American Legion District 15 Legionnaire Memorial Day edition 2021

15TH DISTRICT

LEGION

NAIRE

“The Nation that forgets its Defenders 15th District Legionnaire

...will itself be forgotten.”

Monday, May 31, 2021 | MEMORIAL DAY | 1

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

COMMANDER'S CORNER I hope this edition of the 15th District Legionnaire finds you and your families healthy and safe.

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This has been a most challenging year during the pandemic. As an organization, we have been confronted with creating and adapting to new ways to keep our Posts’ functioning and carrying on with Legion business.

Though the pandemic has placed hurdles in front of us, we have continued to take care of our veterans, their families, and our communities.

I admire your resilience through all this. This past year has not been easy for anyone.

We miss face-to-face interactions, celebrations, and countless other social events. But in large part, we have adjusted. We have adapted and we will emerge with a far greater appreciation for a way of life that can be easily taken for granted.

(Continued on Page 3)

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

VICE PRESIDENT MESSAGE Happy Memorial Day everyone. Hope this finds everyone doing well and getting back into a somewhat normal schedule.

Many Units are getting to meet again. Please remember to offer your Poppies and display them during the month of May. Wear them, make memorial wreaths and crossed to present at Memorial Day services if they are having any in your area. Your can also offer them to your members to place on the graves of their loved ones. A lot of Units are using a Poppy Letter with a Poppy inside to get donations this year. This process has been used by many Unit for many years as a way to reach those members who are unable to meet with us.

PLUS INSIDE...

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WE are so proud to announce Dee Ann Graham from Unit 26 District 15 as our new Department President to be installed at the close of the Department Convention in June. The convention will be held via ZOOM but DeeAnn will be able to be installed in person at Post 26 on Sunday JUNE 27. The installation will be by invitation only as we have to adhere to the numbers allowed by the health department. Many pictures will be taken and made available on the Department web site and in the next addition of the 15th District Legionnaire News Paper. Help us celebrate

Memorial Day History........Page 6

New Veteran Facility........Page 10

Community Service...... Page 14

(Continued on Page 2)

Vietnam Vet Day.......... Page 26

Citizenship.................. Page 36 THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

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2 | MEMORIAL DAY 2021

15th District Legionnaire

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

(Continued from Page 1) this honor for our District by sending note of congratulations to Dee Ann. We can have them out for display at the installation for everyone to see.

Congratulations to the newly elected Unit officers. Looking forward to a productive year.

Many thanks to all of our members for hanging in there with us during these times of uncertainty. Looking forward to seeing every one at our District meetings.

Genieca Risner 15th District Auxiliary President 2020-2021

15TH DISTRICT OFFICERS COMMANDER Tony Strauss, Post 221

CHAPLIN Eddie Orosco, Post 20

1st VICE COMMANDER Jose Rocha, Post 19

HISTORIAN Brian Adams, Post 20

2nd VICE COMMANDER Ralph Wenzinger, Post 26

JUDGE ADVOCATE Juan Lopez, Post 779

SERGEANT-AT-ARMS Bob Atcley, Post 20

SERVICE OFFICER Michael Johnson, Post 221

FINANCE OFFICER David Graham, Post 26

ADJUTANT Dennis Ragsdale, Post 221

15TH AUXILIARY OFFICERS

President Genieca Risner, Unit 213

Historian Dee Ann Graham, Unit 26

First Vice President Barbara Goodlow, Unit 26

Parliamentarian Dee Ann Graham, Unit 26

Second Vice President Linda Carmichael, Unit 221

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

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

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

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MEMBERSHIP REPORT

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

(Continued from Page 1)

DISTRICT 15 STANDINGS

Post # Post Name & City

ne s rs nli fer l be s O s L d d m n F i i ta oal e l Pa 1 Pa 1 Tra 1 To PU M G 1 1 1 oa 2 2 2 2 2 2 21 G 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 %

8

Visalia, Visalia

0 19

26

81

8 134 143

93.71%

19

Alta, Dinuba

2

8

8

25

2

100.00%

20

Porterville, Porterville

1 27

29

102

7 166 188

88.30%

26

Bakersfield, Bakersfield

10 73

172 388 43 686 752

91.22%

63

Fellows, Taft

5

6

14

40

2

67 67

100.00%

94

Exeter, Exeter

0

7

11

29

1

48 57

84.21%

124

Merle Reed, Delano

2 15

12

40

2

71 81

87.65%

128

Lindsay, Lindsay

0 12

0

2

1 15 1 6

93.75%

221

Tehachapi, Tehachapi

2 23

44

71

9 149 159

93.71%

682

East Bakersfield, Bakersfield

4 26

24

85

8 147 147 100.00%

711

Kern River Valley, Lake Isabella 0 10

16

37

6

69 77

89.61%

743

Charter Oak, Ivanhoe

0 10

4

13

0

27 31

87.10%

779

Terra Bella, Terra Bella

0

4

4

13

0

21 23

91.30%

785

Sierra, Visalia

2 45

22

102 10 181 127 142.52%

District 15 Totals

45 45

MEMORIAL DAY 2021 | 3

28 285 386 1,028 99 1,826 1,913 95.45%

There is nothing like a global pandemic to underline how many things there are to be grateful for.

As a nation we are grateful for the men and women who have sacrificed their lives to protect us and our freedom.

Roughly 1,264,00 American soldiers have died in the nation’s wars – 620,00 in the Civil War and 644,000 in all other conflicts.

Memorial Day is an American holiday, observed on the last Monday of May, honoring the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military.

On Memorial Day, the Stars and Stripes are raised briskly against the wind to the top of the staff and then solemnly lowered to the position of half-staff where it remains only till noon. It is then raised to full-staff for the remainder of the day. The half-staff position remembers the more than one million men and women who gave their lives in service of their nation. At noon, their memory is raised by the living who resolve not to let their sacrifice be in vain, but to rise up in their stead and continue the fight for liberty.

Many of us come together as a community to watch parades, visit memorials, or host barbecues or picnics with friends and family.

This Memorial Day be sure to take a break from whatever fun activities you are engaged in to pay your respects to the brave men and women who sacrificed their lives to ensure your safety and freedom.

Never forget the men and women who know all too much the cost of our freedom, for their service to this country is the greatest gift of all.

Stand up and say, “Thank you. We remember you. We are grateful to you.”

Wishing you a memorable Memorial Day.

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MEMORIAL DAY 2021 | 5

POST 26

WHAT MAKES POST 26 UNIQUE A B R I E F H I S TORY

The year 2019 marked the 100th anniversary of the American Legion. Post 26 was chartered on August 7th, 1919 and is also celebrating its 100th anniversary. Additionally 2019 will be the 100th Veterans Day Parade hosted by Post 26 and 2019 was the 100th anniversary of the Post 26 Christmas “Food Baskets for Veterans.”

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In 1924, Unit 26 of the American Legion Auxiliary was charted and, to this day, it continues to support Post 26 and the Bakersfield community. They support the Post with setting the room up and taking care of the ticket sales for meals and events hosted by the Post.

In the early 70’s the Post moved into its current location at 2020 H. Street. The larger facility has allowed the Post to support multiple veteran and community activities directly and indirectly. All revenues generated by the Post (meals, hall rentals, etc.) are used to directly and indirectly to support Veterans and to support the Bakersfield community.

This includes, but are not limited to; free meals for veterans, household items for homeless veterans transitioning into housing, clothing for eligible veterans, food baskets, and funeral escorts. Community support, spearheaded by

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the American Legion Auxiliary, include a Christmas Party with Santa where children in the Head Start program are fed, entertained and given toys. School supplies are gathered and distributed to teachers for their students. A Cub Scout Pack and a Boy Scout Troop are sponsored by the Post. The Veterans Day Parade is organized and presented by the Post and community volunteers. The Post provides the facility and serves breakfast every month for the Honor Flight.

The Post (for the boys) and the Auxiliary (for the girls) raises the funds, interview high school juniors (recommended by their councilors), and escorts those selected to Sacramento for Boys State and Claremont for Girls State. This year the Post is sending 8 young men and the Auxiliary is sending 11 young ladies.

Due to the size of the Post, the size of the main hall and the central location of Bakersfield, Post 26 is continually asked to host American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary activities. The Post has hosted several Department Conventions, several DEC meetings, Area Meetings, District Meetings, National Commander meet-n-greets and multiple fund-raisers for things like the Erskine Fire and Texas hurricane as well as Honor flight breakfasts.

The focus today, as in 1919, of Post 26 is to support all veterans and to be an asset to the community.

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6 | MEMORIAL DAY 2021

OVERVIEW

MEMORIAL DAY HISTORY A N D I T S T R A DI T ION S

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While the first commemorative Memorial Day events weren’t held in the United States until the late 19th century, the practice of honoring those who have fallen in battle dates back thousands of years. The ancient Greeks and Romans held annual days of remembrance for loved ones (including soldiers) each year, festooning their graves with flowers and holding public festivals and feasts in their honor. In Athens, public funerals for fallen soldiers were held after each battle, with the remains of the dead on display for public mourning before a funeral procession took them to their internment in the Kerameikos, one of the city’s most prestigious cemeteries. One of the first known public tributes to war dead was in 431 B.C., when the Athenian general and statesman Pericles delivered a funeral oration praising the sacrifice and valor of those killed in the Peloponnesian War—a speech that some have compared in tone to Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address.

