VVA CA State Council

CDVA INVITES THE PUBLIC TO THE LANCASTER AND VENTURA VETERANS HOMES GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONIES
 
The California Department of Veterans Affairs, in partnership with the local communities of Lancaster and Ventura, announces the long-awaited groundbreaking ceremonies for the Lancaster and Ventura Veterans Homes.
 
“We at the California Department of Veterans Affairs are very happy to be hosting these groundbreaking ceremonies with our partners in the communities of Lancaster and Ventura,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Tom Johnson.  “Our close working relationships with local elected officials and veterans groups have also contributed to bringing us to this milestone of fulfilling the dream of so many veterans.”
 
The dates, times, locations, and participants for the Lancaster and Ventura groundbreaking ceremonies are as follows:
 
LANCASTER
 
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
9:00 A.M.
3101 West Avenue I
Lancaster, CA
 
PARTIAL LIST OF PARTICIPANTS:
·        Tom Johnson, Secretary, California Department of Veterans Affairs
·        Bishop Henry W. Hearns, Mayor, City of Lancaster
·        Col. David E. Miller, Vice Commander, Air Force Flight Test Center, Edwards AFB
·        Steve Knight, Councilman, City of Palmdale
·        Mrs. Gail Knight
·        James C. Ledford, Mayor, City of Palmdale
·        Charles Dorman, Director, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System
·        Ralph Tillman, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System
·        Robert “Stambo” Stambovsky, U.S. Marine Corps Air Reserve, Ret.
·        Assembly woman Sharon Runner
·        Senator George Runner
 

VENTURA
 
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
9:00A.M.
10900 Telephone Road
Ventura, CA
 
PARTIAL LIST OF PARTICIPANTS:

·        Roger Brautigan, Undersecretary, California Department of Veterans Affairs

·        Jack O'Connell, Superintendent of Public Instruction
·        John Flynn, Supervisor, County of Ventura
·        James L. Monahan, Councilman, City of Ventura
·        Captain Brad Conner, Commander Naval Base Ventura County
·        Charles Dorman, Director, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System
·        Ralph Tillman, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System
·        George Compton, Ventura County Veterans Service Officer
·        LeRoy Andrews
·        Julie Tumamait and Raudell "Mokey" Banuelos, Saticoy Chumash
 
Also present at these groundbreaking ceremonies will be representatives from the California Legislature, veterans service organizations, and staff members from the United States and California Departments of Veterans Affairs.
 
The Lancaster and Ventura Veterans Homes, together with the West Los Angeles Veterans Home form the Greater Los Angeles Ventura Counties (GLAVC) Project.  The total cost for constructing these three veterans homes is approximately $299.6 million.  The United States Department of Veterans Affairs’ contribution to construct all three Southern California veterans homes is about $179.8 million and California’s contribution estimated at $119.8 million.

California Department of Veterans Affairs

 
News Release

 
Contact: JP Tremblay
 Jerry Jones
Jaime Arteaga
Legislation and Public Affairs
916-653-2192
Fax 916-653-2611
June 7, 2007


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
June 12, 2007
 
 
CHEERFUL CROWD WITNESSES GROUNDBREAKING FOR THE PETE KNIGHT VETERANS HOME OF CALIFORNIA
 
LANCASTER –In front of hundreds of eager witnesses, the California Department of Veterans Affairs and the communities of Lancaster and Palmdale today broke ground for Pete Knight Veterans Home of California.  Many veterans, both local and from throughout the state, turned out in mass to witness this historic event.
 
“We are extremely happy to be able to break ground for constructing the Pete Knight Veterans Home of California,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Tom Johnson.  “What was once only a dream for so many veterans is now becoming a reality with construction of this veterans home.”
 
Today’s ceremony included the participation of local, state, and federal elected officials, the Blue Eagles Honor Guard, a flyover by the Women’s Airforce Service Pilots, a keynote address by Col David E. Miller, Vice Commander, Air Force Flight Test Center, Edwards Air Force Base.
 
A very touching moment took place when Steve Knight, Councilmember for the City of Palmdale, delivered a heartfelt tribute to his father, the late William J. “Pete” Knight, the veterans home strongest and most vocal advocate when he was in the state Senate.
 
The Pete Knight Veterans Home of California will provide 60 beds where Residential Care for the Elderly (RCFE) will be offered to admitted veterans.  The RCFE level of care is provided to veteran members who need assistance with two or more activities of daily living, but they must be able to take their own medications.  Typically, these members are active and mobile, and are encouraged to do as much as is possible for themselves within the context of RCFE care.
 
Also available at the Pete Knight Veterans Home of California will be an Adult Day Health Care (ADHC) Program with room for up to 50 members daily.  Veteran members participating in the ADHC program are often candidates for admission to a Skilled Nursing facility, but have family support, which permits them to remain at home.   ADHC is a therapeutic health care program designed to permit members to remain outside the Skilled Nursing environment, while providing caregiver relief and a social outlet.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
June 13, 2007
 
 
CHEERFUL CROWD WITNESSES GROUNDBREAKING FOR THE VENTURA VETERANS HOME
 
VENTURA –In front of a couple hundred of eager witnesses, the California Department of Veterans Affairs and the community of Ventura today broke ground for the Veterans Home of California, Ventura.  Many veterans, both local and from throughout the state, turned out in mass to witness this historic event.
 
“Today is a great day because we broke ground for constructing the Veterans Home of California, Ventura, thus making the dream of so many veterans a reality,” said Undersecretary of Veterans Affairs Roger Brautigan.  “This veteran home is the product of cooperation on so many levels and the result of hard work by many folks laboring in local, state, and federal organizations.”
 
Today’s ceremony included the participation of local, state, and federal elected officials, the U.S. Navy Honor Guard, a flyover by the Commemorative Air Force, and a keynote address by the Honorable Jack O’Connell, Superintendent of Education for California.
 
A very unique moment took place when Julie Tumamait and Raudell Banuelos of the Saticoy Chumash offered a traditional Chumash Blessing during the ceremony.
 
The Veterans Home of California, Ventura will provide 60 beds where Residential Care for the Elderly (RCFE) will be offered to admitted veterans.  Members who are age 62 and older may voluntarily admit themselves to this level of care with verification of their need for assistance with such activities as bathing, dining, and or taking their own medications.  These members are also offered transportation to medical appointments and community activities.  Typically, these members are active and mobile, and are encouraged to do as much as possible for themselves within the context of RCFE care.
 
Also available at the Veterans Home of California, Ventura will be an Adult Day Health Care (ADHC) Program with room for up to 50 members daily.  The ADHC center provides a therapeutic environment designed to restore the veteran’s capacity for self-care, and to delay or prevent placement in a Skilled Nursing Facility.  To participate in the ADHC program, the veteran must have live-in support of family or friends and must have a plan to graduate from the program to resume an independent lifestyle at home.