Regis Iman Bryant

October 16th 2014

Journalism 311
Veterans of Foreign Wars District 5 Meet to Discuss Local and State Initiatives
Veterans of Foreign Wars District 5 leadership met in Phelan, California for their 2nd
annual district meeting to discuss initiatives affecting more than 400,000 veterans residing in the
Los Angeles County, Antelope Valley and Kern County areas. The meeting presided by District
Commander Tim Brooks, addressed local, state, federal legislation and programs that directly
impact our veterans in our local communities and throughout the state of California.
The meeting opened with District Legislative Chairperson Brian Williams, Quartz Hill, who
addressed 2 bills, signed by Governor Jerry Brown on October 8, 2014, which provided
assistance to veterans and their families.
Williams said Senate Bill (SB) 1110, by State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (DistrictSanta Barbara), would require that courts inform defendants at arraignment, if they have served
or are serving in the military, and if they have not committed serious crimes, may be eligible for
treatment programs to address substance abuse issues, post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic
brain injury, military sexual trauma and other conditions resulting from their time in combat.
Williams also states Los Angeles and Kern County has approximately 17,000 veterans
currently involved in these California veterans treatment courts. This bill would provide these
veterans alternative treatment and in-depth programs instead of serving time in jail. Next,
Williams discussed Assembly Bill (AB) 1453 which would establish a veterans cemetery in

Orange County. Currently, California has 9 national cemeteries administered by the National
Cemetery Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs. These burial benefits are available for
spouses and dependents which include burials with the veteran, perpetual care, and the spouse or
dependents name and date of birth and death will be inscribed on the veteran's headstone, at no
cost to the family. Eligible spouses and dependents may be buried, even if they predecease the
veteran.
Williams states of these 9 California National Cemeteries, 4 are closed to veterans and
their families, 3 out of the 5 remaining cemeteries will reach capacity by 2017. The passing of
AB 1453 would direct the California Department of Veterans Affairs and local government of
Orange County to develop, plan and construct a veteran cemetery. State Assemblywoman
Sharon Quirk-Silva (District-Fullerton) stated in her news release, on October 2, 2014, This will
be a meaningful way in which we honor the countless sacrifices that veterans have made serving
and defending our nation.
District Jobs Program Coordinator Katherine Allen, Ridgecrest, addressed the 8th Annual
Honor a Hero Hire Veteran Job and Resource Fair on October 16th, 2014, at the Warner
Marriott Hotel, 21850 Oxnard Street, Woodland Hills, California. Allen said this job and
resource fair is sponsored by The Valley Economic Alliance is the largest job and resource fair in
California. Allen further added there will be over 90 employers with over 1,200 confirmed job
openings. Many veterans can expect on-site interviews and hire qualified candidates on the
spot. Commander Brooks commented as was done in the past, District 5 will provide a resume
writing class for those veterans who need assistance.

This job and resource fair comes at a great time for the veterans of the Los Angeles
County, Antelope Valley and Kern County areas which have seen a dramatic increase of job
opportunities in aviation and aerospace related industries. Companies such as General Atomics,
located in El Mirage, developed advanced unmanned aerial vehicles, used by the Department of
Interior, to track and monitor forest fires and hot spots. Edwards Air Force Base and Navy
China Lake, which research, develop, test and evaluate aviation and airspace platforms, have
numerous employment opportunities in the aerospace and air traffic control career field.
District Stand down Chairperson Eddie Faison, Lancaster, addressed Veterans
Stand Downs and on-going mental health assessments within District 5.

Faison indicated

according to the Department of Veterans Affairs there are approximately 8,000 homeless
veterans that live in the Los Angeles, Antelope Valley and Kern County Areas.

Faison states

the 3rd Annual Los Angeles Stand Down will take place on November 14th, 2014 at The
Vortex, 2341 E. Olympic Boulevard, Los Angeles. This Stand Down provides any veteran
access to free dental care, health evaluations, clothing, shelter or housing referrals, mental health
counseling, substance abuse treatment and legal advice. Providing shelter and assessment of
their needs must be a priority we have neglected them (veterans) far too long and we must
address their needs said Fasion. It has also been pointed out by U.S. Senators Barbara Boxer
and Dianne Feinstein (both District- California) of the mismanagement of the West Los Angeles
VA land-use agreements.
In a joint newsletter, dated September 17th, 2014, sent to the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs Robert McDonald, they state The GAO report details millions of dollars that were
legally required to be allocated for veterans health care were either not collected or

inappropriately allocated. Faison told the membership we must continue the fight to protect
our veterans rights and address their needs.
Commander Brooks thanked members for their involvement with these issues. The next
scheduled meeting will be on February 7th, 2015, Palmdale, California.