LAKEPORT – Chapter 951 of Vietnam Veterans of America is holding its monthly potluck dinner and general meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 9.
The potluck is at 6 p.m., with the meeting following at 7 p.m.
The group will meet at its usual location, at Saint Mary Immaculate Parish Hall, 801 N. Main St., Lakeport.
Topic of discussion will be "Honoring Naval Veterans," Guest speaker Rick Thomas, Flotilla Commander, United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, will discuss water safety.
All Vietnam era veterans, veterans of all eras, their families and friends, and members of the general public are all cordially welcome.
For more information contact Genevieve Snow, 263-3740 or e-mail
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MIDDLETOWN – Army Pvt. Steven E. Hays 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.
Hays, a 2003 graduate of Middletown High School, is the son of John Hays of Cobb.
Snacks are packed for the troops. Photos by Woody Hughes, USN (Retired).
LAKEPORT – Operation Tango Mike volunteers showed up in a force – 32 strong – for the most recent packing party. Sixty care packages were assembled and packaged for shipment to U.S troops serving in Iraq.
The event took place at Umpqua Bank in Lakeport, the new “headquarters” for Operation Tango Mike.
A generous donation of space for storage and for packing parties has made life much easier for the group. Donations are now sorted and stored at the bank and care packages are assembled there as well. Since 2003, goods had been stored in the home and garage of this author and transported to separate locations for packing parties.
Round Table Pizza and Umpqua Bank also generously provided pizza and beverages for the dedicated volunteers. Families of deployed troops, Lake County Sheriff’s Office volunteers, Vietnam Veterans of America members and many wonderful Lake County citizens volunteered their time for the labor of love.
The next packing party will take place near the end of September. Operation Tango Mike strives to give the troops a “touch of home” and in that regard will send Halloween themed boxes at the next shipping. Anyone wishing to volunteer, to contribute goods or monetary donations is welcome to do so.
“Drop Zone” donation barrels can be found at the following locations:
Kelseyville: Riviera Foods, 9730 Soda Bay Road; Riviera Hills Golf and Recreation Club, 10200 Fairway Drive.
Middletown: Hardester’s Markets; Highway 29 in Middletown, Hidden Valley at 29843 Hartman Road and 16295 Highway 175, Cobb.
Clearlake: Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #2237, 3980 Veterans Lane; American Legion Post No. 437, 14770 Austin Road; Foods, Etc. at 15290 Lakeshore Drive.
Clearlake Oaks: Red and White Store, 12580 East Highway 20; Tower Mart 12583 East Highway 20.
Lucerne: Lakeview Market, 6068 East Highway 20.
Nice: Sentry Market, 2265 East Highway 20; Boathouse Bar & BBQ, 2685 Lakeshore Blvd.
Upper Lake: Country Carpets, 9465 Main St.; Judy’s Junction, 375 East Highway 20.
Lakeport: Mackey Tires & Spas, 2102 S. Main St.; The Inks Spot, 95 Third St.; Kerrie’s Quilting, 1853 N. High St.; The Iron Worker Gym, 325 20th St.; Safeway, 1071 11th St.; Bruno’s Shop Smart, 355 Lakeport Bldv; and Umpqua Bank, 805 11th St.
Monetary donations are always a tremendous help in covering the monthly shipping costs, which average $550.
Donations can be in the form of checks made payable to Operation Tango Mike, are tax-deductible and may be sent to P.O. Box 1313, Lakeport, CA 95453.
If you wish to make a cash donation or desire further information, please contact Ginny Craven at 707-349-2838 or
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World War II veteran Harry Graves and Mary Bosserman, retired highway patrol officer and mom of an airman, took part in the recent packing party. Photos by Woody Hughes, USN (Retired).
Young volunteers help Operation Tango Mike. Photos by Woody Hughes, USN (Retired).
Dean Gotham, VVA president (center), with Don and Peg Mc Cown. Courtesy photo.
LAKEPORT – vietnam Vets Chapter 951 President, Dean Gotham, decided to liven up a monthly meeting with a luau theme, which evolved into a successful social.
The vets met at the usual location, St. Mary’s Church Hall in Lakeport Aug. 14. It was the traditional spread of scrumptious food (without the roast pig, however) with authentic Hawaiian chants resounding as background music. Genevieve Snow, VVA member, danced the hula.
Chris Caravayo, retired U.S. Army of Kelseyville, won the prize for the best Hawaiian shirt while Ms. Snow, former Navy Wave, claimed a prize for her Hawaiian attire.
Gotham presented a certificate of appreciation to Don and Peg McCown, retired Navy vets actively participating in Avenue of the Flag preparations on Memorial and Veterans Day for five consecutive years.
The North Bay Veterans Resource Center of Santa Rosa gave Gotham special recognition, an award for his long hours in assisting a returning Iraqi soldier who needed medical treatment.
Ginny Craven from Operation Tango Mike updated the group on the last packing party; 60 boxes were shipped overseas.
The chapter members donated three Patriot Guard Rider flags, signed by chapter members. At the request of soldiers, these flags will be flown in Iraq, then returned to Lakeport.
The Patriot Guard Riders, a nationwide group of more than 100,000, ride together to honor fallen soldiers at funeral services. Whenever physically possible, the bikers will shield the mourning family from interruptions created by protesters.
Marlene Kurowski, executive director of Lake County Hospice, was the featured speaker that evening. Kurowski informed chapter members about hospice and the need for volunteers.