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One of the earliest commemorations was organized by recently freed slaves As the Civil War neared its end, thousands of Union soldiers, held as prisoners of war, were herded into a series of hastily assembled camps in Charleston, South Carolina. Conditions at one camp, a former racetrack near the city’s Citadel, were so bad that more than 250 prisoners died from disease or exposure, and were buried in a mass grave behind the track’s grandstand.

Three weeks after the Confederate surrender, an unusual procession entered the former camp: On May 1, 1865, more than 1,000 recently freed slaves, accompanied by regiments of the U.S. Colored Troops (including the Massachusetts 54th Infantry) and a handful of white Charlestonians, gathered in the camp to consecrate a new, proper burial site for the Union dead. The group sang hymns, (Continued on Page 7)

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MEMORIAL DAY 2021 | 7

M E M OR IA L DAY H I S TORY

(Continued from Page 6) gave readings and distributed flowers around the cemetery, which they dedicated to the “Martyrs of the Race Course.”

The holiday’s “founder” had a long and distinguished career.

In May 1868, General John A. Logan, the commander-in-chief of the Union veterans’ group known as the Grand Army of the Republic, issued a decree that May 30 should become a nationwide day of commemoration for the more than 620,000 soldiers killed in the recently ended Civil War. On Decoration Day, as Logan dubbed it, Americans should lay flowers and decorate the graves of the war dead “whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land.”

According to legend, Logan chose May 30 because it was a rare day that didn’t fall on the anniversary of a Civil War battle, though some historians believe the date was selected to ensure that flowers across the country would be in full bloom.

After the war Logan, who had served as a U.S. congressman before resigning to rejoin the army, returned to

his political career, eventually serving in both the House and Senate and was the unsuccessful Republican candidate for vice president in 1884. When he died two years later, Logan’s body laid in state in the rotunda of the United States Capitol, making him one of just 33 people to have received the honor.

Today, Washington, D.C.’s Logan Circle and several townships across the country are named in honor of this champion of veterans and those killed in battle.

Logan probably adapted the idea from earlier events in the South.

Even before the war ended, women’s groups across much of the South were gathering informally to decorate the graves of Confederate dead. In April 1886, the Ladies Memorial Association of Columbus, Georgia resolved to commemorate the fallen once a year—a decision that seems to have influenced John Logan to follow suit, according to his own wife. However, southern commemorations were rarely held on one standard day, with observations differing by state and spread out across much of the spring and early summer. It’s a tradition that continues today: Nine southern states officially recognize a Confederate Memorial Day, with events held on Confederate President Jefferson Davis’ birthday, the day on which General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson was killed, or to commemorate other symbolic events.

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It didn’t become a federal holiday until 1971.

American’s embraced the notion of “Decoration Day” immediately. That first year, more than 27 states held some sort of ceremony, with more than 5,000 people in attendance at a ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. By 1890, every former state of the Union had adopted it as an official holiday. But for more than 50 years, the holiday was used to commemorate those killed just in the Civil War, not in any other American conflict. It wasn’t until America’s entry into World War I that the tradition was expanded to include those killed in all wars, and Memorial Day was not officially recognized nationwide until the 1970s, with America deeply embroiled in the Vietnam War. It was a long road from Decoration Day to an official Memorial Day. Although the term Memorial Day was used beginning in the 1880s, the holiday was officially known as Decoration Day for more than a century, when it was changed by federal law. Four years later, the Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1968 finally went into effect, moving Memorial Day from its traditional observance on May 30 (Continued on Page 9)

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MEMORIAL DAY 2021 | 9

M E M OR IA L DAY H I S TORY

(Continued from Page 7)

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(regardless of the day of the week), to a set day—the last Monday in May. The move has not been without controversy, though. Veterans groups, concerned that more Americans associate the holiday with first long weekend of the summer and not its intended purpose to honor the nation’s war dead, continue to lobby for a return to the May 30 observances.

For more than 20 years, their cause was championed by Hawaiian Senator—and decorated World War II veteran—Daniel Inouye, who until his 2012 death reintroduced legislation in support of the change at the start of every Congressional term.

More than 20 towns claim to be the holiday’s “birthplace”—but only one has federal recognition.

For almost as long as there’s been a holiday, there’s been a rivalry about who celebrated it first. Boalsburg, Pennsylvania, bases its claim on an 1864 gathering of women to mourn those recently killed at Gettysburg. In Carbondale, Illinois, they’re certain that they were first, thanks to an 1866 parade led, in part, by John Logan who two years later would lead the charge for an official holiday. There are even two dueling Columbus challengers (one in Mississippi, the other in Georgia) who have battled it out for Memorial Day supremacy for decades. Only one town, however, has received the official seal of approval from the U.S. government. In 1966, 100 years after the town of Waterloo, New York, shuttered its businesses and took to the streets for the first of many continuous, community-wide celebrations, President Lyndon Johnson signed legislation, recently passed by the U.S. Congress, declaring the tiny upstate village the “official” birthplace of Memorial Day.

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In the spring of 1915, bright red flowers began poking through the battle-ravaged land across northern France and Flanders (northern Belgium). Canadian Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, who served as a brigade surgeon for an Allied artillery unit, spotted a cluster of the poppies shortly after serving as a brigade surgeon during the bloody Second Battle of Ypres. The sight of the bright red flowers against the dreary backdrop of war inspired McCrae to pen the poem, "In Flanders Field," in which he gives voice to the soldiers who had been killed in battle and lay buried beneath the poppy-covered grounds. Later that year, a Georgia teacher and volunteer war worker named Moina Michael read the poem in Ladies' Home Journal and wrote her own poem, "We Shall Keep the Faith" to begin a campaign to make the poppy a symbol of tribute to all who died in war. The poppy remains a symbol of remembrance to this day.

Memorial Day traditions have evolved over the year.

Despite the increasing celebration of the holiday as a summer rite of passage, there are some formal rituals still on the books: The American flag should be hung at half-staff until noon on Memorial Day, then raised to the top of the staff. And since 2000, when the U.S. Congress passed legislation, all Americans are encouraged to pause for a National Moment of Remembrance at 3 p.m. local time. The federal government has also used the holiday to honor non-veterans—the Lincoln Memorial was dedicated on Memorial Day 1922.

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10 | MEMORIAL DAY 2021

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NEW VETERANS FACILITY BA K E R SF I E L D P L A N N I N G C OM M I S SION C L E A R S PAT H F OR N E W V E T E R A N ’ S C L I N IC

layed until 2018, when the VA appeared set to start construction on Knudsen Drive under a contract with developer SASD. However, the VA abruptly terminated its contract with the developer for reasons it did not expand upon. But in May of 2020, SASD submitted a proposal to the city, indicating it had worked out its issues with the federal agency and was back on as the developer.

On Thursday, neither the VA nor SASD made comments. The meeting was closed to the public due to COVID-19 restrictions.

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Bakersfield Planning Commission has cleared the way for a long-awaited veteran’s clinic to be constructed on the northern edge of the city.

Despite a relatively brief meeting Thursday, with little discussion on the topic, some unanswered questions remain about the outpatient clinic that has been delayed for years over disputes of the location and cost.

Commissioners ignored a last-minute objection to the project issued by a law firm representing Progress for Bakersfield Veterans LLC., the company that owns a veterans clinic on Westwind Drive that will be replaced should the Department of Veterans Affairs move forward with the new site.

In a unanimous decision, commissioners granted the project a mitigated negative declaration, a requirement under the California Environmental Quality Act essentially meaning the city believes the project will not significantly impact the environment. It is the last major hurdle that had to be crossed before the project can start construction.

The VA has said the existing clinic cannot provide all the services required in the city, which in the past led some veterans to seek treatment elsewhere in Southern California. Progress for Bakersfield Veterans has proposed a renovation of its location, which the company contends will be cheaper and better.

impacts of the project or inform the public and decision-makers of the issue.

“Other, safer sites are available to serve Bakersfield area veterans,” attorney Osha Meserve wrote in a letter to the Planning Commission dated Jan. 7.

“There is no need to have a clinic in this unsuitable location. The Westwind Drive facility could be completely renovated with a modern, efficient layout and all the latest technology and equipment.”

“I think it’s a very attractive plan. I like the landscaping. I like the layout,” Commissioner Oscar Rudnick said during the meeting. “It’s a well-needed clinic for our area. It’s long overdue. So I’m very excited about it.”

The letter went on to allege the city failed to properly analyze the environmental

Still, commissioners appeared to agree with the staff analysis that a new facility in the area of Knudsen and Olive drives would not significantly impact the environment.

The clinic would provide specialty and primary care for local veterans on a nineacre property that would be decorated with trees and a walking path. Approved in 2010, the project was repeatedly de-

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The letter alleges the city’s mitigated negative declaration failed to meet “the most basic standards for adequacy under CEQA,” and requested the city prepare a more thorough analysis known as an environmental impact report, potentially delaying the project further.

