June 1, 2011 (La Mesa) --On June 3rd at 10:00 a.m., La Mesa’s portion of Fletcher Parkway will be designated as "Veterans Memorial Parkway” during a festive ceremony to be held at EDCO Football Field at Parkway Middle School, 9009 Park Plaza Street. In honoring Veterans, the City has added an entry monument sign on the east side of La Mesa, a new vehicular sign on the parkway and modified the existing city entry monument sign at Baltimore and Fletcher Parkway. The project does not change the name of Fletcher Parkway, but adds signage along the roadway.

MISSION HONORED: DREAM ACHIEVED

A Community Celebration for the Dedication of the Veterans Wall of Honor

May 18, 2011 (Alpine) -- Fernando Gonzalez volunteered to be the general contractor for the Veterans Wall of Honor, and couldn't be happier with the results. "This is a beautiful symbol of respect and honor for those who have sacrificed for our country in the armed services. The vision is perfect ,the commitment of the community is fantastic, and I am so proud to contribute a small part. It's my best project ever!"

The wall of honor will be dedicated on May 30, 2011 at the Alpine Community Center.

April 13, 2011 (La Mesa)-- La Mesa residents who are Vietnam War Veterans are invited to attend the La Mesa City Council meeting at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 26th at the City Council Chambers, 8130 Allison Avenue.

The City Council will honor these military personnel for their service during the meeting as part of its ongoing effort to recognize local veterans. Last month, the Council recognized Korean War Veterans, in February the WWII Veterans, and in January the Council honored the Pearl Harbor Survivors for their valor.

By Dave Patterson

March 27, 2011 (San Diego)  There are now about 4,000 homeless folks in San Diego County, with many of them located downtown on the streets. Many of them are the "newly homeless" and have nothing other than the clothes that they are wearing. The nights can be very cold and wet.

Shocking numbers could be even higher if veterans were included

January 25, 2011 – Results of a new study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry have found that 93 percent of soldiers contemplated suicide when they went without aggressive mental counseling in a controlled group.

Results of the study, conducted by the Army on 20,000 soldiers in Iraq, shows that 54 percent fewer soldiers contemplated suicide and the number of soldiers who needed to be sent home with mental health problems dropped by nearly 70 percent with more aggressive counseling in the field.

November 12, 2010 (San Diego) – Congressman Bob Filner wants to make sure all active duty and veterans who were forced to involuntarily extend their service know that the deadline to submit a claim for retroactive “Stop Loss” pay is approaching.

All claims must be submitted by December 3, 2010.

New law will expand and update benefits for veterans

October 15, 2010 (Washington, D.C). – House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Bob Filner (D-San Diego) announced yesterday that President Obama signed H.R. 3219 into law. The Veterans’ Benefits Act of 2010, authored by Filner, improves and modernizes certain benefits administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for veterans and their families.

August 18, 2010 (Sacramento) -- Assemblymember Marty Block (AD-78) announced today that his AB 2314 has been signed by the Governor. A bipartisan measure overwhelmingly approved by the Legislature, this legislation makes it easier for disabled veterans to receive a special property tax exemption available to them by extending the time frame for filing a claim.

By Bob Kipper, Vietnam War veteran and owner, KIAC Insurance Agency, San Marcos

Editor’s note: Last week we ran an article titled “Prop 17 would hurt veterans and consumers, experts warn.”  The Yes on Prop 17 campaign has responded by submitting the editorial below.