consequence have high rates of asthma and other respiratory illnesses.

Age and respiratory illnesses are both risk factors for COVID-19 mortality. As of April 13, 241 patients in Veterans Administration health care facilities had died of COVID-19 and 4,000 have tested positive.

2. Dangerous residential facilities Veterans needing end-of-life care, those with cognitive disabilities, or those needing substance use treatment often live in crowded VA or state-funded residential facilities.

State-funded “Soldiers’ Homes” are notoriously starved for money and staff. The horrific situation at the Soldier’s Home in Holyoke, Massachusetts, where more than 40 veteran residents have died from a COVID-19 outbreak, illustrates the risk facing the veterans in residential homes.

3. Benefits unfairly denied When a person transitions from active military service to become a veteran, they receive a Certificate of Discharge or Release. This certificate provides information about the circumstances of the discharge or release. It includes characterizations such as “honorable,” “other than honorable,” “bad conduct” or “dishonorable.” These are crucial distinctions, because that status determines whether the Veterans Administration will give them benefits.

Research shows that some veterans with discharges that limit their benefits have PTSD symptoms, military sexual trauma or other behaviors related to military stress. Veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan have disproportionately more of these negative discharges than veterans from other eras, for reasons still unclear.

VA hospitals across the country are short-staffed and don’t have the resources they need to protect their workers.

AP/Kathy Willens. The Veterans Administration frequently and perhaps unlawfully denies benefits to veterans with “other than honorable” discharges.

Many veterans have requested upgrades to their discharge status. There is a significant backlog of these upgrade requests, and the pandemic will add to it, further delaying access to health care and other benefits.

(Continued on Page 41)

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VETERANS DAY 2020 | 41

V E T S A N D C OV I D - 1 9

(Continued from Page 40) 4. Diminished access to health care Dental surgery, routine visits and elective surgeries at Veterans Administration medical centers have been postponed since mid-March. VA hospitals are understaffed – just before the pandemic, the VA reported 43,000 staff vacancies out of more than 400,000 health care staff. Access to health care will be even more difficult when those medical centers finally reopen.

As of Monday, April 13, 1,520 VA health care workers have tested positive for COVID-19, and thousands of health care workers are under quarantine. The VA is asking doctors and nurses to come out of retirement to help already understaffed hospitals.

5. Mental health may get worse An average of 20 veterans commit suicide every day. A national task force is currently addressing this scourge.

But many outpatient mental health programs are on hold or being held virtually. Some residential mental health facilities have closed.

Under these conditions, the suicide rate for veterans may grow. Suicide hotline calls by veterans were up by 12% on March 22, just a few weeks into the crisis.

6. Complications for homeless veterans and those in the justice system An estimated 45,000 veterans are homeless on any given night, and 181,500 veterans are in prison or jail. Thousands more are under court-supervised substance use and mental health treatment in Veterans Treatment Courts. More than half of veterans involved with the justice system have either mental health problems or substance use disorders.

As residential facilities close to new participants, many veterans eligible to leave prison or jail have nowhere to go. They may stay incarcerated or become homeless.

Courts are moving online or ceasing operations altogether. It is unclear whether participants will face delays graduating from court-supervised treatments.

Further, some Veterans Treatment Courts still require participants to take drug tests.

With COVID-19 circulating, participants must put their health at risk to travel to licensed testing facilities.

Kern County

7. Disability benefits delayed In the pandemic’s epicenter in New York, tens of thousands of veterans should have access to VA benefits because of their low income – but don’t, so far.

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Fourth District

DAVID COUCH

(Continued on Page 43)

SUPERVISOR 1115 Truxtun Avenue, Room 504 | Bakersfield, CA 93301 Phone: 661.868.3680 | Fax: 661.868.3688 | Email: couchd@co.kern.ca.us

P.O. Box 21297 Bakersfield, CA 93390 Office: 661.588.5124 Fax: 661.588.1910

Proud to support our Veterans!

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VETERANS HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION PROGRAM

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The VHHP allocates funds for the development of new affordable housing for veterans and their families. The VHHP requires an emphasis on developing housing for veterans who are homeless or have extremely low income.

