Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/501282
ByJohnMinton Whatisitaboutusvet- erans that upsets and dis- appoints, not only others, but also ourselves? This may only be my feeling but do we need to encourage all who deal and work with us vet- erans everywhere to be aware of how valuable all of us feel? Should we work on our own memorandums of understanding among ourselves and our service organizations? Maybe folks — family, friends and all others — know that we are divided as veterans instead of to- gether. We stand off from each other for various reasons, which can be disruptive in our communities. I hope that this makes sense. Are we all just cliqu- ish? If so, how do we make improvements in our own attitudes and be- haviors so that we can get the kind of respect and services we feel we de- serve? Once we discover and learn how to do this maybe then our status in society will be taken more graciously. How do we get the feel- ing of empowerment with- out rubbing anybody the wrong way? Are we vet- erans really a cliquish lot? Someone was kind enough to be honest with me about this recently. Again, hop- ing this makes at least some sense. I heard a story here, in Tehama County, about a veteran who wanted to join a service organiza- tion and was asked if he had served in theater (war zone) anywhere, or "boots on the ground." He was told that if the answer was no then he wasn't a "real" veteran and could not join an or- ganization. No one would accept him, he was told. VA says he is a real vet- eran. I served from 1973 to 1984, active and reserve. Infantry and other. No boots in theater. Some who served in theater have flat told me I am not a veteran. Where does it state this? Like all other vet- erans, I went where I was ordered to go, with- out mental, emotional or physical reservation, as I swore in my several oaths of each of my enlistments. I went where ordered by my Commandant, offi- cers and my Presidents or- dered me to go. Am I not a veteran? I've been attempting to write a book, "War Stories of a Cold War Warrior." Cold War Warriors made things happen, and have their war stories, whether in theater veterans want to acknowledge this or not. We did our jobs as we agreed to do them to the best of our abilities as all veterans have and still do. We honor and respect all who "gave some and some who gave all." To exclude from mem- bership only further de- stroys those organiza- tions who remain cliqu- ish and also destroys the good will and intentions of a lot of veterans and those who support us all regardless of our cliquish attitudes. We carry and respect the American flag and no other flag like it because there is no other flag like it. To fly another flag any- where in these United States of America is not okay. It's a direct attack on American soil, again. How do we veterans and Americans feel about this? How will we deal with this? Just think about Ft. McHenry. Those Ameri- cans, military and civil- ian alike, literally died for that flag. Our flag. Our symbol of everything that goes into being free. We take the bad with the good and the good with the bad. That's America. If we believe in Amer- ica and respect the same flag then it seems to make no sense why we veterans are so cliquish. No mat- ter why it happens aren't we courageous and hon- orable enough to let some personal issues and de- mons go and march for- ward together and keep on making and encour- aging Americans to stay strong in their beliefs? They share in our beliefs and values. When we enlisted didn't we make a com- mitment to America, the same commitment as all veterans do? If we are to remain cliquish at least let it be to others who don't support America and our traditional American val- ues. But we need to stay our course by being commit- ted to each other as vet- erans. Isn't that where we will get the respect and services we feel we de- serve? Doesn't it begin with us? Veterans of Amer- ica, unite. VeteranJohnMinton served from 1973 to 1984. His email is JarusHeadus5@gmail. com. VETERANS CORNER Whydoesitgo? The Sun Country Quil- ters Guild will be present- ing its biennial quilt show, "The Secret Language of Quilts," 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 25 , and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 26, at the Tehama District Fairground. In addition to 200 quilts that will be on display from guild members, several small groups of quilters gathered together in the past year to create special displays