Veterans relax on their bunks at Stand Down on the Delta. Herald file photo

By Sandee Wiedemann

The biennial effort known as Stand Down on the Delta to support homeless and at-risk veterans, returns to Antioch at the Contra Costa Event Park (fairgrounds) September 20-23. This is a great opportunity for the community to show appreciation for their service to our country and to receive the reward of helping others. The events were last held in 2015 and 2017. The 2015 effort attracted over 300 veterans and 260 veterans were assisted in 2017. (See related articles, here and here).

Veterans will be given dental, medical, and counseling services, plus legal and VA claims assistance. They will also receive clothes, haircuts, shaves, meals, and sleeping accommodations. Real estate and banking leaders will be available to help the veterans possibly purchase a home.

Delta Veterans Group needs the community’s help to provide the most possibilities for our veterans. There are opportunities for professional services in the fields of medical, dental, legal, and more. See volunteer options under categories of general volunteer and/or professional services at https://www.deltaveteransgroup.org/stand-down-on-the-delta. There is a place for every person or service club to make a difference in the lives of our Veterans.

The Contra Costa Event Park is located at 1201 W. 10th Street in Antioch.

Veterans watch a movie at Stand Down on the Delta. Herald file photo.

This year Antioch is excited to host a whole weekend of enjoyment for our local community for Memorial Day.

The weekend starts off with the first eight Antioch Veterans Memorial Banners being displayed on L Street. The ceremony starts at 9:00 A.M. and will be held at the Antioch Veterans Memorial at the Antioch Marina. We also want to let people know that they can visit www.deltaveteransgroup.org to download an application for the Veteran Memorial Banner program.

Veterans Memorial Banners will be flown the length of L St. from 10th St. north to the Veterans Memorial at the entrance of the marina. A total of 34 Memorial Banners will be hung. The Memorial Banners will hang until it is torn or worn at which time the Banner will be retired by the Antioch Veterans Community with dignity and respect, the applicant will be notified at that time.

Delta Softball Tournament of Heroes (FREE Team Registration www.deltaveterans group.org) at the Antioch Community Park May 25th and 26th, 2018. Both days start at 8 A.M. Saturday there will be an Opening Ceremony at 8 A.M. on Field One. This is a co-ed double elimination tournament and is a family friendly event. You do not need to be a veteran to play. For the kids there will be a Tee-Ball Longest Hit competition (6 and under, 7-8, 9-10, 11-13).

On Monday the 27th, as in the past, there will be a Motorcycle Parade from downtown to the Oak View Cemetery in Antioch, where we will hold our Memorial Day services starting at 10 A.M. This year our keynote speaker will be Disabled American Veterans Past National Commander Delphine Metcalf-Foster. Mrs. Metcalf-Foster is the daughter of a Buffalo Soldier, a retired U.S. Army 1st SGT, and the first woman to be elected as National Commander for a major veterans service organization. She will also be the first female keynote speaker for Antioch’s Memorial Day Celebration.

That will be followed by a free BBQ at the Antioch VFW hosted by the Antioch VFW Post 6435 located on the corner of E. 18th Street and Fulton Shipyard Road.

Also on Monday, the Antioch Water Park is offering free admission to active and retired military personnel with current ID. The water park is located at 4701 Lone Tree Way inside Prewett Park.

To participate in the parade, use the following form. 2018 VETERANS DAY PARADE APPLICATION

“I had a complete meltdown with PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder). I thought I was losing my mind. I’d never been out of control before, and it was hard to admit I needed help, but I wanted my old self back. I’ve gotten that and more. I’m strong. I’m healthy. I have tools, I have knowledge, and I have strength and courage to deal with it. I’m doing just fine.” RON WHITCOMB SGT US ARMY 1968 – 1969 SQUAD LEADER, VIETNAM

The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors recognized the 2018 Veterans Initiative in the Arts ABOUTFACE Program at their meeting on August 14th.  The ABOUTFACE: Self-Understanding through Self-Portraits Workshops (ABOUTFACE) offered visual arts activities that helped motivate veterans and their families to explore self-understanding, to think creatively, to be innovative and to improve their quality of life.

The teaching team of the recent ABOUTFACE, which consisted of:  Coordinator, Ryan Berg (U.S. Marine Corps Veteran); Facilitator, Felisa Gaffney, Ph.D., (U.S. Air Force – Retired); and Artist, Victoria Bianco, Ph.D., were honored by the board.

The 2018 ABOUTFACE participants in the six workshops were from across the County and represented a cross section of military service and age groups.  All of the participants said they would recommend ABOUTFACE to other veterans and over half said they are looking forward to exhibiting their self-portraits for the public to see and understand.

The Arts and Culture Commission of Contra Costa County (AC5) worked with the County Veterans Service Department, the County Office of Communications & Media and the County Library to help select locations, distribute project information and to identify potential participants.  AC5 Commissioner Anderson was the Project Director, and the other AC5 Commissioners all contributed to the success of this outstanding program.  AC5 would like to thank the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors and the California Arts Commission for the funding that made this program possible.

To learn more about this program or to interview the honorees making a difference for veterans, please contact Roger Renn, AC5 Executive Director, at (925) 646-2278.

This year, Antioch is excited to host an entire weekend of enjoyment for our local community to celebrate Memorial Day.

Softball Tournament of Heroes

The weekend starts off with the Delta Softball Tournament of Heroes at the Antioch Community Park May 26th and 27th, 2018 both days start at 8 A.M. On Saturday there will be an Opening Ceremony at 8 A.M. on Field One. This is a co-ed double elimination tournament and is the first for  the Antioch Memorial Day Celebration.

Memorial Day Services

On Monday the 28th, as in the past, there will be a Motorcycle Parade from Downtown Rivertown to the Oak View Memorial Park in Antioch, where we will hold our Memorial Day Services beginning at 10 A.M. Our Keynote Speaker will be Major General Bob Hipwell, U.S. Army (Ret.).

Free BBQ at VFW

That will be followed by a free BBQ at the Antioch VFW hosted by the Antioch VFW Post 6435.

Veteran Memorial Banners

We are also pleased to announce the Veteran Memorial Banner program as well.  Veterans Memorial Banners will be flown the length of L St. from 10th St. north to the Veterans Memorial at the entrance of the Marina.  A total of 34 Memorial Banners will be hung.  The Memorial Banners will hang until it is torn or worn at which time the Banner will be retired by the Antioch Veterans Community with dignity and respect, the applicant will be notified at that time.

For more information please visit www.deltaveteransgroup.org.