Honor Flight Central Coast California will be hosting its next flight on April 24. (Photo: Howard Ignatius)

This week’s California veterans news roundup focuses on new benefits for Native American veterans, updates on veterans Giovanni Roman and James Frisvold, and the next Honor Flight to Washington D.C.

Readers can send veterans-related stories to news@calegion.org. 

Statewide: California Veterans News

• On April 3, the VA announced that eligible Native American veterans will no longer be required to make copayments for VA medical care as of April 4. Additionally, the VA will reimburse eligible veterans for copayments made on or after Jan. 5, 2022. 

• After 13 years, U.S. Navy veteran James Frisvold of California has been released from a Mexican prison after his conviction was overturned. 

Orange County Veterans News

• Marine veteran Giovanni Roman has safely returned to California after being injured by Russian Forces while volunteering in Ukraine. Roman served as a combat medic with the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ foreign legion. Our full story: California veteran Giovanni Roman injured by Russian Forces while volunteering in Ukraine

San Luis Obispo County Veterans News

• Per the Paso Robles Daily News, Honor Flight Central Coast California will be taking a group of veterans from Monterey County to Ventura County to the veterans memorials in Washington D.C. from April 24–26.

Recent Veterans Posts & Videos From California American Legion

• Legionnaire Recites Ragged Old flag
• Before Cesar Chavez was a civil rights leader, he was a Navy veteran
• VetChange
• Suicide Prevention: VA ACE
• VA updates homeless veterans goals for 2023, Los Angeles to remain focal point

Important Veterans & Military Holidays in April

• April 5 — Gold Star Spouses Day

Author: Christian Southards

Coming from a family with a proud military background and wanting to contribute his writing skills to a worthy cause, Christian began writing for the California American Legion in August of 2020. His father is a 25-year Army Veteran and his grandfather served in the Navy during Vietnam.