American Legion District 15 Veterans Day edition 2019

15TH DISTRICT

LEGION

NAIRE

“The Nation that forgets its Defenders 15th District Legionnaire

...will itself be forgotten.”

Monday, November 11, 2019 | VETERANS DAY | 1

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties"

D ONA L D L . J OH N S ON 2 0 1 9 - 2 0 2 0

COMMANDER'S CORNER G

Greetings, District 15 Legionnaires.

Thank you for your membership in The American Legion, and for participating in your local Posts. In Association Year 2019, 8 of the 15 Posts in District 15 exceeded their Membership Goals, as did District 15 as a whole, and the Department of California. For many Posts and the District, this was the First time in years. Great Job! As we continue into Association year 2020, we need to continue that good work, renewing our existing members recruiting new ones, and engaging all our members in Post activities. Our strength is in our numbers, especially those who participate in our Posts, and in our programs.

Without active members, we cannot fulfill our mission.

Many Posts are still celebrating the Legion’s and their Post’s Centennials. Most of us will be involved in Veterans; Day activities, Remember to invite the public to join in these observances.

Despite our efforts, too many do not understand who we are

(Continued on Page 2)

G E N I E C A R I SN E R 2 0 1 9 - 2 0 2 0

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE H

PLUS INSIDE...

Happy 100th Birthday American Legion Auxiliary

We Celebrate 100 years of service not self in November 2019. Please plan a celebration in November with your Unit and invite your community to celebrate with you. Let everyone know what we are and what we do.

About the ALA: Founded in 1919, the American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) helps to advance the mission of The American Legion.

With more than 600,000 members, it is one of the nation’s most prominent supporters of veterans, military, and their families.

ALA members volunteer millions of hours annually, with a value averaging $1 billion each year. From helping to draft the GI Bill in 1944 to advocating for veterans on Capitol Hill, The American Legion Family has been instrumental in advancing legislation that improves the quality of life for our nation’s veterans. To learn more and get involved, visit www.ALAforVeterans.org.

“Membership in the American Legion Auxiliary now opens to male spouses of U.S. veterans and service members”

New Law..........................Page 7

Post 26 Tells a Story.........Page 16

National Convention.... Page 30

The American Legion has voted to extend membership in the American Legion Auxiliary to male spouses of U.S. veterans and service members. During the American Legion National Convention in Indianapolis in August, delegates of The American Legion

(Continued on Page 2)

Flag Day 2019.............. Page 32

Twisted History........... Page 50 THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

2 | VETERANS DAY 2019

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

15TH DISTRICT OFFICERS COMMANDER Don Johnson, Post 18 1st VICE COMMANDER Tony Strauss, Post 221 2nd VICE COMMANDER Jose Rocha, Post 19 SERGEANT-AT-ARMS James Carmichael, Post 221 JUDGE ADVOCATE Juan Lopez, Post 779

15th District Legionnaire

(Continued from Page 1)

FINANCE OFFICER David Graham, Post 26 ADJUTANT Frank Vail, Post 26

and what we do for both our fellow Veterans, and our communities. Embrace our younger Veterans, even if it means doing new and different things, for they are our reliefs, and our legacy, and they will carry on when we cannot.

Stay well, stay active, and stay involved. And may God continue to bless us all.

CHAPLAIN Eddie Orosco, Post 20 SERVICE OFFICER Michael Johnson, Post 221

Donald L. Johnson 15th District Commander 2019-2020

HISTORIAN Brian Adams, Post 20

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

15TH AUXILIARY OFFICERS

(Continued from Page 1)

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

Marshal Zana Chaney, Unit 124

Treasurer Brenda Preston, Unit 26 Chaplain Kathryn Johnson, Unit 221

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

voted to replace the word “wife” with “spouse” in their constitution and bylaws, opening up membership in the American Legion Auxiliary.

This new membership eligibility has much promise for growth in the American Legion Auxiliary, leading to new resources, increased funding opportunities, and additional diversity and talent among our leadership, as well as general membership. {Information from ALA web site}.

District officers were installed in August at a luncheon at Maria Calendars in Bakersfield.

I invite you to come to our meetings in November, January, March and May. Learn about our programs and what the Units in our District are doing in their areas.

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

Genieca Risner 15th District Auxiliary President 2019-2020

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

15th District Legionnaire

VETERANS DAY 2019 | 3

MEMBERSHIP REPORT DISTRICT 15 STANDINGS

Post # Post Name & City

ne s rs nli fer l be s O s L l m d d n a e UF ai ai ra Tot Goa M P P P T l oa 19 19 19 19 19 019 019 G 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 %

15

Tulare, Tulare

0 36

13

1

0

50 97

51.55%

18

Visalia, Visalia

6 15

6

44

3

74 110

67.27%

19

Alta, Dinuba

0

7

2

14

1

24 42

57.14%

20

Porterville, Porterville

2 26

10

77

2 117 177

66.10%

26

Bakersfield, Bakersfield

2 65

71

259 21 418 746

56.03%

63

Fellows, Taft

0

6

4

18

0

28 72

38.89%

94

Exeter, Exeter

0

7

2

20

1

30 50

60.00%

124

Merle Reed, Delano

3 12

3

28

1

47 77

61.04%

128

Lindsay, Lindsay

0 12

0

2

0

14 17

82.35%

221

Tehachapi, Tehachapi

1 19

26

61

2 109 153

71.24%

682

East Bakersfield, Bakersfield

0 26

8

0

2

36 158

22.78%

711

Kern River Valley, Lake Isabella 1

9

3

24

3

40 70

57.14%

743

Charter Oak, Ivanhoe

0 10

3

7

0

20

29

68.97%

779

Terra Bella, Terra Bella

0

4

1

12

0

17 26

65.38%

785

Sierra, Visalia

3 14

2

66

8

93 99

93.94%

District 15 Totals

18 268 154 633 44 1,117 1,923 58.09%

Proud To Support Our

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

goldenwestcasino.com

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

4 | VETERANS DAY 2019

LEGION’S SECOND CENTURY L E G ION ’ S SE C ON D C E N T U RY

BY THE AMERICAN LEGION

A

Thank you for your service WORLD AG EXPO®

At about every American Legion national convention over the last 40 years that National Adjutant Daniel Wheeler has attended, a resolution is brought forth about opening some periods of war dates for Legion membership.

$3 Off with code: MILITARY

These resolutions did not pass because if The American Legion asked Congress to open war dates then they would have to open dates that were not war periods. And then The American Legion would not be a war veterans organization, and that has tax and IRS consequences with the organization’s status under the law, Wheeler explained to attendees of the Legion’s 56th annual National Membership Workshop Aug. 9 in Indianapolis.

worldagexpo.org/buy-tickets

The idea about opening membership eligibility was raised again last year at convention, but with a tangible solution. More than 1,600 service members have been killed or were wounded in previously undeclared periods of war by Congress. Thus, the LEGION Act asked Congress to recognize these periods that “were in fact war … that gave The American Legion the opportunity to welcome wartime veterans who previously had not been acknowledged into our ranks … and to honor those who gave their lives to hostile action that was undeclared by Congress,” Wheeler said.

“The American Legion’s most important principal throughout the last century is ‘a veteran is a veteran.’”

15th District Legionnaire

February 11-13, 2020

4500 S. Laspina St. • Tulare, CA 93274 • 559.688.1030

The “Legion Act” was signed into law July 30 by President Trump, extending the ongoing declared period of war back to Dec. 7, 1941. Prior to this signing, more than 4.2 million veterans were ineligible to join The American Legion. “Those times are over,” Wheeler said. “Their opportunity for national service to The American Legion is now as our second century unfolds.”

With more veterans eligible to join, American Legion departments will now have the opportunity to go for new all-time membership highs heading into the Legion’s second century. Departments’ membership base will be what it was on delegate strength date this year and that will be the base departments’ operate from to get all-time high awards hereafter. “So everyone now has a chance to be an all-time high department. I think that’s really exciting,” Wheeler said.

Out of the 55 American Legion departments, 11 surpassed their membership goal for 2018-2019 – the Departments of Alabama, Alaska, California, France, Hawaii, Idaho, Mexico, New Hampshire, Philippines, Utah and Wyoming.

“It has always been and always will be our sacred responsibility to care for those who served,” said Rev. Daniel Seehafer of Wisconsin, chairman of the National Membership and Post Activities Committee. “You are the ones in the field. And you are the ones who can make that difference in membership. It only takes one.” With the LEGION Act, “I want you fired up like never before,” Seehafer added.

Since Aug. 5, less than a week after the signing of the LEGION Act, more than 300 previously ineligible veterans are known to have joined The American Legion by signing up via legion.org. It is unknown how many have signed up directly through departments and posts.

“The American Legion legacy will grow into our second century and if we build on the respect America has for our organization already and the services we provide, a mission we can and we must share with a new population of veterans who are now eligible to call themselves Legionnaires,” Wheeler said. “We stand on the precipitous of a great opportunity for growth in The American Legion and additional service extending into future generations.”

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

15th District Legionnaire

VETERANS DAY 2019 | 5

GI BILL T H E VA HAS C A N C E L E D C ON T R AC T F OR C OL L E G E S TO R E C E I V E G I B I L L F U N D S

BY FELICIA MELLO, CALMATTERS

T

The U.S. Dept. of Veteran Affairs has canceled its contract with a California state agency that approves colleges to receive GI Bill funds, after a lengthy dispute over how to regulate forprofit and out-of-state schools.

The VA said Friday it will take over responsibility for deciding which California schools qualify to receive military education benefits, a role it has traditionally delegated to states.

But state officials insist that state law authorizes them to carry out those responsibilities and say they will continue to do so — setting the stage for another potential showdown between California and the Trump administration.

The dispute comes after the VA pushed the California State Approving Agency for Veterans Education to approve the payment of

GI Bill benefits to Ashford University, an online for-profit college. California Attorney General Xavier Becerra is suing Ashford, alleging the school lied to prospective students about financial aid and job outcomes, and engaged in illegal debt collection practices. State regulators said they would not act on the university’s application while the lawsuit is pending.

In a letter to the state agency, the VA said its performance had “significantly declined to an unacceptable level” over the past three years. It said the agency had failed to complete required surveys of schools and approve educational programs on military bases.

The letter also cited the agency’s decision not to approve Ashford.

The state agency’s “continued refusal to

adhere to the requirements of the cooperative agreement has negatively impacted the ability of veterans and qualifying dependents to maximize their utilization of VA educational assistance benefits,” wrote Charmain Bogue, executive director of the VA’s education service.

for with their earned GI Bill benefits,” said department spokeswoman Lindsey Sin. She added that the federal VA “has taken exception with many of our actions over the years and continues to disagree with our efforts to protect veterans’ educational benefits in California.”

