THE CITADEL

Santa Clara County’s Veteran Services Office Newsletter Issue 2 November 2016

Quarterly Newsletter for the Veterans of Santa Clara County

Published by the County of Santa Clara Veteran Services Office

68 N Winchester Blvd

Santa Clara, CA 95050

THE CITADEL Santa Clara County’s Veteran Services Office Newsletter Issue 2 November 2016

“The veterans of our

military services have

put their lives on the line

to protect the freedoms

that we enjoy. They

have dedicated their

lives to their country and

deserve to be

recognized for their

commitment.”

- Judd Gregg

In This Issue

A Message from Our

Director

Wreaths Across

America

San Jose Vet Center

HomeFirst

CVSO Spotlights

Pets for Vets

In Memoriam

Upcoming…

Veterans Day Edition

This year we celebrate the 62nd Veterans Day, a day that is arguably one of the most important U.S. holidays that we observe. It is a tribute and recognition of the sacrifices that the great servicemen and servicewomen of our nation have made in order to protect our rights and freedoms. Veterans Day is not only dedicated to the remembrance of our fallen heroes, but also to showing our respect and gratitude to those that we have the honor and privilege to call our Family, Friends and Neighbors. The Santa Clara County Veteran Services Office wishes our Veteran community a happy Veterans Day and proudly expresses our appreciation for your commitment to our country.

Thank you from the CVSO

From all the staff of the Santa Clara County Veteran Services Office, we wish to express our gratitude and appreciation for all of the positive feedback and support that we have received from our outstanding Veteran community. Many of you have sent wonderful emails of praise and gratitude and have visited our office as a result of this newsletter. We are delighted that our Veteran community has solidified the need for this news forum and given us the encouragement to continue marching. We hope you enjoy this issue as much as our first one...

A Message From Our Director As the year closes into its holiday season, Veterans Day is often just seen and treated as “another holiday” and, as I feel, somewhat under appreciated. Yes, we all enjoy the day off work, the “Red, White and Blue” sales, but as Veterans, we know what it took to ensure that we can enjoy our freedoms and luxuries of daily living. Veterans day, to me, is a celebration of life. While Memorial Day (the fourth Monday in May) honors American service members who died in service to their country or as a result of injuries incurred during battle, Veterans Day pays tribute to all American Veterans–living or dead–but, especially gives thanks to living veterans who served their country honorably during war or peacetime. In

essence, this is the holiday during which we embrace having endured and overcome the dangers of combat, the austerity of military life, and the separation from family and loved ones many of us have experienced during military service. As Veterans, we understand all of the challenges that military service brings, but we also are privileged to be part of a small group of Americans who share that common thread of camaraderie, who appreciate the military value system of honor, loyalty and selfless service, and who respect and embrace the principles our Nation was built on. Only 7.3% of the American Population have ever served in the military. Veterans Day is not just “another holiday”. Veterans Day is “our” holiday and I encourage all of you in our Veteran community, Veteran or not, to celebrate it to its fullest. Participate in the parades, treat yourselves as the heroes that you are, allow yourselves to be appreciated. It is a holiday for such a small, yet such an important demographic of the American population. Happy Veterans Day to all of the Veterans of Santa Clara County and be-yond. Let Freedom Ring!

Marion Moses, Director

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Christmas at Arlington National Cemetery, 2005.

Wreaths Across America Wreaths Across America is a non-profit organization dedicated to honoring the fallen men and women who have dedicated their lives to the service of our country. Every year in December, WAA lays individually sponsored wreaths across national cemeteries to pay respect and to serve as a reminder that our country will never forget the sacrifices they have made to protect us. WAA’s commitment to honoring our Veterans is an and continually strengthens the bond between our communities throughout the country. Wreaths Across America would not be successful without the help of volunteers, active organizations and the generosity of the trucking industry, which offer invaluable support to WAA's mission to remember the men and women who served our country, honor our military and their families, and teach our children about our freedom and those who protect it. The County of Santa Clara is proud to have sponsored 30 wreaths this year in honor of our fallen Veterans. There are many ways you can help—please visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/get-involved to learn more about how you can get involved.

