Veterans to be honored at event
This week's Veterans Town Hall 2009 in Marysville includes information about the newly established statewide "Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day" and names the Outstanding Yuba-Sutter Veteran of the Year.
But its main goal is to get help for military veterans, and their dependents, and get answers to their questions, said Thomas Mack Jr., Disabled American Veterans Chapter 9 adjutant.
Active duty personnel and the public are also invited.
The free event starts at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Yuba County Government Center, 915 Eighth St., in Marysville, coordinated by the DAV chapter and supported by all local veterans' groups.
"People say they want help. This is the place to come because it's in your backyard," Mack said.
Main speakers include Veterans Administration officials John Mendoza, associate director of the Northern California Health Care System, and Mary Jo Towns, assistant veterans service manager for the Veterans Benefits Administration in Oakland; and local officials.
The town hall also includes a question and answer period and tables with information on various programs including FREED, Center for Independent Living, homeless assistance, cemeteries, business and home loans, medical care and local veterans preference policies.
"Help is going to be in town for you," Mack said. Based on past experience, he added, if a veteran doesn't get an answer on the spot, he or she should get a quick response.
"The key point is getting help."
Speakers also include California State Assemblyman Paul Cook, R- Yucca Valley, talking about the legislature honoring Vietnam veterans March 30 signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger; and keynote speaker Congressman Wally Herger, R-Chico.
Cook is retired from the U.S. Marine Corps.
The town hall meeting concludes by naming the fourth Outstanding Yuba-Sutter Veteran of the Year, presented by past honorees Eric Hellberg, Obie Wickersham and Tony Bevacqua.
KNOW AND GO:
What: Veterans Town Hall 2009
When: 7 p.m. Wednesday
Where: Yuba County Government Center, 915 Eighth St., Marysville
Sponsored by: Disabled American Veterans Chapter 9
Contact Appeal-Democrat reporter Leticia Gutierrez at 749-4722 or at lgutierrez@appealdemocrat.com.