Within California, the agency oversees the quality of 1,600 colleges and training facilities that serve military veterans — inspecting the schools and verifying information about their financial stability, job placements and accreditation. It is under the California Department of Veterans Affairs, known as CalVet.

Sin called the letter “riddled with inaccuracies.”

“CalVet takes very seriously our responsibility to protect taxpayers and veterans from waste, fraud and abuse while ensuring veterans in California receive the education and training they are paying

The VA’s letter left open the possibility that it would sign a new contract with the California agency if the agency worked to “resolve all outstanding issues.”

In the meantime, VA spokesperson Christina Mandreucci said the department will work closely with the state agency to ensure California veterans can use their education benefits at approved schools. The decision will take effect Oct. 1, she said.

PROUD SUPPORTER OF OUR LOCAL VETERANS AND ARMED FORCES. Strong veterans make strong communities.

Bankof theSierra.com /Prosper © 2017 Bank of the Sierra. All rights reserved.

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

6 | VETERANS DAY 2019

15th District Legionnaire

HISTORY AU X I L IA RY A N D T H E L E G ION

T

BJ3196_VetransDay_Discount_ad_r3.indd 1

A

America’s largest veteran’s service organization, In 2019 The American Legion turns 100 years old.

The American Legion was founded after the end of World War I. During March 15-17, 1919 in Paris, France, the first caucus under the name American Expeditionary Force was held. Two months later, a caucus was held in St. Louis, Mo., where the name The American Legion was officially adopted. The Preamble and the Constitution of The American Legion was approved, and on Sept.

16, 1919, the United States Congress chartered The American Legion.

After its formation in 1919, several existing women’s organizations wanted to become the official affiliate of the Legion. A committee decided to create a new organization made up of the women most closely associated with the men of the After its formation in 1919, several existing women’s organizations wanted to become the official affiliate of the Legion. A committee decided to create a new organization made up of the women most closely associated with the men of the Legion. During The American Legion’s first convention Nov. 10, 1919, members and officials “birthed” the American Legion Auxiliary.

This Auxiliary would perform those portions of Legion activities that were more suitably performed by women.

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

At the Legion’s second convention in September 1920, the Legion sanctioned the Auxiliary. The Legion’s Committee on Women’s Auxiliary presented some recommendations

9/25/17 4:19 PM

to the Legion, one being that the women decide upon their name. And the women did just that at the Auxiliary’s first convention in 1921, omitting the word “women’s” – thus becoming the American Legion Auxiliary.

From the beginning, both organizations’ main goals were to help veterans and their families. Today, there are over 2 million veterans in over 12,000 posts worldwide.

The American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) has three-quarters of a million members in over 8,000 communities. The American Legion Auxiliary has come a long way from “doing the activities more suitable for women” – in 2018, the organization’s volunteer hours had an impact of over $1 billion through services to service members, veterans and their families, and our communities.

Also in 2018: over 4,000 scholarships were awarded; $18 million was raised and spent on the ALA Girls State program; over $82 million was raised/spent to benefit children; and 5.5 million poppies were distributed with nearly $4.4 million raised. Over 3 million veterans were assisted, 356,000 military families were served, and $189 million was spent on community service projects alone.

The American Legion Auxiliary has advocated for veterans rights, including the GI Bill and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs benefits, and ending homelessness among veterans.

The American Legion Auxiliary can still be seen baking pies and serving dinners to our many veterans as well as sending care packages to deployed troops and writing notes to wounded veterans in hospitals. Our membership makes a difference.

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

1400 Easton Dr. Suite 117 Bakersfield, CA 93309 P. 661.323.7356 F. 661.323.9337 E. andersonsprinting@att.net

Richard Foster

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

15th District Legionnaire

OPEN

Receive a

FREE

Compassionate Collective

when you refer a new patient

(747) 272-4984 1656 Oak Street

Gram!

2 gram per day maximum limit

Bakersfield, CA 93301

VETERANS DAY 2019 | 7

NEW LAW

7 Days A Week 10AM – 10PM

L AW C HA N G E HAS OP E N E D T H E A M E R IC A N L E G ION ' S D O OR S TO M A N Y M OR E V E T E R A N S

Follow us on Social Media BFC661 BudFellasCO

BY ANNIE CHARNLEY EVELAND

Robert B. Moss, Jr. Architectural Specialties Robert A. Moss, Jr. Installation • Technician

1525 Melody Ln, Bakersfield, CA 93308 Ph 661-399-9371 • Fax 661-399-6441 • rbmossco@arrival.net Contractors License #418039

President Donald Trump signs the Let Everyone Get Involved in Opportunities for National Service (LEGION) Act Tuesday, July 30, 2019, in the Oval Office.

TIA DUFOUR/THE WHITE HOUSE

I

It’s a new day for veterans wishing to join the American Legion.

A bipartisan effort was made early this year through legislation introduced in Congress in the House and Senate.

Legislation signed into law on July 30 opens Legion membership to hundreds of thousands more veterans.

When applying for membership, prospective Legionnaires and recruiters should write ‘LEGION Act’ in the eligibility date section of American Legion membership applications if they fall outside the previous seven war eras, Brett said.

The Let Everyone Get Involved in Opportunities for National Service LEGION Act allows any honorably discharged veterans who’ve served since Dec. 7, 1941, to join the American Legion and access its programs and benefits.

Congress chartered and incorporated the American Legion in 1919 as a patriotic veteran’s organization devoted to mutual helpfulness.

Previously, military veterans who served in periods of peacetime between wars were not eligible for membership, according to a release.

“We are proud to welcome any of the six million living veterans from the previously unrecognized periods into our organization and call them ‘Legionnaires,’” said national Legion Commander Brett Reistad.

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

“The larger pool of veterans now eligible for the American Legion will also open their family members to eligibility in the Sons of the American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary,” Brett said.

The Legion has several scholarships available: to check eligibility visit legion.org/scholarships.

Locally veterans are served by American Legion Walter C. Lee Post 32.

It was named after a soldier who perished from the effects of mustard gas in World War 1. He was a 1st lieutenant with the U.S. Army 146th Field Artillery Regiment, 41st Division. Before deployment overseas, the 146th was stationed at Fort Walla Walla.

8 | VETERANS DAY 2019

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

15th District Legionnaire

“ We are forever indebted to our veterans. Their courage and sacrifice for our nation must not be forgotten; thanks to their service, our nation is safe and our freedoms are protected.

Thank you to the American Legion for their 100 years of service to veterans and their families.”

www.McCarthyforCongress.com Paid for by Kevin McCarthy for Congress

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

15th District Legionnaire

VETERANS DAY 2019 | 9

FULL 2019 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATIVE AGENDA Mental Health & Wellness A study of VA mental health services utilization reports 1.6 million American men and women have served or are serving currently in the conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan, or surrounding areas. Multiple studies have reported a high prevalence of emerging mental health disorders in this population. These mental health issues include, but are not limited to:

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

• Depression

• Anxiety

• Substance Use Disorders

• Military Sexual Trauma

• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

M

CAVSA is committed to ensuring that all veterans gain access to mental health care by supporting member agencies in their individual missions to serve the needs of California’s veteran population. We help nearly 10,000 veterans access counseling and mental health services.

AB 43 (Gloria): Current law authorizes the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) to be amended by a 2/3 vote of the Legislature if the amendments are consistent with, and further the intent of, the act. Current law authorizes the Legislature to add provisions to clarify procedures and terms of the act by majority vote. This bill would clarify that the planning process for innovative programs is to be completed in collaboration with stakeholders and is to comply with open meetings laws.

AB 550 (Flora): This bill would establish the Medical Foster Home Pilot Program until January 1, 2023, under which a United States Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA) facility may establish a medical foster home that is not subject to licensure or regulation as a residential care facility for the elderly, a community care facility, or a residential care facility for persons with chronic, life-threatening illness, pursuant to specified federal requirements. The bill would require a USDVA facility establishing the home to agree to be subject to the jurisdiction of the California State Auditor, and would require a medical foster home caregiver or an individual, other than a veteran resident, who is over 18 years of age and is residing in the medical foster home to be a registered independent home care aid, as specified. The bill would state the intent of the Legislature that the California State Auditor, in response to a request to the Joint Legislative Audit Committee, conduct an audit evaluating the pilot program created by this bill no sooner than January 1, 2021, as specified.

AB 563 (Quirk-Silva): Current law, the Mental Health Services Act, an initiative measure enacted by the voters as Proposition 63 at the November 2, 2004, statewide general election, funds a system of county mental health plans for the provision of mental health services, as specified. The act establishes the Mental Health Services Fund, which is continuously appropriated to, and administered by, the State Department of Health Care Services to fund specified county mental health programs. This bill would make technical, nonsubstantive changes to those provisions.

AB 581 (Levine): Current law requires a court, if it concludes that a defendant convicted of a felony offense is or was a member of the United States military who may be suffering from sexual trauma, traumatic brain injury, posttraumatic stress disorder, substance abuse, or mental health problems as a result of the defendant’s military service, to consider that circumstance as a factor in mitigation when imposing a sentence. Current law allows a defendant who is currently serving a felony sentence and meets these criteria to petition for resentencing if those criteria were not considered at the time of sentencing and the person was sentenced prior to January 1, 2015. This bill would allow a defendant meeting these criteria to petition for recall of sentence and resentencing without regard to whether the defendant was sentenced prior to January 1, 2015.

SB 10 (Beall): This bill would require the State Department of Health Care Services to establish, no later than July 1, 2020, a statewide peer, parent, transition-age, and family support specialist certification program, as a part of the state’s comprehensive mental health and substance use disorder delivery system and the Medi-Cal program. The bill would include 4 certification categories: adult peer support specialist, transition-age youth peer support specialist, family peer support specialist, and parent peer support specialist.

SB 11 (Beall): This bill would require a health care service plan and a health insurer to submit an annual report to the Department of Managed Health Care or the Department of Insurance, as appropriate, certifying compliance with state and federal mental health parity laws, as specified. The bill would require the departments to review the reports submitted by health care service plans to ensure compliance with state and fed-

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

eral mental health parity laws and would require the departments to make the reports and the results of the reviews available upon request and to post the reports and the results of the reviews on the departments’ Internet Web site.

SB 245 (Chang): This bill would prohibit a public animal shelter from charging an adoption fee for a dog or cat if the person adopting the dog or cat presents to the public animal shelter a current and valid driver’s license or identification card with the word “VETERAN” printed on its face pursuant to the above-described provision.

