LAKEPORT – Chapter 951 of Vietnam Veterans of America is holding its monthly potluck dinner and general meeting on Tuesday, May 8.
The potluck is at 6 p.m., with the meeting at 7 p.m.
The group will meet at its usual location, at Saint Mary Immaculate Parish Hall, 801 North Main St., Lakeport.
May will be a month packed with numerous activities for the chapter, which started the National Military Appreciation Month on May 1 with an appearance at the Board of Supervisors meeting. Other events this month include the Pasta Feast, Operation Tango Mike support, Memorial Day Parade participation, Avenue of the Flags at Hartley Cemetery and their ever-successful poppy sales.
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 George Dorner, 274-5698, or email
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LAKE COUNTY – The latest Operation Tango Mike packing party was notable for the flag we've received from our marines in Iraq, and the number of "civilian" packers.
The usual hard core of Vietnam Veteran of America packers was augmented by volunteers from the community. Notable among them was Tim Salisbury, whose marine son, Denny, is recovering from wounds in a Qatar hospital. Other community volunteers were Tamara Newby, Jess and Erin Woodward, Vic and Jackie Morgan, Bobbi Chambliss, Ed Moore, Bill Becker, Paula Bryant, Carol Whittaker and Robert Angle.
The VVA chapter volunteers were thick on the ground. Besides this author, there were Ginny Craven, Dean Gotham, Genevieve Snow, Dustin Angle, Harry Graves, Skip Hulet, Suzi and Frank Parker, Patty and Dave Collins, Ken Leavitt, Phyllis and Barnett Hoffman and Larry Mick.
Many hands made a fast easy packing party. We whipped out 46 boxes; counting interim shipments of 10 boxes since our Easter shipment, we have shipped another 56 boxes of goodies to the troops.
Next shipping will be end of June. We're taking a break for a fund raising Pasta Feast on Saturday, May 12th, from 4 to 8 p.m.
We're still looking for contributions for next shipment, which will celebrate the Fourth of July. We now have donation bins throughout the county. Here's where you can look for them.
– All three Hardester's Markets: on Highway 29 in Middletown, in Hidden Valley at 29843 Hartman Road, and at 16295 Highway 175 on Cobb Mountain.
– Riviera Foods at 9730 Soda Bay Road.
– In Kelseyville, DJs Pizza, 5285 State Street .
– Lakeport: Mackey Tires and Spas, 2102 South Main Street; The Ink Spot, 95 Third Street; Kerrie's Quilting; 1853 North High Street; The Iron Worker Gym, 325 Twentieth Street.
– Upper Lake: Country Carpets, 9465 Main Street; Judy's Junction, 375 East Highway 20.
– Nice: Sentry Market, 2265 East Highway 20.
– Lucerne: Lakeview Market, 6068 East Highway 20.
– Clearlake Oaks: Nostalgia, 12615 East Highway 20; Tower Mart #161, 12583 East Highway 20.
– Clearlake: Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #2237, 3980 Veterans Lane; American Legion Post 437; 14770 Austin Road; Foods, Etc., 15290 Lakeshore Drive.
– Spring Valley: Russ' Valley Pantry, 1578 New Long Valley Road.
Checks or money orders are most welcome, and can be tax deductible. Mail to P. O. Box 1313, Lakeport, CA 95453-1313. Cash donations may be given to Ginny Craven. Her cell phone is 707-349-2838. She can also give out further information about Tango Mike, and can sign up volunteers on the phone tree for the next packing party. Please note we can put to work volunteers of all ages and physical capabilities.
E-mail George Dorner at
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At last, a little breather where we can catch up with some overdue business ... such as thanking all whom we can for their generosity. We here at Operation Tango Mike have become so involved in sending comfort parcels to the troops we are seriously delinquent in honoring those whose donations of money and goods made it possible.
In December, the effort was supported by originator Ginny Craven, Dean Gotham, Michael Kirch, Nancy Rhoades, Frank and Suzi Parker, Mendo-Lake Urology in Ukiah, this author, and CLAY, the youth group from Nice's Baptist Church. Chapter 951 of Vietnam Veterans of America began the support that turned into sponsorship.
In January, Michael Kirch, Nancy Rhoades, Ginny Craven, Dean Gotham, Suzi and Frank Parker, CLAY, and Chapter 951 again donated. They were joined by Sharon Leuzinger, Skip Hulet, Kirk MacDonald, the Myers family (Wayne, Tammy and Joe), Valerie Stewart, Woody and Sandy Hughes, Tamara Newby, John and Naomi Cain, Patricia Larson and R. J. Tucker. Cheri Holden of Watershed Books came through. Most importantly, the United Veterans Council not only contributed to our cause; its members returned to their veterans organizations with the aim of enlisting every one of their groups in the effort.
