Wartime Letters: A window into realities of war Veterans Day Remarks: • Ridgecrest mayor Peggy Breeden...... 8 • NAWCWD commander Rear Adm. Scott Dillon...... 9 • Kern County First District Supervisor Mick Gleason...... 10 Leaving a Legacy: Ways to celebrate veterans before they pass on and after they’ve died...... 11 In foster homes, veterans are cared for like family...... 16

JACK BARNWELL/DAILY INDEPENDENT FILE PHOTO Attendees salute the U.S. flag during the Veterans Day ceremony at VFW Ship 4084 in 2017. This year’s event will begin at 11 a.m. on Sunday.

Robert E. Bloudek U.S. Navy - Journalist Pete Smith Howard Edwin Auld William C. Elliott Discharged U.S. Air Force - Retired U.S. Navy - Deceased U.S. Marine Corps - Discharged

14 Years Active January 31, 1944 - June 6, 1946 2 Years Service 1966-1968 4 Years Service Meritorious Service Victory Medal WWII Good Conduct Medal Navy Commendation National Defence Good Conduct National Defense Vietnam Service Medal Expert Pistol Rifleman-Sharpshooter

Honoring and Thanking our Service Men and Women for all they do to Protect our Freedoms

HONORING AND THANKING ALL PROUDLY HONORING ALL WHO HAVE SERVED WHO HAVE SERVED THANK YOU FOR YOUR SACRIFICE TO PROTECT OUR GREAT COUNTRY

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Wartime Letters: A window into realities of war BY JACK BARNWELL “What is so breathtaking about the correspondence For The Daily Independent is the history they capture,” Carroll told a room full of veterans and active duty service members. artime letters provide a window into the He recounted a question asked of him by an realities of such times, according to Chap- Iraqi soldier during a visit to that country. Wman University’s Andrew Carroll. “‘Why focus on war letters,’ he asked me,” Carroll “I’ve traveled to all 50 states and 40 countries in said. “No one had asked that me that before and I search of letters,” Carroll said. mumbled that this is very personal project me and Carroll spoke at the October Historical Society I thought it was worth saving history.” of the Upper Mojave Desert’s veterans luncheon However, he noted there was more to the story on the topic, highlighting his personal mission of than that answer. Carroll noted he doesn’t come collecting such correspondence. Carroll serves as from a military background and hated history director of Chapman’s Center for American War growing up, an irony not lost on him considering Letters, which contains hundreds of thousands of his profession. correspondence dating all the way back to the “My sophomore year in college, our house in American Revolutionary War. Washington, D.C. burned to the ground and we CREATIVE COMMONS PHOTO

First Sergeant Richard Stinnett PFC Andrew J. Carr James R. Carr CTI2 Alyson K. Reamy U.S. Air Force U.S. Army - Deceased U.S. Army - Retired U.S. Navy - Active Honorable Discharge 3 Years Service 21 Years Service 1961 - 1982 2014 - Present 4 Years Service WWII 2 Meritorious Service Medals WWII First Infantry Division - 2 Army Commendation Medals Germany Army Nuclear Power Plant Operator Badge

4 VETERANS DAY SALUTE 2018 everything we had went up in smoke,” Carroll said. He said a distant cousin of his, a War World II veteran pilot named Jim, contacted him about WWII memorabilia he had stored which included a letter written to his wife in 1945. Carroll held the letter up for the as- sembled group of veterans to see. An onion-piece of paper protected by a plastic sleeve, the letter contained Jim’s reflection on why he realized U.S. soldiers were in Europe fighting Nazi Germany. Carroll said the letter described his cousin’s walkthrough of a concentration camp the Allies had liberated. “I will never forget the contrast of holding this very thin paper and com- paring it to the weight and significance of its contents,” Carroll said. He said that letter was “the spark to start talk- ing to other veterans about what they do with their correspondence.” Through word of mouth, he started collecting dozens of letters. Dozens turned into hundreds and thousands. He gave it a name:—The Legacy Proj- ect — in 1998 to preserve the legacy of troops through their memories and letters. Carroll said he wrote to the Dear

Abby Column some 20 years ago about JACK BARNWELL/DAILY INDEPENDENT FILE PHOTO his project and soon after that his The Historic USO Building hosts a Veterans Breakfast each month on the third Thursday. post office was inundated with let- ters. different eras and conflicts, and high- tangle with a large hole, started off, censors,” Carroll said. “It was only be- From there, the project ballooned. lighted how soldiers in WWI and “Dear Mom and Dad, so here I am in cause Bill’s mother had been pestering Chapman University established the WWII used censorship of letters to ...” followed by the huge chunk cut him to write home and this was just center after Carroll donated more their advantage, including coming up out, and ending with “Well, I hope so easier.” than 100,000 wartime letters in 2013. with codes they relayed to their loved too. Love Bill. P.S: They might censor Some letters described moments It is housed at the Leatherby Libraries ones. this letter.” and eye witness accounts of historical building in Orange, Calif. And then there were letters with a “What I found out from his brother moments such as one sailor’s involve- In addition to the center and his humorous story behind them. Ernie is that Bill would take a piece ment during Imperial Japan’s attack project, Carroll has written several One letter written by a Bill Kaiser of paper, write the first line, jump on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. books around the subject. during WW II from the Pacific Theater, down to the bottom, and then he Another was a letter collected by a He brought with him letters from which was nothing more than a rec- would cut out the middle, blame the Union soldier from a dead Confederate

