Orange County, California

​​​Vietnam veterans of america

Chapter 785

HONORING OUR VETERANS As a Veteran that served in Vietnam, a dinner program is being planned to honor and thank you for your service. The invitees will include members of the Vietnamese community that wish to thank the Veterans for their service. This program is sponsored by 7 Day Hero (http://www.7dayhero.org), American Legion Post 257 and District 29 , and the Saddleback Kiwanis and in conjunction with The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration (http://www.vietnamwar50th.com). LOCATION and TIME  April 30, 2016 at 5 p m: Geneva Presbyterian Church 24301 El Toro Rd, Laguna Woods, C A 92637 PROGRAM  The program will include guest speakers, dignitaries, music and slideshow of photos contributed by families and Veterans. Steve Wilburn will be a guest speaker, his story was featured by the Orange County Register (http:// www.ocregister.com/articles/wilburn-690193-says-vietnamese.html) DINNER BUFFET Featuring: Baby Back Ribs   Chicken ( Vietnamese recipe) Eggplant Parmesan   Steamed Rice Green Salad    Rolls    Desert DONATIONS  A donation of $10 per person is requested to partially cover expenses. The remainder will be covered by local community sponsors. Please send a check by April 15, 2016 payable to :  7 day hero ℅ Sam Higa 729 Avenida Majorca Unit C Laguna Woods, CA  9 2 6 37 The event is limited to 160 guests  due to the facility size. Call Sam Higa for additional information, 949-4273295 

During the past several month VVA Chapter 785 donated $1000 to four of our local JROTC High Schools. These Included Santa Ana HS, Magnolia HS, Orange HS and Espiranza HS. The Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) is a federal program sponsored by the United States Armed Forces, in high schools across the United States and United States military bases across the world. 
 JROTC prepares high school students for responsible leadership roles while making them aware of the benefits of citizenship. The results are responsible cadets who are sure of themselves, can think on their own, and can express their ideas and opinions clearly and concisely.
 Leadership and training goals are for cadets to:
1.   Graduate from high school.
2.   Be good citizens by knowing and exercising the rights, responsibilities, privileges, and freedoms of good citizenship.
3.   Gain leadership potential and the ability to live and work cooperatively with others; demonstrate leadership in situations involving conflict resolution.
4.   Achieve positive self-esteem and winning behavioral concepts in a culturally diverse society.
5.   Learn the ability to think logically and to communicate effectively, with emphasis on effective oral communication.
6.   Learn the importance of diet and of physical fitness in maintaining good health and appearance.
7.   Gain an understanding of the history, purpose, and structure of Army JROTC.
8.   Acquire proficiency in basic military skills (such as drill and ceremonies, first aid, and map reading) that are necessary for working effectively as a member of a team.
9.   Learn the importance of citizenship through American history as it relates to America's culture and future from the Revolutionary war to the present.
10. Learn about the dangers of substance abuse and the importance of mental management, including goal setting and positive self-talk.

By TOM PHILPOTT | SPECIAL TO STARS AND STRIPES. VETERANS WILL BE ABLE TO SHOP ON LINE FOR DISCOUNTED MILITARY EXCHANGE PRODUCTS NEXT NOVEMBER. 

Published: January 12, 2017

After two years of study and debate, the Department of Defense has made a policy change, effective next November, to allow 16 million honorably discharged veterans to shop online for discounted military exchange products.

Peter K. Levine, acting undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, signed a memorandum Wednesday announcing the benefit expansion, effective Veterans Day (Nov. 11), and giving Congress the required 30 days’ notice before actions begin to implement the plan.

Months of preparation are needed to make e-shopping portals more robust and to allow the Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC) time to create software for verifying veterans’ status using Department of Veterans Affairs records.

Several million vets already are eligible to shop in exchanges — on base or online — because they are active or reserve component retirees, or 100 percent disabled from service-connected injuries or ailments, or Medal of Honor recipients.

Thomas C. Shull, chief executive officer of the Army and Air Force Exchange Service, led a three-year quest to expand online exchange shopping to all honorably discharged veterans with access to computers. It cited two reasons.

One was to reward their service with exchange product savings that, on average, will be near to 20 percent versus commercial department store prices when military exemption from state and local sales tax are considered too.

Shull’s other purpose was to increase exchange revenues to help offset troubling declines due to the drawdown of active-duty forces, base closures and the end of military tobacco discounts for the higher priority of healthier populations.

Donating to ROTC

ORANGE COUNTY NEWS
Vietnam veterans share their
personal journeys and share with
Yorba Linda students about
courage.

2007:

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