An appeal can be filed directly with the City Council, which would bring the issue before the governing body.

“We are disappointed that the city did not consider the issues we raised,” Allen Hubsch, a partner with Progress for Bakersfield Veterans, wrote in an email to The Californian. “The proposed location is a poor choice for Bakersfield’s veterans. We will reflect on tonight’s decision, and consider our options.”

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MEMORIAL DAY 2021 | 11

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COVID VACCINES U N D E R N E W L AW, VA M U S T O F F E R VA C C I N E S T O 2 4 M I L L I O N M O R E P E O P L E

Kern County

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Fourth District

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

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Biden signed the Saves Lives Act, which passed through Congress unanimously. The bill removes legal barriers that prevented the VA from vaccinating veterans who aren’t enrolled in the department, as well as their spouses and caregivers.

The action expands the population that the VA is responsible for vaccinating from about 9 million to 33 million, VA Secretary Denis McDonough said. The department will need a greater supply of vaccines to reach the larger population, he said, equating to an increase of about 400,000 doses each week.

4 3 1 0 A L F R E D H A R R E L L H W Y • B A K E R S F I E L D , C A 9 3 3 0 8 • 6 6 1 . 8 7 3 .7 6 1 3

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MEMORIAL DAY 2021 | 13

UNIT 221

CROCHETING FOR THE HOMELESS WOM E N ' S AU X I L IA RY

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Tehachapi American Legion Auxiliary Unit 221 transforms plastic grocery bags into crocheted sleeping mats for the homeless. The mats are soft and create a barrier between cold, damp sleeping surfaces and homeless individuals.

The mats are about 3 feet wide and 6 feet long. A strap is added so the bag can be rolled up and easily carried.

The yarn is made from plastic bags that have been cut into strips, folded, and strung together to create a ball of plastic yarn called “plarn.” The “plarn” is then crocheted together to create mats. It can take 800 to 1,000 bags to create one mat.

THOSE PHOTOGRAPHED: Sandy Phillips, Unit Vice President; Martha Strauss, Unit Chaplain, and Irene Murphy.

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POST 26

COMMUNITY SERVICE

P R O V I D I N G F O O D A N D T O Y S T O L O C A L O R G A N I Z AT I O N S

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July 2020 found us in the middle of a “COVID 19 PANDEMIC!” We were just about shut down! Most all of our rental business disappeared; we were unable to have “in-person” meetings and because of our rental and dinner business our income shrank dramatically! Many Legion Posts around the country had to shut down completely because they met in city or county-owned buildings. Post 26 is fortunate to own our building. However, utilities, insurance and taxes continued to be levied! We discovered that folks became tired quickly of being house-bound; with restaurants and cocktail lounges being closed; so we began offering “meals to go!” It has been successful enough to keep our nose above water.

During the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays we were fortunate enough to be able keep our community service efforts afloat. We provided food and toys to several organizations locally; partnering with our Auxiliary we handed out over 4,000 toys to the local Ronald McDonald House, CAPK, CASA, and the local homeless shelter.

Our Holiday Food basket program was a huge success, and helped feed many families throughout the Holiday Season, thanks to our local community sponsors!

We have been able to provide a place for a local medical screening unit to operate and now that Kern County has moved into the “Orange Tier” We will be able to completely open our hall to our Friday Night Dinners and to rent the hall out.

We would cordially invite any Legionnaire, Auxiliary Member, SON or Rider to partake of a meal with us or join us for a libation in our fully equipped canteen.

We are located at 2020 H. St in Downtown Bakersfield and our office phone number is 661-324-9453. Come see us.

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MEMORIAL DAY 2021 | 15

C OV I D VAC C I N E S

(Continued from Page 12)

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

Assemblyman Salas continues to fight to support veterans and their families. Over the years, he has honored and recognized Blue Star and Gold Star families for their dedication to our troops and our country. Assemblyman Salas has been honored as "Legislator of the Year" by the American Legion and the American GI Forum.

He saved Future Farmers of America.

He increased law enforcement funding.

He saved jobs for disabled veterans.

He protected taxpayer money.

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“Meeting the task of vaccinating this expanded population will be a tremendous undertaking for the VA and will require a significant increase in our allocation of vaccine supply, but I am confident that VA’s workforce is up to the task,” McDonough said in a statement Wednesday.

In the months that vaccines have been available, the VA has received about 200,000 doses each week and focused its vaccination efforts on VA employees and the 6 million veterans who actively use VA health care. As of Wednesday, the department had fully vaccinated about 1.6 million people.

There are 3 million veterans who are enrolled in the VA but don’t actively use the department for health care. To vaccinate those veterans, the department needs about 100,000 more doses each week, the VA said.

To reach the additional 24 million people that the department is now responsible for vaccinating, the VA needs about 600,000 doses each week.

When Congress passed the Saves Lives Act, it urged the Department of Health and Human Services to allot more vaccines to the VA as the supply chain allows. However, it remained uncertain Wednesday whether the weekly doses sent to the VA would increase.

In addition to all veterans, spouse and caregivers, the new law also tasks the VA with vaccinating overseas veterans who rely on the Foreign Medical Program, as well as recipients of the VA’s CHAMPVA program. The CHAMPVA program serves spouses and children of veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to a service-related disability.

Under the new law, “veteran” means any person who served in the Armed Forces and who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable.

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16 | MEMORIAL DAY 2021

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VACCINE MILESTONE VA R E A C H E S M I L E S T O N E VA C C I N AT I N G I T S 1 M I L L I O N T H V E T E R A N

Supporting Our Veterans Since 1919

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The Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Veterans Health Administration vaccinated its 1 millionth Veteran with their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Second doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine are given 21 days after the first and second doses of the Moderna vaccine are given 28 days after the first dose — with second doses completing the full course of the vaccination.

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VA began COVID-19 immunizations in December 2020. To date, VA has vaccinated 329,685 Veterans with a second dose.

VA’s COVID-19 National Summary publishes vaccination data daily on Veterans including information on employee and federal partner vaccinations. For those reviewing the site, when an individual receives both doses from VA, they have completed their vaccine course; therefore, “second dose” and “completed” are synonymous.

VA follows current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance and the VA COVID-19 Vaccination Distribution Plan. During the limited supply phase, VA facilities have made progress through CDC Phase 1a and are offering vaccines to Veterans in Phase 1b, which includes Veterans aged 75 and older. However, some sites are offering a vaccine to additional Veterans at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19 as supply permits.

“VA guidance encourages local flexibility to maximize COVID-19 vaccine access and efficiency while limiting potential vaccine waste,” said Acting VA Under Secretary for Health Richard Stone, M.D. “In this limited supply phase, our COVID-19 vaccination strategy is balancing site-specific resources, facility needs, vaccine availability and status of the pandemic locally, as well as strict storage, handling and transportation parameters of available vaccines.”

The department’s goal is to offer vaccines to all Veterans and employees who want to be vaccinated. VA is reaching out to Veterans who are eligible for vaccination. Veterans who would like additional information can visit the VA COVID-19 vaccines webpage, visit their local facility’s website or contact their care team.

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MEMORIAL DAY 2021 | 17

PROTECTING VETERANS PERSONAL DATA VA L AU N C H E S P U B L I C G U I DA N C E T O F U R T H E R P R O T E C T V E T E R A N S ’ P E R S O N A L I N F O R M AT I O N

NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY

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This February the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) launched Ethics Principles for Access to and Use of Veteran Data as part of ongoing efforts to protect Veteran data.

The new online resource outlines nine principles for communicating clear expectations on how Veteran data is to be managed and viewed by Veterans, staff, VA partners and other stakeholders.

These principles reinforce VA’s standards of data privacy and protection maintained during VA’s distribution of nearly 2 million COVID-19 vaccinations to date, and other critical health care services during the corona virus pandemic.

“VA’s principle-based ethics framework takes a proactive

approach to data management and privacy by setting standards for our partners to follow,” says Acting VA Under Secretary for Health Richard Stone, M.D. “VA is applying this framework to all data interoperability initiatives, including those tied to our COVID-19 response and modernization efforts.”

Having clearly defined integrities for everyone who accesses or uses Veteran data puts VA at the forefront of organizational responsibility for ethical data practices.

Veterans trust VA to promote and respect their privacy, confidentiality and autonomy within the services the department provides and supports. The department will continue to uphold that trust by remaining consistent with VA’s I-CARE values of integrity, commitment, advocacy, re-

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spect and excellence to promote and ensure responsible practices whenever Veteran data is accessed or used.

The ethics framework was developed by the Data Ethics Work Group established by the VA Interoperability Leadership team and the Veterans Health Administration’s (VHA) National Center for Ethics in Health Care, along with input from Veterans. The department is actively working to ensure all VA directives, policies and standards reflect these principles which the agency anticipates completing by the end of 2022.

Learn more about VA’s COVID-19 vaccination response and how VHA’s National Center for Ethics in Health Care continues to work proactively to build trust in managing access and use of Veteran data.

