Air Force Airman Richard C. Erickson. Courtesy photo.
SAN ANTONIO – Air Force Airman Richard C. Erickson has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
During the six weeks of training, the airman studied the Air Force mission, organization, and military customs and courtesies; performed drill and ceremony marches, and received physical training, rifle marksmanship, field training exercises and special training in human relations.
In addition, airmen who complete basic training earn credits toward an associate degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
He is the brother of Ephraim and Amber Erickson of Lakeport.
Erickson is a 2006 graduate of Clear Lake High School.
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Army Pvt. Samuel L. Hearn has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.
During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches and field training exercises.
He is the son of Kathy Hearn of Cobb.
Hearn graduated in 2007 from Middletown High School.
Frank Parker, coordinator (back left), and Dean Gotham, president of Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 951, distribute blankets and socks at Evergreen Lakeport Healthcare Center on Dec. 21. Courtesy photo.
LAKE COUNTY – Local Vietnam veterans shared gifts and holiday spirits with local seniors in December.
Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) Chapter 951 delivered gifts to seniors at four local long-term care facilities as part of its “Seniors Not Forgotten” campaign.
The group began the program in 2006, distributing fleece blankets to veterans at local facilities, and offering slipper socks to all residents.
In 2007, they decided to broaden the program to offer blankets and slipper socks to all care facility residents, which numbers nearly 300 countywide.
The effort, said VVA President Dean Gotham, was to let seniors know they are remembered and that they matter.
Facilities they visited during December included Evergreen Lakeport Healthcare Center, Edelweiss Assisted Care Facility and Lakeport Skilled Nursing Facility, and Meadowood Nursing Facility in Clearlake.
VVA continues to raise money year-round for its community efforts. If you would like to make a donation to the chapter for its programs, send checks to the VVA Chapter 951, P.O. Box 1313, Lakeport, CA 95453.
E-mail Elizabeth Larson at
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.
Captain James Allen and fellow U.S. Marines with some of the items sent to them by Operation Tango Mike. Photo courtesy of Ginny Craven.
LAKE COUNTY – Soldiers far away from home are benefiting from the generosity of local citizens.
Ginny Craven of Operation Tango Mike, a group that sends care packages to troops overseas, shared the above picture of Captain James Allen and other U.S. Marines, happily displaying some of the correspondence and items they received in Operation Tango Mike Christmas care packages.
Of special note, according to Craven, are the handmade bookmarks from Middletown High School students and the holiday photo cards from Lake County Boy Scouts.
Operation Tango Mike meets monthly to assemble care packages for troops. To take part, contact Craven at 349-2838 or e-mail
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. Visit the group's Web site at http://home.mchsi.com/~operationtangomike.
Peg McCown shows off the certificate she received at the VVA's December meeting. McCown served as a U.S. Navy Wave. Photo by Ginny Craven.
LAKEPORT – Four local women veterans felt extremely special when honored at the December potluck/meeting of Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 951.
The occasion was the chapter’s third annual Christmas dinner at St. Mary Immaculate Parish Hall, Lakeport.
Brad Onorato, district representative for Congressman Mike Thompson, presented each woman with a certificate and flag flown on Nov. 11, 2007, over the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.
The women are Margaret (Peg) McCown and Genevieve Snow, U.S. Navy Waves and Jean Blethen- Rigod and Victoria Shipley, U.S. Marines.
Ginny Craven, founder of Operation Tango Mike, which sends comfort packages including snacks and toiletries to troops overseas, also was honored with flag and certificate.
The women also received certificates from the chapter.
Everyone was treated to a scrumptious holiday meal including turkey and trimmings, ham, prime rib and an array of side dishes and dessert.
The chapter will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 8 in St. Mary’s Parish Hall, Lakeport.
Brad Onorato, district representative for Congressman Mike Thompson, presented flags and certificates to the women veterans. Photo by Ginny Craven.
Woody Hughes (left) played Santa at the event, handing out goodies. Photo by Ginny Craven.
