Story 1

Waste Management contacted the county's Veterans Service Office and the American Legion last fall wanting to properly dispose of damaged American flags brought to their facilities. We took in some 100 flags and our boy and girl scouts properly and honorably retired them along with the some 2000 others last fall. What was obviously needed and desired at Waste Management was a proper collection box. So let it be said … so let it be done.

Thank you NUHSD CTE Space Program and students.

Please visit waste management, BNC hardware, Hills Flat Lumber, GVPD, the Union, the VSO Office or McKnight Center, in this part of Nevada county to use the collection boxes. Flags are routinely collected, stored and once again will be properly retired by our scouts in the fall.

Story 2

The Nevada County First Responders Association wants to be ready and is preparing to honor deceased first responders and veteran victims they encounter in their emergency responses Each rescue vehicle will be equipped with an American flag in order to honor those victims at the scene when encountered Mike Stewart the head of the association and I are working to equip those vehicles with flags. I write this to complement our first responders, Fire Chief Mike, Hooper & Weaver and B&C Hardware who will be helping supply the flags. Our color guard will help the scouts properly fold these flags.

Story 3

We should all be proud of how this building, honoring our veterans, helps this community's families and kids. We just staged our annual scout bowling games and at the same time the upper floors of the building were packed with families and kids around 8 years old playing games, bonding and getting exercise. I'd guesstimate 300 kids in the 6 hours it was open. A healthy America's future... Good concept... Thank you Post 130 and Nevada County for the right focus.

Next month we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the end to the Vietnam war.

I remember being in a history class in high school as a junior. I had just met friend John whose family had just moved to the Bay area because his father had just been assigned to the Presidio. John relayed to the class that his Dad had just returned from this place called "Vietnam" and was very firm in the fact that the country would soon be experiencing a lot of turmoil and pain because of what was going on there.

We all looked at each other. We looked at the teacher. The teacher pulled out the world map. All of us could only find this place called "Indochina" on the map. No such place called "Vietnam". Shortly afterwards Bruce was on a destroyer in the Gulf of Tonkin, others became 11-Bravos... one rescuing Rocky Blair after he was wounded, Dave, who I had known since we were 9 was flying Huey. Another Dave was fixing Hueys, Sam played Navy Seal doing strange things, Craig and Phil were wounded, I was shooting microwaves, ducking mortars, and missing the birth of my daughter.

John's Dad was right... a real fun time.

One of the guys that we all remember was Bob Hope. Bob tried like hell to make our crazy world partly normal for a few hours. Give us a break from crazy. He knew insanity having worked other wars. Bob is coming back here... To "Firebase Galino" on Saturday March 29th. He'll help us remember all of the fun we had, the pain encountered, the people we lost then, the people we've lost since. We will celebrate them.

Check out the flyer for details. Reserve your spots by calling 530-575-7002. Down the road a bit will be another memorable event to help us celebrate and support those currently doing what we did. Armed forces Day will happen again at the airport on Saturday May 17th.

There are a couple of focuses to this year's event but all with a common thread. #1 We want to say thanks to the troops. #2 We want to connect the county's kids with STEM technical education and great possibilities with hands-on in service. #3 We want to share with those kids in our active opportunities to use all that to make money and have fun here in Nevada county. #4 We want to say thanks to all the Vietnam veterans and their families for serving and once again provide them with services they may need.

This county has been so lucky to have some 10,000 veterans as citizens. We veterans have been so lucky to have people like Lou Conter, Chuck Yeager, Jim Taylor and many others to call brother and sister. Jim will be with us at the event, Lou's family is looking forward to helping us remember Lou, our congressman Kiley will make every effort to attend and recognize you all.

Don't pencil this in - count on being there... and up in the air if you want.

I want to express my admiration for all those who could attend Oral’s honors last month.

That man’s involvement and dedication to all his fellow Veterans and their families were obvious...but to see in person the breadth, diversity and sincerity in and from all those present who he effected just struck one’s heart.

The Post will dedicate the “Bunker” to Oral’s memory. Join us as we rename and unveil - “Oral’s Bunker”

On behalf of all the veteran organizations and the veterans we all represent, The community is owed a big thank you for their support and honors this past Veterans Day.

The American Legion would like to say thank you to the "Chicago Park Garden Club" for their donation and dedication of the "Blue Star Memorial By-Way Marker" now mounted on the Grass Valley Veterans Hall honoring the Armed Forces of America. Thank You.

A very special thank you also goes out to the Nevada Union High School Band for just an awesome morning of performances! The some 300 attendees were just awed by their performance. You may have caught some of the feed back published in the UNION.

Thanks to our Boy and Girl Scouts for not only participating but for literally saving the life of an 88 year old Navy Veteran who fell breaking a shoulder trying to attend the morning’s honors. They provided first aid, stabilized him and got him to the emergency room. Thanks to them and students from various grammar schools who created and passed out “Thank You” cards and letters to the Veterans.

The Scouts also once again retired some 1,800 flags... some huge!....one which flew over the McKnight Center. See the posted photos.