18 | MEMORIAL DAY 2021

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THE FUTURE OF VA HEALTH CARE R O B U S T V E T E R A N S H E A LT H - C A R E S Y S T E M

The American Legion believes in a robust veterans’ health-care system designed to treat the unique needs of those who have served their country. VA’s most important mission is providing high-quality health care and benefits when and where veterans need it. Passage of the Legion-supported VA MISSION Act of 2018 has given VA important tools to improve access to high-quality care either in person at VA facilities, virtually through tele-health, or with increased community care options. The future of VA health care is as a hybrid system of VHA-provided, comprehensive inpatient and outpatient services, supplemented by community care when it works best for the individual veteran.

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The American Legion is concerned about how VA will care for veterans living in rural communities. Many veterans in rural areas struggle to make their appointments because of the great distances needed to travel to the nearest VA facility.

Many rural areas are also underserved by private health providers due to a shortage of medical professionals. With congressional support, VA is making great strides in telemedicine as an important vehicle to help address barriers preventing rural and veteran populations from accessing quality care. As part of this, VA has teamed up with The American Legion to bring care to veterans in a familiar setting – their local posts. Through Project ATLAS (Accessing Tele- health through Local Area Stations), video-communication technologies and medical devices are being installed in selected American Legion 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. For example, American Legion Post 176 in Springfield, Va., hosts one of the first sites. Services offered do not require hands-on exams, such as primary care, nutrition, men(Continued on Page 19)

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MEMORIAL DAY 2021 | 19

T H E F U T U R E OF VA H E A LT H C A R E

(Continued from Page 18) tal health counseling and social work. Project ATLAS centers are closer to veterans’ homes, which allows VA to improve care and increase access.

Another technological innovation is VA’s move to a new electronic health records system that links VA, Department of Defense (DoD), and community health-care providers to patient records. This ability provides veterans and clinicians with a complete picture of patients’ medical histories, driving connections between military service and health outcomes. It also offers an improved and consistent patient-scheduling experience at VA medical facilities and community care partners nationwide.

These reforms require excellent leadership and talent in the VA health-care system.

The future of VA health care is a hybrid and agile system that can fully leverage available technologies to address the needs of an increasingly diverse veteran population.

The means by which VA delivers care may change, but one thing won’t: VA should continue to deliver the best care anywhere to our nation’s veterans. The American Legion stands ready as a true ally with Congress and VA to ensure that this nation’s veterans have access to the world-class, compassionate care they have earned.

KEY POINTS Modernizing the VA health-care system and IT infrastructure is an investment in VA’s future and the best path forward.

While the overall number of veterans in the United States has been steadily declining with the aging population, the number of veterans receiving health care has increased, in part due to expanded coverage for Vietnam veterans and also as a result of medical needs of new veterans coming home from 20 years of war.

Over the next 10 years, VA will move to a new electronic health records system that links VA, DoD and community health-care providers to patient records and unifies all VA facilities under one system.

WHAT CAN CONGRESS DO? Ensure that private-sector care meets the same rigorous quality, timeliness and reporting standards followed by VA, without limiting veterans’ options.

Revitalize and modernize VA’s aging IT infrastructure.

Ensure VA is accountable to deadlines proposed for various IT system upgrades and installations and that they remain fully funded.

Enhance VA’s ability to offer tele-health services and tele-medicine to rural communities.

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20 | MEMORIAL DAY 2021

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THE FUTURE OF CREDENTIALING M I L I TA RY C R E D E N T I A L I N G A D VA N C E M E N T I N I T I AT I V E ( M C A I )

THE AMERICAN LEGION

Thank You

Veterans!

A new report from The American Legion aims to help ensure that the skills learned by service members during their time in the military are considered when they seek credentials in the civilian world.

military-based learning toward high-quality credential pathways” for the report.

“The Future of Credentialing of Service members and Veterans” includes suggestions and recommendations for key groups, such as public-private partnerships with the Department of Defense, legislators and policy makers, and employers, to “ensure that service members’ high-quality learning can receive full recognition, counted toward a credential and scaled at a national level.”

• C onvene a White House Forum on Military Credentialing and Licensing to recognize military public-private partnerships, academic recognition of military learning, translation tools, state policy and emerging research trends.

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The report, published in association with the Military Credentialing Advancement Initiative (MCAI), was supported by a grant from the Lumina Foundation.

A virtual webinar on March 10, in conjunction with the report’s release, included comments from MCAI ambassadors who met in person and virtually to compile recommendations “to support the recognition of

Among the immediate and future opportunities for action highlighted in the report:

• H igher education should holistically review militarybased education, training and experience and determine how that can be implemented into core degree requirements.

• I ndustry partners and employers should continue to expand their recognition of all forms of militarybased training, experience and non-traditional learning to streamline and expedite service member career and education pathways and reduce burden to administrators and governing agencies.

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“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

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MEMORIAL DAY 2021 | 21

A M E R IC A N L E G ION

VETERAN MENTAL HEALTH

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The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected many people’s mental health and created new barriers for those suffering from mental illness and substance abuse disorders.2 This year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed the results of a survey conducted in late June that demonstrated the physiological and emotional impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The survey showed that reports of anxiety were nearly three times higher than those reported in 2019, and reports of depression were nearly four times higher.3 Additionally, another CDC survey found that 13.3% of respondents reported starting or increasing the use of drugs or alcohol this year. Additional stressors and increase in substance use as a result of the global pandemic have exacerbated pre-existing mental health conditions for many. Unfortunately, The American Legion has found this to be a common occurrence within the veteran community.

Recent statistics have shown that veterans experience higher suicide rates when compared to their civilian counterparts. VA, along with members of the veteran community, are no strangers to the impacts of suicide. While mental health needs manifest themselves in various ways, some more severe than others, all need quality treatment options that address military and veteran-specific needs. VA must continue to address two common risk factors in the veteran suicide epidemic: substance abuse and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

PTSD is a mental health concern that has plagued the military and veteran community for years. Unfortunately, due to the recent impacts of COVID-19, PTSD and other mental health concerns among veterans have increased due to social, financial and health-related hardships. The American Legion conducts a biennial Mental Health Survey to analyze treatment for PTSD among veterans and will socialize results with Congress and VA in hopes of providing insight on how best to counter the impacts of COVID-19.

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Substance abuse is also known to be a harmful result or identifier of deeper mental health concerns. Substance abuse can take many forms including alcoholism, narcotics use and misuse of prescription or over-the-counter drugs. While opioids can be offered as a useful short-term or controlled treatment plan to alleviate pain for a variety of health concerns, informed consent and education on the cause and effects of substance-use disorders should be offered to participating veterans by licensed clinicians. The American Legion believes this will not only provide self-efficacy and educated health decisions in the veteran’s health journey, but it will have a positive impact on the growing issue of substance abuse in the veteran population.

There are many factors to consider when addressing mental health issues: biological, psychological and social elements. Therefore, the approach to addressing mental health concerns should be cognizant of these elements when exploring types of therapies, medications and community reintegration options.

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22 | MEMORIAL DAY 2021

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CHIEF HESS & CHIEF BISHOP N S C C F R E S N O B AT TA L I O N

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Chief Daren Dmitriy Hess, is in his final year with NSCC Fresno Battalion. He is home schooled and is a freshman at Reedley College. Dmitriy is in the Aviation program and is about to earn his private pilot’s license.

He plans to attend Embry Riddle School in Florida and hopes to fly in the Navy.

Chief Nathan Johan Bishop is in his junior year at Kingsburg High school. Nathan is also in to aviation. He started flying gliders in 2019 and is about to start lessons in powered flight at Fresno Flight Training. Nathan plans to join the Navy to become a Naval Aviator like his cousin Dmitriy.

Both Young men are involved in the community and are both musicians. They are proud members of Grace Community Church.

Senior Chief Rick Dayhoff is currently stationed at Edwards AF base and works on the f-35C.

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

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POST 18

PAST COMMANDER

KIEL TAYLOR, CID GENERAL MANAGER

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District 15 Past Commander Donald Johnson receives Membership Award from Commander Tony Strauss

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24 | MEMORIAL DAY 2021

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DISTRICT 15

PHOTOS

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15th District Legionnaire

15th District Legionnaire

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DISTRICT 15

PHOTOS

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MEMORIAL DAY 2021 | 25

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

26 | MEMORIAL DAY 2021

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

15th District Legionnaire

NATIONAL VIETMAN WAR VETERANS DAY " O N E E Q UA L S O N E T H O U S A N D " D I S P L AY

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What is National Vietnam War Veterans Day?

It is a day in which we should remember, honor, and thank our Vietnam War veterans for their service to our country during the war.

On March 28, 2017, President Trump signed an Act that officially recognizes March 29 of each year as National Vietnam War Veterans Day. The Act also includes the day to be among those days in which the U.S flag should be displayed. March 29 was chosen because on March 29, 1973, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV) was disbanded, and the last U.S. combat troops departed Vietnam.

Why the display is titled “One Equals One Thousand"?

A little more than 58,000 Americans were killed during the Vietnam War. In addition, almost 2,000 Americans are still unaccounted for. This equals almost 60,000 killed or still missing, each cross (60 total crosses in the display) represents one thousand Americans who either lost their lives during the war or who are still missing in action.