Thanking those who Serve Thanking and We Support our Troops FREE 1 FREE Honoring all 6” Sandwich Meal Who Serve to Scoop Protect our with Military ID with Military ID on Veterans Day on Veterans Day Freedom

501 N. China Lake Blvd. (760) 371-1376 501 N. China Lake Blvd 216 S. Norma St., 1-760-384-4541 Ridgecrest, CA 93555 1-760-384-3131 FD 1184 VETERANS DAY SALUTE 2018 5 soldier’s body during the Civil War sonal to me and but also important and then passed down through gen- to history.” erations. Baker served from 1953 to 1957, Honoring and Others described near-death expe- serving in South Korea toward the riences during World War II, or Viet- tail end of the Korean War. Thanking all nam War. Some were written on paper, He said the letters he wrote were others video messages burned on personal and important, and while DVDs during the second Iraqi War he hadn’t thought about saving or Who Serve following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist sharing them, Carroll’s presentation attacks. More still take the form of might make him reconsider, providing emails sent between service members he still has some. and loved ones. “This might sound flippant but I A 14-page narrative describe’s one wrote letters because it was the only civilian woman’s account of the af- way to communicate back then,” Baker 501 W. Ridgecrest Blvd., Ridgecrest, CA (760) 375-4123 termath right after the planes hit the said. “Phone calls were expensive, World Trade Center in New York City email wasn’t around then and it was on Sept. 11. She had been giving a the only way I could hear news from presentation when the terrorist attack home.” This nation will remain occurred, resulting soon after in the Carroll told the Daily Independent evacuation of their building near following his presentation that he is the land of the free only Ground Zero. Carroll said that the working on a new project called “Mil- so long as it is the pages carry tear stains from when the lion Letters Campaign.” woman wrote the letter. “I’m just barnstorming the country home of the brave. “Our focus really is on those who talking to museums, libraries, historical haven’t gotten their dues in the history societies, veterans groups and high books,” Carroll said. schools, encouraging people to seek Elmer Davis He added that letters are a true tes- out war letters,” Carroll said. “It’s timony to the memory of war. amazing wherever I go, there are just “When we think of war memorials, so many of these letters out there and we envision these grand structures of our urgency is to get them preserved stone and steel,” Carroll said. “But to before they’re lost.” me, these letters as fragile as they ap- He said one of the center’s goals pear, are really one of the most pow- was to preserve letters from service erful and enduring tributes to those members who “haven’t gotten their WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK AND who served and their loved ones be- due,” adding that group includes HONOR ALL THE BRAVE SERVICE cause they remind us of their sacrifices African American, Latino, and Asian beyond the battlefield.” American soldiers and veterans, MEN AND WOMEN WHO He said it extends to missed mo- women who served in the military, as ments. well as spouses. SERVE TO PROTECT OUR “It’s not just the risk of being wound- “History buffs know about them, ed on the battlefield ... it’s not being but the general population I think GREAT NATION there when a child is born, it’s missing some times don’t know some of the birthdays, anniversaries and stresses extraordinary individuals who are out MICHAEL’S CERTIFIED AIR, INC. on relationships,” Carroll said. “It’s there,” Carroll said. HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING those who witnessed the ferocity of He said letters aren’t just someone’s battle firsthand, the memories they recollections. Commercial & Residential will never forget. Most of all, they re- “This is someone writing, telling CA. LIC# 969915 760-608-7957 • 1037 W. Graaf, Ridgecrest BONDED/INSURED mind of us that these soldiers, Marines, people what it feels like, and I think sailors, and airmen — all of them — for people who want to learn more is somebody’s children, or spouse or about war, these letters make it human HONORING ALL OF THE BRAVE parents.” and makes it real,” Carroll said. MEN AND WOMEN WHO 10% He said they represent their voices, Tex Hoppus, president of the His- Discount their memories, moments lost and- torical Society, said he’s in the process SERVE OUR GREAT NATION for all shared. of setting up a drop off point in case Veterans “No one can tell them better local Ridgecrest and Trona residents THANK YOU FOR than you veterans can,” Carroll said. wish to donate their own letters to Harley Baker, a Ridgecrest resident the Center for American War Letters. YOUR SERVICE and Air Force veteran who served The drop off point would be at the during the Korean War, said Carroll’s Historic USO Building, 230 W. Ridge- For All Your Picture Framing Needs project resonated with him. crest Blvd. FRAMING • MATTING • ENGRAVING “My primary reaction was the fact For more information on the Center 231 W Ridgecrest Blvd. • 760.384.2030 of the memories he [Carroll] stirred for American War Letters and the up from my military days,” Baker said. Legacy Project, visit www.warletters.us. [email protected] “”I wrote letters then, they were per- ❖ Celebrate Veterans Day at VFW Ship 4084 VFW Ship 4084, 117 N. Alvord Street, will host a Veterans Day Ceremony, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I. Shannon Grove, candidate for the 16th State Senate seat, will be the guest speaker. There will be a potluck lunch to follow the ceremony. For more information, call 760-375-4084.

