Opportunity to Donate to California Veterans Homes with 2011 CA State Income Tax Refunds

Sacramento, CA, March 29, 2012, 8:00am - California Veterans Home advocates are asking taxpayers to consider donating to the California Veterans Home Fund when filing their 2011 California Income Tax Returns before April 17, 2012.  A simple check mark on your state income tax form this year can help veterans living in one of the California Veterans Homes live a more fulfilling life by providing recreational materials such as movies and books as well as social events like trips to ballgames concerts.  The total received by the State is divided and distributed among each of the six Veterans Homes of California located throughout the state.  Construction is now underway to build two additional Veterans Homes in Fresno and Redding.  The California Veterans Home Fund was established in 2010 allowing taxpayers to donate directly to this fund from their State Income Tax refunds.  To date, nearly 19,000 California taxpayers have donated approximately $210,000.  According to retired Major General Peter Gravett, Secretary of the California Department of Veterans Affairs, this program is an easy way to give back to those who have given so much to our country.  The Fund is Code #417 on Line #110 of the California Form 540 for the 2011 tax year.

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SB County Supervisors Approve Veteran Training Program

Big Bear, Ca, February 15, 2012, 3:00pm – The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors earlier this week approved a program to train veterans, military family members and other personnel to assist veterans in dealing with the emotional and mental health issues experienced by some former military personnel. “With five military bases in our county, including Fort Irwin and Twentynine Palms where many soldiers and Marines were trained for deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan, we have numerous veterans who have experienced heavy combat and are now wrestling with the stress and strain on their mental health and on their family lives,” said First District Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt, who served as a Marine in Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. “This training will help veterans to recognize potential problems in their colleagues and help them implement personal strategies to handle those problems.”  The Board agreed to increase the contract with Trauma Resource Institute by $145,892, which is fully funded by Mental Health Services Act Innovation funds.  The increase will allow for about 30 veterans and 17 contract personnel, military personnel and/or their families to be trained in techniques to control stress and maintain general wellness for those who have experienced traumatic events, as well as their family members. It is expected that those who undergo the training will be able to train up to 200 others per year throughout the broader military community to overcome the challenges they face and build healthy lives.  For information related to the training, contact the Department of Behavioral Health Office of Innovation at(909) 252-4006. To learn more about available veterans services, please contact the Department of Veterans Affairs at (909) 387-5516 or toll free at (877) 4SB-VETS.

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Veterans Sought for No-Cost Job Training

San Bernardino, CA, January 16, 2012, 8:00am – The San Bernardino County Workforce Investment Board is seeking 50 veterans discharged from the military during the last four years to participate in free job training programs for local green industries. The deadline for veterans to complete their no-cost training and obtain a job certification is March 31, 2012. The program is open to a total of 100 veterans, with 50 of those openings reserved for veterans who separated from the military in the past 48 months. Openings for the recently discharged veterans are still available. The training programs will teach the skills needed for green jobs available with local employers. Green industries include solar panel maintenance and installation, sustainable and recycled products manufacturing, transportation and logistics using alternative fuels and hundreds of other industries. Interested veterans can apply at the San Bernardino County One-Stop Employment Resource Center in Hesperia, Rancho Cucamonga or San Bernardino.

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Veteran’s Day Ceremony Moved Indoors Due to Possible Weather

Big Bear, Ca, November 8, 2011, 12:00pm - Due to possible cold weather storms this Friday, the American Legion Post 584 is moving the annual Veterans’ Day ceremony at 11:11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 11, to the Big Bear Convention Center.  Post Commander Bill Wilson said the traditional celebration that honors America’s military veterans was being moved indoors due to forecasts calling for rain and snow on Friday.  “We’ve never canceled a ceremony,” Wilson said, “and Monica and Anthony Marini were gracious to literally open their doors to the convention center so we can again salute our military veterans.”  County Supervisor Neil Derry, a former Marine who served in the first Gulf War, will be a guest speaker and Post Commander Wilson will read letters from area children to service men and women. The American’ Legion’s Color Guard will post the colors of each of America’s services, and veterans will be invited to stand with the flags of their branch of service.  All Big Bear Valley residents are invited to join with the American Legion and city officials in this annual recognition of America’s veterans.  The Convention Center is at 42900 Big Bear Blvd. Doors will open at 10:30 a.m for the ceremony.  For more information, contact the American Legion at 909-866-4845.

Memorial Day Ceremony in Veterans Park

Big Bear, Ca May 28, 2011 12:00 pm – A special program commemorating Memorial Day and the sacrifices made by United States military personnel will be held in Big Bear Lake on Monday.  A procession will leave will leave the intersection of Village Drive and Pine Knot Avenue at 9:30 am lead by Major Nelson Reynolds, US Air Force Retired and San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Deputy Jeremiah MacKay playing the bagpipes.  The procession will arrive at Veteran’s Park by 10:00 am, where Master Sergeant Larry Breazeale, USAF Ret, will be the keynote speaker for the ceremony.  Additional participants include the Marine Corps League Color Guard, the American Legion Post Honor Guard, the American Legion Women’s Auxillary, Officials from the City of Big Bear Lake, the local Girl and Boy Scout troops, and Reverend Tom Goodman of the American Legion.  Vocal selections will be provided by Megn Iona, Tori Waner, Jodi Kline, and Holly Lavinger.  The public is invited to attend both the procession and the ceremony.