SB 289 (Archuleta): Would require the continued Medi-Cal HCBS eligibility or waiting list status of a Medi-Cal beneficiary who is a dependent child or spouse of an active duty military service member, if the military service member receives a military order to transfer to another state, as long as the military service member retains California as the state of legal residence and the Medi-Cal beneficiary retains eligibility for those services.

SB 389 (Hertzberg): Would amend the Mental Health Services Act to authorize the counties to use MHSA moneys to provide services to persons who are participating in a presentencing or post sentencing diversion program or who are on parole, probation, post release community supervision, or mandatory supervision. By authorizing a new use of continuously appropriated moneys, this bill would make an appropriation. The bill would state the finding of the Legislature that this act is consistent with, and furthers the intent of, the Mental Health Services Act. Homelessness & Housing Veterans are disproportionately represented among California’s homeless population. California is home to nearly 1.8 million veterans, the largest veteran population in the nation. However, unlike homeless veterans in other parts of the U.S. where 38% are unsheltered, a shocking 67% of California veterans were unsheltered in 2017. Additionally, according to the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, the rate of female veteran homelessness is at least three times greater than their non-veteran civilian peers. CAVSA prioritizes programming for veterans to help reverse these trends. We operate over 2,500 units of stabilization, transitional and permanent housing.

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

10 | VETERANS DAY 2019

15th District Legionnaire

PREVENTION SU IC I DE P R E V E N T ION M U S T S TA RT B E F OR E C R I SI S I N T E RV E N T ION THE AMERICAN LEGION

Suicide. It’s becoming America’s largest epidemic, cutting a swath of pain and suffering to young and old alike. It’s wreaking havoc on active duty military personnel, veterans and their families. It’s stealing hearts, futures and hope.

The American Legion hosted a Preventing Suicide: Educate, Inspire, Mobilize discussion in its Washington, D.C., office Sept. 12, in conjunction with National Suicide Prevention Week. A panel of speakers discussed this crisis with guests who must face the ghosts personally and professionally.

“We are in the midst of a crisis that is assaulting our veterans and active duty service members where they are fighting battles here at home,” said George Mitchell, American Legion deputy director of health policy, in his opening

remarks. “We are in the midst of a crisis that is devastating families and the communities across our nation.”

Preventing suicides is not an easy task. It is a task that can be complex, hard to detect and quixotic. Suicide can be an ongoing underlying fight, or a sudden decision that can leave survivors and those who have attempted suicide bewildered and confused.

Chief Warrant Officer Cliff Bauman attested to this personally during his remarks.

He is a survivor of an attempted suicide.

Bauman was a first responder after the Sept. 11, 2001, attack on the Pentagon.

He internalized his experiences on that fateful day – the impact to his senses, smell and touch – and those that followed. He knows today that post-trau-

matic stress disorder (PTSD) was stalking him. It started with alcohol, as well as with nightmares of what he saw and what he did.

Bauman said his work suffered, he denied he was dealing with a crisis, and he refused help, all classic symptoms of suicide. Compounding his crisis is that suicide was treated negatively by the military. It was different, a very different time for treating PTSD and a suicidal person.

Bauman’s life changed forever in 2002, when he attempted to end his life at his brother’s house in Kansas City, Mo. “I don’t quite know what triggered me that night,” Bauman said. “With a bottle of pills and drinks on the table, I wrote a suicide note. I wrote I was tired of the guilt of not finding anyone else alive, from the attack at the Pentagon, and I took over

20 Ambient pills and I laid on the couch.”

Bauman’s brother, a nurse at the Truman Medical Center nearby, had an unsettling feeling about his brother while at work and called the house. No answer. His brother rushed home and found Bauman near death.

Unfortunately, the story of Daniel Somers had to be told to the panel by his surviving parents.

Daniel served as a sergeant in the California Army National Guard and was married to his high school sweetheart. He was federalized for active duty in 2004, sent to Iraq and participated in 400 combat missions. Daniel refused to accept two Purple Hearts for his combat service, and suffered from PTSD and a traumatic (Continued on Page 11)

A-C Electric Company Electrical Construction BIM, 3D Computer Design & Engineering Industrial Automation, HMI & SCADA 24/7 On-call Service Department From 12 volts to lightning, A-C Electric Company is equipped to handle all your electrical needs. Give us a call today, and our team will work to get your project completed on time and within budget.

A-CELECTRIC.COM

559.732.4733

CA Lic. 99849

Since 1945

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

15th District Legionnaire

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

VETERANS DAY 2019 | 11

P R E V E N T ION

(Continued from Page 10)

AMERICAN LEGION

brain injury (TBI). His parents shared with the panel via teleconference how Daniel grasped for peace from the nightmares, guilt of war, frustrations with the system and hopelessness.

Veterans gave so much—now, you deserve to get the most

We believe veterans deserve a healthcare plan with lots of extra beneits. The Humana Honor HMO-MA Only Medicare Advantage plan can reduce your monthly Medicare Part B premium and includes extra features you might not get through Original Medicare or veterans beneits alone. This means you’ll get more a month in your Social Security check! Take advantage of: • Rewards for completing covered preventive health screenings, exams, lu shots and other healthy activities • Maximum annual out-of-pocket protection • Doctor’s ofice visits, second opinions and hospital coverage Don’t miss a chance to learn more about our Humana Honor HMO-MA Only plan.

Enjoy the freedom to choose healthcare coverage that works best for you—Humana is with you along the way.

Call a licensed sales agent

In 2013, Daniel ended his life by a single shot to his head in the parking lot of the Phoenix VA medical center.

“There was and remains a huge shortage of mental health providers not only in the VA but the community at large,” said Dr. Howard Somers, father of Daniel. “We still have the need to educate our community providers about military culture.”

At the time of Daniel’s death and even today, his parents believe the VA is reluctant to refer veterans suffering from PTSD and TBI to outside providers during a crisis situation.

Furthermore, Howard said the VA did not share with them the knowledge of other programs available to those facing this type of crisis.

“VA was not in compliance with their own regulation to make a bed available to a veteran needing urgent treatment within the VA facility or the private community,” Howard said.

“There is a huge need for a community support network … and that the VA should transition to centers of excellence for service-related injuries. As some people say, VA should do what VA does best.”

Dr. Mathew Miller is a psychologist and acting national director for suicide prevention at the VA. He pointed out the need for hope for those contemplating suicide, and for families either trying to help the suicidal veteran or have to deal with the aftermath of this devastating action.

“The message we are attempting to convey is that suicide prevention must start before crisis intervention,” Miller said. He added that while the system is making great strides in improving reaction time, case referral and resources to assist veterans facing a crisis, suicide continues to be an elusive enemy and far more needs to be done.

“In each of the suicide reports of veterans over a given year, something stood out to me in the pages and it broke my heart. In several situations veterans who died by suicide had the Veterans Crisis Line phone number in their pants pocket,” Miller said.

More must be done “upstream,” Miller added. “The suicide prevention mission belongs to all of us. It is an eternal battle.”

Richard Duran CA License #0C75105

Mathew Campbell is a combat veteran and navy hospital corpsman who served two tours in Iraq. Within weeks of transitioning out of the military in 2008, Campbell said he lost the mission-minded purpose he was used to.

559-281-7548 (TTY: 711) Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. humana.com/rduran Se Habla Español

“It is our duty and our job to be there for one another,” said Campbell, a field based implementation team consultant with the VA’s Office of Patient Centered Care and Cultural Transformation. He believes reducing the number of suicides is a group effort. “I challenge you to pick up the phone, to text, to message them. To be that brother, or sister.”

Miller shared some elevated risks that veterans face during times of transition, such as financial hardship, that can play a role in the minds of a suicidal individual. Identifying these factors and initiating outreach is an important step the VA, friends and family need to be aware of to help.

Humana is a Medicare Advantage HMO and PPO plan with a Medicare contract.

Enrollment in any Humana plan depends on contract renewal. Applicable to H5619121. For accommodations of persons with special needs at meetings call 1-877320-1235 (TTY: 711), 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., seven days a week. At Humana, it is important you are treated fairly. Humana Inc. and its subsidiaries comply with applicable Federal civil rights laws and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or religion. English: ATTENTION: If you do not speak English, language assistance services, free of charge, are available to you. Call 1-877-320-1235 (TTY: 711). Español (Spanish): ATENCIÓN: Si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística.

Llame al 1-877-320-1235 (TTY: 711).

(Chinese): 1-877-320-1235 (TTY :711)

Y0040_GHHJXCXEN20_M

Bauman’s recovery from his suicide attempt has helped provide insight for him and he believes has changed the culture of suicide in the military. No longer is the discussion of depression, mental illness or TBI a PowerPoint presentation during a lengthy briefing.

“What they’ve found out is that (telling personal stories) helps enhance the training,” Bauman said.

Dr. Heather Kelly, director of Military and Veterans Health Policy for the American Psychological Association, served as the discussion moderator. Kelly said that the VA has worked hard over the past 20 years to develop outside partnerships to address the veteran suicide crisis. She advised that there are programs available to help deal with this issue, but the money must be effectively spent.

“If you want to help, you need to be willing to evaluate your programs and make sure these precious resources get to those needing assistance,” Kelly said.

Howard Somers concluded the discussion with a reminder that “the upstream support is so important. If we can get people educated to what our service members are experiencing and make them aware of some of the issues they might be suffering from and the resources available in and out of the VA, we might get better outcomes.”

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

12 | VETERANS DAY 2019

SUICIDE C OM BAT I N G V E T E R A N SU IC I DE R E Q U I R E S ' A NAT IONA L C ON V E R S AT ION '

BY STEVEN B. BROOKS

S

Standing in front of delegates to The American Legion’s 101st National Convention in Indianapolis, Department of Veterans Secretary Robert Wilkie said that he and President Donald Trump are of one mind when it comes to the department’s most urgent mission.

“Suicide prevention is the No. 1 clinical priority of the president of the United States. It’s my top priority for veterans,” Wilkie said on Aug. 28 in Indianapolis. “As long as we are still seeing veterans struggle, we must all guide them back to the community of this brotherhood, this military family. They need our love and support.”

Wilkie said of the 20 or so veterans that take their own lives each day, half are over age 65 – the majority of those Vietnam veterans.

“Let me put that into historical perspective,” he said.

“Lyndon Johnson left Washington, D.C., 50 years ago in January, and we are still dealing with the after effects of that conflict.”

Only six of the 20 veterans committing suicide daily are in the VA system. Those in the system, Wilkie said, are screened for mental health when they walk into a VA facility. VA also provides same-day mental health care.