Reuben P. Gomez Sr Robert Lusher U.S. Navy - Retired U.S. Navy U.S. Army National Guard 1955 - 1959 & 1963 - 1980

8 Years Service Vietnam Campaign Medal Vietnam Gallantry Cross With Palm Navy Humanitarian Medal With Bronze Star Operation Iraqi Freedom Vietnam Service Medal With 3 Bronze Stars 2005-2006 National Defence Medal Navy Good Conduct Medal With 4 Bronze Stars Battle Efficiency Ribbon Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon With Bronze Star

Honoring All Who Have Served To Allow Us Our Freedom Veterans Day remarks from Ridgecrest mayor Peggy Breeden n this patriotic community when I ever thought: a group serving for all of Today, people throughout this com- name my favorite holidays, I often us in the Armed Forces. Someone each munity will gather together to remember, Ithink of waving flags. However just of us owe a debt we will never be able to to honor, and to offer homage to those a flag is nice and very appreciated but repay in full but must never cease to who have served our country. This is so is an individual word – a special try! just one Community’s spark that I hope thank you to those serving now and es- Millions of Americans have fought will grab our Nation and fill us with pecially to those who have served. and died on battlefields here and abroad honest thanks, not for just a day off, but Many of them didn’t ask to leave their to defend our freedoms and way of life. in recognition that there goes a hero - homes to fight on distant battlefields as Today our troops continue to make the someone who has or continues to serve in the past, when service was mandated, ultimate sacrifices, and even as we lose so that we may always be - Americans! now all volunteer. They do not do so be- men and women, more Americans step So please speak out - say thank you to cause they love fighting. They serve to forward to say, “Count me in!” all of our Veterans! be part of something greater than they

SPO Jered S. Roark Neil Jerome Elmquist Niles T. Elmquist Joy L. Leach U.S. Army U.S. Army - Retired U.S. Army U.S. Navy - Discharged

2001 - 2004 1945 - 1946 1952 - 1955

Army Commendation Medal WWII Victory Medal Distinguished Flying Cross Korean War Veteran Army Achievement Medal Expert Sharp Shooter Medal Sharpshooter Medal Good Conduct Medal Good Conduct Medal Good Conduct Overseas Medal National Defense Medal

Honoring and Remembering Our We Proudly Salute Brave Veterans All Veterans and Military Personnel Thank you Mon-Fri 7-6, Sat & Sun 8-5 520 Richmond Road 877-459-6237 (toll free) www.desertempirefair.com 760-375-8000 4700 Lake Isabella Bl., Lake Isabella www.lmlumber.com 8 VETERANS DAY SALUTE 2018 Veterans Day remarks from NAWCWD commander Rear Adm. Scott Dillon his Veterans Day weekend, Naval had brought "vast resources, material and of civilian career fields. I see it among the Air Warfare Center Weapons Division moral," to the assistance of allies who had veterans, family members, friends and Twill pause to remember and to honor "suffered and sacrificed without limit in supporters who continue to serve our local the service of all U.S. military veterans - the cause for which we fought." This mes- community on a daily basis as teachers, past and present. When stopping to reflect sage resonates with me. It reminds me police officers, fire fighters, local officials, upon the incalculable impact of our vet- that our veterans' finest accomplishments entrepreneurs, and community leaders. I erans' sacrifices, I think it important to have historically stemmed from the con- see it in the sincere and dedicated support recall some of the history of this national viction that the pursuit of freedom, equality that the entire IWV community offers to holiday. and justice should take precedence over the U.S. Armed Forces' ceaseless efforts In the U.S., Veterans Day evolved from the pursuit on one's own well-being. I am to protect and defend the nation. Armistice Day observances marking the most heartened whenever I see this prin- This Veterans Day, I encourage you to end of World War I on the 11th hour of ciple at work at NAWCWD and in our thank the veterans in your own lives for the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. local community. their service. As you do so, I invite you to On the first Armistice Day in 1919, Presi- And I do see this principle at work in join me in reflecting on the principle of dent Woodrow Wilson issued a message countless different ways in the Indian selfless service to the most vulnerable honoring a nation which, "with splendid Wells Valley. I see it among the NAWCWD among us that has historically motivated forgetfulness of mere personal concerns" veterans who serve on base in a wide range the most accomplished of our veterans. ❖

