Page 8 - Dinuba Sentinel 2-21-19 E-edition

A8 | Thursday, February 21, 2019 Community The Dinuba Sentinel Community welcomes VEC
Rick Curiel | The Sentinel
A little rain did not stop a large group of dignitaries from attending a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Dinuba Vocational Education Center. The downtown building, after sitting dormant for nearly two years, is breathing new life with a new lease deal between the city of Dinuba and the Dinuba Unified School District. The district plans to purchase the building at the end of the lease, and is currently adult education and vocational training courses at the center. A new medical billing and pharmacy technician course will be starting as soon as next week at the VEC.
The Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter #643-Dinuba met this past Wednesday for Change of Officers to run VVA. Outgoing President for 2018 was Navy Veteran Ricky Brown. Coming in as the New 2019 President for this Vietnam Veterans Chapter is Joe Martinez, US Army Veteran.
The local Veterans Chapter is active in hosting the Ceremonies for Memorial Day and Veterans Day. The Chapter has an active Firing Squad, Color Guard, and Volunteer Veterans available to speak at group meetings if invited.
The main mission for VVA is to continue to look out for the well being of its local Veterans and those who are coming in from the current Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Tulare County also has paid staff for Veterans seeking information for health care and life necessities information.
Chapter #643 is fairly young, being chartered in 1999 with a non-profit status by IRS. However, the Chapter was formed much earlier around 1991. In 1993 a small group of Chapter members took a trip to Washington DC and the Vietnam Memorial Wall. For years the only funds came from Cinco de Mayo and Raisin Day Food booth
Photo contributed
Pictured above are the newly installed officers for the Dinuba Chapter (#643) of the Vietnam Veterans of America. They are, in no particular order, President Joe Martinez, Vice President Jacob Huerta, Secretary/Treasurer George Madrid, District Representative Ricky Brown, Assistant District Representative Col. David Meals and VVA Chapter Ambassador Romelia Castillo.
at the local park. The Chapter now has its big fund Raiser with the Fourth of July Fireworks booth at United Market lot.
The newly Elected Officer Staff are Veteran President Joe Martinez US Army, Vice President Jacob Huerta US Army, Secretary/Treasurer George Madrid US Navy Seabee, District Representative Ricky Brown US Navy, Asst. District Representative Col David Meals US Army, Entertainment Chair Ray Quintana US Army and Chapter Ambassador Romelia Castillo AVVA.
The newly Elected Board of Directors are Veterans and AVVA members Manuel Madrid AVVA, Frank Villanueva US Army, Sandy Watson AVVA, Domingo Sustaita US Army and Carlos Rios US Army. The Board will serve under the Direction of the Chapter President.
The Chapter meets on the second Wednesday of each month. Winter hours meetings are at 6:30 p.m. and summer meetings start at 7:00 p.m. All meetings are held at the Dinuba Memorial Hall. VVA is open to all Vietnam Veterans from 1959 to 1975.
Associates are open to men or women 18 on up. No service is required. Contact George Madrid for more information, 528-2811 or email at geodrid@sbcglobal.net.
Vietnam Veterans of America swears in new local of cers
By George Madrid, US Navy Seabee
Special to the Sentinel
005594