“But just as important, we are talking about this issue more within the active-duty force,” Wilkie said. “The practice of my father’s generation – not to talk about these things – is now giving way to an open discussion among our active servicemembers, who have now learned the importance of looking out for signs in themselves and signs in their comrades of distress.

“But no VA secretary, no federal department, can solve this problem from Washington, especially when most of those veterans we need to reach are not in our system.

We will not get anywhere on veteran suicide until this nation has a national conversation about life. And that is a conversation that veterans can start today.”

Wilkie asked that the conversation include veteran service organizations. “The federal government needs to build those partnerships with organizations like the Legion, are states and localities, to get to those in the community who can deliver aid directly to those in need,” he said. “For example, there’s important legislation in the Congress now that would let VA direct funding to groups like yours, to community partners across the nation, so they can support veterans at risk of suicide.”

(Continued on Page 14)

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

15th District Legionnaire

15th District Legionnaire

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

VETERANS DAY 2019 | 13

EXECUTIVE ORDER

T O E L I M I N AT E F E D E R A L S T U D E N T L OA N DEBT FOR DISABLED VETERAN’S

P

President Donald Trump announced Wednesday a new plan to relieve disabled veterans totally of federal student loan debt.

"The debt of disabled veterans will be entirely erased," Trump said during his prepared remarks at the American Veterans 75th National Convention in Louisville, Kentucky. "In a few moments, I will sign a memorandum directing the Department of Education to eliminate every penny of federal student loan debt owed by American veterans who are completely and permanently disabled."

About half of the roughly 50,000 disabled veterans who are qualified to have their federal student loan debt forgiven have received the benefit because of an application process that has proven burdensome, the administration said.

The memo directs the government to develop an "expedited" process, which the Department of Education said would mean loans are forgiven unless veterans opt out.

Trump addressed a large crowd of veterans at the event, saying, "You fought courageously for your country, and now we’re fighting courageously for you."

He also vowed to eliminate "every penny" of an average of $30,000 in federal student loan debt for each of about 25,000 disabled veterans.

At the conclusion of his address, the president stayed on stage to sign the executive order in front of the crowd, flanked by Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, among others.

“That's hundreds of millions of dollars in student debt held by our severely wounded warriors. It's gone forever,” Trump said.

Thank you Veterans! 10% OFF All Smogs.

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

14 | VETERANS DAY 2019

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

15th District Legionnaire

SU IC I DE

(Continued from Page 12) Wilkie also brought up the issue of opioid addiction and noted that VA has reduced its opioid prescriptions by about 51 percent during the current administration. He also said VA is looking at other pain treatment options that “would never have been considered in my father’s day: yoga, tai chi, acupuncture. If I had told my father that I would treat the pain of his wounds with acupuncture or tai chi, my nose would be flat against my face. But culture is changing, and we’re giving veterans healthier alternatives as a result.”

Wilkie called the MISSION Act “the most successful piece of legislation since the GI Bill” and “the greatest change in our department since Omar Bradley sat at the desk that I now occupy.”

The MISSION Act has “revolutionized the way we look at veterans by saying … that it is VA’s job to fit the needs of the veterans, instead of forcing America’s veterans to design their health care around the needs of the VA bureaucracy,” Wilkie said. “Under MISSION, veterans can now get care in their community if a VA facility is too long a distance away, or if VA does not have the care they need, or even when that veteran says ‘it’s in our best interest to go elsewhere.’

SAUCED, TOSSED & MADE TO ORDER! 11 MOUTHWATERING FLAVORS

“And finally, it gives veterans what their neighbors have had for so many years: the option of getting urgent care close by, without having to drive to a VA, without having to go into an emergency room for a cold or the flu, and that means we are finally on the cusp of providing veterans 21st century medicine.”

But Wilkie said while the MISSION Act gives veterans permanent choice, “it is our goal, again, to make it a tough choice,” Wilkie said. “And we know that America’s veterans prefer VA because they want to go where people speak the language and understand the culture.”

Expanding outside care options doesn’t mean the VA is shifting closer to privatization.

“Let me address that as I’ve addressed it under oath,” Wilkie said. “I was privileged to present the largest budget in the history of this department to the United States Congress: $220 billion. I’m the only member of the president’s cabinet who was ordered not to present any budget cuts to the Office of Management and Budget. And I can tell you that I have the same standing orders for next year’s budget. A $220 billion budget calling for a workforce of 390,000 employees is a very strange way to privatize the department.”

Wilkie said VA is about to launch the first testing of its new electronic health record in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska.

“No longer will warriors have to carry around hundreds of pages of paper records that are disintegrating in their hands,” he said. “That means doctors will never have to guess again what you went through. It will finally be interoperable. That means if you go to an urgent care facility, if you go to your private doctor, those doctors will have the ability to tell VA what they have done for you and what you need for your future care.”

Wilkie said his department is focusing on hiring and training over 2,000 employees to process Blue Water Navy veteran claims that will begin being awarded Jan. 1, 2020 – “benefits that 75,000 sailors and Marines deserve and deserved a long time ago.”

Wilkie took time to thank The American Legion for helping change the climate toward the nation’s veterans.

BAKERSFIELD LOCATIONS 3720 Gosford Rd., Ste F • 661.835.9464 Albertson Shopping Center

2600 Oswell St., Ste E • 661.871.9464 Oswell Street at Bernard Street behind Wendy’s

5628 Stockdale Hwy. • 661.489.5089 COMING SOON! 1523 Panama Lane • Suite E 100

ROSEDALE LOCATION

“Today, we are a pro-veteran country. We see it everywhere,” he said. “We see people standing for veterans at the ballgames, at the airports. And in a political climate, as charged and divisive as this one is, veterans are the only things (political parties) seem to agree on.

4580 Coffee Rd., Ste B • 661.213.4567

“There is a reason for that. It’s (The American Legion). This Legion knows something about where we came from and the importance of reminding us all of the shared sacrifice that these members have.”

3 WAYS TO ORDER

Von’s Shopping Center at Hageman Road

WING STOP APP

WINGSTOP.COM THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

15th District Legionnaire

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

VETERANS DAY 2019 | 15

VETERANS DAY PARADE

2019 BAKERSFIELD VETERAN’S DAY PARADE Sponsored by American Legion Post 26 Since 1919

Parade Theme

100 YEARS OF SERVING

Veterans & our Community November 11th, 2019 Parade at 10:00 a.m.

Starts at 21st & L, west on 21st to G St., south on G St to 20th, east on 20th to “O” St. Applications available at www.post26bakersfield.com & Post 26 (2020H St. W, Th., F 9-1) Entry Donation $55.00 Breakfast 7:00 a.m. – Free for Veterans Lunch at Noon – Free for Veterans THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

16 | VETERANS DAY 2019

15th District Legionnaire

POST 26

TELLS A STORY

Commercial Residential

Rubbish Hauling

(661) 399-2944 1808 Roberts Lane P.O.Box 80427 Bakersfield, CA 93380

M

My foundation was laid in 1934 and I started my existence as a furniture and appliance store. In the 1970’s shopping was moving from downtown to the suburbs and into malls so my usefulness as a store waned; what was going to happen to me. In the late 1970’s I was purchased and started a new life as Post 26 of the American Legion.

Instead of a fixture in downtown I became a meeting place for the American Legion and the community. A place where Veterans met and where Veterans supported their fellow Veterans and the community. I not only watched the Veterans Day Parade but I was now the focal point of it; planning meetings, free breakfasts and lunches on Veterans Day for Veterans. My rooms full of needy, happy, and noisy children near Christmas time being fed, getting presents, and visiting with Santa. Older Veterans reuniting with friends from their Honor Flight at the monthly breakfasts. I love seeing the future when the boys and girls are interviewed for Boys and Girls State. Various community organizations utilize me to meet, socialize, and plan their activities. Additionally; families utilize me for Celebrations of Life (a sad yet happy event), to celebrate birthdays and weddings, and sometimes to just get together.

The Post uses me to host dinners and events to raise funds to support Veterans as well as me. Besides the normal Post, Auxiliary, Sons, and Rider meetings I have hosted District, Area, and Department meetings for both the Legion and the Auxiliary. It makes me proud that the members of my Post have advanced to District, Area, and Department chairs, committees, commissions, and other positions. While it has never been dull, this year looks like it will be one to remember.

This year started off with the National Commander visiting me as one of his stops during his California Tour. It was such an honor to provide a place for him, his party, and the local dignitaries to have lunch. District meetings (where I can strut my stuff to my fellow Posts), hosted the DEC (a room full of Veterans working on how to make things better for all Veterans), Auxiliary meetings, Sons’ meetings, and Riders, too. A big thing was the dinner to celebrate this Posts 100th Anniversary, wow what a crowd. The Post is 100 years old, not me!

THANK Y U. Rogers Jewelry is proud to support our local veterans.

thinkrogers.com

9500 Rosedale Highway • (661) 589-5416

Myers Funeral Service & Crematory

(FD-713)

Still at the same location, still serving our community.

Myers staff thanks the brave men and women of our armed forces and honors our Veterans.

The sacrifices that you and your families have made in order to protect our freedom are appreciated more than words can say.

A special thank you to our Veteran staff members, who continue to serve the community.

(Continued on Page 19)

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

248 North E Street – Porterville, CA 93257 (559) 784-5454 – www.myersfuneral.com

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

15th District Legionnaire

VETERANS DAY 2019 | 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

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.

New Name, Same Team!

GEMCare Medical Group is becoming Dignity Health Medical Network (DHMN) On behalf of GEMCare Medical Group and Dignity Health Medical Network, we look forward to serving your health care needs now and into the future!

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

18 | VETERANS DAY 2019

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

COMPANION CARE

SENIOR HOUSING PLACEMENT When it comes to finding the right facility for your loved one, you are not alone. Our Placement Specialist understands that change can be very stressful and moving can be overwhelming and emotional for those involved. ●Rapid response ensures a smooth transition ●Best outcomes happen when we can partner with the facility and client early in the discharge process ●Advocates for the senior and provide guidance to families to make a decision for the best client outcomes, while helping reduce hospitalization ●We meet with the client and their family to perform a no cost assessment to discuss goals, budget, and care options to best meet their needs ●We tour each facility we contract with, to ensure the highest standards of care are maintained, understand their cost structure for care and ensure they are in compliance with licensure

15th District Legionnaire

Home care is provided to individuals who have chronic health care issues, recovering from surgery, disabled, aging and needs assistance. Home care can assist individuals achieve the highest quality of life possible, giving safety and security, increased independence, monitoring of ongoing medical conditions, help avoid unnecessary hospitalization, aid in recovery after an illness, injury or hospital stay. ●Assistance with meals, bathing, medication and transportation ●Assistance with safely managing tasks around the house

●Services from hourly to 24 hour care ●End of Life care ●Customized care plan to meet your needs ●Veterans Aid and Attendance Services ●FBI background Checked, Drug Tested, licensed by the State of California, ● Insured and bonded

Placement

Home Care Services

661-912-0212

661-324-4277

Proud to suPPor t the Amer icAn L egion And our Veter Ans of Kern And tuLAr e counties

Thank you for serving our country

and protecting our freedoms !

