Greetings From District 3 Supervisor Jim Holmes

As we enter the fall and winter holiday season and the upcoming Veterans Day, I would like to begin this newsletter recognizing all the veterans’ services that are provided throughout Placer County.

The recently remodeled Placer County Veterans Services Office, located at 1000 Sunset Boulevard in Rocklin under the leadership of the Veterans Services Officer, Steve Johnson connects veterans to their benefits by assisting in their interactions with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), including applying for pension and health care benefits.

Steve Johnson and his very able staff encourages any Veteran or any Veteran’s Family member, to visit their office to answer questions or ask for assistance with needs a Veteran or family member is seeking.

Their contact information is: veterans@placer.ca.gov and (916) 780-3290.

In 2013, Sierra College added a Veterans Success Center to their growing campus. The Veterans’ Success Center is a centralized place for veterans, military members, and their dependents. The transition from military to college life can be challenging and Sierra College is committed to providing the best assistance in appreciation of their sacrifice and service. The Center provides information regarding VA education benefits and has VA Certifying Officials who can initiate and process VA education benefits, including military transcripts and Department of Defense forms.

The Veterans Success Center contact information is: veterans@sierracollege.edu and (916) 660-7470.

In 2005, an amazing lady named Donna Arz created the Forgotten Soldier Program in downtown Auburn. Donna realized that many returning veterans were not getting the help they needed. Many of the veterans return home with emotional, physical, and spiritual injuries that can last a lifetime.

The Forgotten Soldier Program (FSP) brings a unique healing experience to aid Veterans in their recovery from trauma and has provided therapy and empathetic touch treatment and yoga and meditation training to more than 24,000 veterans at no charge. This program helps Veterans reintegrate back into civilian life.

In addition, on the second Friday of every month, the Forgotten Soldier Staff volunteer their services to the Sacramento Combat Vets Center located off Howe Avenue.

In 2012, Donna, began a collaborative effort of numerous veterans and FSP to transform an empty dirt lot next to the FSP office into the Armed Forces Pavilion and Community Garden located at 995 Lincoln Way. With overwhelming support from local business and countless hours from volunteers the garden now provides Veterans a common place to work together on healing, to join with the community and learn about each other and share their experiences.

FSP contact information is:

Forgottensoldierprogram.com and

(530) 889-2300.

In conclusion, let me thank all the Veterans Organizations that support Veterans through their meetings and events at the Placer County Veteran’s Halls in the County.

Thank you to more than 25,000 Veterans and their families in Placer County for their sacrifice and service to the United States of America.

Warm Regards,

Supervisor Jim Holmes