In one of the early great sea victories of the American Revolution, John Paul Jones commanded the Bonhomme Richard as it defeated two British warships, the Serapis and the Countess of Scarborough, off the coast of England on September 23, 1779. Early in 1779, King Louis XVI received a visit from Benjamin Franklin, dispatched by […]
In September 2011, President Obama ended the controversial “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy that for 17 years allowed LGBTQ to serve in the United States military only if they kept their sexual orientation secret and the military didn’t find out about it. The repeal of this oppressive practice enabled gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals to […]
POW-MIA BRACELETS BROUGHT ATTENTION TO THE CAUSE, SOLDIERS HOME IN 1970s As the Vietnam War raged into the 1970s, the North Vietnamese had captured hundreds of American soldiers and airmen, with many more reported as missing in action. A young college student took it upon herself to make sure Americans did not forget about them. […]
Nineteen years ago today, the terrorists’ attacks on the Twin Towers in New York City and on the Pentagon changed America forever. The first attack on American soil since Pearl Harbor killed 2,977 people and injured 6,000 others. The attacks set off a range of emotions, from the initial shock of the devastation and the […]
U.S. Navy veteran Jonna Padgett knew CalVet’s Home Loans Program existed, but had never taken advantage of the program. Contractor Greg Garbolinsky of Aristotle Custom Homes was aware of the program, though he was relatively new to the state and had not yet built a home for a veteran in California. Even so, he encouraged […]
The gauntlet thrown, the challenge issued – or at least refreshed. Count the employees of the Veterans Homes of California-Barstow among those who show their support not only for the veterans they care for at the Home, but also for those currently serving and now deployed. Hence, the R.E.D. Fridays challenge, the R.E.D. standing for […]
Certainly, September 2, 1945, stands as one of the most monumental days in modern times, as judged by the number of monuments that followed. On this day 75 years ago, Japanese officials boarded the battleship USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, and signed the documents of surrender that ended World War II. Later that same day, […]
As Californians once again begin to recover from catastrophic wildfires throughout the state, the California Department of Veterans Affairs stands ready to assist veterans affected by the blazes. Click here to visit CalVet’s wildfires page, which provides important information, including a list of Local Assistance Centers open in affected areas, links, and contacts for veterans. […]
The United States Marine Corps Reserve turns 104 today, and remains as important as ever as defenders of the nation. Congress passed the Naval Appropriations Act on August 29, 1916, which created the Reserve. The Reserve trains and prepares its force to mobilize for active duty in wartime, national emergencies, and other operations. They provide […]
Are you a service member or among the nearly 1.6 million veterans living in California? Do you want to buy a home? Do you want to return to school or find a new career in the civilian world? Do you need help navigating the VA’s medical system, or need information about any of your other […]