1128 Carrier Parkway Ave. Bakersfield, CA 93308 [661] 392-6640 fax [661] 393-9525 ww w. gr if f it h c o m p a n y. n e t Contractors License #88

Congratulations to T HE A MERICAN L EGION on 100 Years!

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

15th District Legionnaire

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties�

P O S T 2 6 T E L L S A S TORY

VETERANS DAY 2019 | 19

EDWARD FLORY

(Continued from Page 16) Looking at the calendar on one of my walls I see that an Area meeting; formal, informative, but not as crowded as the DEC meetings; Veterans working on making the Legion better for its members and it will be here just around the corner (building humor). Of course I will have hundreds of Veterans that have been able to see Washington D.C. and their respective memorials for breakfast every month. The day of the Veterans Day Parade I will be packed solid for the pre-parade breakfast where all Veterans eat free. When the Veterans and their families have gone outside to be in or to watch the parade the volunteers clean me up and get ready for lunch after the parade.

P O S T E V E R L AS T I N G

The holidays brings Post members gathering food items, organizing them, and sorting them into food baskets to deliver to homeless Veterans and Veterans in need. I hear this is the 100th year the Post has done this. I also look forward to the 100th year of the Christmas party and the Post members helping to make children smile.

I enjoy being the home of Post 26. I think this year will be one of my best.

Speak Up. Demand Encompass Health...

The ONLY rehabilitation hospital in Bakersfield. Demand Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Bakersfield as your first choice for rehabilitation after an accident, illness, or injury.

E

The Joint Commission Disease-Specific Care Certification in Stroke and Pulmonary rehabilitation

Edward S. Flory was born on November 13, 1924 to Mildred and Edward W. Flory in Porterville. Ed graduated from Rockford Elementary School in 1938, Porterville High School in 1942 and the University of Southern California in 1949.

Ed served in WWII in Europe in the 4th Armored Division and participated in the Battle of the Bulge. Ed was a Past Commander of American Legion Post 20 and was a member for 74 years. Ed was Chairman of the Veterans Day Parade for the past 46 years and has been on the committee for 57 years. Ed was instrumental in keeping the Porterville Homecoming Queen Pageant going since 1948. Ed was on the Board of Directors of the Porterville Memorial District for 28 years. Ed was a member of the Rockford Elementary School Board for 57 years. Ed won two Golden Apple awards for his service on the school board. Ed was responsible for small flags that are placed on the graves of veterans that are buried at Hillcrest Vandalia and Saint Anne's cemeteries since its inception.

Ed has worked with the Avenue of Flags for Memorial Day since its inception. Ed was also on the Flag Day committee with the Elks Club and was instrumental in the event for many years. Ed followed in his father's footsteps and worked for the Veterans in the Porterville area, as well as promoted the City of Porterville.

Thank you to those who served.

encompasshealth.com/bakersfieldrehab

5001 Commerce Drive Bakersfield, CA 93309 661.323.5500

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

20 | VETERANS DAY 2019

15th District Legionnaire

MISSION ACT VA L AU N C H E S N E W H E A LT H C A R E OP T ION S U N DE R M I S SION AC T

T

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) launched its new and improved Veterans Community Care Program on June 6, 2019, implementing portions of the VA Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks Act of 2018 (MISSION Act), which both ends the Veterans Choice Program and establishes a new Veterans Community Care Program.

The MISSION Act will strengthen the nationwide VA Health Care System by empowering Veterans with more health care options.

“The changes not only improve our ability to provide the health care Veterans need, but also when and where they need it,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “It will also put Veterans at the center of their care and offer options, including expanded telehealth and urgent care, so they can find the balance in the system that is right for them.”

Under the new Veterans Community Care Program, Veterans can work with their VA health care provider or other VA staff to see if they are eligible to receive community care based on new criteria. Eligibility for community care does not require a Veteran to receive that care in the community; Veterans can still choose to have VA provide their care.

Veterans may elect to receive care in the community if they meet any of the following six eligibility criteria: 1. A Veteran needs a service not available at any VA medical facility.

2. A Veteran lives in a U.S. state or territory without a fullservice VA medical facility. Specifically, this would apply to Veterans living in Alaska, Hawaii, New Hampshire and the U.S. territories of Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

• Drive time to a specific VA medical facility • T hirty-minute average drive time for primary care, mental health and noninstitutional extended care services.

• Sixty-minute average drive time for specialty care. ote: Drive times are calculated using geomapping N software.

Steve and Sherry Shamblin Proudly supports the 15th District American Legion

• Appointment wait time at a specific VA medical facility • T wenty days from the date of request for primary care, mental health care and noninstitutional extended care services, unless the Veteran agrees to a later date in consultation with his or her VA health care provider.

• T wenty-eight days for specialty care from the date of request, unless the Veteran agrees to a later date in consultation with his or her VA health care provider.

5. T he Veteran and the referring clinician agree it is in the best medical interest of the Veteran to receive community care based on defined factors.

6. V A has determined that a VA medical service line is not providing care in a manner that complies with VA’s standards for quality based on specific conditions.

In preparation for this landmark initiative, senior VA leaders will visit more than 30 VA hospitals across the country to provide in-person support for the rollout.

The VA MISSION Act: • Strengthens VA’s ability to recruit and retain clinicians.

• A uthorizes “Anywhere to anywhere” telehealth across state lines.

• E mpowers Veterans with increased access to community care.

3. A Veteran qualifies under the “grandfather” provision related to distance eligibility under the Veterans Choice Program.

• E stablishes a new urgent care benefit that eligible Veterans can access through VA’s network of urgent care providers in the community.

4. V A cannot furnish care within certain designated access standards. The specific access standards are described below:

VA serves approximately 9 million enrolled Veterans at 1,255 health care facilities around the country every year.

TERRIO provides Adult/Pediatric Outpatient Physical and Speech Therapy, Aquatic Physical Therapy, Low-Level Rehab, Hospital Inpatient Physical Therapy, In-School Occupational Therapy, In-Home Early Intervention and Sports Training at 15 locations across Bakersfield, Tehachapi, Delano, Fresno and Clovis (not all services available at each location)

Find out more at http://myTERRIO.com

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

15th District Legionnaire

VETERANS DAY 2019 | 21

AUXILIARY MEMBERSHIP N OW OP E N TO M A L E SP O U SE S OF U. S .

V E T E R A N S A N D SE RV IC E M E M B E R S

Local. Responsive. Reliable.

valleyrepublicbank.com | 661.371.2000 5000 California Avenue, Suite 110 | 4300 Coffee Road, Suite A6 11330 Ming Avenue, Suite 400 | 510 Woollomes, Delano NEW! Valley Republic Bancorp

(VLLX)

Full Service Distribution Center Affordable Warehousing

duct We ship your pro We warehouse your pr oduct ney We save you mo

Scott Sanders Manager

446 W. Prosperity Ave Tulare, CA 93274

Office: (559) 686-5747 www.tulareindustrialcenter.com

D

During The American Legion National Convention in Indianapolis in August, delegates of The American Legion voted to replace the word "wife" with "spouse" in their constitution and bylaws, opening up membership in the American Legion Auxiliary.

Why are The American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary making this change? Currently, 1.9 million women veterans are living in the United States, and 9% of the U.S. military is female. By 2045, it's estimated that 18% of the U.S. military will be comprised of women.

"As we welcome eligible male spouses into the American Legion Auxiliary, we gain another perspective on the needs of military families - enabling the Auxiliary to support even more veterans, service members, and their families," said 2019-2020 American Legion Auxiliary National President Nicole Clapp.

This new membership eligibility has much promise for growth in the American Legion Auxiliary, leading to new resources, increased funding opportunities, and additional diversity and talent among our leadership, as well as general membership.

American Legion Auxiliary members, since the founding of our organization in 1919, have been committed to meeting the needs of veterans, the military, and their families. The American Legion Auxiliary will continue its century-old legacy of Service Not Self well into the future. An increasing number of veterans, service members, and their families will need support. The American Legion Family is taking a "big picture" look at how to help these future families, and keeping our membership strong.

About the ALA: Founded in 1919, the American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) helps to advance the mission of The American Legion. With more than 600,000 members, it is one of the nation's most prominent supporters of veterans, military, and their families. ALA members volunteer millions of hours annually, with a value averaging $1 billion each year. From helping to draft the GI Bill in 1944 to advocating for veterans on Capitol Hill, The American Legion Family has been instrumental in advancing legislation that improves the quality of life for our nation's veterans. To learn more and get involved, visit www.ALAforVeterans.org.

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

22 | VETERANS DAY 2019

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

To say thank you for their service, GET is offering free rides for all veterans during the month of November. Veterans will need to show the driver their military ID.

getbus.org | 869-2GET

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

15th District Legionnaire

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

15th District Legionnaire

VETERANS DAY 2019 | 23

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE S T U DI E S HAV E F O U N D T HAT V E T E R A N ’ S A R E F O U R T I M E S AS L I K E LY TO B E TA RG E T E D B Y P R E DATORY L E N DE R S

Ag Solutions™

“High-cost payday lenders are inflicting financial harm on vulnerable families, charging sky high interest rates that can put families in worse positions than before they took out a loan. The Fair Access to Credit Act of 2019 will put a cap on these high interest rates and allows families to utilize these services for emergency funds without getting locked into drawn out, expensive repayments schemes that will harm their financial well-being,”

H

Proudly supports the 15th District American Legion

AB 539 is sponsored the California Association of Veteran Service Agencies (CAVSA), along with many consumer protection advocates, working families’ organizations, and religious organizations.

“Department of Defense studies have found that veterans are four times as likely to be targeted by predatory lenders. CAVSA is in strong support of AB 539, which seeks to address these predatory practices and their disproportionate impact on California veterans,” said CAVSA Executive Director, Chuck Helget.

