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As president of the Lake County Chapter of Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 951, I have the honor and privilege to express the profound gratitude of Chapter 951 to the citizens, businesses, civic organizations, veteran service organizations and government entities that supported Chapter 951 in presenting the Vietnam Veterans Memorial – “The Moving Wall.”
The outpouring of support from so many different components of Lake County society produced a true community event. As a longtime Lake County resident, I cannot remember an event that drew so many Lake County citizens together; united in a common purpose. Lake County honored and remembered the brave veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Vietnam War.
Presenting the “Moving Wall” provided the opportunity for friends and families of the fallen, fellow Vietnam veterans, and private citizens from all over the state and country to heal emotional wounds.
President John F. Kennedy stated: “A nation reveals itself not only by the men it produces, but also by the men it honors, the men it remembers.” Lake County revealed the depth of its character: compassion, honor, moral and financial support and the spirit of community.
For the officers, board of directors and members of VVA Chapter 951, THANK YOU Lake County.
Dean E. Gotham Jr. Is president of Chapter 951. He lives in Clearlake.
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VVA Chapter 951 greatly appreciates the support of our Five-Star sponsors and donors
Five-Star Sponsors
Lake County Fairgrounds: Thanks to Richard Persons, Ray Stark and their hard working staff who did everything that they could to help us.
Konocti Vista Casino, Resort and Marina: Thanks to Andy Kalin, general manager; Dave Majestic, marketing director, and graphic designer Carol Dellinger for their generosity, advice and material support.
Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 547: The Marin County chapter of Vietnam Veterans of America provided financial support at a critical stage in the planning.
Lakeport Rotary Club: Lakeport Rotary Club was the first civic organization to make a generous donation, which came at an important time.
Clearlake Rotary Club: Clearlake Rotary Club provided a generous donation at an equally important time.
Lake County Record-Bee: Thanks to Gary Dickson, editor, and staff for their efforts at informing the public, providing a financial donation and supporting veterans. Special thanks to Sports Editor Brian Sumpter for his dedicated work at producing a special section on the Vietnam War.
Konocti Rod and Gun Club: Thanks to the members of the Konocti Rod and Club for their generous support.
Kono Tayhee Estates: Thank you to the residents who donated to the “Wall.”
BiCoastal Media: BiCoastal Media donated generous amounts of on-air time in announcing the dates and times for the event.
Skylark Shores: Thanks to the owners and staff for their hard work in making “The Moving Wall” staff comfortable and providing rooms for the Redwood Vet Center staff.
Lake Transit Authority: Thank you to the Transit Board of Directors, General Manager Mark Wall and drivers for providing free transportation for veterans to and from the “Wall” including service on Sunday.
Lake Event Design and Party Rental: Thanks to Beth Havrilla and staff for their time, help and encouragement in supplying and setting up tents.
Golden State Electric: Thank you to Jerry Pendleton and staff for the outstanding design and installation of all the lighting at the “Wall.”
Powerhouse Multimedia, publishers of the Mendo-Lake Exchange: Thanks for the Marketing Solutions outstanding graphic design on Chapter 951's posters, logo and t-shirts.
Lake County Marketing and Economic Development: Thank you to Debra Sommerfield and Terre Lodgson for their help in press releases throughout the state.
Piedmont Lumber: Thank you to Rick White, Clark Day and the staff of Piedmont Lumber for their outstanding support.
Lake County News: Thanks to Elizabeth Larson, editor and publisher, for her encouragement, consultation, graphic design, donation and, especially, her tireless support of veterans.
Rolf Kriken, sculptor: Lake County resident, Rolf, is the sculptor who produced all the bronze statues and murals at the California State Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Rolf’s statues at the “Moving Wall” provided an important emotional link – each statue directly representing the physical and emotional cost of warfare. Rolf’s work presented a dimension to the “Wall” that very few people will experience.
Chapter 951 wants to express gratitude for support, materials, and/or time to the following organizations:
– Redwood Vet Center: The Redwood Vet Center came to Lake County from Eureka with their mobile service van to provide mental health support and general veteran service support during the entire stay of the “Wall.”
– Ukiah Veterans Affairs Medical Clinic: The clinic provided service support and mental health support during the entire stay of the “Wall.”
– Lake County Veteran Service Office: The office provided an on-site veteran service officer for the entire stay of the “Wall.”
– Lakeport Police Department: The department provided advice and support to insure personal safety of visitors and contributed to overall security.
– Lake County Sheriffs Office: The agency provided advice and support.