The California Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Housing and Community Development, and the California Housing Finance Agency are working together to design the VHHP. The Department of Housing and Community Development will implement the program. Affordable housing developers will partner with veterans service providers to build affordable housing dwellings, including Supportive Housing, which will provide housing and services to veterans who are homeless or who have extremely low income to assist the veterans to achieve housing stability and improve self-sufficiency.

The VHHP requires the three Agencies to develop programs that do the following: • Leverage public, private, and nonprofit program and fiscal resources • Prioritize projects that combine housing and supportive services • Promote public and private partnerships • Foster innovative financing opportunities • E nsure that program scoring and/or guidelines advance applicants with experience in combining housing with supportive services for veterans or partnering with experienced developers or service providers in serving veterans.

VHHP funding for housing developments will be provided to affordable housing developers through a competitive application process utilizing the current Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) structure. Successful applicants will be experienced development organizations who are partnered with experienced service providers.

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VETERANS DAY 2020 | 43

V E T S A N D C OV I D - 1 9

(Continued from Page 41) The pandemic has exacerbated existing delays in finding veterans in need, filing their paperwork and waiting for decisions. Ryan Foley, an attorney in New York’s Legal Assistance Group, a nonprofit legal services organization, noted in a personal communication that these benefits are worth “tens of millions of dollars to veterans and their families” in the midst of a health and economic disaster.

All 56 regional Veterans Administration offices are closed to encourage social distancing.

Compensation and disability evaluations, which determine how much money veterans can get, are usually done in person. Now, they must be done electronically, via telehealth services in which the veteran communicates with a health care provider via computer.

But getting telehealth up and running is taking time, adding to the longstanding VA backlog. Currently, approximately 75,000 veterans wait more than 125 days for a decision.

(That is what the VA defines as a backlog – anything less than 125 days is not considered a delay on benefit claims.)

8. Obstacles to getting stimulus checks Veterans with the greatest financial need may not automatically receive their stimulus checks. Currently, those living on tax-exempt income from the VA must file a tax return to get a check.

But e-filing a tax return is a significant obstacle for many, especially severely disabled veterans who may not have computers or know how to use e-file software.

There are many social groups to pay attention to, all with their own problems to face during the pandemic. With veterans, many of the problems they face now existed long before the coronavirus arrived on U.S. shores.

But with the challenges posed by the situation today, veterans who were already lacking adequate benefits and resources are now in deeper trouble, and it will be harder to answer their needs.

Proudly supports the 15th District American Legion

Shaun Kelly Phone/Fax: (661) 616-4712 skelly@tolmanandwiker.com 5001 California Avenue, Suite 150, Bakersfield, CA 93309 Office: (661) 616-4700

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44 | VETERANS DAY 2020

AMERICAN LEGION BASEBALL C A N B R I N G T H E B E S T O U T O F YO U

BY RICHARD WALKER

A

A major league veteran of 13 years and 1,212 games, Wes Helms says sitting the bench in his first American Legion Baseball season illustrates how much respect he has for that level of baseball.

"I remember when I first got on the team, I was just on the team," Helms said of his first season playing for Gastonia Post 23 in 1991, which came after his ninth-grade year Holbrook Junior High in Lowell, N.C.. "It was because we had a really, really good team.

"But Legion baseball can bring the best out of you and it did that for me. We went to play in Monroe and (coach) Peanut (Parks) put me in centerfield and I hit a home run that night.

After that, I ended up being in the starting lineup. But I sure had to work for it."

Just seven years later, Helms would make his major league debut.

When he did, he became one of Gastonia Post 23's North Carolina-record 13 products to play at the game's highest level.

Among the Post 23 alumni to play were major league All-Stars Buddy Lewis and Jimmie Hall, relief ace Ted Abernathy and Lawrence "Crash" Davis.

1935 Legion World Series championship team and spent three seasons playing for coach Connie Mack's Philadelphia Athletics (1940-42) before returning to Gastonia as high school and American Legion head baseball coach; Davis' 1954 Gastonia team that included Hall was American Legion World Series runner-up to San Diego.