Under current law, lenders are prohibited from charging more than 36 percent annual interest on loans of less than $2,500. Because there is no cap on loans above $2,500, high-cost lenders promote such loans, and place interest rates ranging from 132 percent to as high as 224 percent. For example, a $2,501 loan, only $1 above the limit, could have a 185 percent interest rate for 36 months, resulting in $13,996 total repayment, over five times the original loan.

Proud to support the American Legion and Veterans of Kern and Tulare Counties

AB 539 would place an interest rate cap of 36 percent on all consumer loans, plus the current federal rate (2.4 percent as of February 2019). This rate incentivizes lenders to underwrite loans to borrowers who have a reasonable ability to repay them. There are currently 39 states that place caps on these loans. This solution balances the benefits of access to capital while placing consumer protections.

AB 539 passed the Assembly Banking and Finance Committee and will head to the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

Julie Franks, Agent Insurance Lic.#: OE10267 526 Center Street Taft, CA 93268 Bus: 661.765.7158 Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.®

This Veterans Day, take a moment to remember the brave men and women who served and sacrificed for our freedom.

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

24 | VETERANS DAY 2019

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

15th District Legionnaire

15th District Legionnaire

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

VETERANS DAY 2019 | 25

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

26 | VETERANS DAY 2019

15th District Legionnaire

Estes Institute of Cosmetology

A BRIEF HISTORY

Enroll Now and begin a path to a New CAREER

OF V E T E R A N S DAY

Veterans Day, formerly known as Armistice Day, was originally set as a U.S. legal holiday to honor the end of World War I, which officially took place on November 11, 1918. In legislation that was passed in 1938, November 11 was "dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be hereafter celebrated and known as 'Armistice Day.'" As such, this new legal holiday honored World War I veterans.

Where YOU can set your own Schedule and be FREE to Inspire

V

In 1954, after having been through both World War II and the Korean War, the 83rd U.S. Congress — at the urging of the veterans service organizations — amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word "Armistice" and inserting the word "Veterans." With the approval of this legislation on June 1, 1954, Nov. 11 became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.

In 1968, the Uniforms Holiday Bill ensured three-day weekends for federal employees by celebrating four national holidays on Mondays: Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Columbus Day. Under this bill, Veterans Day was moved to the fourth Monday of October. Many states did not agree with this decision and continued to celebrate the holiday on its original date. The first Veterans Day under the new law was observed with much confusion on Oct. 25, 1971.

Take control of your life.

Start a career where your passion and creativity comes to life.

Manage your own schedule, and have your desired work-life balance.

From a school who is veteran owned; we understand the power of taking action.

Contact us today to learn about our programs.

559-733-3617 @estescosmo

Finally on September 20, 1975, President Gerald R. Ford signed a law which returned the annual observance of Veterans Day to its original date of Nov. 11, beginning in 1978. Since then, the Veterans Day holiday has been observed on Nov. 11.

The White House Office October 8, 1954 Dear Mr. Higley: I have today signed a proclamation calling upon all of our citizens to observe Thursday, November 11, 1954 as Veterans Day. It is my earnest hope that all veterans, their organizations, and the entire citizenry will join hands to insure proper and widespread observance of this day. With the thought that it will be most helpful to coordinate the planning, I am suggesting the formation of a Veterans Day National Committee. In view of your great personal interest as well as your official responsibilities, I have designated you to serve as Chairman. You may include in the Committee membership such other persons as you desire to select and I am requesting the heads of all departments and agencies of the Executive branch to assist the Committee in its work in every way possible.

I have every confidence that our Nation will respond wholeheartedly in the appropriate observance of Veterans Day, 1954.

Sincerely, Dwight D. Eisenhower

THANK YOU VETERANS THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

15th District Legionnaire

VETERANS DAY 2019 | 27

EXCITING TIME L E G ION B R I E F E D ON " E XC I T I N G T I M E " F OR VA

BY STEVEN B. BROOKS

I

Implementation earlier this summer of the VA MISSION Act has created “an exciting time” for the Department of Veterans Affairs – specifically the Veterans Health Administration.

The reason for that excitement was shared with The American Legion’s Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Commission on Aug. 24 by Dr. Steven Lieberman, VA’s Principle Deputy under Secretary for Health. Lieberman talked the MISSION Act, as well as VA’s women veteran’s healthcare and suicide prevention efforts, during his presentation at The American Legion National Convention in Indianapolis.

“It’s a time of big change for us,” Lieberman said. “We are working hard in VA to become what is called a ‘high-reliability organization.’ We want VA to become the safest healthcare system in the country. We want to prevent errors, and when an error does occur that it does not lead to harm.”

The MISSION Act will provide VA to deliver “anywhere to anywhere” care legally across state lines, Lieberman said. “We can fairly quickly start taking care of patients remotely,” he said. “Veterans wanted more choice. So if the wait time in primary care and mental health is over 20 days, or in specialty care over 28 days, we are going to give a veteran the option to go out for their care.”

Increased access to community care isn’t going to transform VA from being a federal agency. “We are not privatizing. That is not our goal,” Lieberman said. “Our goal is to keep strengthening within.”

On the women veteran front, Lieberman said that veteran population is the fastest growing; VA currently serves approximately 510,000 female patients. Creating an environment in which those women feel safe and secure is a priority for VA. “We hear that some (women) veterans don’t want to come to the VA,” Lieberman said.

“We are constantly talking to women veterans to get their input on this. We heard at one VA in Virginia that they all, as they describe it, ‘dress down.’ They put on a baseball cap, sweatshirts, jeans, because they think that helps them to get a decreased amount of unwanted comments. This is primarily coming from veterans.

“This is something that we’ve been working on since 2017, but it’s clear to me that we still have not made enough inroads when we’re hearing that our female veterans are afraid to walk into the main hospital.”

Core Mark •

®

Proudly supports the 15th District American Legion

Lieberman said efforts have been made to get VA staff comfortable if they hear something from a veteran saying inappropriate comment, “that it’s OK to go up to them and say ‘please sir, we all are welcome here. That is an unwelcome comment. Please don’t make that comment.’ It’s really important to get that word out.”

Suicide-prevention efforts in the veteran community need to be collaborative. “Everybody’s got a responsibility with this,” Lieberman said. “That’s why it’s important to talk about it.”

(Continued on Page 28)

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

28 | VETERANS DAY 2019

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

15th District Legionnaire

E XC I T I N G T I M E

(Continued from Page 27)

Lieberman said there is a misconception that suicide is triggered mainly by a mental health issue. “Certainly that’s an issue with many of these suicides,” he said. “But suicides, the reasons for many times are not because of a mental health disease. Suicides are complex. There are maybe one or more reasons why someone chooses to (use) suicide. And we don’t have all the answers. Nobody has all the answers.”

Stressors such as financial difficulty, divorce and difficulty with transitioning into the civilian world can trigger suicidal thoughts and actions. Another, Lieberman said, is social isolation – something that he said The American Legion can assist with.

“If somebody loses their spouse, or moves, they go into isolation,” Lieberman said. “They don’t have that (prior) support system … and they suddenly are very lonely. We believe if you can get them involved in a veteran service organization … get them involved in something … this is just such an important aspect.”

The commission also got an update on Project Atlas, collaboration between The American Legion, Philips Healthcare and VA. Philips is placing video communication technologies and medical devices in selected American Legion and VFW posts to enable remote examinations through a secure, high-speed internet line. Veterans will be examined and advised in real time through face-to-face video sessions with VA medical professionals, who may be located hundreds or thousands of miles away.

VA”s Kay Burnett, a primary care provider, said she sees patients both in-person and via telehealth. “Being able to have access to a space within a whole community where my veterans, my patients, can go and see me, versus having to come all the way into the facility is a great advantage,” she said.

“Yes, there are still appointments that we want them to come into the facility to, but there are also appointments that I can see folks in their homes and in their home communities.”

VA’s Lesly Roose said Project Atlas also benefits those veterans in areas where cell connection can be spotty. “What Project Atlas is for those areas where you don’t have really

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

good cellular connectivity,” she said. “I personally live in a rural area. I struggle with bandwidth sometimes at my own house, so I know what this can be like … Project Atlas will bring that connectivity to a local area where you can go.”

Dr. Paul Lawrence, VA’s Under Secretary for Benefits briefed the commission on implantation of the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act, and on the status of benefits for Blue Water Navy veterans.

On the latter, Lawrence said that while the Procopio v.

Wilkie decision extending disability benefits for Agent Orange exposure to Blue Water Navy veterans won’t go into effect until Jan. 1, 2020, work already is underway regarding those claims.

“We are processing and doing development (of claims) now,” Lawrence said. “The law requires the benefits go into effect on Jan. 1. We will grant on Jan. 1 for those folks.”

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

15th District Legionnaire

VETERANS DAY 2019 | 29

DI S T R IC T 1 5

OFFICERS Patricia Jones

Broker / CEO CalBRE # 01418001

661.379.6500 • www.cpmillc.com

Disctrict 15 Legion Officers

Veterans THANK YOU

Growers, Shippers, Importers & Exporter of Select Quality Product Since 1941

33150 Pond Road | Delano, CA 93215 | Office: (661) 725-3755

Disctrict 15 Auxiliary Officers

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

30 | VETERANS DAY 2019

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

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

100 YEAR CENTENNIAL CONVENTION

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

15th District Legionnaire

15th District Legionnaire

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

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

F OR P O S T 2 0

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

VETERANS DAY 2019 | 31

32 | VETERANS DAY 2019

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

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

FLAG DAY 2019

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

15th District Legionnaire

15th District Legionnaire

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

VETERANS DAY 2019 | 33

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

34 | VETERANS DAY 2019

15th District Legionnaire

JOEY FLORY G I V E S T HA N K S

J

Joe Flory gives thanks to the post and the veterans committee for the services and luncheon for our fallen legionnaire Ed Flory with over 65 years as a member. The Porterville Veterans Memorial building was renamed to honor Ed, his father and grandfather who were all legionaries and named the Ed Flory Memorial Veterans Building.

1920 18TH ST 93301 *WE SUPPORT OUR TROOPS* THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

15th District Legionnaire

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

VETERANS DAY 2019 | 35

Love of country, now and always.

CSUB salutes our students, faculty and staff who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Thank you.

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

36 | VETERANS DAY 2019

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

15th District Legionnaire

A M E R IC A N L E G ION

VETERANS SERVICE DAYS

Objectives 1. To raise public awareness of veterans’ issues to garner attention and support by the public and promote the advocacy of The American Legion.

2. T o stimulate grass roots activism in engaging The American Legion family, veterans and their families and the general public in participating in the legislative process by communicating their support of veterans’ issues with legislators.