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Welcome Home Vietnam Vets Day March 30

Big Bear, Ca March 29, 2011 8:00 am – On March 7, 2011, the US Senate declared March 30 “Welcome Home Vietnam Veteran’s Day”.  Big Bear’s American Legion Post 584 will celebrate this day with an open house for all Vietnam Veterans and their families, beginning at 5:00 pm.  Once again on the menu will be “stuff on a shingle”.  Post 584 will also offer a free one-year membership to any Vietnam veteran hoping to join.  The Woody Woodward American Legion Post 584 is located at 41606 Big Bear Blvd.  Call 909-866-4845 for additional information.

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Fee Free Day In Honor Of America’s Veterans

Big Bear, Ca, November 1, 2010, 12:00pm – In honor of America’s Veterans and Armed Services personnel, Thursday, November 11, will be a “Fee Free Day” on the national forests in Southern California. The National Forest Adventure Pass will not be required for visitors in the San Bernardino, Angeles, Cleveland and Los Padres National Forests.  The Forest Service is working to ensure as many visitors as possible have the opportunity to experience the great outdoors and take advantage of the recreational activities America’s national forests and grasslands have to offer.  Southern California Recreation Fee Program Manager Al Colby says “By waiving fees, the Forest Service hopes everyone will have the opportunity to enjoy the wonder and rejuvenation of recreation on national forests and grasslands, while also honoring our country’s veterans,”  The Veterans Day Free Day is observed each year on November 11, regardless of the day of the week. In addition to Veterans Day, the Southern California national forests also waive fees on National Trails Day in June and National Public Lands Day in September.  For additional information about free days and the Recreation Fee program on Southern California national forests, contact the Big Bear Discovery Center 909-382-2790 for additional information.

Freedom Isn’t Free: We Salute 35 Hometown Military Heroes on Independence Day

Big Bear Valley, CA — As we celebrate our Independence Day, our friends at the American Legion Post 584 remind that freedom isn’t free. Thirty-five of the Big Bear Valley’s sons and daughters have already served in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and three of those sons–U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Rex Kenyon, U.S. Army Specialist Adam Rosema, and U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lieutenant Jared Landaker–have paid the ultimate price.
Today, we salute those from our community who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan: with the U.S. Army, Staff Sergeant Marc Little, Specialist 4 Ruth Nash, Specialist 4 Ruben Moody, Sergeant Selena Knowlton, Sergeant Josh Halverson, Specialist Zachary Baum, Specialist Erik Crisanti, Private First Class William Carroll, Sergeant Aaron Richert, Specialist 4 Dominic Solomon, Specialist 4 John Whalen, Specialist 4 Shannon McPherson, Private First Class Nathan Williams, Staff Sergeant Jacques Keeslar, Sergeant Gilbert Paiz and Sergeant Ben Siep; with the Air National Guard, Sergeant Al Groover; with the U.S. Navy, Petty Officer Third Class David Pickett and Navyman Brian Costanzo; and, serving with the U.S. Marine Corps, Corporal Jason Mazur, Corporal Kevin England, Corporal Anthony Rasmussen, Corporal Matthew Shelby,  Corporal Christopher Romero, Lance Corporal James Algeo and Sergeant Aaron Botenhagen.
On this Fourth of July, let us also celebrate six who, rather than at home in Big Bear, are currently serving in Iraq and Afghanistan: Sergeant Scott Zimmerman, Specialist 4 John O’Hare, PFC Shawn Kessinger, Timothy Armstrong and Victor Belotti with the U.S. Army and Sergeant Robert Seevers and with the U.S. Marine Corps.
Our thanks, also, to the families of these brave Americans.

Big Bear Valley Honors Our Fallen Heroes on Memorial Day: “Never, Ever, Ever Forget the Magnitude of Their Sacrifice”

Big Bear Lake, CA — This morning’s Memorial Day ceremony, lakeside at Veterans Park in Big Bear Lake, was a moving tribute, in word and song, to honor our military veterans. Before the Fallen Warriors of Big Bear Valley memorial wall, Mayor Liz Harris welcomed those in attendance “to honor those who so valiantly serve our country, in times of war and peace” and noted that “our freedoms are the envy of many.” On this, Memorial Day, keynote speaker Chief Master Sergeant Noel Furniss, a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, Coast Guard and the Air Force, reminded, “It’s not a day of fun, it’s a day of remembrance. Today is not a day to honor war, but a day to honor our fallen war dead.” He then led those at Veterans Park in reciting the oath of American servicemen and women, later singling out the words: “support and defend, true faith and allegiance, so help me God.” The Chief, as he is known to the Big Bear Valley Marine Corps Detachment 1038 and the American Legion Post 584, said of those who have taken the oath: “They chose to be warriors, and protect us from harm. Let us never, ever forget. We can never forget what the cost of freedom is about.” He also asked that we, each American, renew our pledge to honor all military widows, mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters. “Remember the freedoms you so enjoy,” he added, “God bless America and God bless our fallen troops.” Today’s Day of Remembrance was dedicated to U.S. Marine Lieutenant Don Brown, a member of our American Legion who passed unexpectedly on May 23. Master of Ceremonies Steve Schindler, with the local Marine Corps Detachment, asked that ceremony attendees make a point of hugging our veterans and saluted three young men, each of whom gave their life in Iraq or Afghanistan, dubbing them our “Big Bear heroes”: U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Rex Kenyon, U.S. Army Specialist Adam Rosema, and U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lieutenant Jared Landaker. In closing prayer, Reverend Tom Goodman of the Legion closed with “Never, ever, ever forget the magnitude of their sacrifice.”

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