Thomas Dean Dunn Alfonso L. Benton (Al) TSgt Edward Bradway David D. Jones U.S. Navy - Retired U.S. Army - Discharged U.S. Air Force - Retired U.S. Navy - Deceased

3 Years 2 Months Service June 1, 1967 - Sept. 30, 1989 21 Years Service 20 Years Service Bronze Star 2 Air Force Commendation Medals AME1 Korean and UN Service Medal 3 Tours To Vietnam

Desert Area Saluting the Resources & Training Veterans of the United

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VETERANS DAY SALUTE 2018 9 Veterans Day remarks from Kern County First District Supervisor Mick Gleason

eterans Day is not just a day of and respect, and that is why I invite you member that these freedoms were fought thanks for those who have served to join me in honoring them, not only for and won by countless brave men Vthis great Country, but a solemn this Veterans Day, but every day. We and women, many who paid the ultimate annual reminder of their profound sac- should honor them not only in words, price. rifice, and our indebtedness to them. but also in actions. Ronald Reagan once said, “Freedom As a former Navy Captain and Com- As this heated election season draws is never more than one generation away mander of Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, I have served alongside to a close, and political tensions wind from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our many remarkable Sailors, Soldiers and down, it is important to remember the children in the blood stream. It must be Marines. I have seen firsthand their tire- fact that regardless of the outcome, we fought for, protected and handed on for less commitment, dedication and sacri- enjoy the freedom of speech, the freedom them to do the same…” fice. to elect our leaders, and the freedom to Thank you to all who have served, for The men and women of our military shape our own destiny like nowhere else your bravery, your sacrifice and your ex- are deserving of our deepest gratitude on earth. It is equally important to re- ample. ❖

Parker Miller Harold Wayne Roberts Oscar Doty Walter Doty U.S. Navy - Retired U.S. Navy Reserve - Discharged U.S. Army U.S. Army

Nov. 1944 - July 1946 Korean War 1945 - 1945 1970 - 1971 Asiatic - Pacific Area, American Area, and WWII Victory Medal

HHonoringonoring AAllll WWhoho HHaveave SServederved

Jerry Newbury Thanking all the brave men and women US Navy Iranian Conflict who sacrifice their time and lives to For all those who served, protect our great country

Our deepest gratitude. God Bless Them and God Bless America

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10 VETERANS DAY SALUTE 2018 Leaving a Legacy: Ways to celebrate veterans before they pass on and after they’ve died BY MELISSA ERICKSON of their sacrifice. More Content Now “Many monuments and memorials exist around the country honoring those or any American, visiting the Viet- Vietnam vets who were killed, along nam Veterans Memorial Wall on with the Vietnam Wall in D.C. that is Fthe National Mall in Washington, the main anchor for honoring those D.C., can be one of the most powerful Vietnam veterans who made the ulti- and emotional ways to honor the more mate sacrifice,” said Bob Babcock, who than 58,000 Americans who gave their served with Bravo Company, 1st Bat- lives in service to our country. For Viet- talion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 4th JESSICA WESTON/DAILY INDEPENDENT nam-era veterans, a visit can provide Infantry Division as a rifle platoon Meris and Doug Lueck glance at names on The Moving Wall, a half-scale closure and reinforce the importance leader and executive officer, 1966-67 in replica of the Vietnam Wall Memorial, at Freedom Park in July. the Central Highlands of Vietnam.

Jerry W. Sparks U.S. Marine Corps William D. Zirger Gale Popper Grace Evangeline Reinke 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, U.S. Navy - Retired U.S. Navy - Discharged U.S. Marine Corps 1st Marine Division, MOS 0351 Women's Reserve - Deceased Honorably Discharged 22 Years Service 1952 - 1960 1945 - 1946 4 Years Service 7 Navy Marine Corps Good Conduct National Defense Acheivement Medals Defense Service Honorable Discharge and National Defense & many others Honorable Service Lapel Pins, Sea Service Deployment Certificate of Honorable and Good Conduct Satisfactory Service in World War II

Thanking And Honoring HONORING AND All The Past, Present, And THANKING Future Servicemen And ALL WHO Women For Their HAVE SERVED Sacrifices To Protect Our Great Nation We Appreciate All You Do Triple TAVERN Maturango Museum 132 S Downs St, 117 E. Ridgecrest Blvd, Ridgecrest, CA 93555 Ridgecrest, CA 93555 100 E. Las Flores (800) 272-8710 (760) 371-4112 760-375-6900

VETERANS DAY SALUTE 2018 11 Since the Wall officially opened in No- vember 1982, people have left tributes there in honor of veterans such as dog tags, medals and other special remem- brances. Some people leave more — the cremated remains of veterans. As the age of the remaining population of Vietnam veterans increases, so has the leaving of cremains. This January the National Park Service erected signs advising people not to leave cremains. One sign reads: “The scattering of human remains is prohibited anywhere on the National Mall, including at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Human re- mains and associated objects should not be left at the memorial and will not become

JACK BARNWELL/DAILY INDEPENDENT FILE PHOTO Residents walk along The Moving Wall at Freedom Park in July.

