LAKE COUNTY ? Collaborative efforts between agencies are the backbone to veterans” organizations in Lake County. While there are several different agencies service men and women are encouraged to join, all are united in the common goal of strengthening the voice of the veteran in Lake County and across the nation.
Area organizations often host fundraisers in benefit of fellow agencies. Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 2337, of Clearlake, held one such event on Saturday in benefit of the United Veterans Council (UVC).
“All veterans” organizations are members of the United Veterans Council,” UVC President Frank Parker said. “The UVC is a pretty good organization and out of that came the Honors Team.”
Parker said the Military Honors Team, which is authorized and certified by the Department of Justice, conducted its 653rd funeral on Saturday just prior to making it to the barbecue at the VFW. The team provided full military honors for longtime Lower Lake businessman and community leader Bruce Dietrick.
“We are dedicated to ensuring that all men and women who served this nation are recognized with the honor they so proudly deserve at their time of passing. It is a noble ceremony that includes a three volley salute, the playing of “Taps” by the bugler, and the folding of the flag and presentation to next of kin,” Rich Feiro, Military Honors Team firing party commander said. “These services are available to all honorably discharged veterans of Lake County. We provide these services because it is the right thing to do.”
Veterans Affairs estimates that there are approximately 8,000 veterans residing in Lake County. All area veterans” organizations continually seek new members, especially those representing the younger generation.
“We are looking for the younger vets to participate in our organizations, not just the American Legion but also the VFW,” American Legion Post No. 437 Commander Dennis Alexander said. “The veterans” voice is only as strong as its membership. The VFW and the American Legion represent the loudest voice for the veterans in this nation.”
Membership opportunities for veterans are abundant in Lake County. Organizations operate out of Clearlake, Lakeport and Kelseyville. Veterans seeking membership are encouraged to contact one of the following organizations for more information:
?Vietnam Veterans of America meets on the second Tuesday of the month at St. Mary”s Immaculate Catholic Church, Lakeport. Contact Dean Gotham at 350-1159.
?Disabled American Veterans Chapter No. 83 meets at 10 a.m. on the third Saturday of the month at the Presbyterian Church in Kelseyville. Contact Jerry Schiffman at 994-9571.
?Pearl Harbor Survivors, not local post. Contact Jim Harris at 274-5583.
?American Legion: Tredway Post No. 194 meets at 6 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of the month at 502 Second Street in Kelseyville. Contact Jim Merriman at 279-2411; Konocti Post No. 437 meets at 4 p.m. the fourth Wednesday of the month at 14770 Austin Road in Clearlake. Contact Dennis Alexander at 994-8115; Starview Post No. 850, Cobb. Contact Richard McCausland at 928-4958; and Forty & Eight Voiture No. 299 meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 14770 Austin Road in Clearlake. Contact Dennis Alexander at 994-8115.
?VFW Post No. 2015 meets at 6:30 p.m. on the second Monday of the month at the Lakeport Senior Center, 527 Konocti Ave. in Lakeport. Contact Robert Deppe at 348-6009 or Rocky at 263-1009; Post No. 2337 meets at 2 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month at 3980 Veterans Way in Clearlake. Contact David Martin at 994-0646 or 994-4748.
?United Veterans Council meets at 10 a.m. on the first Thursday of the month in the Mitchell Building at Lower Lake Cemetery. Contact Veterans Service Office at 263-2384; Military Honors Team contact Rich Feiro at 279-2299; for Avenue of Flags contact area cemetery for more contact person.
?Military Officers Association of America meets at noon on the third Thursday of the month at Zino”s Restaurant in Kelseyville. Contact Dan Christensen at 263-3297.
Lake County veterans are anticipating the opening of a new VA outpatient clinic in the City of Clearlake. The facility is expected to operational by Oct. 1. Commander Alexander said that volunteers are currently being sought to help push wheelchairs and perform other tasks at the clinic. Contact American Legion Post No. 437 at 994-8115 for more information.
Additionally, a site tour to celebrate the initiation of the project is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. April 6 at 15145 Lakeshore Drive in Clearlake, which is the former location of Lake County Mental Health. Congressman Mike Thompson, who was instrumental in the project, is expected to join in the occasion. The public is welcome to attend.
Contact South County reporter Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