While we veterans appreciate the honors, this is not about us as crazy as that seems. This is about service to our country; this is about supporting America's future which happens when we support the next generations of Americans, such as these students and scouts, and show them how tight and close all Americans are.

Thank You Nevada County, Thank You fellow Vets.

Adjutant Mike

This past month The County of Nevada became enlightened about the activities of the various Veteran’s groups. Yep, they knew we take care of our fellow Vets and Active but they were surprised to learn about the various community support programs we (all the Veteran’s groups) run on a routine basis. Taking care of Boy and Girl’s State attendees, supporting Scouting and the High Schools, looking out for Seniors, Toy Drives for the less fortunate families, St Judes Hospital, STEM programs etc etc. The list is pretty darn extensive and surprised more than one Supervisor and many attendees. Here is a “You Tube” link to view the session and honors presented to all the Veteran groups.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3alSOxu9qw
Skip to the 1:11 marker and view for about 40 minutes.

Why now? What’s the motivator?

It’s been relayed to you in past news that the Post sponsored “Senior Communications” sessions for almost 2 years time. In attendance was the County’s support organizations and many others who, by attending, came to realize the breadth of our reach. When the subject of a 6 million dollar grant came to life they sought our support. We gave it. They won the grant. The community will win. During the various power, fire and weather problems over the time line it was the two Veterans facilities that were available and used to ease safety problems for the community. They saw our assets value.

Every month several County staff attend our NCCVC (Nevada County Consolidated Veterans Council) meetings where all the Vet groups and the VSO present their programs, plans, and efforts. They hear our value and see what we as a group strive for continually.

The next NCCVC meetings will focus on how we communicate what we do with the community. How can we make sure the some 10,000 Vets living here know where they can find help? How do we let our Seniors know we are here and ready to support and thank them for our history and freedoms? How do we make sure America’s future leaders know we stand for them and behind them?

Stay tuned.

Lastly from this Army Sgt., Air Force Vet and VFW man Jeff Tynan needs a pat on the back. Thanks Jeff for your hard work and Veteran loyalty.

Check out the Photos

Adjutant Mike

Last month about a dozen of you receiving the printed and mailed version of the News Letter had it addressed to a different Legion Member at your address. Every month it’s a process of extracting addresses from the national data base and creating mailing labels to mail the News Letter. Every month it works...except in September. Why? That’s a mystery. Every test since last month has created the correct labels. Ummmm? Stellar wavelength movement?

I’m sure you have heard that the VSO’s veteran support meeting at the Grass Valley Vets Hall went over quite well for a first time event. The VSO, County staff and our Veteran organizations reported that they met veterans they have never seen previously. I believe the VVA signed up a few new members and all the organizations got to relay their activities and support systems in person to these “Newbies”.

Thanks to John Abas and Jean for heading up the cooking for the free lunch the Post underwrote. Thanks to our Scouts for assisting with the BBQ. Thanks to our Auxiliary members for providing the labor to make it all happen. We served about 150 lunches. We’ll keep you updated on the mobile clinic and let you know schedules & services when the info is made available

Just wanted to state my appreciation for the efforts everyone put in to support the Vets at the Health Fair Thursday.

Kudos to my wife and John Abas for playing chef and Craig & Scout troops for helping BBQ. Thanks to the Auxiliary for doing the kitchen support labor and John & troops for tending the bar. Shopping Man Munroe for his usual spree management. 150+/- meals served.

You all have heard repeatedly that there are 10,000 troops in the County. Know that they know you were watching their backs yesterday.

Stand Down is next. Let's do it again.

Adjutant Mike

The VA Mobile Health Clinic, BBQ and Fun

We are very close to introducing a mobile health clinic here on a routine basis. VSO West is in the final stages of establishing an introduction appearance by the VA/Mather/Mobile health unit at the Vet Hall.

The first appearance is tentatively Thursday August 29th which will focus on services and protocols and then afterwards on a monthly basis to the Grass Valley Veterans Hall for Medical services.

We want to make this an over the top happening to service our fellow VETS and show the VA what the demand is and opportunities are. Good demand and reception = more frequent visits or ? ... one can only dream. This may only be a show and tell on the 29th but that's a start.

FREE BBQ Lunch

We are going to stage a BBQ lunch as part of the day. FREE. Mr. Abbas & my wife Jean, will make the food a draw in itself. Maybe have some take home abilities as well. What goes well with good news & good Food? How about some entertainment by our Veteran Guitar instructors and some student VETS?

Obviously many details need to be ironed out which will happen soon. Monitor the Post’s WEB site and your text and e mail for updates as they happen. Questions? Simply call the post’s phone and leave a message 530 575 7002.

Now you know. Stay tuned. Spread the word.

Heads Up

“Blue Star Moms” is an organization founded and dedicated to supporting active military and their families. We will include a special ceremony at this years November 11th Veterans Day event at the Veterans Hall staged by our local “Blue Star Moms”. Expect some special honored guests and a deserved unveiling.

Adjutant Mike