To participate in the parade and for more information visit https://deltaveteransgroup.org.

Tours of Coast Guard ship at the Smith’s Landing dock Sunday, Sept. 14

Local high school students to perform, volunteer

By Allen D. Payton

A unit from Beale Air Force Base near Sacramento has volunteered to support this year’s Stand Down on the Delta with a flyover of two T-38 fighter jets from the 1st Reconnaissance Squadron on Saturday, September 13. Pilots who fly the U-2 jets at the base train on the T-38’s.

The flyover will occur during Opening Ceremonies Saturday morning beginning at 10:00 A.M. at which the Deer Valley High Divine Voices will perform the National Anthem.

The four pilots from the 1st Reconnaissance Squadron participating in the flyover will be Lt. Colonel “Mako” Willard, Major “Dice” Dodds, Major “Merle” Paegelow and Captain “Blitz” Alexander.

On Friday, as veterans arrive to the Contra Costa Event Center (fairgrounds) the U.S. Air Force Band of the Golden West will perform.

Then on Sunday from 10:00 AM to Noon, tours will be offered on a Coast Guard ship at the Smith’s Landing dock at the foot of L Street.

Local High School Students Volunteer

This year members from the Heritage High School Air Force Junior ROTC and Antioch High Army Junior ROTC members will be volunteering during the weekend events.

De La Salle High School students are participating in a competition in which they’re working on a sock drive for veterans. That’s one of the items So far, they have collected 1,900 pairs but the effort continues until Thursday. The school has also donated 150 sweatshirts to be distributed during the weekend.

Stand Down on the Delta, presented by Delta Veterans Group, will again be held at the Contra Costa Event Park (fairgrounds), located at 1201 W. 10th Street in Antioch. For more information click, here.

#AFFlyover

Veterans Served Their Country — Now They Serve Their Communities

Join us for Stand Down on the Delta 2025, September 12–15, 2025 at the Contra Costa Event Park (fairgrounds) in Antioch, presented by Delta Veterans Group.

Launched in 2023, our “Veterans Served Their Country — Veterans Serve Their Communities” program gives these honorable individuals a New Mission of Service — and you’re invited to join them.

These brave women and men served our nation. Now, they’re answering a new call — to serve the neighborhoods and communities they call home.

Saturday, September 13, 2025, is Community Service Day, when Veterans will serve every corner of Contra Costa County, helping everyone, not just fellow Veterans. ervices are open to everyone regardless if you are a veteran or not.

Veterans: Pre-register or walk in daily

Everyone else: Come volunteer, get connected, or lend support.

Over four days, we provide life-changing services to hundreds of Veterans:

• Medical & Dental Care
• Housing, Job Placement & Legal Support
• Mental Health & Recovery Services
• Meals, Clothing, Gear & More

Over 1,754 Veterans and families helped so far — and we’re just getting started.

Help us make 2025 the most impactful Stand Down yet.

The Fairgrounds are located at 1201 W. 10th Street in Antioch.

Delta Veterans Group – “A Hand Up, Not a Handout”. For more information visit www.deltaveteransgroup.org/stand-down-on-the-delta.

To serve homeless veterans; volunteers needed

Community Day Sept. 13 is for anyone and everyone

By Delta Veterans Group

The Delta Veterans Group brings Contra Costa County (CCC) “Stand Down on the Delta” a Homeless Veterans’ “Hand Up” event every other year (2015, 2017, 2019….) DVG is proud to bring Stand Down on the Delta 2025, September 12-15, to the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds in Antioch.

This is a four-day event wherein U.S. military veterans receive services in Medical, Dental, Veterans Treatment Court, Housing, Job Placement, Mental Health and Drug and Alcohol Counseling.

We are also looking for volunteers. Please contact us through our website at Contact Us | Delta Veterans Group.

To date the Stand Down on the Delta biennial event has helped thousands of veterans and their families, served thousands of meals, given away over 1,100 pairs of boots, over 1,500 sleeping bags, over 1,300 pairs of new jeans, $500,000 in dental care, taken over 200 veterans fishing on our Delta shores and helped many more find permanent housing.

We work with over 70 different organizations during our four day Stand Down on the Delta event. In September of 2019 over 850 Volunteers from around the State of California and even as far as South Carolina came to Antioch to help us provide these great services to our veterans.

About DVG

Delta Veterans Group is a 501(c)3 Veterans service non-profit that assists our Nation’s finest men and women with housing, employment, health, and education services. Founded in Contra Costa County in 2012 by Army veteran J.R. Wilson, DVG has now grown to provide services to surrounding Northern California areas including Alameda, Monterey, Napa, San Joaquin, San Francisco and Solano counties.

Fundraiser for Stand Down on the Delta 2025

Join us an historic celebration! 

By Delta Veterans Group

Come out on Flag Day, Saturday, June 14th at 11AM as the VFW will officially rename Antioch VFW Post 6435 in honor of John McMullen, a proud U.S. Army Veteran and lifelong Antioch resident who dedicated his life to this community — even helping build the very VFW building we’re naming after him!

815 Fulton Shipyard Road, Antioch

And what better day than the U.S. Army’s 250th Birthday to celebrate John’s legacy of service?
We’re honored to welcome Antioch Mayor Ron Bernal and other local officials for this special dedication. Let’s come together to celebrate John’s life, service, and the values that unite us.
Don’t miss this powerful tribute to a true hometown hero!

Local businesses to recognize local veterans’ community Monday, May 26

By J.R. Wilson, Delta Veterans Group

Thank  you Smith’s Landing Seafood Grill for your continued support of our local veterans’ community!

We’re honored to have the support of Smith’s Landing Seafood Grill in Antioch as they recognize the hard work Delta Veterans Group is doing for our Bay Area community.

On Monday May 26 from11am- 9pm, 15% of the day’s food and beverage sales will be donated to Delta Veterans Group to assist their efforts to help our local veterans during the Stand Down on the Delta later this year.

Visit their website at www.smithslandingantioch.com.

This Memorial Day, join us in remembering and honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation.

Antioch Memorial Day Ceremony, Monday May 26 at 10:00 AM

Oak View Memorial Park, 2500 E. 18th Street, Antioch

Let us never forget those who gave their all.