Veterans' Stories Archives - Gold Coast Veterans Foundation

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February 3, 2020

Veterans: New Year Brings Benefit Updates

With the New Year came changes in veteran benefits along with a push from some veteran advocacy groups for research into help for service-connected illnesses that are currently not covered or deemed by Veterans Affairs as “presumption of service-connected illness.” Here’s a short list of some of the changes. As always, it’s best to check […]

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December 6, 2019

Pearl Harbor Attack Lives on Through Memories and Words of Those Who Live On

On December 7, 1941, 78 years ago Saturday, Japan launched the devastating attack on Pearl Harbor that killed 2,403 military personnel and civilians, and drew the United States into World War II. Each year, we remember Pearl Harbor and those who perished. But with time and attrition taking their collective toll, the number of those […]

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September 13, 2019

Giant Service Dog to Receive Mobility Surgery

Once-Rescued Dog Now Helps Rescue Homeless Veterans CAMARILLO, CA September 13, 2019 – A service dog with a specialized skill that can help save the life of a homeless military veteran will soon be getting a surgery, thanks to Gold Coast Veterans Foundation (GCVF). The 165 pound white Samoyed mix named Leo ventures into homeless […]

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July 18, 2019

Camping an Interim Housing Option for Vets

Mikey Simpson, Army Veteran; 2018 Ventura County Stand Down; Widow of a Veteran Helps Veterans

Living at Ventura County campgrounds is a viable option for homeless veterans. This is true especially if the veteran is able to obtain a Distinguished Veteran pass, available through California State Parks, or an Access Pass, available through the National Park Service. I didn’t plan on full-time camping. I was trying to buy a house […]

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June 6, 2019

K-9s Play Key Roles with Soldiers, Veterans

“Man’s Best Friend” doesn’t tell the whole story. Our K-9 companions are also a Soldier’s Best Friend and a Veteran’s Best Friend. Dogs have served important roles in military operations for many years, saving countless lives on the battlefield and often decorated for their valor. “Sgt. Stubby” was a dog who was the official mascot of [...]

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May 10, 2019

Dog’s Life: Finding Comfort in a Pack

My name is Leo. I’m a mix, they say. Maybe part Alaskan malamute and husky. Maybe some Pyrenees or mastiff or white shepherd or wolf, even. I’m not sure. Does it matter? Not to me. And not to Papa. We met about six years ago when I was 8 months old. I was in a […]

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April 19, 2019

Medal of Honor Recipient from Oxnard Uses Newfound Platform to Talk to Marines

I called retired Marine Sgt. Maj. John Canley last week to ask him if we could catch up on what he’s been doing since he was awarded the Medal of Honor in October by President Donald Trump for his exemplary service in Vietnam. He called me back from a naval base in San Diego, where […]

February 4, 2019

A Life Dedicated to Helping Veterans Rooted in Surviving a Grenade Attack 50 Years Earlier

Combat Veteran; Survivor's Guilt; Veterans Helping Veterans

Last week, I celebrated the 50th anniversary of a hand grenade blowing up a few feet behind me. That was normally 100 percent fatal. The blast lifted me off the ground and planted me face-first. I couldn’t move. I was near the Cambodian border, and my guys called in a medevac helicopter. They flew me to Saigon at […]

December 7, 2018

Pearl Harbor Survivor Don Long Reflects on Dec. 7, 1941

Napa valley resident and Navy veteran Don Long recently sat down with CalVet to share his memories of December 7, 1941 when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. Long recalls seeing planes just moments before 8 a.m. as he got ready to begin test flights with his crew. Watch the video to hear how he survived […]

December 7, 2018

Oldest US Military Survivor of Pearl Harbor Dies at Age 106

Ray Chavez, 106 and the oldest U.S. military veteran survivor of the attack on Pearl Harbor 77 years ago, has died. A resident of Poway, Calif., Chavez died in his sleep Wednesday. He had been suffering from pneumonia, said his daughter, Kathleen Chavez, according to Associated Press and San Francisco Chronicle reports. Daniel Martinez, chief […]