The party will begin at noon at the American Legion Hall on Second Street and Gaddy Lane in Kelseyville.

Lunch will be served at 1 p.m. The meal will cost $15 per person.

All will have fun, guaranteed.

Please call 707-279-2299 for reservation.

Reservations must be made by Thursday, Nov. 5.

WASHINGTON – Representatives of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will be telephoning veterans across the country to explain their education benefits under the new Post-911 GI Bill and ensure beneficiaries are able to receive payments due them.

"The Post-9/11 GI Bill is one of our highest priorities," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. "Instead of making people wait to hear from us, we're reaching out to veterans, so they can get the money they need to stay in school."

The department is conducting this telephone outreach in response to the large numbers of veterans who have applied for education benefits for the fall 2009 semester. The calls are scheduled to go to Veterans who have applied for benefits under the new educational assistance program.

Those who registered for advanced payments will be called, too, in ensure they received their benefits.

To protect the personal identity of veterans, VA representatives making calls will not ask for any personal information, such as birth dates, bank account or social security numbers, but they may ask family members for information to contact Veterans who are away at school.

"Our procedures and policies to provide advanced payments remain in effect," Shinseki said. "Meanwhile, we're completing the on-time development of our automated processing system that will ensure timely delivery of checks in the future."

Brian Shul is a highly sought after speaker, presenting at air shows, military events and even medical conventions. Photo courtesy of Brian Shul.

Brian Shul will present the "Spy Pilot Chronicles" which has never before been seen in Lake County.

This entertaining and motivating presentation will benefit Operation Tango Mike, a local program sending monthly care packages to deployed troops.

Major Brian Shul spent 20 years as an Air Force fighter pilot. In Vietnam, he flew 212 missions before his aircraft was shot down and he sustained life threatening injuries. Unable to eject, Shul was forced to crash land. Crawling from the burning wreckage, he was ultimately rescued by a Special Forces unit. Shul was given little chance of survival.

Major Shul's story is one of determination and perseverance. He not only survived, but went on to be one of only a few to pilot the SR-71 spy plane. His riveting story includes exclusive photos, taken from the cockpit when he was flying the world's fastest jet. The formerly "top secret" photos are both stunning and amazing. Major Shul also became a TOPGUN instructor.

Brian Shul is the only person ever to have flown with both the Air Force Thunderbirds and the Navy Blue Angels! His photography from those adventures is also impressive. The Thunderbirds were so awed with his work that Brian Shul was named an Honorary Thunderbird, a title bestowed upon

very few.

You will be entertained, inspired and fascinated by Major Shul's story. Brian Shul tells his story as only he can, with humor and candor. His presentation is unique and there is no other like it in America today. You will hear of a man lying near death in the jungles of Southeast Asia, overcoming adversity and flying the world's fastest jet. You will see breathtaking photography and hear about routinely flying at 2,000 miles per hour at 80,000 feet!

Major Shul retired from the Air Force and pursued his careers in writing and photography. He is the author of the award winning book, “Sled Driver: Flying the World's Fastest Jet.” The book was awarded the Aviation Book of the Year by Smithsonian Magazine and is known as the definitive chronicle of the SR-71. Major Shul's SR-71 photos are considered the rarest in the world!

Following the "Sky Pilot Chronicles," you are invited to a meet and greet with Brian Shul in the lobby of the Soper-Reese Theatre. Enjoy refreshments and meet one of the few men ever to fly the SR-71 Blackbird. Major Shul's books and other items will be available for purchase.

The Sky Pilot Chronicles offers something for everyone. Brian Shul's show will appeal to the aviation enthusiast, history buff and anyone looking for a fun and fascinating evening.

Advance tickets are $15 and may be purchased at Umpqua Bank in Lakeport and Kelseyville, and Strong Financial Network in Lakeport. Tickets may be purchased from the Soper-Reese Theatre by calling 707-263-0577 and credit cards are accepted. You may also contact Ginny Craven of Operation Tango Mike at 707-349-2838. Seating is limited and advance purchase is highly recommended.

If they remain available, tickets at the door will be $20. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and show time is 7 p.m.

If you wish to support Operation Tango Mike but are unable to attend the show, consider "sponsoring a veteran." You may purchase tickets and donate them for veterans who would otherwise be unable to attend. Please contact Ginny Craven to make arrangements.

China Sea. Photo courtesy of Brian Shul.

"The future will see VA and DoD working even closer together," said Gould, "as we fulfill the President's requirement for a single Virtual Lifetime Electronic Record that will support veterans from their day of induction to their day of interment."

Gould spoke Oct. 15 at the second annual DoD "Breakthrough Convention" devoted to improving business practices in the nation's largest government agency.

Noting that VA's budget requirements are substantially affected by DoD's strategic decisions and operations, he reassured the audience that the president's proposed 2010 budget for VA addresses the issue and builds on increases Congress added to the Department's budget in the last two years.

VA's 2010 budget request for $113 billion would fund increased education benefits for post-9/11 Veterans, health care for some veterans who were previously ineligible, more mental health and cognitive-injury services – especially in rural areas – and upgraded technology for data transmission and records.

Gould said the long-term solution for correcting procedural delays that affect veterans is to redesign business processes and improve information technology.

VA's new strategic plan, he said, is focused on veterans, with whom VA has an ongoing – sometimes, life-long – relationship.

Employees have a natural desire to achieve client satisfaction, but their ability to act on the desire can be diminished by poor systems, policies or lack of training, Gould said.

VA's second-ranking executive credited Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki with providing the leadership to create an organizational culture of performance on behalf of veterans.