News and Press Releases :: September 28, 2010
McKeon’s Informational Seminar for Veterans in District Lauded a Success
Event proves helpful for local veterans and their families
SANTA CLARITA, CA – Last Saturday, September 25th, the district staff of Representative Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (R-Santa Clarita) hosted a successful, inaugural Veteran’s Seminar in Palmdale, California, personally reaching out to more than 150 veterans and their families in the 25th Congressional District.
Joe Bradley, a Marine veteran who served his country during the Cuban Missile Crisis, attended the seminar and said he was encouraged to learn about education benefits available to veterans through Antelope Valley College. Knowing that his GI Bill benefits from the VA had long since expired, he was hopeful that this seminar could present other options in financing college courses.
Mr. Bradley further expressed his gratitude for the Congressman, his staff, and the seminar stating, “Veterans out here really appreciate his efforts on our behalf.”
The seminar provided an opportunity for past service members and their dependents to speak with representatives from over twenty different veteran’s organizations including the Los Angeles County Veterans Affairs, VA Home Loans, Operation Welcome Home, and the American Legion. Along with these organizations, veterans also heard from several distinguished speakers including Lisa Grod, of the William J. “Pete” Knight Veterans Home in Lancaster, and First Lieutenant Renard Thomas, the Certifying Official of Education Benefits at the College of the Canyons’ VA Office.
Click here to view Congressman McKeon’s remarks to the veterans.
Information on educational benefits was without question the most sought-after by veterans in attendance.
First Lieutenant Renard Thomas, who is currently serving in California’s Army National Guard, spoke to veterans at the event on the GI Bill and education benefits they are potentially eligible to receive. 1LT Thomas, who used the Montgomery GI Bill to help finance his own education at the College of the Canyons, believed the seminar was beneficial to veterans.
“It put critical information out there that they [veterans] need to make decisions regarding education, ” Thomas said.
Speaking specifically about the high demand of educational information requested by veterans and his role in the College of the Canyons’ VA Office, Lieutenant Thomas added, “Personally, it’s a life changing experience, allowing people to move into jobs or careers in which they can reasonably sustain themselves and their families.”
The Congressman recorded a special message for veterans attending the seminar and expressed special gratitude to his district staff member, J.D. Kennedy, who is himself a Wounded Warrior, for his effort in this event and outreach to veterans in the community.
For additional veterans’ resource material, you can visit McKeon’s website “Veterans Resource Page” at http://mckeon.house.gov/singlepage.aspx?NewsID=1707.
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