Jimmy A. Brantley U.S. Navy Larry Aanderud Jacob Allen Guynn Richard Freeman U.S. Navy - Retired 13 Years Service U.S. Navy U.S. Air Force - Air National Guard

21 Years Service Navy Expeditionary Medal June 2011 - 2015 6 Years Service Sea Service Ribbon with 2 Bronze 2 Navy Commendation Medals Stars, Armed Forces Expeditionary Machinist's Mate Air Force Good Conduct Medal, Silver Star Medal Medal, Meritorious Unit on the USS Hartford Air Force Overseas Service Long Tour Humanitarian Service Medal Comendation with 1 Bronze Star, Ribbon, Air Force Outstanding Unit Combat Action Ribbon Good Conduct Medal Award, Air Force NCO with 2 Bronze Stars Academy Honor Graduate Honoring Our Vets Honoring Our For Their Service Veterans

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12 VETERANS DAY SALUTE 2018 PProudlyroudly HHonoringonoring aandnd TThankinghanking aallll ooff tthehe BBraverave SServicemenervicemen aandnd wwomenomen fforor ttheirheir ssacrifices.acrifices. part of the museum collection.” solution,” Litterst said in February. dom for granted and don’t personally Casualties keep mounting The National Park Service has col- Veterans or their families seeking a know anyone in the military, Babcock Those who served in Vietnam have lected more than 400,000 objects left final resting place to honor a loved one said. long been the nation’s largest group of at the Wall, from sonograms and inter- are encouraged to contact the National “We who answered our country’s call veterans, numbering 6.7 million in 2016, national flags to military regalia and Cemetery Administration, cem.va.gov, during the Vietnam War can hold our according to the U.S. census. Now in wedding rings, to teddy bears and even the federal agency specifically charged heads high that we did what all Ameri- their late 60s to 80s, these veterans are a motorcycle. Those mementos are cu- with with honoring America’s veterans cans should be willing to do when called experiencing the normal maladies as- rated to form the Vietnam Veterans and their sacrifice to our nation, he on. Those who were draft dodgers prob- sociated with aging, and many are dying Memorial Collection, which “provides said. ably have regrets, in their private mo- at a faster rate because of Agent Orange. context for a better understanding of The war was complicated, but the ments, that they shirked their respon- “It’s tragic. Just like World War II the many aspects of the Vietnam War legacy of Vietnam veterans shouldn’t sibility back when they were young men. and Korean vets, it’s now Vietnam vets’ and its veterans,” said Mike Litterst, be. “I did my duty, made lifelong friends, time,” said Paul Palazzolo, president of National Park Service spokesman. “Most Vietnam veterans participated learned lessons that have served me Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter But the park service “is not equipped in the Vietnam War because we felt it well all my life, have a strong patriotic 9, in Detroit. for the long-term disposition of human was our duty and our responsibility,” sense of responsibility to our country Veterans who returned home from remains as a cemetery or mausoleum. Babcock said. “Just as others before us, and its defense ‘against all enemies — Vietnam and later died as a result of It has never been permissible to leave we who did what our country asked us foreign and domestic,’ and am a better their service are often not eligible for cremains at the Viet-nam Veterans to do in Vietnam simply did our part to man because I served in Vietnam. I inclusion on the Wall. Memo-rial. Those that have been left pay the price for living in this great made more important decisions as a “When the Wall was built in 1982, no are currently stored at National Park country that many before us fought to 23-year old rifle platoon leader than I one knew that veterans were going to Service’s Museum Resource Center while create and preserve.” ever made in my 34-year career as an continue dying from Vietnam-related we determine an appropriate, dignified Too many people today take our free- IBM executive,” Babcock said.