revealing some of the symbols and messages that have been used in days past. Admission to the show is $7 per person and park- ing is free. While there is some dis- agreement among quilt his- torians about the authen- ticity of quilts having been used to convey information to escaping slaves, there is a strong oral history of such usage among their descen- dants and the abolitionist groups who helped them. This was, in effect, a se- cret language passed down orally through generations of women. Members Charlotte Nishida, Carol Hinton, Pa- tricia Christ and Susanne Daley used designs in Un- derground Railroad Sam- pler, by Eleanor Burns, and researched other writings on this subject to develop this display for the guild's show. Another part of the guild took on the symbols used by hobos from times gone by using the book "Hobo Quilts," by Debra G. Hen- ninger. From the 1880s to the 1940s, hobos were a part of the American life; whether one thought poorly of them or felt that they were honest, honorable peo- ple caught up in bad times, all would agree that criss- crossing the country on railroads was the hobo's lifeblood. The signs of the hobos provided a way to tell others how they would be received by a home owner, police or even a dog. Pam Allred, Juanita Carpen- ter, Dona Crawford, Kate Johnson, Lucy Tully, Cathy Warren and long-arm quil- ter Vicki Haldane have cre- ated a piece exploring the symbols used to create this secret language. Since women have most commonly been the ones to make quilts, it makes sense that women have also used their craft to ex- press their opinions about issues of the day. This was especially true in years past when women did not have the same rights as men. Roxi Bradley, Pam Allred, Lois Milosch, June Kirk, Sharon Cox and Darlene Herrick made a quilt to honor 12 women who were active in the temperance, suffrage and abolitionist movements. The quilt will be revealed at the show this weekend for all to see. From biblical times through the Victorian era, flowers have been assigned meanings that people have incorporated into gifts and displays of needlework, paintings and quilts. Show visitors will be able to ex- plore the aisles and find flowers and colors that have been painted with thread and fabrics to express all kinds of emotions. On Saturday afternoon, Margaret Ward will dem- onstrate Crazy Quilting, a style where quilters use floral motifs, beading and fancy stitches to allow their imagination to soar. Demonstrations on other quilting topics will also be given, ranging from upcy- cling jeans and making rag quilts to technical topics such as applying bindings. The Community Service Group will be offering in- teractive quilt block de- sign so visitors can have a hand in making some of the hundreds of small lap quilts that are given an- nually to Head Start and many others in need of warmth in the community. A food concession will be offered nearby, as well as many vendors on site, sell- ing all types of sewing ma- chines, patterns, crafts and supplies. Those interested in more information about the Sun Country Quilters Guild will find it at the Tehama Dis- trict Fairground this week- end and on Monday, April 27, at the regularly sched- uled meeting of the guild at the Red Bluff Commu- nity Center. This month the program will be highlight- ing the best from the quilt show. Yearly memberships are available for $30, as well as attendance by guests for a nominal fee. SUN COUNTRY 'The Secret Language of Quilts' presented COURTESYPHOTO One quilt block in the quilt shown here is the North Star, representing the destination for those escaping slavery, namely Canada. Runaway slaves were not safe until they reached Canada, thus a North Star on a quilt thrown over a clothesline may have shown lost slaves the right direction to travel. WILLOWS After a dry win- ter and sparse spring show- ers, conditions on the Men- docino National Forest are indicating an earlier than usual start to fire season. "Typically the earliest the Mendocino has wild- land fire activity is mid- June, with a more active fire season from mid-sum- mer to early fall," said For- est Fire Management Offi- cer Curtis Coots. "This year things are so dry, that we are already seeing an increased risk for wildfires — even earlier than we did last year." The forest is not in fire restrictions, but fuel condi- tions are being monitored closely. As late spring and sum- mer recreation season starts, forest visitors are asked to take extra