Helms knew much of that history when he played for Gastonia Post 23 from 1991 to 1993 largely because his father J.W. was a longtime baseball fan.

But more than anything, Helms says American Legion Baseball taught him how to be a good teammate, something he says served him well in his major league baseball career.

"I talk to a lot of people now in the travel ball scene and I still kind of argue with a lot of them that I think the way youth baseball is done now takes a lot away from the team-building aspects of baseball in the summer," Helms said. "And playing with and against the kids you played with like I did in Legion was special. You come together and play as a team in the summer. That's what's always stuck in my mind about Legion baseball."

Helms hit .308 and had a 1-0 pitching record in 1991 for Gastonia, which won playoff series against Newell and Monroe before losing to Pineville three games to two in the N.C. Area IV semifinals. Pineville was led by eventual Charlotte 49ers star

Davis, later immortalized in Hollywood's fictionalized Bull Durham movie about minor league baseball, played on Gastonia's

(Continued on Page 45)

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VETERANS DAY 2020 | 45

A M E R IC A N L E G ION BASE BA L L

(Continued from Page 44)

DISTRIBUTORS PROCESSING INC We honor our brave Veterans and the men and women of our Armed Services.

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NAT IONA L C OM M A N DE R ' S

pitcher Tim Collie, who played two seasons in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization after being a 24th-round draft pick in the 1995 draft.

In 1992, Helms played shortstop and hit .398 with a 4-1 pitching record for a team that was coached by North Carolina's eventual all-time winningest American Legion Baseball coach, Bobby Reynolds. (Reynolds, who has guided Cherryville Post 100 for 37 of his 42 years of coaching American Legion Baseball, had 811 victories after the 2019 season in addition to American Legion World Series runner-up finishes in 1998 and 2003, five state titles and 14 N.C. Area IV championships.)

During the 1992 and 1993 seasons, Helms played against two other eventual major leaguers — Kevin Millwood of Bessemer City Post 243 and Scott Stewart of Stanley Post 266 — including a memorable pitching matchup against Millwood.

Millwood pitched 16 seasons in the majors including four as Helms' Atlanta Braves teammate. Helms was a 10th-round Braves draft pick in 1994 while Millwood was an 11thround Braves draft pick in 1993.

In their pitching matchup on June 24, 1992, Gastonia won 6-5 as Helms was the winning pitcher.

"All I remember is the big hype that year was me and Kevin pitching against each other," said Helms. "I don't remember the whole game. But I do remember it being an intense, close game that was fun."

In 1993, Helms played shortstop and hit .515 and had a 4-4 pitching record with six saves for Gastonia's N.C. Area IV runner-up team to Hickory Post 48.

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Helms juggled attending college baseball camps at N.C. State, Florida State and Clemson — he eventually signed at the University of North Carolina before forsaking that for a pro career — with his American Legion Baseball season that summer.

"It was tough but I didn't get overused in the summer and kept my arm strong," Helms said. "I still talk to my kids about that Hickory series. That was a really good series. (Gastonia's) Sims Legion Park was filled. There were a lot of people at those games and us and Hickory had a really good team."

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The next year, Helms concluded a three-year high school baseball career for Parks at Gastonia's Ashbrook High School and didn't play American Legion Baseball as he signed with the Braves and began his professional career. The 1994 North Carolina high school player of the year, Helms hit .402 with 22 home runs and 104 RBIs and had a 27-8 record with 312 strikeouts in his career. His last pitching performance came in a 8-0 no-hit victory over Greensboro Page in the first round of the N.C. 4A playoffs.

A third baseman and first baseman during his major league career, Helms would hit .256 with 75 home runs and 374 RBIs while playing for the Braves (1998, 2000-02), Milwaukee Brewers (2003-05), Florida Marlins (2006, 2008-11) and Philadelphia Phillies (2007).

Starting in 2018, Helms got involved with minor league coaching, first as bench coach for Class AAA Lehigh Valley of the Phillies' organization in 2018 and as manager for Class AA Birmingham of the Chicago White Sox organization in 2019.