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San Jose Vet Center The Vet Center was developed in 1979 by congressional action

to help veterans deal with their readjustment issues after their

combat experiences. There are currently 206 Vet Centers all

over the United States, Guam, and Puerto Rico to help veterans

and their family members. The San Jose Vet Center opened its

doors in 1979. Legislation passed by Congress and signed into

law by the President changes eligibility for Vet Center services

(Public Law 104-262), and extends definition of the Vietnam era

for war zone veterans (P.L. 104-275).

The Vet Center program provides a broad range of counseling,

outreach, and referral services to eligible veterans in order to

help them make a satisfactory post-war readjustment to civilian

life. These services are provided in both English and Spanish.

Readjustment counseling services include: individual, group,

and marital/family counseling; medical referrals; PTSD

evaluations; alcohol & drug treatment referrals; information &

referral to community resources; sexual trauma counseling;

bereavement counseling; employment counseling, guidance,

and referral; benefits assistance.

San Jose Vet Center

440 North 1st Street, Suite 120

San Jose, CA 95112

For more information, please call 408-993-0729

HomeFirst: A Leader in

Ending Homelessness

On any given night, more than

6,500 people in Santa Clara County

are homeless. We now have the

nation’s ninth-highest homeless

population and the third-highest

chronically (long-term) homeless

population. There are hundreds

of encampments in parks, on streets,

and along creek beds and other

waterways, where people live in

unhealthy and unsafe conditions.

HomeFirst has been helping the

homeless in Santa Clara County

since 1980, first as Emergency

Housing Consortium and later as

EHC LifeBuilders. Last year, we

served more than 4,000 individuals,

veterans, families with children, and

youth at sites across the County. In

nearly 35 years of working with the

homeless, we’ve learned that

everyone has the potential to get

housed and stay housed. We focus

on successful “Housing First”

strategies where we get people into

their own homes as quickly as

possible and then support them so

they can stay housed permanently.

VA Vet Center, 440 North 1st Street, Suite 120, San Jose, CA 95112

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San Jose Vet Center: VSO Benefits Workshop

In August 2016, the Veteran Services Office started a collaboration with the San Jose Vet Center in

which we provide a Veteran Benefits Workshop.

The Workshop entails general and specialized information about VSO services, Veteran Benefits

and VA Services available. The workshop is being conducted

by Marion Moses, the County Veteran Services Officer. As part of the workshop, Mrs. Moses

provides information and answers to general and Veteran specific questions,

and is able to schedule appointments and provide follow up services to Veterans, their spouses and

eligible family members.

The workshop takes approximately two hours and information on location is provided and

reservations can be made through the San Jose Vet Center at (408) 993-0729.

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An initiative in collaboration with the

County of Santa Clara Veteran Services Office and Animal Services:

Veterans Active Duty Military

Reservists/National Guard Immediate Family Members

Adopt a pet at NO COST from the

County of Santa Clara Animal Shelter

Make an appointment with the Veteran Services Office at (408) 918-4980 or visit us on Mondays on a walk-in basis to get your adoption voucher.

Please bring one of the following: Military DOD issued ID, DD Form 214 (member 4), NGB Form 22, or active duty orders.

For more information call (408) 918-4980 for the VSO or (408) 686-3900 for Santa Clara County Animal Services.

Spotlight: Pets for Vets

Happy Veterans Day!

Many local and nation-wide businesses offer

special discounts and offers as a sign of

appreciation to our Veterans during the Veteran

Day weekend. We encourage you to ask your

local businesses if they offer special Veterans

Day promotions. Below is a web-link dedicated

to consolidate many of these offers and

discounts for your convenience.

Please visit www.operationwearehere.com/

VeteransDayPromotions.html for a more

comprehensive list of Veterans Day

Promotions.

Please note that the County of Santa Clara

does not endorse or promote any businesses

that offer Veteran Discounts and that this link is

for informational purposes only.

In Memoriam: Alfredo “Freddie” Gastelo Alfredo “Freddie” Urias Gastelo was born on April 5, 1949 to Francisca Robledo Urias and Rosario Armenta

Gastelo in Delano, California. In April of 1952 the family relocated to Corcoran, California, where Freddie

was raised in a humble home and lived in farm labor camps and worked in the fruit and vegetable fields

throughout central California. He graduated from Corcoran High School in 1968 and was drafted into the US

Army Infantry on January 1969. Once drafted, Freddie volunteered for Vietnam service, to join his brother

Miguel Gastelo, who was already serving there. Freddie’s request was denied and he was sent to serve the

Army in Berlin, Germany instead.