precau- tions when using fire on the forest. "Remember, one less spark — one less wildfire. Whether it's a gas stove, campfire or ensuring that you aren't creating a spark, paying attention can help dramatically reduce the risk of human-caused fires on the Forest," Coots said. "By doing this we can help preserve not only public and firefighter safety, but also the areas of the forest we all enjoy." Over the past week, there have already been a hand- ful of smoke checks on the forest, some the result of re- cent lightning in the area. There was also a 6-acre fire over the weekend near Twin Springs on the Grind- stone Ranger District on the east side of the forest, with smoke visible from In- terstate 5. The Twin fire was con- tained and controlled quickly. The cause is under investigation. For more information, call the Mendocino Na- tional Forest at 530 934- 3316, or visit www.fs.usda. gov/mendocino. MENDOCINO FOREST Drought conditions prompt fire warning Advocacy American Legion, Lassen Post 0167 Red Bluff, 528-1026 American Legion, Rais- ner Post 45 Corning, 518-3152 Am Vets, Post 2002 Corning, 526-2883 VFW Los Molinos, 384-1301 Red Bluff, 528-1026 Corning Post 4218 Dis- trict 15 Auxiliary 4218, District 15 824-5957 DAV 529-4579 Marine Corps League, Detachment 1140 (888) MCL-1140 Military Family Support Group 529-1852 or 529-2416 Services Tehama County Veterans Service Office 529-3664 Tehama County Veterans Collaborative Tehama Together, 527- 2223 Veteran Resource Cen- ter Chico (530) 809-2831 Redding (530) 223-3211 VA Crisis Hotline (800) 273-8255 VA Homeless Outreach (530) 247-7917 Redding VA Outpatient Clinic (530) 226-7555 Chico VA Outpatient Clinic (530) 879-5000 Veterans Home, Redding (530) 224-3800 Faith Based Advocacy PATH — Poor And The Homeless 736-3959 Pastor Dave Lambers, VCF 736-3400 Serving veterans? If your local organiza- tion or government entity offers service specific to veterans, send contact in- formation to editor@red- bluffdailynews.com, fax to 527-9251 or drop it off at 545 Diamond Ave. in Red Bluff during business hours to be added to this listing. RESOURCES Veterans services and advocacy groups listed Call 877-4DAD411 or visit www.fatherhood.gov be a dad today. Take time to Passages:HICAP, Caregiver Resource Center, Volunteer Services, Multi-Purpose Senior Services Program, Ombudsman, Information and Assistance Health Care Options Independent Living Ser. Of Northern California Medi-Cal Northern Valley Catholic Social Service Rolling Hills Health Clinic Senior Nutrition St. Elizabeth TRAX/METS Community Resource Fair for Adults Join us at the 2015 Community Resource Fair for Adults to learn about available resources for health care and prescription insurance coverage, nutrition services, independent living and more. Take advantage of this opportunity to talk with professionals from different agencies all in one location. Get your questions answered and see what programs you may qualify for! Tuesday,May12th|10a.m.to12p.m. Red Bluff Community Center 1500 S. Jackson St., Red Bluff Brought to you by PASSAGES, helping caregivers and older adults lead healthier, happier, and more rewarding lives by providing and supporting the critical services and community resources they need. Watch for more information coming soon! PassagesCenter.org Presented by: Participating Programs: And More • • • • • • • • • This publication/project was supported by HICAP with financial assistance, in whole or in part, through a grant from the Administration for Community Living. SterilizationTech/FT Red Bluff: Maintainesdentalinstruments in strict accordance with sterilization & disinfection protocols. X-ray certification preferred. A complete application is required. Apply at nvih.org email: jobs@nvih.org fax 530-342-7507 or mail resume to: Northern Valley Indian Health Attn: HR, 845 W. East Ave Chico, CA 95926 Closing Date: May 8, 2015 (530) 529-1220 100 Jackson St.,Red Bluff 2 FREE Tanning Sessions withanynew membership in the month of April Valid:4-1-2015to4-30-2015 Mel'sPlace • Lingerie • Airbrush Tanning • Swimwear 332OakStreet Red Bluff (530) 604-4182 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ www.TehamaCountyRealEstate.com 530529-2700 314 Washington St, Red Bluff, CA Take15%offyourmeal with this ad dineinonly 723 Main St. 527.5470 www. palominoroom .com PrimeRibonFridaysnights Open Tues-Sat LIFESTYLES » redbluffdailynews.com Saturday, April 25, 2015 MORE AT FACEBOOK.COM/RBDAILYNEWS AND TWITTER.COM/REDBLUFFNEWS A5