In February, Michael Kirch, Frank Parker, and Suzi Parker chipped in once again. Other individual contributors were Jess Combs, Bob Berkowitz, Bill Combs, Albert Carter, John Beavers, Ron Melville, Bob and Kathy Roberts, Mary Ann Nash, Donna Christopher, Michael and Ellen Hennig, Mark and Esther Otte, Ronnie and Janeane Bogner, Bob Pearce and Don Whitney. Business donors increased, with contributions from Lynn Fegan of Catfish Books, Blue Water Realty, and EJ's Video (now Pearadise Video). American Legion Post #194, Pearl Harbor Survivors, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #2337 supported their younger comrades in arms. The Kelseyville Lions Club came through. At Kelseyville Elementary School, Mrs. Brown, Mr. McLaren, Ms Kies and Mrs. Ayers rallied their third grade classes to create a tremendous outpouring of notes and drawings to cheer up the troops.
For March, Dean Gotham, Frank and Suzi Parker, Bob Pearce, and this author were repeat donors. Other individual benefactors included Gary Lewis, Frances Crosby, Mark Lockhart, Barbara Toy, Wendy White, Jacole Morgan, Jewell "Dede" Scovell, Richard Birk, and James and Paula Connors. Disabled American Veterans Post #83 contributed to our effort. Businesses and organizations helped us tremendously – Tango Mike to Mendo-Mill Home Center and Lumber Co., Loeb's Ink Spot, Konocti Rod and Gun Club, the Clearlake Oaks-Glenhaven Business Association, Mendo-Lake Office Products and Konocti Vista Casino. The Interact Club (Student Rotary) of Middletown High School and Terrace School fifth graders also contributed.
We would also like to thank those donors who remain anonymous through chance or design. We had pass-the-hat situations, such as the Lucerne Town Hall Meeting and such. We've also had those who are too modest to admit their gifts. Regardless, whether you could give $1,000 or a dollar, some goods, magazines, books, or handwritten notes, we thank you all very much for supporting Americans in harm's way.
Finally, if we've skipped anyone, please accept our apology. We are human, and we may err, but we are still grateful.
George J. Dorner is a member of Operation Tango Mike.
Supervisors will honor local veterans with proclamation
Written by Editor
Friday, 06 April 2007
LAKE COUNTY – The Board of Supervisors will honor the county's large veteran population with a special proclamation in May.
Local veterans advocate Ginny Craven submitted a formal written request to the board earlier this month, asking them to formally declare May 1 through June 14 National Military Appreciation Month in Lake County.
Craven reported that in 2004 Congress passed a resolution making that national declaration and she requested a local proclamation to coincide with it.
The board has agreed, and will present the proclamation at 9:15 a.m. Tuesday, May 1, Craven reported.
“I believe this is a wonderful opportunity for the Board of Supervisors and all of Lake County to publicly acknowledge, thank, appreciate and honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, those who have served and those who are serving in defense of our freedoms,” Craven said. “It is also a time to salute the families left behind to support those called to duty.”
Craven encourages local veterans, their families, friends and supporters to attend the presentation in the Board of Supervisors' chambers at the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport.
Airman Ben Barker of Kelseyville sent a wonderful message to Operation Tango Mike! He has received the care packages sent to him. Admittedly, we sent more than he needs alone. Ben was quick to say that though we sent more than he needs, the 60-man team was really excited to see his windfall at mail call.
Naturally, Ben is sharing all that was sent his way. Ben also said that everything that is taken for granted at home is a delicacy in Iraq. You know they will savor the goodies sent to them.
Ben is typical of our fine upstanding military men and women. Although he was delighted to receive what we sent, he has buddies deployed in the Army and is concerned for them. He asked if he might send their information to us in order for them to receive support. Ben is putting his concern for others above that for himself.
Ben said he really enjoyed all of the letters he received most of all and is working on responses. Once again, proof that correspondence is great for morale.
Keep up the great work. Together, we are doing great things for our troops.
Tango Mike!
Editor's note: Ginny Craven is leading the Tango Mike effort in Lake County, which collects donations to send care packages to troops overseas. Chapter 951of Vietnam Veterans of America will accept monetary donations for Craven at P.O. Box 1313, Lakeport, CA 95453. Please note if that donation is for Craven and Tango Mike, and whether you wish a receipt for tax purposes. Goods donated can be received by a member of VVA, Hugh Mackey, at his business, Mackey Tires and Spas, at 2101 S. Main St., Lakeport. Please call him first at 263-0277 to arrange your drop off. Craven may be reached at 349-2838.