3. T o conduct Veterans Service Days in districts at public locations where service officers can provide assistance, information and support to veterans regarding claims, benefits, rights, and employment assistance.

4. T o expose non-member veterans to the benefits of membership in The American Legion.

To achieve tangible results, Congressional representatives should be invited. All local media should be invited. All veterans will be invited and strongly encouraged to attend to discuss their past problems, current needs, potential benefits and any assistance they or their families need. They will be given brochures on any and all veterans support available to them along with personal one-on-one time with American Legion Service Officers.

Health screenings can be made available. Auxiliary and Sons of the American Legion can participate to offer support and help for family members. City officials, military commanders and all active duty personnel can be invited including National Guard and Reserves.

VETERANS SERVICE DAY can be held at a post, government building, school gymnasium or any large facility. No speeches are needed or wanted, only direct contact and assistance. Feedback will be obtained and problems of local veterans documented much as was done in the “I am not a number” campaign.

(Continued on Page 37)

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

Dinuba

591-1919

Orosi

189 S. J Street 41632 Road 128 FD-518 www.DopkinsChapel.com FD-870

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

15th District Legionnaire

BIG ENOUGH TO COMPETE SMALL ENOUGH TO CARE OFFICE PRODUCTS OFFICE TECHNOLOGY SAFETY SOLUTIONS BREAKROOM SUPPLIES JANITORIAL & FACILITY PRODUCTS GREEN SOLUTIONS OFFICE FURNITURE

WWW.STINSONS.COM PH 661-323-7611 FX 661-327-5299

VISIT OUR REDESIGNED FURNITURE SHOWROOM @ 4500 STINE RD BAKERSFIELD, CA 93313

VETERANS DAY 2019 | 37

V E T E R A N S SE RV IC E DAYS

(Continued from Page 36) A VETERANS SERVICE DAY may be organized for the district, combining the talents and manpower of all of the posts or assigning the task to a single post with the most assets and members willing to reach out. In keeping with the Legion town USA campaign, it is suggested that the event be conducted during the September through November timeframe to raise community visibility of the services offered by The American Legion.

Tools The American Legion National Headquarters has developed fill-in-the-blank media materials, news releases, radio copy, talking points and draft letters to promote the event for each district. The materials follow in this booklet and are available for downloading from the Internet at http://www.legion.org/whatsnew/eventplanning to provide easy editing and printing.

VETERANS SERVICE DAY SPONSORSHIP IDEAS

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

• •

Clown to entertain kids with balloons, coloring books, etc. sponsored by…

Radio station remote broadcast sponsored by…

•

Food and beverages provided by…

•

Entertainment (band, singer, DJ) provided by…

•

Prizes for drawing provided by…

•

Signs donated by…

•

Deputized Veterans Advocate badges paid for by…

•

Health screenings by VA

•

Jobs by National Guard, Reserve recruiters

•

Blood donation service by American Red Cross

•

VSD sweatbands, cups, handouts courtesy of…

Deputized Veterans Advocate Pins National Emblem Sales can order special “Deputized Veterans Advocate” pins for sale or presentation as appropriate. The two-inch gold star can be purchased for between one and three dollars depending on quantity and sold for more to pay for incidental costs of the events.

17656 Ave 168, Porterville, CA 93257 559.781.0297 • Fax 559.781.4321

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

38 | VETERANS DAY 2019

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

15th District Legionnaire

15th District Legionnaire

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

VETERANS DAY 2019 | 39

LEGION ACT T E N T H I N G S YO U N E E D TO K N OW A B O U T T H E L E G ION AC T

W

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.

“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.

Here are answers to ten key questions about the new law and what it means for The American Legion.

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

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?

Question: 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 service. 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: So how does this differentiate The American Legion from AMVETS? 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. (Continued on Page 41)

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

40 | VETERANS DAY 2019

15th District Legionnaire

Doughty-Calhoun-O'meara Funeral Directors FD 359

Honoring All Those Who Served

Gina Fanucchi

Founded in 1960, DiBuduo & DeFendis is one of the largest independent insurance agencies in California. We have access to insurance products others don’t. And we help develop the right insurance program for your business or organization. Contact us today.

Vice President FDR 450

661.324.9821 661.324.3947 Fax 1100 Truxtun Ave. Bakersfield, CA 93301

Mailing Address P.O. Box 1528 Bakersfield, CA 93302

TALK TO US. WE LISTEN. .

Bakersfield: 5601 Truxtun Ave., Suite 210 | T: 661-322-9993 | F: 661 322-9714 dibu.com | License #0E02060

Bakersfield · Clovis · Dinuba · Fresno · Hollister · Lodi · Modesto · Oxnard · San Luis Obispo · Santa Monica · Taft

Shop our Stores and Save!

In 1907 we were created for growers, by growers. Now for over a century, we’ve been helping generations of folks just like you get the job done. We have what you need, where you need it, at a price you can afford.

Santa Paula

(805) 919-8725

Orange Cove Porterville Riverside Woodlake Yuma

(559) 648-8395 (559) 793-7108 (951) 749-5964 (559) 702-1713 (928) 615-6226

www.fruitgrowers.com/stores

120 Guest Rooms include Refrigerator, Microwave Oven & Keurig Coffee Maker 1,925 square feet of Versatile Meeting & Banquet Space Complimentary High Speed Wi-Fi Great American Grill for Breakfast & Dinner / Room Service Indoor Pool & Whirlpool Complimentary 24 Hour Business & Fitness Center Complimentary Parking

Grow to market.

3625 Marriott Drive | Bakersfield, CA 93308 | 661.716.1000 | HiltonGardenInn.Hilton.com

KERN LITERACY COUNCIL SALUTES OUR VETERANS! Special thanks to our tutor veterans and Honor Flight participants Barry Bongberg and Raymond Mars

Kern Literacy Council provides free one-to-one tutoring in Adult Basic Education, GED Test Preparation, English as a Second Language and Citizenship Test Prep. We welcome vets as students or tutors. Call 661.324.3213

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

15th District Legionnaire

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

VETERANS DAY 2019 | 41

L E G ION AC T

(Continued from Page 39) Question: How does this affect the eligibility for the American Legion Auxiliary?

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, wives, and direct and adopted female descendants of eligible veterans.

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: The current membership applications don’t address the eligibility change.

How do we process those members?

e e e e Construction deendeeconstruction@hotmail.com • License #655608

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

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.

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

42 | VETERANS DAY 2019

POST 20

AUXILIARY T

Thanks to everyone at Post 20 and the Legion Riders who helped raise over One Thousand Dollars on our first annual Poppy Sales drive.

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

15th District Legionnaire

15th District Legionnaire

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

VETERANS DAY 2019 | 43

SUICIDE DATA

VA SU IC I DE DATA R E V E A L S T RO U B L I N G T R E N D S I N C A L I F OR N IA

N

New Veterans Affairs data shows the suicide rate among California veterans is just under the national average, but it still shows troubling trends for veterans.

The Veterans Health Administration recently released national data showing 29.7 out of 100,000 veterans commit suicide. New data shows in California, the suicide rate is slightly lower — 28.8 — among veterans. It is also lower in most age groups in California.

Some parts of the country still feel lingering stress from the great recession, said Dr. Neal Doran, director of Clinical Improvement Mental Health at VA San Diego.

“Things in California are perhaps a bit better economically. You might have seen the overall rate for California is better than the national average,” he said.

Veterans commit suicide at a much higher rate than the national average. Guns remain the preferred method. Nationally, 68 percent of veteran suicides involved a firearm. In California, 55 percent of veterans used a gun. Statewide, only 40 percent of Californians used that method.

The VA offers gun locks and counsels patients to consider turning over their guns to someone else, he said.

“It just adds that extra moment to think and maybe stop themselves or for somebody else to intervene,” Doran said.

The latest data shows the trend of suicide increasingly concentrated in younger veterans, 18 to 34 years old. The VA data is from 2015. That year the suicide rate among veterans leveled-off at a 10-year high.

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

44 | VETERANS DAY 2019

NATIONAL COMMANDER A F O U N DAT ION F OR T H E F U T U R E

BY STEVEN B. BROOKS

As he stood on the stage in the Indiana Convention Center on Aug. 29 following being elected American Legion national commander for 2019-2020, North Carolina Legionnaire James W. “Bill” Oxford made it clear continuing the organization’s legacy into its next 100 years is not the job one person can perform.

A

“As I looked around this hall today, I am humbled to beyond belief … to accept this nomination as your national commander,” said Oxford, who was elected during The American Legion 101st National Convention. “We have a terrific organization. Whatever this job is, I will do it to the best of my ability, but I can’t do it alone. I need everybody here on my team, helping us reach our goals and objectives. We are all stakeholders in this organization. We are the future of this organization.”

A Paid-Up-For-Life member and past commander of American Legion Post 29 in Lenoir, N.C., Oxford said as The American Legion’s centennial celebration comes to an end on Veterans Day, it’s good time to look back on 100 years of successes and accomplishments.

He pointed out the Legion’s role in creating the original GI Bill and being part of efforts to update it, the important role the organization played in the creation of what is now the Department of Veterans Affairs, the drafting of the U.S. Flag Code and, most recently, gaining passage of the LEGION Act. Oxford noted the Legion’s relationship with the American Legion Auxiliary and the growth of both the Sons of The American Legion and the American Legion Riders.

And he pointed to youth programs such as American Le-

(Continued on Page 45)

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

15th District Legionnaire

15th District Legionnaire

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

VETERANS DAY 2019 | 45

NAT IONA L C OM M A N DE R

(Continued from Page 44) gion Baseball, Boys State and Boys Nation, Junior Shooting Sports, the Oratorical Contest, youth law cadet programs and support for Scouting.

American Legion charitable funds, Oxford said, have provided millions in scholarship money, disaster relief and financial assistance. The Child Welfare Foundation has provided more than $16 million in grants to organizations that contribute to the physical, spiritual, mental, and emotional needs of children. And the Legion’s Operation Comfort Warriors provides items to recovering wounded warriors and veterans not covered by the federal government.

“When we think about those charities, there’s one special thing about the Legion charities: 100 percent of the funds go toward the programs,” Oxford said. “All operational and administrative costs are covered by The American Legion. All of that money goes to those charities.

“All of these things we’ve talked about shows who we are, but it also shows what we do.”

What the Legion also does, Oxford said, is promote Americanism through flag education and being involved in local schools, advocate for veterans’ benefits and health care, support a strong national defense, and support America’s youth.

“Does that sound familiar?” Oxford asked. “I think it does, because we are talking about the Four Pillars of The American Legion. That’s the thing that’s made The American Legion the largest, most powerful veteran’s organization in this country.”

