Category Veterans Homes

Navy veteran Don Windle in uniform and now.

MAY A MONTH OF REMEMBRANCE FOR THREE-WAR VET AT REDDING HOME

May is a month of remembrances for 96-year-old U.S. Navy veteran Don Windle. On May 5, 1944, the Navy launched his ship, the USS Aaron Ward (DM-34), a destroyer minelayer commissioned in October of that year. On May 3, 1945, two days shy of a year of its launching and during its first and only […]

Photo of veteran Tom Parkinson with CalVet logo

VETERAN, VOLUNTEER, AND HALL OF FAMER AT YOUNTVILLE HOME

As we conclude Volunteer Recognition Week, here’s one with Hall of Fame credentials. They could hang a plaque honoring Tom Parkinson beyond the centerfield wall of Cleve Borman Field at the Veterans Home of California-Yountville, in the style of Yankee Stadium’s Monument Park. After all, eight years ago, the recent Yountville Home Hall of Fame […]

Photo of Women Veterans writing workshop and CalVet logo

VOLUNTEER TEACHES VETERANS HOW TO BETTER TELL THEIR STORIES

Most veterans have a story to tell, from boot camp or base life, from deployments to discharge. Sometimes, they just need tips on how to tell it. Kristine Mietzner loves to help them. The former journalist, retired educator, and now a staff services manager in CalVet’s Veterans Homes division has spent more than a decade […]

Head and shoulders photo of veteran Ed.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: GRATITUDE FROM VENTURA HOME’S NEWEST VETERAN RESIDENT

Ed Gafford gave rave reviews to his lunch earlier this week at the Veterans Homes of California-Ventura. “The vegetable soup was as good as I’ve ever had,” the 89-year-old U.S. Army veteran said. “A hoagie sandwich, and I had that with a kale salad. A wonderful meal.” Ah, life’s simple pleasures, with his appreciation enhanced […]

Group shot of the Veterans Division team at the CalVet Leadership Summit 2022.

VETERANS DAY IN THE BOOKS? AT CALVET, EVERY DAY IS A NEW PAGE WHEN IT COMES TO SERVING THEM

The parades and picnics are over. Speeches made and proclamations read. The American flags that lined the streets throughout the country and California are neatly folded, stored until the next national holiday. Veterans Day – America’s annual day of thanking veterans for defending this country and the freedoms our Constitution guarantees – is in the […]

A photo of the award that Julian Bond received from CalPers.

CALVET’S VENTURA HOME ADMINISTRATOR BOND HONORED BY CALPERS WITH SPOTLIGHT ON EXCELLENCE AWARD

Julian Bond, administrator of CalVet’s Veterans Homes of California-Ventura, received the 2022 Spotlight on Excellence Award by the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS). The annual award emphasizes the importance of public sector work. It is peer nominated, giving employees of CalPERS contracting agencies the chance to highlight those in their own agencies who go […]

The American and Californian flags.

CALVET’S VETERANS DAY POSTER DEFINES OUR MISSION AND PURPOSE

As a nation, we rely upon our armed forces to protect and defend the Constitution and the rights and freedoms it guarantees. Our servicemembers risk their lives for the reward of maintaining our democracy; even putting this solemn duty ahead of their own wellbeing, families, and loved ones. Yet, over the decades, veterans have had […]

Head shot of Shadowdancer Ortega Melendez, Chumash native and U.S. veteran.

CELEBRATING NATIVE AMERICAN DAY AT CAPITOL TODAY, AND EVERY DAY AT VENTURA VETERANS HOME

Today, hundreds of Native Americans representing many tribes and nations throughout California will converge on the State Capitol’s West Lawn to celebrate their heritage, cultures, and contributions. What began under Governor Culbert Olsen as “Indian Day” in 1939, became “California Indian Day” under Governor Ronald Reagan in 1968, is now “California Native American Day.” It […]

Photo of Cheryl Cardoza, Veterans Homes of California-Fresno

FRESNO VETERANS HOME EMPLOYEE PUTS HER EMERGENCY TRAINING TO USE AT CRASH SCENE IN JUNE

One afternoon late in June, Cheryl Cardoza noticed a plume of dust rising above the road as she drove along Avenue 12 in Madera County.  She was headed home from running some errands on her first day of vacation. Dust in the summer generally suggests that farmers are working in the almond, peach, or pistachio […]

A toddler wearing a yellow dress made from the fabric of a WWII parachute.

Parachute that Brought Supplies to American Pows Now Dressing up Display at Redding Veterans Home

A yellow toddler’s dress might be the last thing you’d expect to find showcased at a veterans home. Photographs, medals, battlefield souvenirs, or old newspaper clippings? Sure. But a little yellow silk dress? Yet, there is displayed in the Hall of Honor deep inside the Veterans Homes of California-Redding, on loan from the family of […]