Helms had been hired as manager of Class AAA Charlotte by the White Sox before the 2020 minor league season was cancelled by the coronavirus pandemic; Charlotte is 22 miles east of Helms' hometown of Gastonia.

"I still love Legion baseball," Helms said. "I wish it was still the way it was when I played.

"To me, that team aspect of friends playing together is what Legion baseball meant. I think that is missed in today's summer ball leagues. Basically, you can be on a team in the summer nowadays and not know even one kid on the team. In Legion ball, that just wasn't the case. You had that team bonding that you grew up with. You often knew those kids since elementary school."

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46 | VETERANS DAY 2020

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

COLLEGE FEE WAIVER T

The College Fee Waiver for Veteran Dependents benefit waives mandatory system-wide tuition and fees at any State of California Community College, California State University, or University of California campus. This program does not cover the expense of books, parking or room and board. There are four plans under which dependents of Veterans may be eligible.

Plan A • The unmarried child of a Veteran who is totally disabled due to service-connected disabilities or whose death was officially rated as service-connected is eligible. The child must be over 14 years old and under 27 years old to be eligible. If the child is a Veteran, then the age limit is extended to age 30; • The spouse of a wartime Veteran who has been rated as service-connected totally disabled is eligible. There are no age limit restrictions; • The unmarried surviving spouse of a wartime Veteran whose death has been rated as service-connected is eligible.

There are no age limit restrictions; • Any dependent of any Veteran who has been declared missing in action, captured in the line of duty by hostile forces, or forcibly detained or interned in the line of duty by a foreign government or power is eligible.

The Veteran must have served at least one day of active duty during a period of war as declared by the U.S. Congress, or during any time in which the Veteran was awarded a campaign or expeditionary medal. Concurrent receipt of benefits under Plan A and VA Chapter 35 benefits is prohibited. To receive benefits under Plan A, a dependent must sign an "Election to Receive College Waiver Benefits" statement acknowledging this fact. There are no income restrictions under this plan. To be eligible, the event which caused basic entitlement to benefits (i.e., the date the Veteran died of service-connected causes or the date the military or United States Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA) rated the Veteran as totally disabled as a result of service-connected disabilities) must have occurred prior to the child's 21st birthday.

Plan B The child of a Veteran who has a service-connected disability, or had a service-connected disability at the time of death, or died of service-related causes is eligible. The child's annual income, which includes the child's adjusted gross income, plus the value of support provided by a parent, may not exceed the annual income limit. The current academic year entitlement is based upon the previous calendar year's annual income. Under Plan B, wartime service is not required and there are no specific age requirements. Children are the only dependents eligible under this plan.

There is no prohibition against receiving concurrent VA Chapter 35 benefits.

Plan C Any dependent of any member of the California National Guard, who in the line of duty while on active service to the state, was killed, died of a disability resulting from an event that occurred while in active service to the state, or is permanently disabled as a result of an event that occurred while in the service to the state is eligible. Surviving spouses who have not remarried are also eligible.

"Active service to the state," for the purpose of this benefit, means a member of the California National Guard activated pursuant to Section 146 of the Military and Veterans Code. A copy of those orders pursuant to Section 146, not Section 143, must be furnished to establish eligibility.

Plan D Medal of Honor recipients and children of Medal of Honor recipients under the age of 27 may qualify. Benefits under Plan D are limited to undergraduate studies only, and applicants are subject to both income and age restrictions.

There is no prohibition against receiving concurrent VA Chapter 35 benefits.

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15th District Legionnaire

Brewbakers Proudly supports the 15th District American Legion

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VETERANS DAY 2020 | 47

NATIONAL FIREFIGHTER OF THE YEAR THE AMERICAN LEGION

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The American Legion gives a National Firefighter of the Year Award to a firefighter who has exceeded the requirements expected of his or her position and has shown a distinct pattern of community service and professional achievement. The award, which takes into account heroic acts, will be given annually at the Legion’s national convention.

Fire departments are encouraged to submit nominations to their state’s American Legion department adjutant. Applications must be received by Feb. 1. Departments may only submit one nomination per year. Only department winners are eligible for the award, which will be accepted at the national convention.