– National Guard: 129th EN TM and Det 1, 649th Engineers provided advice and camouflage netting. Special thanks to Sgt. Gonzalez and Sgt. Macpherson. Four Star Donors
Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 500, Sacramento Veterans of Foreign Wars- Clearlake Post #2337 Veterans of Foreign Wars- Joy Maderios Post #2015, Lakeport Disabled American Veterans Post #83 American Legion Post #194, Kelseyville Dr. and Mrs. Wayne Scheidemann Paul Axtell, M.D. Lake County Palms Lincoln Leavitt Insurance Agency, Inc Star Gardens, Middletown Sleep Shop Ltd.- Rhonda West Sutton Associates Wealth Management
Three Star Donors
Lake County Guns, LLC Barnes Family Trust Pearl Harbor Survivors Association Luther Burbank Chapter 23 North American Organics, David Lowe- owner, Redwood Valley, CA
Two Star Donors
VFW Joy Maderios Aux 2015 in memory of Barnett Hoffman GI Joe’s Outdoor Store, Ukiah CA Pestmaster Services of Lake and Mendocino County Rotary Club of Middletown Anna Girod Management Military Officers Association of America Lake County Subchapter Vietnam Veterans of America Santa Rosa Chapter 223 California State Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America in memory of Barnett Hoffman Charles T. McLaughlin, Redwood City, CA Ronnie and Janeane Bogner, Clearlake Oaks, CA Kelly F. Cox, Kelseyville, CA Dean E. Gotham, Jr, President-VVA Chapter 951 Gregory D. Scott, Secretary-VVA Chapter 951 Don and Peg McCown, members VVA Chapter 951 Hugh and Karan Mackey, member VVA-Chapter 951 Donald C. Whitney-member VVA Chapter 951, Commander VFW #2337 Steve and Pat Sayers, member VVA-Chapter 951 Ken and Donna Melville, member VVA-Chapter 951 Rene R. and Gloria Vega, member VVA-Chapter 951 Arthur Grothe, Lakeport, CA Northshore Business Association, Lucerne, CA William H.H. Wolfe. Kelseyville, CA Wilds Signs. Lakeport, CA Steve and Elizabeth Davis, Lakeport, CA William and Dana Kearney, Kelseyville, CA Kelseyville Lumber and Supply Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, Lucerne, CA Jerry Yamamoto, Harbor City CA National VVA Board of Directors E.K. Rusth and H. Whitney, Middletown, CA John and Bette Mueller, Kelseyville, CA T. Hoberg and Howell Karabell, Cobb, CA Clearlake Road Riders, Kelseyville, CA Phillip J. Dow, Ukiah, CA Lake County Farm Bureau, Lakeport, CA Bruno’s Property Management LLC, Lakeport, CA Pivniska Trucking, Upper Lake, CA Billie and Gene Kirkendall, Lakeport, CA Lake County Republican Women Federated Voiture 912
One Star Donors
Becky and James M. Hiss, Lucerne, CA Ellen and Milton Heath, Middletown, CA Kate O’Hare-Palmer, Petaluma, CA member VVA-Chapter 223 David Herrick, Lakeport, CA Joe D. and Judith A. McAuley, Lucerne, CA Mary Heare Amodio (Law Offices), Lakeport, CA Raphael V. and Barbara J. Lopes, Lakeport, CA Lowell A. Grant Real Estate Company, Lakeport, CA Jeremiah and Juanita Collins, Kelseyville, CA Anthony and Claudia Marchese, Lucerne, CA Jamie and Fadonna Jamieson, in memory of Barnett Hoffman, Kelseyville, CA Louis and Jean Rigod, in memory of Barnett Hoffman, Nice, CA VFW Post 2015, Woman’s Auxiliary in memory of Barnett Hoffman, Lakeport, CA Eileen Hoberg, T. Hoberg and Sandra Fox, Cobb, CA T.F. Jordon, Lucerne, CA James and Eldina Russell, Hidden Valley Lake, CA Watershed Books, Lakeport, CA
The following donors donated in the memory of Shawn Biggs:
Russell and Beryle Biggs, Tollhouse, CA Lorna Susan Cruz Higdon, Lakeport, CA Billy Prewitt and Becky Biggs, Fairacres, NM Joseph P. Ford, Kelseyville, CA Dennis and Judy Ouellette, Berwick, Maine Michael J. Biggs, Kerman, CA Ron and Joyce Kay Biggs, Kerman, CA H.E. and M.L. Boak, Billings, MT Kathleen L. Musick, Tempe AZ Alex and Nancy Zabala, Healdsburg, CA
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