California Department of Veterans Affairs

A new Women Veterans Memorial in Twain Harte had a dedication celebration last November. CalVet Secretary and U.S. Navy veteran Lindsey Sin provided keynote remarks at the ceremony. Years in the planning, the concrete and stone memorial is the product of a community effort led by Vietnam veteran Frank Smart. It is among the few memorials statewide that references women veterans, and possibly the only memorial solely dedicated to women who served. It honors all women veterans, including those from Tuolumne County. Pictured (l-r) are Secretary Sin and Krysta Haigh Wolken, a U.S. Navy veteran who served on the advisory committee for the memorial.

CalVet's Minority and Underrepresented Veterans Division is partnering with Legal Aid Society of San Diego to offer a Veterans Pathway to Citizenship webinar on Thursday, March 27, at 11 a.m. The webinar will provide free legal assistance to veterans seeking naturalization services. Additionally, veterans will have the opportunity to learn about their earned state and federal benefits. All veterans and families are welcome! Sign up now at the registration website at https://lnkd.in/gXWU9iPg.

On March 20, 2003, Operation Iraqi Freedom began, as troops from the U.S., United Kingdom, Australia, and Poland invaded Iraq. Twenty-two days after the first day of the invasion, the capital city of Baghdad was captured by coalition forces. The photo shows U.S. soldiers at the?Hands of Victory?monument in Baghdad in 2003.

CA veterans: Do you want to learn more about Aid and Attendance Benefits? Don't miss out on a free webinar from CalVet's California Transition Assistance Program (CalTAP) this Thursday, March 20, at 10 a.m. The U.S. Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) will discuss information and eligibility regarding Aid and Attendance Benefits and Housebound Allowance. If you need help with daily activities, or if you’re housebound, find out if you qualify. This webinar is open to all servicemembers, veterans, and their families. Register now at https://lnkd.in/gVNKQT-M.

As we celebrate Women's History Month, we remember the late Virginia Mae Days, the pioneer and trailblazer who served as CalVet Director from 1975-81. Read her inspiring story at the CalVet Connect blog at https://lnkd.in/g4HZvFKC. #WomensHistoryMonth

Secretary Lindsey Sin welcomed Mayumi K. as CalVet's new Deputy Secretary of Women Veterans?during an official swearing-in ceremony on March 11. Kimura was joined by her daughter, Ayane. A dedicated advocate for veterans, Kimura is the Founder of Warriors Insight Therapy, a PTSD and trauma-focused practice she established in 2022. She led the organization during its early years before moving into her current role. Prior to that, she was a Readjustment Counselor at the Lowell Vet Center from 2019 to 2022 and the Program Director for the Housing Unit for Military Veterans at the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office from 2018 to 2019. ? Her experience also includes roles as an Emergency Services Clinician at Riverside Community Care (2017–2018), a Social Services Clinician at Butler Psychiatric Hospital (2016–2017), and a Psychosocial Manager and Hospice Social Worker at Bayada Hospice (2013–2017). ? Kimura served in the United States Navy as Petty Officer First Class, Operations Specialist (OS1) from 2001 to 2010, including active duty and active reserve service. In the second photo, Kimura is shown with the CalVet Women Veterans division team (L-R): Lisa Dage, Cristina Montano, Adriana Griffin, Kimura, Nou Soga, and Felicia Romo.

Since today, March 14, is Pi Day, we wanted to share this fun video from the Army's 55th Public Affairs Company at Fort Meade, Maryland. ??

In honor of K9 Veterans Day, March 13, we have a quiz for you: About how many dogs serve in the U.S. military?

Today, March 13, is National K9 Veterans Day. Join us in celebrating the service and sacrifices of all American military and working dogs. ?? ?? Photos by U.S. Department of Defense.

Great Sacramento News & Review feature story spotlighting CalVet's service to women veterans, working in collaboration with Erica Courtney and the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls.