San Benito County Veterans Digest

Federal judge David O. Carter has declined to dismiss a lawsuit that could force the Veterans Administration to house veterans experiencing homelessness in the Los Angeles area. Carter’s 41-page ruling could pave the way for a trial in mid-2024.

The Hollister Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9242 hosts its Christmas Potluck Dinner on Dec. 16 at the Veterans’ Memorial Building.

Bernie Ramirez, with the Hollister VFW Post 9242, is raffling handmade Adirondack chairs or a bench (winner’s choice). All proceeds go toward ‘I Care Packages’ the Hollister VFW sends to deployed active-duty military members across the world.

The link between PFAS and testicular cancer among service members was never directly proven—until now.

Rep. Jimmy Panetta convened a panel of veterans to discuss the Honoring Our PACT Act, which ensures that veterans exposed to toxic substances during their service receive the care they need.

Over 1,900 motorcycle riders left Ontario, California, on May 17 for a “Run for the Wall,” taking one of three routes across the United States and arriving on May 26 at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., to honor fallen warriors.

A half-dozen speakers at the May 9 Gavilan Board of Trustees used the time for public comment to ask the board to say the Pledge of Allegiance before their proceedings. The comments focused on similar themes, all urging the trustees to reinstate the pledge as an indication of their patriotism and respect for those in the armed services.

Veterans in acute crisis can go to any VA or non-VA health care facility for emergency health care at no cost—including inpatient or crisis residential care for up to 30 days and outpatient care for up to 90 days.

A new nonprofit on the Central Coast looks to ensure safe drinking water and access to waterways for all, particularly those in disadvantaged communities. The fledgling nonprofit is called Waterkeeper Monterey, formerly known as Monterey Coastkeeper.

The Military and Veterans Affairs office of Monterey County has a dream: a veterans home located in the county, preferably close to services such as health care while providing much-needed skilled nursing and memory care.

The Santa Cruz Veterans Center will provide counseling services at the Hollister Veterans Memorial Building Aug. 27 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for vets who are troubled by the American military withdrawal from Afghanistan. Bernie Ramirez of VFW Post 9242 said he is pushing to have those services available every Friday.

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6359 is looking for relatives of Sylvester R. Chavez, an infantryman with the 1st Air Cavalry’s 7th Squadron in Vietnam. His mother was Mary Chavez of Watsonville.

Hundreds of thousands of veterans suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, and Fourth of July fireworks can be a trigger. Local vets share their experiences with BenitoLink reporter John Chadwell.