In 1971, Freddie returned from his tour in Germany and visited with his mother and siblings for six months

before he relocated to San Jose, California to find a better life. During his time in San Jose, Freddie was

able to find a well-paying job and began to date his soulmate Yolanda Garcia. They were married soon after

in December 30, 1971. Freddie enlisted into the US Army California National Guard in 1975 and was called

to active duty military service multiple times before retiring from the military in 2009. Freddie made a career

with the State of California where he worked diligently until his retirement in 2010. After his retirement, he

and his family relocated to Paso Robles, California and purchased the home of their dreams.

Freddie was a very outgoing person who enjoyed making friends and living life to its fullest. He loved visiting

and being with his family, going on walks with his dogs, and socializing. He was a longtime fan of the

Oakland Raiders and maintained a huge collection of Raiders memorabilia. He was a member of American

Legion Post 809 of San Jose.

Freddie passed away peacefully at his home on May 6, 2016 at the age of 67. He is survived by his wife

Yolanda and his sons Freddie Jr and Adrian. Freddie Gastelo will not only be missed by his family, but also

by his friends, his neighbors, and everyone who had the opportunity to know him.

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Dependency and Indemnity Compensation

Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) is a tax free monetary benefit paid to eligible survivors of military Service members who died in the line of duty or eligible survivors of Veterans whose death resulted from a service-related injury or disease.

DIC is intended for surviving spouse, dependent children, disabled children, or certain eligible

parents of deceased Veterans. There is no maximum income threshold. Surviving spouses of

deceased Veterans should always schedule an appointment with the Veteran Services Office to

discuss eligibility requirements as well as any death and/or burial benefits with an accredited

Veteran Services Representative.

Survivors or recently deceased Veterans (within the past 60 days) are always seen on a walk-in

basis at the Veteran Services Office and no appointment is needed to get assistance.

For more information, please go online and visit: http://www.benefits.va.gov/compensation/types-

dependency_and_indemnity.asp

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United Veterans Council of Santa Clara County: Veteran’s Day Parade

The United Veterans Council of Santa Clara County (UVC) is an umbrella organization made up of delegates from other veteran posts and organizations. It was officially formed in 1919 or 1922 depending on what records you check. But the team that became the first members of the UVC began its’ work to honor veterans and the Armistice ending WWI as early as 1918. The annual parade was established and has continued each year. The parade marches through downtown San Jose on November 11th each year. That will be a Friday in 2016. November 11, 2018 will be the 100th anniversary of the Armistice.

The Veterans Day parade is a patriotic, educational, family-oriented, fun event. The reviewing stand will be located on the corner of Market and Post Streets. The formal program for the day begins with a ceremony on the reviewing stand planned for 11:00AM. We may need to start by 10:45 AM again this year as we did in 2015 as requests to add speakers are received. Those dignitaries who will be riding in the parade are then bused to the staging area.

The parade itself will begin at noon. The route will be east on Santa Clara Street from San Pedro to Market Street, then south on Market past the reviewing stand.

This year’s Grand Marshall is Brigadier General Laura Yeager. The parade will include military vehicles, classic and new cars transporting our VIPs, school bands, other bands, marching units, etc.

After the parade the UVC sponsors an event at Santana Row called “Honor On The Row.” The main street through the “The Row” will be closed to accommodate our event. Some of our parade vehicles will go directly there as they come off the parade route to be on display for the rest of the day for close up viewing and photo opportunities. We will also have music, information tents, and other exhibits. The United Veterans Council invites any and all to celebrate Veterans Day with us.

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California Department of Veterans Affairs

The cold and flu season is upon us and the Department of Veterans Affairs has once again teamed up with Walgreens Pharmacies nationwide to allow all veterans who are currently enrolled in the VA healthcare system to be able walk into any of the over 8000 Walgreens nationally to receive a vaccination

at no cost. Vaccinations will be available through March 31, 2017.

Veterans wishing to receive the no cost vaccination simply need to present a Veterans Identification Card and a photo ID, at any participating Walgreens to receive the vaccination.