Interesting Facts about the Vietnam War A United Press International (UPJ) report in 1967 stated that, based on per capita data, the number of men killed in action up to that point during the Vietnam War from the city of Porterville was four times the national average. Porterville then became known as the city that paid one of the highest prices in Vietnam.

The person who was selected to be the last American combat soldier to leave Vietnam was Master Sgt. Max Beilke. He was at the end of the line of combat soldiers walking up the ramp into a C-130 plane to leave Vietnam on March 29, 1973. He survived two wars, Korea and Vietnam, but did not survive the War on terror. Beilke was killed on September 11, 2001 when one of the high jacked planes crashed into the Pentagon where he was working as a civilian employee.

While those in the United States refer to the war as the Vietnam War, the people of Vietnam call the war, the American War. However, met countries than just the United States and South Vietnam provided troops in the war. The other countries included South Korea, Australia, Philippines, New Zealand, Thailand" Taiwan, and Spain.

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MEMORIAL DAY 2021 | 27

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28 | MEMORIAL DAY 2021

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LONG TERM CARE FOR VETERANS

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

Community Living Centers provide long-term Care (nursing home care) to veterans who are not acutely ill and not in need of hospital care. VA will provide needed long-term care to any veteran whose service-connected (SC) disability medically requires such care or if they are 70 percent or more service connected. Veterans who are provided Long Term Care for a service connected disability, or who have a combined SC disability rating of 70 percent or more are not charged a copayment for long-term care services. Whereas non service connected veterans and veterans with service connected disability ratings of 60% or less may be subject to VA LTC copayments decided by information collected on the 1010EC (Extended Care Form; differing from the 10-10EZ Health Care Form). Veterans requiring long term care for a SC disability or who have a service connected rating at 70 percent or higher have mandatory eligibility and cannot be denied VA long term care.

If services are not available in the VA, VA must purchase such care through outside community providers. Additionally, veterans who fall in any of the following categories are eligible for VA long term care services and are not subject to a VA LTC copayment: for a disorder associated with exposure to a toxic substance or radiation, for a disorder associated with service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Gulf War, or for any illness associated with service in combat in a war after the Gulf War or during a period of hostility after November 11, 1998.

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Proud supporters of our local veterans and armed forces.

Thank You to the American Legion for over 102 years of helping the men and women, and military families who serve our country.

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30 | MEMORIAL DAY 2021

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POST 221

SECOND-VICE COMMANDER / ACTING POST SERVICE OFFICER DAV I D H E R N A N D E Z I I , S G T - AT - A R M S & C Y N T H I A M . H E R N A N D E Z S A L / M E M B E R S , M I C H A E L A . F L E M I N G & N OA H A . H E R N A N D E Z

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EXTRA VACCINE DOSES VA R E C E I V E S A D D I T I O N A L 2 0 0 , 0 0 0 C O V I D - 1 9 VA C C I N E D OSES TO ADMINISTER TO V ET E R A N S , E M PL OY E E S

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Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care facilities are receiving a onetime supplemental allocation of 200,000 Moderna COVID-19 vaccine doses this week from the Department of Health and Human Services.

This distribution is in addition to VA’s normally scheduled delivery of approximately 125,000 doses of both Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines each week.

“In accordance to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s phased allocation considerations, VA has worked diligently to offer and administer the COVID-19 vaccine as quickly as possible to Veterans who receive care at VA,” said Acting VA Under Secretary for Health, Richard Stone, M.D. “The additional doses will help us to continue reaching our Veterans at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19 during this period of limited supply.”

VA facilities already receiving the Moderna vaccine, as well as several new sites, will get additional doses this week from the supplemental allocation. VA is currently providing vaccines at more than 215 sites nationally and is reaching out to Veterans who are currently eligible for vaccination.

FREEDOM IS NEVER FREE.

As of Feb. 10, VA has administered at least one dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine collectively to 1,047,187 Veterans, employees and federal partners. VA’s goal is to offer COVID-19 vaccinations to all Veterans who are enrolled and eligible to receive VA health care. Veterans who are not enrolled can learn about eligibility, and those who qualify, may apply for enrollment.

Thank you to all the men and women of our Armed Forces.

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32 | MEMORIAL DAY 2021

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CITIZENSHIP

L E G I O N C A L L S O N W H I T E H O U S E T O FA S T - T R A C K C I T I Z E N S H I P F O R M I L I TA RY M E M B E R S , V E T E R A N S

THE AMERICAN LEGION

“The American Legion believes that non-citizen veterans who are honorably discharged and have not been charged or convicted with felonious or heinous crimes should be guaranteed the promise they were made of citizenship,” said James W. “Bill” Oxford, national commander of The American Legion.

Current citizenship status and deportation have no impact on a veteran’s eligibility for receiving benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and veterans who have been deported remain eligible for VA services and care. However, ensuring these veterans are receiving the care they have earned through service is difficult. The American Legion recommended to the White House that VA assess barriers to care for these veterans and develop a plan to address this issue.

The American Legion’s National Executive Committee passed two resolutions in 2018 that affirmed the organization’s dedication in advocating for the rights of service members who seek citizenship during their military service, as well as those of veterans who have been deported.

Resolution No. 15: Expedited Citizenship through Military Service, urges Congress to implement measures within the Department of Defense to ensure the process of naturalization through honorable military service is completed prior to discharge.

Resolution No. 10: Expedited Citizenship Applications For Deported Veterans, calls on the federal government to grant expedited citizenship applications to deported veterans who were honorably discharged and have no felony convictions.

The American Legion called on President Biden to issue an Executive Order authorizing the reinstitution of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for Naturalization at Basic Training Initiative and reopening all USCIS field offices abroad for service members and deported veterans.

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“It is imperative that we strengthen military naturalization programs, prevent veteran deportation, and repatriate deported veterans. These policies would protect our service members and veterans permanently with recognition for their honorable service to the United States,” Oxford concluded.

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MEMORIAL DAY 2021 | 33

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34 | MEMORIAL DAY 2021

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A year ago, on the same day I delivered The American Legion’s priorities for the second session of the 116th Congress, COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization. Suddenly, and continually since then, priorities shifted. But they did not go away. In fact, they grew in urgency.

Immediately into the pandemic, the nearly 3 million members of The American Legion Family did what they do best in times of crisis. They mobilized. They raised money, collected food, made or obtained personal protective equipment and distributed it, prepared meals for health-care workers and first responders, gave blood, fed children, (Continued on Page 35)

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MEMORIAL DAY 2021 | 35

NAT IONA L C OM M A N DE R

(Continued from Page 34)

supported local businesses, set up COVID-19 testing sites, assisted with vaccinations, conducted virtual job fairs and performed Buddy Checks for veterans and others who were suddenly self-isolating and in need of help – or simply longing for connection with other veterans who care.

The magnitude of The American Legion’s performance – through what we call “individual obligation to community, state and nation” – has been, and continues to be, so great and multi-faceted, it simply cannot be quantified. We who have served in uniform understand fully that you can learn a lot about yourself and others during the most challenging of times.

We certainly learned that attention to mental health, suicide prevention and full staffing of VA health-care facilities is more vital than ever, especially when demand for services sharply and unexpectedly escalates, as it has. The American Legion’s commitment to opportunities for veterans in transition – either coming out of military service or entering the job market after using their GI Bill benefits – also could not be more profound as the economy staggers into the pandemic’s second year. The winter of 2020 and 2021 further amplified our collective need to put roofs over the heads of homeless veterans, who are particularly vulnerable to infection.

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The pandemic has brought to light so many issues that have occupied The American Legion’s priority list for Congress in recent years. Veterans in rural and remote areas who lack broadband internet access are completely left in the cold when doctor appointments are virtual only. The American Legion’s Project ATLAS initiative is just starting to address the problem, which runs deeper than the good first step of providing tele-health services in properly equipped American Legion posts; we know we have the technology to deliver care where veterans live, so now we must act to deploy it. Posttraumatic stress disorder and isolation are also an often-deadly mix, so The American Legion’s resolve to find new, effective ways to help our brothers and sisters who suffer with the invisible wounds of war is extremely acute today.

The pandemic certainly drove home the importance of recruiting, hiring and retaining nurses and other health-care workers. I call them the “infantry” in our battle against COVID-19, and VA health-care facilities need more of these courageous men and women, especially now.

Those with cancer and respiratory issues, as we know, are particularly susceptible to corona virus infection. That reality, too, adds urgency to our nation’s need to recognize and provide quality care for veterans who have been exposed to toxic contaminants, like smoke from burn pits, jet fuel of K2, and Agent Orange.

These are just some of the issues The American Legion looks to resolve in alliance with the 117th Congress. Additional subjects of concern are provided in this testimony publication so members of the legislative branch can fully understand what matters most to the nation’s largest organization of wartime veterans and, moreover, how we can work together to get through a time like none other in U.S. history.

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STUDENT VETERANS S T U D E N T V E T E R A N S R E C E I V E A H U G E V I C T O RY

THE AMERICAN LEGION

“The American Legion applauds Congress and President Biden for moving to protect veterans and members of our Armed Forces from being targeted by predatory, forprofit schools,” said American Legion National Commander James W. "Bill" Oxford.