Nicole Scott David Campbell Lt. Col. Darcy Saint Amant U.S. Air Force Greg Boske U.S. Navy Covington U.S. Army U.S. Army - Active 1969 - 71 1963 – 1967 1998 - Present Vietnam Service West Point - Class of 1998

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14 VETERANS DAY SALUTE 2018 causes,” said Heidi Zimmerman, spokes- hour PBS series “The Vietnam War” by the time to share their stories, Babcock If America is going to be the world’s woman for Vietnam Veterans Memorial Ken Burns and Lynn Novick, said Ed- said. policeman, Palazzolo said, “we better Fund, the nonprofit organization that ward Miller, associate professor of history “It is the 50th anniversary of the year make sure we take care of veterans founded and built the Wall. and director of the Dartmouth Vietnam in the war — 1968 — where we suffered when they return from service.” The group’s In Memory program is Project, Dartmouth College. the most casualties, had the most vic- Shop and support “a way for us to honor Vietnam veterans The Dartmouth project is an oral his- tories and had the press and the nation for their service and sacrifice after they tory endeavor that brings together stu- turn against the Vietnam veteran and “You get to pick and choose where came home. The In Memory plaque dents and older members of the Dart- the Viet-nam War. ... It is more impor- your money is going. Spend it at busi- was dedicated in 2004 just off to the mouth community to record testimony. tant now than ever for we Vietnam vet- nesses that support and hire veterans,” side of the Three Servicemen Statue in Rather than focusing exclusively on vet- erans to tell our stories — those of us Palazzolo said. D.C. and it reads: ‘In Memory of the erans, it is a community-building meas- who lived and fought the Vietnam War The unemployment rate for veterans men and women who served in the ure, Miller said. — rather than let someone else tell the is the lowest it’s been since September Vietnam War and later died as a result “Vietnam touched a big part of the story for us.” 2001, according to the Bureau of Labor of their service. We honor and remember population, just about everybody. When Statistics. One reason is that many em- Honor veterans in life their sacrifice,’ ” Zimmerman said. you start to record you begin to see the ployers have made a commitment to “The majority of our honorees (more diversity of stories and experiences of Paying tribute to fallen heroes keeps hiring veterans. The workforce of com- than 3,200 total to date) died from veterans, protesters, families. No single them in mind, but a better way is to panies like Boeing and Union Pacific Agent Orange-related illnesses and/or veteran’s perspective is the same, but honor them while they’re still alive, Railroad are 15 to 20 percent veterans, PTSD-related events — suicide,” she most express pride in their service,” Palazzolo said. Visiting the National but that doesn’t help the average house- said. Miller said. Mall, the monuments in your own town hold shopper. Visit the In Memory homepage, Oral histories by veterans give others or a Veterans Day parade are all simple Other companies that value the lead- vvmf.org/InMemoryProgram, where who weren’t present — or even alive — ways to start. ership, discipline and other skills of vet- each veteran has his or her own page a powerful sense of what it means to “Detroit holds a massive Veterans Day erans include JetBlue, Amazon, Verizon, that offers more information about serve. parade,” and last year about 4,000 vet- Sprint, Macy’s, Bank of America, John- them. “It’s rare to understand the higher erans made the 2-mile march, Palazzolo son & Johnson, Coca-Cola, Delta and Veterans added to In Memory are sacrifice made by veterans,” said docu- said. Other top Veterans Day parades MetLife. honored each year on Father’s Day with mentarian Ron Osgood, professor emer- are in New York City; Auburn, Wash- All have been recognized for actively a ceremony. Last year, more than 400 itus at Indiana University and a veteran ington; Albany, New York; Birmingham, recruiting veterans. Many more are veterans were honored by almost 2,000 who was deployed three times to Viet- Alabama; Las Vegas and Houston. listed at vetcentral.us.jobs/veterans- members .asp. family members and friends in atten- nam between 1970 and 1972. Visit a V.A. hospital dance. Each honoree’s name is said There’s no comparison to learning Teach and talk aloud either by a family member or a about war from an individual’s perspec- Veterans of all wars seek health care volunteer. Previous honorees’ families tive to understand it, said Osgood, whose in Veterans Administration hospitals, Both Babcock and Palazzolo agreed are invited to attend. most recent film is “Just Like Me: The and there may be one near your com- that schools don’t do enough to teach “They describe it as very healing to Vietnam War — Stories from All Sides,” munity. the Vietnam experience — how and be around other families who have been produced by Indiana Public Television “Go visit the guys laid up in bed. why the war was fought and the decisions through very similar experiences. In as a companion piece to “The Vietnam Everyone goes at Christmas or other that were made — to children. That’s Memory costs nothing to the family War.” holidays. Do it another time,” Palazzolo why veterans have a duty to speak up. member/applicant, and it really does Collectively, movies made about Viet- said. “I think Vietnam veterans owe it to help a family with healing and closure,” nam or the way it’s viewed in popular Bring small gifts like toiletries (razors, themselves, their family, their unit and Zimmerman said. culture rarely focus on the individual combs), magazines or candy bars. to American history to be willing to tell but rather the horror or carnage of war, “A visit can make a big difference in their story about their experiences in Oral history Osgood said. someone’s life and is a great way to the Vietnam War,” Babcock said. “By When it comes to the legacy of Viet- “Vets have stories to share, and many teach young people,” Palazzolo said. many vets doing that, regardless of what nam veterans, who better to speak of it times wives or families haven’t heard “There are a lot of little things you their job was — all of them were im- than themselves? them. Like the World War II and Korea can do like bring vets to the hospital,” portant, even if some vets think they “There‘s a growing interest across the veterans, these stories are disappearing,” Osgood said. Help is needed in all de- didn’t have an important job — the country” to get veterans’ stories “on the Osgood said. partments, and your assistance frees up American public can learn more about record,” especially after last fall’s 18- For the “boots on the ground,” now is staff for more important work, he said. this war.” ❖