In addition, after the Walgreens pharmacist administers the vaccine Walgreens will transmit that information securely to VA where it becomes part of the patient’s electronic medical record.

VA is committed to keeping Veteran patients healthy, and during this flu season, vaccination is the best way to prevent the spread of flu. No matter where you live, visit your local VA clinic or Walgreens to get a free flu shot.

To find your local VA, visit va.gov/directory/guide/home.asp.

To locate a Walgreens store near you, call 800-WALGREENs (800-925-4733), or go to com/findastore.

To learn more about the partnership, call 1-877-771-8537 or visit ehealth.va.gov/Immunization.asp.

Santa Clara County Veteran I.D. Card

The County of Santa Clara shows their appreciation to it’s Veteran Community by

providing the opportunity to proudly display your Veteran Status with a

County Veteran I. D. card.

The Santa Clara County I.D. Card displays and verifies your Veteran status and may

qualify you to receive special discounts at businesses that offer Veteran discounts.

The following documentation is required to apply for a Santa Clara County I.D. Card:

1. The original/certified copy of the original DD Form 214 or a DoD issued I.D. Card.

2. A valid form of photo identification.

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Upcoming…

Outreach Events:

Homefirst Shelter First Thursday of Every Month

2011 Little Orchard St. @ 1:30pm

San Jose CA 95125

VA Palo Alto First and Third Wednesday of Every Month

3801 Miranda Ave. * Please contact our office for instructions on how to

Palo Alto, CA 94304 schedule an appointment to be seen.

Workshops:

Financial Coaching for Veterans Second Monday of Every Month

68 N. Winchester Blvd. @ 1:00pm

Santa Clara, CA 95050

Veteran Benefits Workshop Select Wednesdays each month

San Jose Vet Center @ 10:00am

440 North 1st Street, Suite 120 Please RSVP with the Vet Center

San Jose, CA 95112

Visit Us...

We recommend calling the Office in advance to schedule an appointment to allow our

Veteran Services Representatives the opportunity to provide you with a more comprehensive and

extensive experience.

Please call our Office at (408)918-4980 to schedule an appointment.

We understand that not all work schedules allow for the scheduling of an appointment. Therefore, we

encourage walk-in clients to visit us on Mondays, between the hours of 9:00am-11:30am & 1:00pm-

4:30pm. Our VSR’s will provide answers and assistance in urgent matters as well as initiate

the claims process by securing an effective date if applicable. Walk-in services are managed on a

case-by-case basis, with a focus on urgent matters such as responding to VA Correspondence,

reviewing an award letter, submitting missing documentation for an existing or initiated claim, or to

obtain survivor’s and burial benefits. Your VSR will assist and, if necessary, schedule a follow on

appointment for in-depth assistance in all claim related matters.

Mission College November 3, 2016 @ 1:00pm

3000 Mission College Blvd, December 1, 2016 @ 1:00pm

Santa Clara, CA 95054

We can assist you with: Disability Compensation Claims

Pension Claims

Special Monthly Compensation

Burial Benefits

Death Pension

Dependent’s or Survivor’s Benefits

Housebound, Aid & Attendance

Appeal of VA Decisions

Health Care Enrollment Applications

Vocational Rehabilitation

Education benefits

State College Fee Waiver Program

Request for Military Records

Discharge Upgrades

DMV Veteran License Verification

Santa Clara County Veteran I.D. Card

Information and Referral Assistance

Local Resources and Outreach

Contact Us

Give us a call or go online

for more information

about our services.

Veteran Services Office

68 N. Winchester Blvd.

Santa Clara, CA 95050

Phone:

(408) 918-4980

Fax:

(408) 553-6016

Email:

vets@vets.sccgov.org

Visit us on the web at

www.sccgov.org/vets

Like Us on Facebook @ facebook.com/

SantaClaraCountyVSO

Find us on

Veteran Services Office: Serving the great men and women of our County since 1944.

We can assist you if you are a:

Veteran

Widow(er) of a Veteran

Spouse of a Veteran

Child of a deceased or disabled Veteran

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If you would like to receive this free newsletter electronically, please email

us at vets@vets.sccgov.org with subject line: “Newsletter Sign-Up”

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