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0D\ 6HUYLQJ 'DQYLOOH Sentinels of Freedom Investing in Veterans Futures By Jody Morgan Opportunity would need to begin at home, San Ramon resident Mike Conklin realized as soon as the Twin Towers fell. Gathering community leaders together, he advised them that they might soon see local youths coming home physically broken from the imminent war. How would the community prepare to support them? Those present shared Conklin’s belief: “The least we can do for those who have served and sacrificed is to assist them in attaining their life goals.” The Sentinels of Freedom plan Conklin
Elementary School Finalists of the 2012 Earth Day Student Art Contest
Inspiring Earth Day Student Art Event
Joey Bozik (top, 2nd from left) enjoys some social time with his Danville support team.
devised at their behest was implemented in 2003 when San Ramon Valley High School graduate Jake Brown became the first beneficiary, the first Sentinel. Conklin recognized that each Sentinel would need appropriate housing, interim employment, transportation, and the education requisite for his or her chosen career. Like most of the 90 plus Sentinels who have since been accepted into the program, Jake came back from the battlefield with only a high school education and no employment experience applicable to civilian life. Crushed by a tank, Brown sustained severe internal injuries and was unable to walk. Emerging from weeks in a coma, he had the determination essential to succeed. Mike Conklin and a core group of community professionals made sure Jake had the means. They found him employment working nights for UPS in San Ramon while he completed a California State University degree and helped him secure all the VA benefits to which he was entitled. Enrollment in an MBA program and a position at Sybase International followed Jake’s college graduation. One step at a time, Conklin and his team of San Ramon Valley volunteers constructed a support system based on the individual aspirations and limitations of each new Sentinel. As a building contractor and real estate developer, Conklin was used to engaging the skills of scores of separate tradesmen to put up a house. He applied the same logistics to coordinating benefits from government and private agencies with resources he could tap through community connections. Local professionals offered their time to provide Sentinels with legal, financial, and career counseling. In 2005, Manny Mendoza came home after losing both legs above the knee. Placed through Sentinels as a Project Manager at AT&T in San Ramon, Manny received several promotions, purchased a home, and is now totally self-sufficient. Conklin’s recollection of Ron Wilkins, a boy a class or two ahead of him in high school who sustained similar injuries in Vietnam, fueled his desire to make certain San Ramon Valley veterans had someone to count on. Ron tried hanging out with his old friends when he came home, but as a double amputee with no prospect of work, he soon fell victim to alcoholism. That none of the churches or other local groups came forward to help, Mike found unacceptable.
See Sentinels continued on page 25 Local Postal Customer
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Danville students and their families participated in the first annual Earth Day Student Art Contest. The art show and reception was hosted by Sustainable Danville Area in conjunction with the Town of Danville Village Theatre and Art Gallery as part of the town’s 2012 Earth Day Arts Event. The day included multi-generational activities including a mosaic art demonstration (reusing pieces of old dishes), a free screening of the film Manufactured Landscapes, a hands-on jewelry project, and the student art reception. Sustainable Danville Area (SDA) invited all Alamo and Danville students to participate in the Art Contest. The group received over 75 entries. Darlene Gayler, Vice President Sustainable Danville Area said, “This was such a fun event. The kids and their creativity are a breath of fresh air. They don’t care about finances, politics, or being PC – they just tell it as they see it! Their messages are very inspiring.” Cindy Egan, Sustainable Danville Area Board Member and San Ramon
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Danville Rotary’s 19 Annual Golf Tournament On Monday, May 21st, Danville Rotary will host its 19th annual Greater Danville Golf Tournament. All proceeds for this event will benefit the San Ramon Valley Veterans Memorial Building. The tournament will be held at Blackhawk Country Club, Lakeside Course. Registration opens at 10:30 AM, followed by a putting contest. There is a shotgun start at noon. Tickets are $155 and include lunch. There will be wine and appetizers at 5pm when the Winner’s Trophy will be presented. There will be raffle prizes to add to the fun. Everyone is invited to participate - golf- Volume III - Number 7 ers, and non-golfers alike. It’s a day of great 3000F Danville Blvd. #117, fun to support our veterans, says Bob Chase, Alamo, CA 94507 (925) 405-6397 Danville Rotary President. Fax (925) 406-0547 To register for the event, visit www.greaterdanvilleopen.com or call 925-518-7137. Alisa Corstorphine ~ Publisher Danville Rotary is a club of professionals, editor@ community leaders, and volunteers dedicat- yourmonthlypaper.com ed to service above self. The club has been The opinions expressed herein belong active for more than 50 years and is a part to the writers, and do not necessarily reflect that of Danville Today News. of Rotary International, the world’s largest Danville Today News is not responsible for the content of any of service organization with over 1.2 million the advertising herein, nor does members worldwide. publication imply endorsement.