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VETERANS DAY SALUTE 2018 15 In foster homes, veterans are cared for like family

BY PATRICIA KIME location, saving the government about Kaiser Health News $10,000 a month in nursing home care. alph Stepney’s home on a quiet It has been difficult to scale up, though, street in north Baltimore has a wel- because the VA accepts only foster homes coming front porch and large rooms, that meet strict qualifications. R For the veterans, it’s a chance to live in with plenty of space for his comfortable recliner and vast collection of action movies. a home setting with caregivers who treat The house is owned by Joann West, a li- them like family. For the Department of censed caregiver who shares it with Stepney Veterans Affairs, the program provides an and his fellow Vietnam War veteran Frank option for meeting its legal obligation to Hundt. care for ailing, aging patients at significantly “There is no place that I’d rather be. ... I reduced costs, since the veterans pay room love the quiet of living here, the help we and board directly to their caregivers. get. I thank the Lord every year that I am Cost-effectiveness is but one of the pro- here,” Stepney, 73, said. gram’s benefits. Stepney and Hundt, 67, It’s a far cry from a decade ago, when are in good hands with West, who previ- Stepney was homeless and “didn’t care ously ran a home health care services about anything.” His diabetes went company. And they’re in good company, unchecked and he had suffered a stroke – watching television together in the main a medical event that landed him at the living room, going to elder care twice a Baltimore Veterans Affairs Medical Cen- week and sitting on West’s porch chatting ter. with neighbors. After having part of his foot amputated, ‘They deserve it’ Stepney moved into long-term nursing home care at a VA medical facility, where West, who considers caring for older he thought he’d remain – until he became adults “her calling,” also savors the com- a candidate for a small VA effort that puts panionship and finds satisfaction in giving aging veterans in private homes: the Med- back to those who spent their young lives ical Foster Home program. in military service to the U.S. The $20.7 million-per-year program “I took care of my mother when she got cancer and I found that I really had a LYNNE SHALLCROSS/KHN provides housing and care for more than Caregiver Joann West takes care of veterans Ralph Stepney (left) and Frank 1,000 veterans in 42 states and Puerto passion for it. I took classes and ran an Hundt at her home in Baltimore. (Lynne Shallcross/KHN) Rico, serving as an alternative to nursing in-home nursing care business for years. home care for those who cannot live safely But my dream was always to get my own slightly more than 700 licensed caregivers Akin to a community residential care fa- on their own. Veterans pay their caregivers place and do what I am doing now,” West who live full time with no more than three cility, each foster home must be state-li- $1,500 to $3,000 a month, depending on said. “God worked it out.” veterans and provide round-the-clock su- censed as an assisted living facility and The Medical Foster Home program has pervision and care, according to the VA. submit to frequent inspections by the VA

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16 VETERANS DAY SALUTE 2018 as well as state inspectors, nutritionists, But one prerequisite cannot be taught – VA, is $2,300, which most veterans cover a pilot program that placed veterans in pharmacists and nurses. the ability to make a veteran feel at home. with their VA compensation, Social Security individual homes, at an average cost to Unlike typical community care facilities, West has grown children serving in the and savings, said Nicole Trimble, Medical the VA of roughly $60 a day, including foster home caregivers are required to live military and takes pride in contributing Foster Home coordinator at the Perry administration and health care expenses, on-site and tend to the needs of their pa- to the well-being of veterans. Point VA Medical Center in Maryland. compared with upward of $500 a day for tients themselves 24/7 – or supply relief “It’s a lot of joy taking care of them,” she nursing home care. staff. said of Stepney and Hundt. “They deserve Pilot Program Takes Off And because veterans who are enrolled “It’s a lot of work, but I have support,” it.” Since 1999, the Department of Veterans in the Medical Foster Care program must West says. “I try to make all my personal To be considered for the program, vet- Affairs has been required to provide nursing use the VA’s Home-Based Primary Care appointments on days when Mr. Ralph erans must be enrolled in VA health care; home services to veterans who qualify for program, which provides an interdisci- and Mr. Frank are out, but if I can’t, some- have a serious, chronic disabling medical VA health care and have a service-con- plinary team of health professionals for one comes in to be here when I’m gone.” condition that requires a nursing home nected disability rating of 70 percent or in-home medical treatment, the program VA medical foster home providers also level of care; and need care coordination higher, or are considered unemployable saves the VA even more. One study showed must pass a federal background check, and access to VA services. It can take up and have a disability rating of 60 percent that the home-based care has yielded a complete 80 hours of training before they to a month to place a veteran in a home or higher. 59 percent drop in VA hospital inpatient can accept patients, plus 20 hours of ad- once they are found eligible, according to The VA provides this care through short- days and a 31 percent reduction in ad- ditional training each year, and allow the the VA. or long-term nursing home facilities, respite missions among those who participate. VA to make announced and unannounced The veterans also must be able to cover care, community living centers on VA hos- More than 120 VA medical centers now home visits. They cannot work outside their costs. Because medical foster homes pital grounds, private assisted living fa- oversee a Medical Foster Home program the home and must maintain certification are not considered institutional care, the cilities and state veterans homes. in their regions, and the VA has actively in first aid, CPR and medicine adminis- VA is not allowed to pay for it directly. Shortly after, the VA Medical Center in promoted the program within its health tration. The average monthly fee, according to the Little Rock, Ark., launched an alternative: system.

