Category Veterans Homes
THANKING WW II VETERANS FROM THE OPEN COCKPIT OF A BI-PLANE
NAPA – Bob Bischoff climbed into the front seat of a 1943 Boeing Stearman bi-plane earlier this week for a joyride over the Napa Valley’s vineyards and neighborhoods. Referring to pilot Andrew Lohmar, Bischoff said “He would turn like this,” then turned his hands downward as if an airplane. The 95-year-old U.S. Army veteran continued, […]
PASSION, DUTY, AND A LABOR OF LOVE: HELPING VETERANS AT CALVET IS ALL OF THE ABOVE
For those of us who work at the California Department of Veterans Affairs, however, every day is Veterans Day. It is our passion, our duty, and a labor of love to help veterans in all ways within our means. Many who work for CalVet are veterans themselves — veterans serving veterans. You, too, can make […]
AIR FORCE BAND BRINGING LIVE MUSIC BACK TO VENTURA VETERANS HOME
They’ve been spending much of the past 16 months in the wild bored yonder. They’ve been mostly limited to the halls of Ventura. They’ve been anchored away from family and friends. And, they’ve been longing to say “Hi! Hi! Hey” and go upon their merry way. Now, however, with COVID-19 pandemic restrictions finally easing, the […]
HEROES IN OUR HOMES – CALM AMID THE STORM
CalVet Connect highlights another hero among the staff members who have gone above and beyond the call of duty in caring for our veterans and their spouses at our Veterans Homes of California during the COVID-19 pandemic. BARSTOW HOME’S CHIEF NURSE BROUGHT CALM AMID COVID-19 STORM Throughout the pandemic, Theresa Estep found herself playing many […]
HEROES IN OUR HOMES — BREAKING THE CYCLE OF BOREDOM
CalVet Connect highlights another hero among the staff members who have gone above and beyond the call of duty in caring for our veterans and their spouses at our Veterans Homes of California during the COVID-19 pandemic. BREAKING THE CYCLE OF BOREDOM WITH A DRIVE-BY PARADE Washing hands. Wearing a mask. Watching your distance. These […]
A MOTHER’S DAY WEEKEND THAT SEEMS LIKE OLD TIMES AT VETERANS HOME OF CALIFORNIA-REDDING
Most Mother’s Days, Carol Berry’s children come to visit her at the Veterans Homes of California-Redding. Hugs. Lunch. Time together. Not last year’s, though. The COVID-19 pandemic prohibited Mother’s Day visits in 2020, just as it did for all other holidays and special days at the eight homes owned and operated by the California Department of Veterans Affairs. “The whole world was turned […]
HEROES IN OUR HOMES – CODE BLUE IN A RED ZONE
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, our staff members at CalVet’s eight Veterans Homes of California have consistently gone beyond the call of duty to care for our veterans and their spouses. They are a huge part of CalVet’s success minimizing the spread of the virus at our Homes. Therefore, it is my honor and privilege to […]
CHINESE AMERICAN VETERAN RECEIVES CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL AT CALVET’S WEST LA VETERANS HOME
Wellington Yee Kwan, a World War II veteran and resident of the Veterans Home of California-West Los Angeles, received the Congressional Gold Medal on April 18 during a private ceremony at the Home. Kwan, who is 98, can be counted among the 20,000 Chinese American World War II veterans eligible to receive the medal for […]
WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH: TWO WHO MADE HUGE IMPACTS ON YOUNTVILLE VETERANS HOME AND BEYOND
CalVet closes Women’s History Month by remembering Mary Dunaway and Virginia Mae Days. These two women made tremendously positive impacts on the Veterans Home of California-Yountville, impacts that are felt throughout all of CalVet’s eight veterans homes today. In October 1945, Dunaway toured the Yountville Home campus and came away with two ideas: to build […]
GIVING THANKS AT THANKSGIVING TO VETERANS AT CALVET HOMES
On Veterans Day a couple of weeks ago, many folks thanked our military veterans for their service in defending our constitution. COVID-19 restrictions prevented the firm handshakes and warm hugs that once carried the day, and gave way to drive-by parades, salutes from afar, and virtual greetings. Still, the sentiments were genuine, heartfelt, and very […]