Nominees must be active firefighters and U.S. citizens. Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) are eligible only if they are certified firefighters. Posthumous awards will be acceptable only if the nominee’s death occurs after the department’s selection.

Nominees must also reside and be assigned within their nominating department’s state.

The American Legion will provide the award winner and spouse with travel, hotel and other reasonable expenses for a round trip to the national convention city.

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48 | VETERANS DAY 2020

VA OFFICE OF ACCOUNTABILITY T RU M P ' S VA AC C O U N TA B I L I T Y OF F IC E HAS R E C OM M E N DE D DI S C I P L I N E F OR 7 L E A DE R S SI N C E

BY NIKKI WENTLING/STARS AND STRIPES

An office created by President Donald Trump to root out poorly performing Department of Veterans Affairs leaders has received thousands of complaints since 2018, has investigated 389 of them and has recommended disciplinary action against seven senior employees.

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President Donald Trump

The VA Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection substantiated six allegations of misconduct and one instance of whistleblower retaliation, according to its annual report, which was shared with Congress this week. In at least one case, however, no disciplinary action was taken.

The report highlights the office’s work over 19 months, from October 2018 to May 2020.

Trump created the office in 2017, fulfilling a campaign promise to make it easier to say, “You’re fired,” to VA workers. He often touts the office as one of his biggest achievements, and it’s being highlighted as a reason to reelect him. During the Republican National Convention on Monday, Natalie Harp, a member of Trump’s campaign advisory board, said if Trump hadn’t been elected, “there would still be no accountability at the VA.” Of 3,463 complaints submitted to the office from October 2018 to May 2020, 389 cases were determined to be in its purview. The office investigates matters against VA leaders or supervisors suspected of breaking the law, abusing their authority or endangering veterans, among other things.

The office substantiated allegations against seven employees and recommended to top VA officials that they be disciplined. It was unsure Tuesday whether the employees in some of the cases were disciplined and to what extent.

While the report didn’t include the employees’ names, it detailed four of the cases. In one, the office recommended a demotion for the chief of staff of a VA medical center

because the chief of staff failed to separate an employee from a suspected sexual harasser. The medical center followed through on the recommendation and the employee was demoted.

In another instance, a chief of staff at a VA hospital closed a surgery center without ensuring veterans could receive care elsewhere. The office determined it was a neglect of duty that potentially endangered veterans’ care. However, the hospital didn’t follow the office’s recommendation that the chief of staff be suspended.

An investigation by the office led to the removal of two senior executives because of discrimination, the report states. The office also found that a hospital supervisor had retaliated against a whistleblower by recommending they be fired. The supervisor had left his or her VA position before any disciplinary action could be taken.

While the office investigated 389 allegations in the past 19 months, much of its time was spent fixing problems with the office that existed since its outset. The VA Office of Inspector General revealed last year that the office took “troubling” actions, was confused about its mission and retaliated against those it was tasked to protect.

The IG accused the former directors of the office, first Peter O’Rourke and then Kirk Nicholas, of “leadership failures” that led to “significant deficiencies” in how it operated. The IG found cases of limited and one-sided investigations that had a “chilling effect” on other whistleblowers’ willingness to come forward.

The current director of the Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection, Tamara Bonzanto, was appointed in January 2019. In a preface to the report, she wrote the office has “undergone a radical transformation.” Bonzanto established new policies, improved investigations and increased training, she said.

Members of The American Legion can receive 50 percent discounts on annual subscriptions to the Stars and Stripes digital platform of exclusive military news, topics of interest to veterans, special features, photos and other content, including the daily e-newspaper, job listings and history. American Legion members can subscribe for $19.99 a year by visiting legion.stripes.com and using the coupon code LEGIONSTRONG when filling out the online form.

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“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

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VETERANS DAY 2020 | 49

V E T E R A N U P DAT E S O N

COVID-19 THE AMERICAN LEGION

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During the COVID-19 Pandemic, the California Department of Veterans’ Affairs (CalVet) continues to fulfill its mission to serve and honor all California veterans by connecting them and their families with their earned benefits through education, advocacy, and direct services.

