The National Veterans Memorial at Mt. Soledad in San Diego will be hosting an event honoring the Navajo Code Talkers on Veterans Day. (Photo: Virginia Hill)

Catch up on recent California veterans news from the last week of October 2022.

All California Veterans

• CalVet is accepting grant applications through Dec. 9, 2022, for nonprofit organizations that “provide enhanced supportive services” for select veterans groups, including those who benefit from the HUD-VASH program and veteran seniors.
• California Legion News will be posting its annual Veterans Day Deals and Discounts round-up later this week or early next week. Each year, the list features a variety of California businesses offering promotions for Veterans Day and the month of November.

Oakland Veterans

• The killer of U.S. Army veteran Rodney Davis has been apprehended by Oakland authorities. Davis, a bystander, was allegedly struck and killed during a gunfight between Tyja Braswell, the suspect, and two others, Tamia Foster and Stavon Moore, at an Oakland-area gas station.

San Luis Obispo Veterans

• On Oct. 24, Central Coast veterans began their annual trip to visit veterans memorials in Washington D.C. The trip was partially paid for by incarcerated veterans from the Pleasant Valley State Prison in San Luis Obispo County, who raised $3,000 through a bake sale.

Los Angeles Veterans

• Per Leo Shane III, Military Times, the VA has housed 38,000 homeless veterans, or 81 percent of the department’s goal for 2022. Since late 2021, the VA has been focusing its national efforts to combat veterans homeless in Los Angeles.

San Diego Veterans

• Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial will be holding a tribute event this Veterans Day in honor of the Navajo Code Talkers, who proved instrumental in defeating Imperial Japan during World War II.

Recent Full-Length California Veterans News Posts & Videos

• Oct. 20 — VIDEO: Medal of Honor recipients inspire veteran leaders during networking event
• Oct. 18 — VA: New policy grants benefits to LGTBQ+ veterans’ surviving spouses
• Oct. 7 — Governor Newsom signs bill authorizing CalVet to evaluate new locations for Orange County Veterans Cemetery
• Oct. 4 — Newsom signs bill aimed at helping California veterans discharged under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell obtain full benefits
• Oct. 4 — GAO Report: VA STEM Scholarship Program for student veterans has high denial rate and confusing application process

Important Veterans & Military Holidays in October

Oct. 13 — U.S. Navy Birthday

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.