The 90/10 rule mandated for-profit schools obtain at least 10 percent of their revenue from sources other than Title IV education funds, which are the primary source of student aid.

GI Bill benefits fall within the 10 percent category, making them valuable to for-profit institutions. Because of this, for-profit institutions have aggressively targeted veterans and service members with deceptive recruiting methods. This left veterans particularly vulnerable to predatory institutions. Closing this loophole will protect veterans and their earned education benefits from being exploited by these institutions.

In 2015, The American Legion’s National Executive Committee passed Resolution No. 15: Support Greater GI Bill Outcomes by Closing 90-10 Loophole. This resolution reaffirmed the Legion’s longstanding advocacy when it comes to securing a veteran’s right to education.

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When President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan, the $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief bill last week, it also created a policy change that has been long-advocated for by The American Legion — closing the 90/10 loophole.

“As the original drafters of the first GI Bill, our membership has unequivocally stated that closing the 90-10 loophole is critical to ensuring the Forever GI Bill is protected,” Oxford added.

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OILFIELD SERVICES, INC. Proudly supports the 15th District American Legion

LEGION MEMBERSHIP Remember Membership is the foundation of the American Legion without it we don't exist we all worked together at one time to maintain the free nation that our forefathers created for us.

And as it says over the doors at our V.A. Hospital FREEDOM ISN'T FREE so work on our young brothers and sisters to join and become members of the largest Veterans organization in the USA 100 years old this year. God bless America.

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MILITARY QUALITY OF LIFE

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The U.S. military’s greatest resource is its personnel and their families.

Without highly qualified, dedicated men and women, even the most sophisticated weaponry will not provide the deterrent force necessary for our nation’s protection.

Military quality of life has many factors, including proper compensation, fair treatment, career stability, appropriate housing, adequate health care, access to commissaries and sufficient day-care facilities. Service members have enough to worry about with their normal duties and should not need to be concerned about ensuring their families are safe and properly cared for. Childcare remains an issue as many military families could not use installation childcare providers due to lengthy waiting lists, even before the pandemic. Now there are even fewer spots available for childcare as facilities try to mitigate the risks of COVID-19. Housing remains a recurring problem as it has been discovered that many military privatized housing companies provided substandard housing to

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(Continued on Page 39)

661.324.9821 661.324.3947 Fax 1100 Truxtun Ave. Bakersfield, CA 93301

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

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M I L I TA RY Q UA L I T Y OF L I F E

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THE THREE PATHS TO A SU C C E S SF U L C L A I M A P P E A L S

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Did you know a claims appeal to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) comes through one of three predetermined paths?

1. Higher-Level Review If a veteran and their representative believes that the evidence that they have submitted is strong enough for compensation or an increase, they can opt for a higherlevel review. Through this, there is no need to submit new evidence. The case is just elevated to a much more experienced senior claims adjudicator for review.

2. Supplemental Claim To potentially improve a rating decision, a veteran can work with his/her representative to gather new and relevant evidence from doctors, medical staff members and other relevant agencies. The new evidence must not be duplications of what has previously been submitted to VA. The new evidence must add value and support to an established claim.

Veterans and dependents must understand that adjudicators and assessors rely solely on documentary information. Any new evidence must bring added support to an established claim. Any subsequent decision will be affected for lack of supportive or additional valuable evidence.

3. In-Court Appeals Lastly, taking the route of the Court may be considered if a veteran is unhappy with any previous claims decision. This will be handled by a veterans law judge, who may require more additional evidence. They may even schedule hearings for the disability case. If the decision rendered by the judge is still not satisfactory to the veteran or dependent, the case can still be referred to the Court of Appeals.

military families that contained toxic substances and mold. A recent GAO report found that the DoD oversight of military privatized housing remains inadequate to ensure that military families have suitable housing. Proper funding and oversight of these quality-oflife benefits ensures that service members can focus on safeguarding and defending this great nation rather than worry about their families.

The American Legion believes that legislation and federal agency action should be taken to ensure quality-of-life standards for service members and their families through increased funding for programs that enhance military quality of life, protect existing benefits and provide proper oversight of DoD and its contractors.

KEY POINTS: DoD considers childcare services a quality-of-life benefit and DoD officials have indicated that the primary reason for providing childcare services is to enhance force readiness.

DoD policy ensures that childcare services support readiness, retention and morale of the total force during peacetime, overseas contingency operations, periods of force structure change, relocation of military units, base realignment and closure and other emergencies.

By using commissaries, military families can save an average of more than 30% on their purchases, compared with commercial supermarkets.

WHAT CAN CONGRESS DO? Provide increased funding for childcare centers and ensure that service members have affordable access to it.

Continue to fully fund and retain the military commissary system which is essential to morale and readiness.

Rebuild military infrastructure by increasing funding for facilities sustainment allowing for military construction, including family housing.

Consistently pass the National Defense Authorization Act without the need for continuing resolutions, to provide reliable, consistent funding and ensure that all military members are paid without delay.

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VA’S NATIONAL CEMETERY ADMINISTRATION

15th District Legionnaire Gregg Glick

Highway and Parking Improvement Contractor 1641 Tulare Ave, Visalia, CA 93292 Ph: (559) 627-5373 • Cell: (559) 260-5606 • gglick@amcvis.com

The VA National Cemetery Administration (NCA) was established by Congress and approved by President Lincoln in 1862 to provide proper burial and grave registration of the Civil War dead. More than 3 million Americans, including veterans of every war and conflict, are buried in VA’s national cemeteries.

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However, cemeteries are running out of space, particularly in urban areas where there are large populations and land is expensive. VA has worked to handle this issue through programs such as the urban initiative which would establish columbarium-only national cemeteries in certain urban areas. According to a 2019 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, VA planned to provide reasonable access (within 75 miles of their home) to burial options for every veteran at a national or state veterans cemetery, which would establish 18 new national cemeteries. However, NCA has made limited progress on these plans and has had difficulty acquiring land for new cemeteries and columbaria.

Only about 92% of veterans had reasonable access to burial options in Fiscal 2018. All veterans should have access to proper burial sites in recognition of their service.

The American Legion urges Congress to appropriate necessary funds to establish additional national and state cemeteries and columbaria and ensure that all veterans can be buried with the appropriate honor they deserve.

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VETERANS HOMES T H E A M E R IC A N L E G ION TO S TAT E V E T E R A N ’ S HOM E S : ‘OB E Y T H E L AW, C O OP E R AT E W I T H VA’

THE AMERICAN LEGION

Veterans THANK YOU

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Alarmed by a report that 35 state veterans homes across the country have not shared coronavirus data with the Department of Veterans Affairs, the head of the nation’s largest veterans organization called on the facilities to “obey the law.”

“A federal law requires VA to post information about corona virus cases and deaths that occur at state-run veteran homes,” National Commander of The American Legion James W. “Bill” Oxford explained. “Stars & Stripes reported that 35 of 158 state veterans homes have not provided the data that VA requires. This is completely unacceptable. In June, I spoke about the tragic deaths that occurred at the state home in Holyoke, Massachusetts due to the comingling of corona virus patients with asymptomatic residents and personal protective equipment shortages. VA doesn’t run state homes but the department plays an important oversight role. In order to assist these facilities and prevent similar tragedies, these state facilities must be transparent and share the data with VA and the public. Veterans and their loved ones need assurances that their homes have the resources that are needed and are following appropriate protocols to keep all residents safe.”

Oxford added that 123 state veterans’ homes are reporting the information to VA but that it is not good enough. “A veteran is a veteran no matter where he or she lives,” he said. “The American Legion believes every facility that claims to serve veterans must be top-notch. We expect full compliance with the law.”

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CALVET SECRETARY P R A I SE S B I DE N ' S OR DE R R E V E R SI N G T R A N S G E N DE R M I L I TA RY R E S T R IC T ION S

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California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) Secretary Dr. Vito Imbasciani today issued the following statement in response to President Biden’s order reversing the previous administration’s steps to bar transgender individuals from joining and serving openly in the military.

“Equality and diversity are and must always be core values of our military, and every qualified American who wants to serve our country in uniform should be able to do so,” said Secretary Imbasciani. “I commend President Biden for taking this important, inclusive step.”

The new order immediately bars service members from being discharged or denied reenlistment for their gender identity. It also directs the Department of Defense (DOD) to correct the record of anyone dismissed from service solely for their gender identity.

The 2019 DOD order that imposed tight limits on service by transgender individuals followed a Twitter proclamation by President Trump in 2017, reversed earlier policies issued by the Obama administration.

“This discriminatory policy was essentially don’t ask don’t tell for transgender service members,” said Imbasciani. “As a member of the LGBTQ community and as a military physician who served 26 years, much of it under ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell,’ I know firsthand how painful, frightening, and demoralizing it is to have to serve in the shadows and hide who you are.”

