by Ron Brand, Information Officer, California Veterans Home — Chula Vista

This Saturday, our Veterans Home of California – Chula Vista will celebrate 18 years of service to veterans in the San Diego area.

A Founder’s Day celebration will kick off at 11 a.m. and run until 2 p.m. The event will include live music, a barbeque lunch of hamburgers and hot dogs, and children’s activities, such as pony rides, a petting zoo, a rock climbing wall, and a bounce house.

Floyd Ater served as a top turret gunner on a Douglas Aircraft Bomber in the US Army Air Corps between 1944 and 1947.

This year’s event features a special showing of “WWII Veterans Portraits” by photographer Mickey Strand. Strand’s work includes portraits of several of Chula Vista’s resident veterans. The portraits are a rich black and white color and capture the personality and essence of each person. The portraits will be hanging in our entry way until July 5, 2018. The public is welcome to stop by and view the photo exhibit. View more photos on Facebook or watch a video of the project.

Veterans Home of California – Chula Vista was completed in May 2000 and admitted its first resident shortly after. The campus, home to nearly 300 residents, offers veterans domiciliary, assisted living and skilled nursing care.

Resident Antonia “Toni” Lamb attended the home’s grand opening in 2000 to “check the place out.” In February, 2001, she and her husband Walter (now deceased) moved into the home. Toni is now 97 and still living in the independent living section. She will be on hand to celebrate her 18^th Founder’s Day.

Founder’s Day is an annual event at all eight of CalVet’s veterans homes. These events honor the community for their support, as well as celebrating residents and staff. Local Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) are invited, as well as the Chula Vista Veterans Home Foundation and other groups that support the home throughout the year. Representatives from local VSOs will be on hand to assist veterans.