CLEARLAKE >> Lake County Republican Women, Federated (LCRWF) held their June 14, Flag Day, meeting at Howard’s Grotto in Clearlake. The meeting opened with the history of Flag Day.
It all began in 1885 when a schoolteacher in Wisconsin arranged for his children to observe June 14 as ‘Flag Birthday.’ That was the 108th anniversary of the official adoption of The Stars and Stripes. After years of state and local celebrations and proclamations, on August 3, 1949, President Truman signed an Act of Congress designating June 14 of each year as National Flag Day. After a detailed history of Flag Day, there was a resounding Pledge of Allegiance to our flag by the membership.
President Marcia Chauvin surprised everyone by showing a replica of the very first flag flown on “Washington’s Secret Navy.” In 1775, it was the beginning of the American Revolution when George Washington commissioned six privately owned schooners and started his own navy. The flags flown on these ships were white with an evergreen tree in the middle and the words “An Appeal to Heaven” stitched across. The original schooners bearing the “Appeal to Heaven” flags continued capturing British ships and performing special services for the remainder of the war as our new Navy was being formed.
Although, Supervisor Rob Brown had been scheduled to speak, he was unable to attend due to a rescheduled Board of Supervisors meeting.
In Brown’s absence, LCRWF welcomed Frank A. Parker, Past President of United Veterans Council of Lake County, to explain the work of the council and the many organizations in Lake County helping veterans. Parker served as president of the council for nine years. At this time, he is Committee Chair for Lake County Vet Connect. Once a year he serves on the Committee for Lake and Mendocino Homeless Veterans “Stand Down.” All of these activities focus on a “hand up” approach, not a “hand out.”
Parker explained the local work for our many male and female veterans as follows:
The United Veterans Council of Lake County, Inc. ( UVC), is made up of all Congressionally Chartered Veterans Service Organizations within Lake County. They include American Legion Posts 194 & 437, Disabled American Veterans Chapter 83, Veterans of Foreign Wars Posts 2015 & 2337, Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 951, and Disabled American Veterans Chapter 83. Operation Tango Mike has been voted in as an honorary member of the Council.
The Council was originally formed for the purpose of communicating veteran issues to all service organizations, as well as the Veterans Administration (VA).
The three Outreach Programs include:
The 2011 Lake County Vet Connect, is a program that offers a veteran avenues to have issues resolved, including, but limited to Housing, Food, Counseling, VA Enrollment, etc. Vet Connect Clinics are held each quarter. The most recent clinic was June 21 at the American Legion Hall, Clearlake. Providers include the VA, County Services and local non-profits that are there to support our veterans.
The 2014 Lake-Mendocino Stand/Veterans Resource Fair, a once a year program, will take place September 27and 28 at Lake County Fair Grounds, Lakeport. It is much like the Vet Connect Program only that more services are offered to veterans. with a focus on the homeless veteran. Providers include, but not limited to VA, Cal Vet, One Justice, County Services, Dental Services, lunch, haircuts, etc.,with homeless veterans having priority.
The 2017 UVC Outreach handles veteran issues that require immediate need, such as travel to a VA facility.
Parker explained in his opening remarks that state and federal funds for such programs are extremely limited, but are costly to provide. He invites the community to contact him at 707-274-9512 or parkerhouse@mchsi.com to learn how one can assist with the work, from donating clothing to monetary contributions or physically volunteering. All assistance is greatly appreciated.
Also attending this meeting was veteran Griff Ratterree, a member of the Lake County Honor Team. Ratterree also serves Lake County veterans by getting medical devices, such as wheel chairs, to them when they are needed.
LCRWF will hold their next meeting on July 12, at which time Ruby Glebe will present a program on the History of Lake County in celebration of her one-hundred third birthday.