In an attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19 and protect the public and our staff, CalVet is temporarily changing the way we provide services.

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CalVet Secretary Vito Imbasciani MD, expresses gratitude to the staff at our Headquarters Office for all of their hard work and support during this time.

What You Need to Know Our services are still available and staff is working hard to continue to serve your needs.

CalVet’s Local Interagency Network Coordinators (LINC) bridge the gap between veterans and the federal, state, county, and non-governmental agencies that provide services to our state's nearly 1.6 million veterans. Service members, veterans, and their families seeking benefit information, status updates, claims assistance, and other community-based resources are encouraged to contact their LINC for more information on benefits and services in their area:

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North Valley LINC Cole Wagenaar Cell: (916) 708-2942 NVLINC@calvet.ca.gov

Los Angeles LINC Anthony Rodriguez Cell: (213) 342-7741 LALINC@calvet.ca.gov

Bay Area LINC Kevin Graves Cell: (925) 817-7370 BALINC@calvet.ca.gov

Orange County LINC Ben Gales Cell: (916) 508-9601 OCLINC@calvet.ca.gov

Central Coast LINC Calvin Angel Cell: (831) 206-4231 CCLINC@calvet.ca.gov

Inland Empire LINC Merlene Steinbeck Cell: (442) 242-5659 IELINC@calvet.ca.gov

Central Valley LINC Annette Wholaver Cell: (916) 539-2431 CVLINC@calvet.ca.gov

San Diego LINC Lance Iunker Cell: (619) 318-0466 SDLINC@calvet.ca.gov

CalVet Veterans Services Veterans Services is responsible for administering a number of special programs, benefits and services for California veterans and their families. For information on programs call (800) 952-5626 or visit; https://www.calvet.ca.gov/calvet-programs/veteran-services. Follow veterans’ trends and programs at https://www.facebook.com/CalVetServices.

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50 | VETERANS DAY 2020

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A M E R IC A N L E G ION

AGENT ORANGE BENEFITS AMERICAN LEGION JOINS R E P. J O S H H A R D E R , V S O S I N F I G H T FOR AGENT OR ANGE BENEFIT S

THE AMERICAN LEGION

American Legion Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Commission Chairman Ralph Bozella joined U.S. Rep. Josh Harder and representatives from other veterans service organizations via conference call Aug. 20 in announcing the launch of an effort to expand coverage for veterans exposed to Agent Orange but unable to access support from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

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Earlier this year, Harder introduced The Fair Care for Vietnam Veterans Act. The legislation would ensure Vietnam veterans with bladder cancer, certain thyroid problems and Parkinson’s-like symptoms are able to access care through VA. To become law, the amendment must now be included in the final version of the National Defense Authorization Act. “On behalf of American Legion National Commander James W. ‘Bill’ Oxford, I am pleased to announce The American Legion supports U.S. Rep. Josh Harder’s effort to include three new Agent Orange presumptive diseases in the National Defense Authorization Act,” Bozella said during the call. “The American Legion has a rich and proud history of participating in and supporting Vietnam veterans’ fight for Agent Orange-related benefits.

“In 1983, The American Legion sponsored an independent study by Columbia University that established the effects of exposure to Agent Orange on Vietnam War veterans. Congress received the results of this study in 1989. Since then, the Department of Veterans Affairs has recognized 14 diseases related to exposure from Agent Orange and other herbicides.”

Bozella said now is the time for VA to add the three new diseases listed in the legislation to the Agent Orange presumptive list and – noting similar legislation already has passed in the U.S. Senate – urged American Legion membership “to contact your U.S. representatives and ask each one to support this initiative, which will prove we are still welcoming home our Vietnam veterans.”

To find your Congressional representative, visit https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative.

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We Salute Veterans.

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VETERANS DAY 2020 | 51

“The American Legion embodies the best in America. From its advocacy for service members and veterans to legionnaires who selflessly volunteer their time for the betterment of our community.

Thank you to American Legion for your continued service and devotion to our country.”

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