Oxford then turned his focus toward the future. “The things we did yesterday, we do today and we will do tomorrow are building the foundation for the future of this organization,” he said. “And if we think about The American Legion’s policies, programs (and) efforts, we’ve got to consider what makes those programs work. Those programs work by the people who participate in them.”

Oxford said membership is the key to the Legion’s mission succeeding. He set goals of a 90-percent retention rate and adding 100,000 new members in 2019-2020, with a longterm goal of reaching 3.3 million members – the all-time high number set in 1946.

With the LEGION Act’s passage, “we need to recognize and pursue the 4.2 million veterans now eligible to become Legionnaires,” Oxford said. “ If we get everybody involved, we can gain 100,000 new members.”

Oxford said that while it’s not a goal that can be measured, something else needed is to increase membership is to raise the visibility of The American Legion.

“If there’s fish fry, baseball game, a flag retirement – regardless of what the event is, we need to do two additional things,” he said. “There needs to be a news release before (the event) so people will know about it. Invite them to come and participate and help. And after the event, and just as important as washing the last pot, is doing the same thing.

“We all know what the Legion is and the value we have. But does everybody else? A photo, an article, a video, a blog. And use social media.”

Oxford said his initial commander’s project will be promoting The American Legion Centennial Coin, which remains on sale until the end of December. Proceeds from coin sales will help fund American Legion programs that support veterans, servicemembers, their families and the communities in which they live.

(Continued on Page 47)

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

46 | VETERANS DAY 2019

Veterans THANK YOU

We salute you!

Founded on Faith, Rooted in Tradition, Growing in Excellence

Open 24/7

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

15th District Legionnaire

15th District Legionnaire

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

VETERANS DAY 2019 | 47

NAT IONA L C OM M A N DE R

(Continued from Page 45)

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

“Those centennial coins make great gifts,” Oxford said. “The centennial coins give you American Legion memorabilia. And I know in North Carolina we’re going to use those centennial coins as membership incentives.”

In January, Oxford said his emphasis will shift to fundraising for The American Legion Veterans and Childrens Foundation. All contributions to the foundation go directly to the Legion’s Temporary Financial Assistance program and to Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation efforts – primarily training for American Legion service officers who work tirelessly to help veterans and families understand their health-care benefits, education and employment opportunities.

A veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, Oxford was an aviation electronic technician for the A-6 Intruder and served in Vietnam during his initial enlistment. After being discharged as a sergeant in 1970, he joined the North Carolina National Guard, attended officers candidate school and transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve, where he retired as a colonel after more than 34 years of military service.

Oxford has served as Department of North Carolina commander, as well either chairing or being a part of several national American Legion commissions. He also is a former mayor and city council member of Cajah’s Mountain, N.C., and has served as the public address announcer for the Post 29 American Legion Baseball team.

“We have a great team, and we will continue to have a great team. But we need a great team,” Oxford said. “When we think about all the things that we do, that team make it possible to accomplish those things.

“As we think about who we are and what we do as stakeholders, as the future of this organization, we are building the foundation for the future of the organization for the next 100 years.”

Elected national vice commanders were Bruce C. Feuerbach (Iowa), David L. King (Kentucky), Francis J. MacDonald Jr. (Massachusetts), Richard A. Heigert (Missouri) and Robert D. Liebenow (Oregon).

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

48 | VETERANS DAY 2019

15th District Legionnaire

A M E R IC A N L E G ION

POST 682

Post 682 located at 130 Goodman Street, Bakersfield.

www.comoso.com ibuy@comoso.com

Controlled Motion Solutions, Inc.

800.696.6165

Hydraulics Fluid Connectors Seals Filtration Pneumatics Lubrication Systems

Proud to support our Veterans!

California and Arizona ParkerStore/Sales office locations:

Bakersfield, Burbank, Chula Vista, Escondido, Sacramento, Santa Ana, Santa Fe Springs, and Tempe, AZ

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

15th District Legionnaire

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

VETERANS DAY 2019 | 49

THE AMERICAN LEGION SE RV I N G V E T E R A N ’ S A N D SE RV I N G A M E R IC A

T

Thanks to the support of generous donors like you, The American Legion can continue to provide much-needed assistance to disabled veterans, U.S. military families with children at home who are facing unexpected financial hardships, troops recovering from wounds and illnesses and the children of fallen troops and disabled veterans.

Here are just a few ways your donation can make a life-changing difference for a hero in need: • Supply wounded warriors with comfort items during recovery • G rant scholarships to children whose parents died on active-duty or incurred a 50-percent VA disability since Sept.

11, 2001 • Cover necessary household costs for military families in need, with children at home • Help with the cost of recovery after a natural disaster strikes the home of a military veteran • I dentify the unmet needs of U.S. military personnel, veterans and their families, and provide the necessary resources to meet them Be a hero to a hero. Make your gift of support today.

“We all know what the Legion is and the value we have. But does everybody else? A photo, an article, a video, a blog. And use social media.”

— LEGIONNAIRE JAMES W. “BILL” OXFORD

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

50 | VETERANS DAY 2019

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

15th District Legionnaire

TWISTED HISTORY THE NIKE "BET SY ROSS FL AG" C ONTROVERSY

BY DR. JOHN ELLIS

Yes! There was slavery in the United States as we fought for our freedom and it continued for years thereafter. That doesn’t make it right. But… it’s a part of our history and it can't be undone even if revisionists are trying to rewrite it in an attempt to be overly politically correct. Instead of decrying history however... they would do well to embrace it... and learn from it including the fact that the Betsy Ross flag was prominently displayed behind the podium as when America’s first black president, Barack Obama, was inaugurated.

As this Veterans Day approaches, therefore, stand proud. Don't kowtow to the misinformed few. Instead, feel liberated to raise the Betsy Ross flag. Fly it high. Fly it proudly. Because the reality is... it represents the foundation upon which this great country is built. And nothing... not Kaepernick and not even Nike can change that.

N

Nike was all set to release a special patriotic sneaker this past 4th of July featuring what's historically called "the Betsy Ross flag" - a flag that has a ring of stars representing the original 13 colonies during the American Revolution. However, when Colin Kaepernick called the flag representative of America's oppressive history of slavery, Nike immediately caved in and pulled the planned release.

(You may recall that Kaepernick is the former San Francisco 49er's NFL quarterback who onceupon-a-time caused massive controversy by refusing to stand for the national anthem as a protest against what he felt were an inordinate number police brutality cases against blacks.)

But why would a major international company like Nike cave in so quickly to one guys personal (yet historically twisted) perspective? We're still scratching our heads over that one considering the flag's history.

On June 14, 1777, Congress passed the first flag law... "Resolved. That the flag of the United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field representing a news constellation." This was a full 6 years before the end of the Revolutionary War... six years of fighting and dying under that banner for our country's freedom from Great Britain.

Since this flag design was the first representation for what would become a fledgling new nation, its patriotic tenor and what it stands for in American history simply cannot be denied. Yet, if the Betsy Ross flag is deemed a "racist symbol" what's next... decrying the one dollar bill because it shows George Washington ... the "father of our country" on it... Washington... an undeniable slave owner himself?

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

15th District Legionnaire

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

VETERANS DAY 2019 | 51

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

52 | VETERANS DAY 2019

15th District Legionnaire

BOYS STATE A M E R IC A N L E G ION

E L IG I B I L I T Y

T

The American Legion has certain qualifications for prospective Boys State citizens. Following are the recommended guidelines employed by most Boys State programs:

Only males who have successfully completed their junior year of high school and who have at least one more semester remaining are considered. Previous participants of a Boys State competition are not allowed to attend a second session. Only those who illustrate leadership, character, scholarship, loyalty and service in their schools and community should be considered. Merit and ability are the basis for evaluation during the actual citizen’s selection process.

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

Boys State competitions are in compliance with federal handicap laws. Most programs require a medical/parental consent certificate signed by a parent and registered doctor.

The selection process often differs in Legion departments.

The ideal method is for schools to recommend lists of eligible candidates to local Legion posts. The post would then conduct interviews and select their representative(s) for the program.

California State University, Sacramento

www.BakersfieldHeartHospital.com

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

15th District Legionnaire

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

VETERANS DAY 2019 | 53

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.

Custom Aire Proudly supports the 15th District American Legion

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.

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

54 | VETERANS DAY 2019

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

15th District Legionnaire

A M E R IC A N L E G ION

THE ORATORICAL CONTEST A C ON S T I T U T IONA L SP E E C H C ON T E S T

The American Legion Oratorical Contest exists to develop deeper knowledge and appreciation for the U.S. Constitution among high school students. Since 1938, the program has presented participants with an academic speaking challenge that teaches important leadership qualities, the history of our nation’s laws, the ability to think and speak clearly, and an understanding of the duties, responsibilities, rights and privileges of American citizenship. The program has featured numerous politicians and prominent contestants over the years, including former president candidate Alan Keyes and CNN anchor Lou Dobbs.

T

Young orators earn some of the most generous college scholarships available to high school students. Over $138,000 in scholarships can be awarded each year. The overall national contest winner gets an $18,000 scholarship. Second place takes home $16,000, and third gets $14,000. Each department (state) winner who is certified into and participates in the national contest’s first round receives a $1,500 scholarship. Those who advance past the first round receive an additional $1,500 scholarship. The American Legion’s National Organization awards the scholarships, which can be used at any college or university in the United States.

SAPUTO

Saputo Dairy Foods USA, LLC

Production Facility

605 North J Street Tulare California 93274 USA Tel.: Fax:

559-686-2876 559-688-4857

High school students under age 20 are eligible. Competition begins at the post level and advances to a state competition. Legion department representatives certify one winner per state to the national contest, where department winners compete against each other in two speaking rounds. The contest caps off with a final round that decides the three top finishers.

Speaking subjects must be on some aspect of the U.S. Constitution, with some emphasis on the duties and obligations of citizens to our government. Speeches are eight to 10 minutes long; three- to five-minute speeches on an assigned topic also are part of the contest.

Proudly supports the 15th District American Legion www.saputo.com

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

15th District Legionnaire

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

VETERANS DAY 2019 | 55

Her hero ... ours too

To all who have served or are currently serving in our Armed Forces—we thank you. Your courage and sacrifice inspire us. You have kept our country safe in our time of need and it’s an honor to care for you in yours. You inspire us to provide the most advanced lifesaving care to all who call Kern and Tulare counties home.

We are proud to support the 15th District American Legion and honor all who have served in our Armed Forces.

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

56 | VETERANS DAY 2019

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

15th District Legionnaire