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THE AMERICAN LEGION CONSTITUTION PREAMBLE

THE AMERICAN LEGION

FOR GOD AND COUNTRY, WE ASSOCIATE OURSELVES TOGETHER FOR THE FOLLOWING PURPOSES:

To uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America; To maintain law and order; To foster and perpetuate a100-percent Americanism; To preserve the memories and incidents of our associations in all wars; To inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the community, state and nation; To combat the autocracy of both the classes and the masses; To make right the master of might; To promote peace and good will on earth; To safeguard and transmit to posterity the principles of justice, freedom and democracy; To consecrate and sanctify our comradeship by our devotion to mutual helpfulness.

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VETERAN CENTERS WILL SOON OFFER COUNSELING TO M OR E S E RV I C E M E M B E R S

THE AMERICAN LEGION

The Vet Center Eligibility Expansion Act will broaden the pool of service members who will be eligible to take advantage of the available counseling resources. After it becomes effective Jan. 1, 2022, eligibility expands to reserve components of the armed forces who were activated in response to a national emergency or disaster declared by the president as well as National Guard troops under state orders in response to civil disorder or a disaster.

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Additionally, Coast Guard members will also be eligible if they have participated in drug interdiction operations, regardless of the location.

These community-based counseling centers provide a range of social and mental health services, including professional readjustment counseling to eligible veterans, active duty service members, including National Guard and Reserve components, as well as their families. These services help provide a service member with the tools to make a successful transition from military to civilian life or after a traumatic event experienced in the military, including combat-related trauma and military sexual trauma.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is in the process of assessing the impact and determining resources required for implementation.

“Our Vet Center teams often deploy to emergency or crisis situations to help fulfill VA’s Fourth Mission of caring for our communities, providing necessary counseling and connection to other community resources they may need at the time,” said VA Acting Under Secretary for Health Dr. Richard Stone. “Staff are prepared to discuss and identify solutions to addressing stress, fatigue, grief, trauma and other thoughts or feelings individuals may experience. We are a part of the communities we serve and want to be a part of the solution.”

In fiscal year 2020, the mobile Vet Centers were deployed 20 times. Eleven of those supported COVID-19 outreach and support, six were emergency management responses, and three provided additional support at VA Medical Centers. These mobile deployments helped serve nearly 1,000 veterans, 100 service members, 272 family members and 3,662 civilians.

One of the most notable events was the deployment of two mobile Vet Centers to the Capitol following the Jan. 6 uprising. The centers provided free mental health resources and counseling to the U.S. Capitol Police, members of the National Guard and congressional staff members in crisis.

To find a Vet Center visit https://www.va.gov/find-locations or call the Vet Center Call Center at 877-WAR-VETS (927-8387).

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RICK ETCHEVERRY ernstmfg@aol.com

Office: 661.831.7553 Mobile: 661.332.7710 Landline: 661.589.9360 Fax: 661.831.1627 2121 S. Union Ave. | P.O. Box 70155 | Bakersfield, CA 93387

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PREPARATIONS FOR VETS C OV I D - 1 9 VAC C I N E S

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By Planning is underway at VA to deliver a COVID-19 vaccine when one becomes available. VA is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to develop a phased plan based on five core ethical pillars: safety, maximizing the benefit of the vaccine, equity, fairness and transparency.

Veteran and employee safety remain our #1 priority. The plan takes into consideration a number of risk factors, including risks of acquiring infection, severe illness and death if infected, and transmitting the disease, as well as the risk to essential workers, including health care personnel.

Offering the vaccine first to health care personnel and Veterans Initially, we expect supplies to be limited. Based on these risk factors, VA will offer the vaccine first to high-risk health care personnel (HCP), as they are essential in continuing to care for patients throughout the pandemic. As more vaccines become available, VA will offer the vaccine to high-risk Veterans. VA’s ultimate goal is to offer it to all Veterans and employees who want to be vaccinated.

Preparing VA facilities VA medical centers across the country performed planning exercises in late October to prepare for initial receipt of the vaccine. These exercises help sites determine how they will distribute immunizations. They based the decisions on the number of doses available and coordinated communications with Veterans to schedule their immunization.

They also addressed ordering, storage, handling, and administration of the vaccine.

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Listening to Veterans Additionally, VA has been conducting listening sessions and interviews with Veterans across the country to gauge their interest and determine the best methods for reaching out to our diverse Veteran population.

Your local medical facility will update you as vaccines become available.

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VETERAN MENTAL HEALTH The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected many people’s mental health and created new barriers for those suffering from mental illness and substance abuse disorders.2 This year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed the results of a survey conducted in late June that demonstrated the physiological and emotional impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey showed that reports of anxiety were nearly three times higher than those reported in 2019, and reports of depression were nearly four times higher.3 Additionally, another CDC survey found that 13.3% of respondents reported starting or increasing the use of drugs or alcohol this year. Additional stressors and increase in substance use as a result of the global pandemic have exacerbated pre-existing mental health conditions for many. Unfortunately, The American Legion has found this to be a common occurrence within the veteran community.

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Recent statistics have shown that veterans experience higher suicide rates when compared to their civilian counterparts. VA, along with members of the veteran community, are no strangers to the impacts of suicide. While mental health needs manifest themselves in various ways, some more severe than others, all need quality treatment options that address military and veteran-specific needs. VA must continue to address two common risk factors in the veteran suicide epidemic: substance abuse and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

PTSD is a mental health concern that has plagued the military and veteran community for years. Unfortunately, due to the recent impacts of COVID-19, (Continued on Page 47)

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V E T E R A N M E N TA L H E A LT H

(Continued from Page 46)

PTSD and other mental health concerns among veterans have increased due to social, financial and health-related hardships. The American Legion conducts a biennial Mental Health Survey to analyze treatment for PTSD among veterans and will socialize results with Congress and VA in hopes of providing insight on how best to counter the impacts of COVID-19.

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Substance abuse is also known to be a harmful result or identifier of deeper mental health concerns. Substance abuse can take many forms including alcoholism, narcotics use and misuse of prescription or over-the-counter drugs. While opioids can be offered as a useful short-term or controlled treatment plan to alleviate pain for a variety of health concerns, informed consent and education on the cause and effects of substance-use disorders should be offered to participating veterans by licensed clinicians. The American Legion believes this will not only provide self-efficacy and educated health decisions in the veteran’s health journey, but it will have a positive impact on the growing issue of substance abuse in the veteran population.

There are many factors to consider when addressing mental health issues: biological, psychological and social elements. Therefore, the approach to addressing mental health concerns should be cognizant of these elements when exploring types of therapies, medications and community reintegration options.

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NEW VA DISABILITY INFORMATION View 2021 Veterans disability compensation rates. Use our compensation benefits rate tables to find your monthly payment amount. We base your monthly payment amount on your disability rating and details about your dependent family members. https://www.va.gov/disability/compensation-rates/veteran-rates 2. T he Veteran Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017 became law on August 23, 2017 (Pub L. 115-55). It is also known as the Appeals Modernization Act. THE NEW LAW: • Modernizes the current claims and appeals process • Includes three review options for disagreements with decisions • Requires improved notification of VA decisions • Provides earlier claim resolution • Ensures you receive the earliest effective date possible

What are the new options for review?

YOU HAVE THREE OPTIONS FOR REVIEW: Option 1: Higher-level Review Your claim is reviewed by a more senior claims adjudicator and involves: 1. 2021 Veterans disability compensation rates

• A higher-level de novo review (new look) of the decision

Starting Dec. 1, all compensation benefit rates will increase by 1.3%. VA is required by law to match the percentage of cost-of-living adjustments made to Social Security benefits. These adjustments help to make sure that the purchasing power of your benefits keeps up with inflation.

1. No submission of new evidence allowed • The possibility of overturning the decision based on: 2. A difference of opinion

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N E W VA DI S A B I L I T Y I N F OR M AT ION

(Continued from Page 48) 3. A clear and unmistakable error The reviewer, who identifies or learns of a duty to assist error, can return the claim to the regional office for correction. You or the VFW VSO can request an informal phone call to identify specific issues.

Option 2: A Supplemental Claim Lane You can submit or identify new and relevant evidence to support your claim. Your VFW VSO will provide assistance in developing the evidence.

Option 3: Appeal Lane for Appeals to the Board

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• T his option allows you to appeal directly to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals. You can choose between three options: 1. Direct review: You have no new evidence and do not want a hearing.

2. Evidence submission: You have new evidence, but do not want a hearing.

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ELIMINATE VETERAN HOMELESSNESS T

The causes of homelessness can be grouped into three categories: economic hardships, health issues and lack of affordable housing. Although these issues affect all homeless individuals, veterans face additional challenges in overcoming obstacles, including prolonged separation from traditional support, such as family and friends; stressful training and occupational demands, which can affect personality, self-esteem and the ability to communicate after discharge; and non-transferability of military occupational specialties into the civilian workforce.

Addressing veteran homelessness isn’t the job of just one federal agency. It requires complex coordination among multiple stakeholders at the federal, state and local levels. The American Legion is proud to have advocated for numerous programs and improvements to existing programs passed in the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020 last Congress. This comprehensive legislation expanded current federal grant programs, provided funding for legal services for homeless veterans and veterans at risk for homelessness, and requires VA to address staffing shortcomings for case managers in the Housing and Urban Development-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) Program.