Susan (Hoppus) Lasell, Richard Lasell, SP4 George W. Hoppus, Lt. Col. Marti (Golobic) Hoppus, Captain U.S. Army - Discharged U.S. Army Air Corps, Air Force SP5 U.S. Army - Discharged Retired - Deceased U.S. Army - Discharged 1969 - 1972

1971 - 1976 1942 - 1964 1975 - 1976 ® ®

VETERANS DAY SALUTE 2018 17 It also has attracted bipartisan congres- does.” sional support. In 2013, Sen. Bernie Trimble, whose program started in 2012 Sanders (I-Vt.) introduced a bill to allow and has five homes, said she hopes to ex- the VA to pay for medical foster homes pand by two to three homes a year. The directly. VA will remain meticulous about selecting In 2015, former House Veterans Affairs homes. Committee chairman Rep. Jeff Miller (R- “There is a strict inspection and vetting Fla.) introduced similar legislation that process to be a medical foster home,” would have allowed the VA to pay for up Trimble said. “We only will accept the to 900 veterans under the program. best.” And in May, Rep. Clay Higgins (R-La.) It also takes a special person to be an raised the issue again, sponsoring a bill “angel,” as the caregivers are referred to similar to Miller’s. “Allowing veterans to in the program’s motto, “Where Heroes exercise greater flexibility over their benefits Meet Angels.” ensures that their individual needs are Stepney and Hundt agree West has best met,” Higgins said in support of the earned her wings. On a recent cruise to program. Bermuda, she brought Stepney and Hundt along. A Guardian ‘Angel’ For Hundt, it was the first time he’d Foster care has been a blessing for the been on a boat. And Stepney said it was family of Hundt, who suffered a stroke nothing like the transport ships he and shortly after his wife died and was unable his fellow troops used in the late 1960s: to care for himself. Hundt’s daughter, “Well, I’ve gotten to travel, but it was Kimberly Malczewski, lives nearby and mainly two years in Vietnam, and there often stops in to visit her dad, sometimes weren’t any women around.” with her 2-year-old son. When asked why she brought the pair “I’m not sure where my father would along, West said caregiving is “a ministry, be if he didn’t have this,” she said. “With something you really have to like to do.” my life situation – my husband and I both “And you know how the saying goes,” work full time, we have no extra room in she said. “When you like what you do, our house, and we have a small child – I you never work a day in your life.” ❖ can’t take care of him the way Miss Joann

Andrew Saunders, CWO2 Simeon Johnston U.S. Army - Deceased U.S. Army - Deceased Sept 5, 1862 - May 28, 1865 2009 - 2015 Captured at Berry’s Ford, near Millwood Virginia, December 17, 1864. Confined as a prisoner of war at Richmond Virginia, December 21, 1864. Exchanged at Cox’s Wharf, Virginia, February 5, 1865.

Jesus Cavazos, A01 James Keith Brown U.S. Navy - Retired U.S. Navy

April 13, 1955 - June 1978 1945-1947 Numerous Awards, Medals, And Ribbons We are grateful to those who have served our country so courageously and continue to serve. Thank You! STANDING UP FOR OUR VETERANS This year Kevin McCarthy secured funding for a state-of-the-art VA Medical Clinic, so Kern County veterans won’t have to travel to receive the specialized care they deserve.

“ Today, we honor the brave veterans who answered our nation’s call to service. There is no way to repay the incredible debt we owe them, but we must continue to fight to ensure our veterans have access to first-rate care. It is the least we can do for their courageous service and sacrifice.”

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