Brewbakers Proudly supports the 15th District American Legion

The American Legion is focused on preventing homelessness through the simple mantra, “Get them before they get on the street.” The American Legion offers support to at-risk and/or homeless veterans and their families, advice and counseling, assistance obtaining care and benefits, financial help, career fairs, business development workshops and other forums.

KEY POINTS: Twenty-one out of every 10,000 veterans were homeless in 2019. Overall, 17 out of every 10,000 Americans are homeless.

COVID-19-related unemployment rates and evictions are a cause for alarm. Despite government moratoriums, evictions are still occurring throughout the United States, and a surge is expected of veterans seeking assistance from homeless service providers.

Female veterans are the fastest-growing demographic among the homeless population in the United States.

A has helped house or prevent more than 800,000 veterans and their families from experiencing homelessness since 2010.

WHAT CAN CONGRESS DO? Hold VA accountable for staffing 100% of HUD-VASH case managers, including using newly enacted authorities to contract the position out when a vacancy exists for an extended period of time.

Permanently authorize the supportive services for veterans and families.

Andy Barkate, MS

Provide a higher allocation of project-based HUD-VASH vouchers for homeless veterans.

President

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AMERICAN LEGION BASEBALL H O N O R I N G L O U G E H R I G DAY THE AMERICAN LEGION

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Major League Baseball great and Hall of Famer Lou Gehrig started as a first baseman for the New York Yankees on June 2, 1925. He died on June 2, 1941, at the young age of 37 from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) – also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

MLB is starting an annual tradition of observing Lou Gehrig Day on June 2 to raise awareness of ALS and those afflicted with the debilitating disease that affects the nervous system. Through its American Legion Baseball program, The American Legion is following suit with MLB as an opportunity to bring greater awareness to the connection of ALS and military service.

American Legion Resolution No. 6 strongly encourages “every American Legion Baseball team to observe a moment of silence before their game(s) each year on June 2 in memory of Major League Baseball’s great Lou Gehrig and all veterans who suffer or have died from ALS.” In 2008, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) established ALS as a presumptive military service-connected disease. This allows veterans with ALS to be eligible for service-connected benefits.

Resolution No. 6 was adopted Wednesday, May 5, by the National Executive Committee during The American Legion’s virtual Spring Meetings.

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15th District Legionnaire

RALLY AROUND THE FLAG THE AMERICAN LEGION

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In preparation for Flag Day, June 14, The American Legion and the Citizens Flag Alliance are invigorating pride for and building awareness about why the U.S. flag matters. Illustrated messages on The American Legion’s website, and Face book page and Twitter feed will deliver historical notes, fun facts and voices from history about Old Glory. These messages are encouraged to be shared.

For example, it is commonly held that Betsy Ross recommended the U.S. flag have a five-pointed star, rather than six-pointed, because she could make a five-pointed star with one snip and proved her point by demonstrating it before her critics.

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The American Legion would like to hear from you about your pride for the symbol of unity and freedom. Please share your flag moment with photos at Legiontown.org under the heading “Rally around the Flag.” Or share on your social media channels and use the hashtag #rallyaroundtheflag.

Leo “Buddy” Pergson shared on Legiontown that as a “proud” grandson of the late Robert Pergson, a World War I veteran and member of American Legion Post 50 in Coolidge, Ariz., the U.S. flag means “to proudly stand and salute Old Glory as proud Americans for the stars and the stripes that proudly represent freedom for all America.”

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CALNONPROFITS FAQ’ S F OR C A R E L I E F G R A N T P RO G R A M

P DISTRIBUTORS PROCESSING INC

Please note that as a new program, Lendistry’s guidance has shifted at times. This is our latest information. Check back on our website for frequently updated information. Visit our website: www.calnonprofits.org to get the slides and recording of our most recent webinar with Lendistry.

Latest updates : Grant application deadline: 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, January 13, 2021.

990-N filers are now eligible to apply. See below.

501(c)(19) organizations are now eligible to apply.

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

Got your password, but can’t get back into your application? Be sure you are using the link in the email with your password.

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

NEED MORE HELP? Contact Lendistry – 888-612-4370, careliefgrant@lendistry.com Can’t upload your documents? Only attempt to upload documents once you’ve received an invitation from Lendistry to do so Please note:

Maria Blanks Assistant Office Manager 3200 21st Street, Suite 201 Bakersfield, CA 93302 661.323.8044

You do not have to be a CalNonprofits member to choose us as your partner.

No partners, including CalNonprofits, have input into who is chosen or rejected for grants; our role is to support you through the application process.

Before contacting us, please review the FAQ’s below.

Email us with questions about the application questions at sues@calnonprofits.org, or call Sue Sigler at (415) 535-0738. (Due to high volume, we will respond as quickly as possible).

3500 West Orchard Court P.O. Box 5100 Visalia, CA 93278 Tel: 559-625-9800 Fax: 559-625-9812

Check the CalNonprofits website frequently. We post new information as it becomes available, including past webinars. Technical questions and problems with the website should be referred to Lendistry (the administrator of this grant program on behalf of CalOSBA) at careliefgrant@lendistry.com, or by phone at 888-612-4370. If you contact Lendistry by phone and request a callback, please be sure to answer calls from 1-800 numbers. If you contact Lendistry by email, please check your spam folder.

Be sure that you are using Chrome as your browser to access the application.

308 N. 2nd Street Porterville, CA 93257 Tel: 559-784-9090 Fax: 559-781-9154 gil@pinecpas.com www.pinecpas.com

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

54 | MEMORIAL DAY 2021

15th District Legionnaire

A M E R IC A N L E G ION

KEVIN McCARTHY C ON G R E S SM A N , V E T T E C

Our veterans are heroes, and it is because of their valiant sacrifice that the United States remains a world leader. I wanted to take a moment to briefly update you on recent initiatives I’ve worked on in Congress to support our nation’s veterans.

O

Last Congress, I introduced two bills to improve existing veteran’s benefits programs by expanding and streamlining available services – the VET TEC Expansion Act and the Reducing Veteran Homelessness Act, which were subsequently signed into law at the beginning of this year. Protecting our nation’s service members and veterans, and their hard-earned benefits, is one of my proudest and most important duties as a Member of Congress, and these bills help to fill educational and financial gaps in veteran support.

To keep up with an evolving and tech-heavy workforce, the VET TEC Expansion Act enhances legislation I previously authored to give our veterans even greater access to educational programs that fit today’s shifting labor market. Education is not one-sizefits-all, and this applies to our service members as well. The bill will continue to ensure that our heroes can grow the skills they developed in the military when returning to civilian life by providing access to non-traditional and technology-oriented courses through the VET TEC Pilot Program. This bill will also expand VET TEC to include parttime courses and allow additional course providers to participate in the VET TEC Pilot Program. Now, veterans will be able to choose programs from a larger pool of interest areas, helping them to find fulfilling careers in fields they are passionate about.

In addition to passing legislation that helps veterans gain access to education opportunities, I also spearheaded a housing bill that would help our most vulnerable veterans when they need it most. The Reducing Veteran Homelessness Act will give our homeless veterans increased access to housing vouchers and other services to ensure that in challenging times, they have safe, reliable, and affordable housing. No veteran, in my district or anywhere in the country, should be homeless due to unnecessary VA staffing vacancies.

A special THANK YOU to all our local veterans!

2730 Unicorn Rd., Building A • Bakersfield, CA 93308 661..393.4796 • www.djacivil.com

Our veterans have earned benefits that honor their valiant service and sacrifice, and these bills, which provide greater access to non-traditional education and housing vouchers, will bolster our efforts to continue to support them. As we get well-underway in the first session of the 117th Congress, I reaffirm my commitment to helping veterans in my community and across the country get the support that they need.

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

15th District Legionnaire

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

MEMORIAL DAY 2021 | 55

Veteran-to-Veteran Volunteer Program A Bristol Hospice Volunteer program to honor veterans in hospice care.

The veterans who serve our nation are deeply deserving of honor and respect. Whether in times of war or peace, veterans and their families devoted their lives to the service of our country and the ideals we hold dear.

Bristol Hospice is recruiting Veterans for our Veteran-to-Veteran Volunteer Program. Veterans have a unique shared experience and culture, and this becomes even more important near the end of life.

Our Veteran-to-Veteran Volunteer program can provide support with the following activities:  Assist Veterans in reminiscing and telling life stories by connecting them with fellow veterans from the community.  Assist patients in receiving Veteran benefits.  Honors Veterans for their military service.  Offering dedicated Veteran volunteers to provide fellow Veterans companionship.

You can make a difference for a fellow Veteran and their family. Special training is provided to learn more about becoming a hospice volunteer.

To learn more about this rewarding opportunity in Kings & Tulare counties, please contact: Raul Sanchez, Volunteer Coordinator – Veteran Affairs Email: raul.sanchez@bristolhospice.com Or Ms. Darcy Tallon, Volunteer Coordinator Phone: 559.741.7220 Email: darcy.tallon@bristolhospice.com

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

56 | MEMORIAL DAY 2021

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

15th District Legionnaire

O N M E M O R I A L D AY, we remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice to protect

the freedoms that define us as a nation. May we never forget the courage and selflessness of these brave men and women.”

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

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS