 
 Check out our very own Guitars 4 Vets program spotlight on the ABC7 Salutes segment!
Guitars 4 Vets helps Veterans cope with PTSD and heal through the power of music. "We give guitar lessons to Veterans suffering through PTSD or other invisible wounds. Every Veteran that graduates receives a free guitar" says Ming Chen, U.S. Army Veteran and Long Beach Guitars 4 Vets Chapter Coordinator. Check out this great opportunity to use music as a healing tool.
Visit the Guitars 4 Vets website for more information.
To inquire about the Long Beach Chapter, please email Ming Chen or Dr. Patricia Lutfy.
 VA Long Beach Healthcare System staff and patients participate in VA2K 2024.
On May 15, 2024, VA Medical Centers around the nation held the 14th annual VA2K Walk & Roll event in support of local homeless Veteran programs and inspiring healthy activity for VA employees. The Employee Whole Health Committee, led by CJ Munoz, invited all staff and Veterans to come together as a community to promote the health and well-being of all in attendance with a fun 2K walk (1.24 miles) as well as provide an opportunity to receive needed donations for local unhoused Veterans. Last year in 2023, this event raised $257,638 in donations and had over 26,000 participants across VA Medical Centers nationwide.
Special thanks to the Employee Whole Health Committee, Executive Leadership, VA Police, Veterans Canteen Service, Center for Development and Civic Engagement, Engineering, Environmental Management Service - Material Handlers and Public Affairs for their support in hosting this wonderful event.
We hope to see you next year!
 
 During Mental Health Month, Veterans and their loved ones are sharing how they took charge of their mental health and improved their lives. Watch Veterans describe what they gained through treatment — balance, connection and more.
Veteran Puts Pain Behind Him with Whole Health
Before beginning his Whole Health journey, Veteran James Mitchell was in pain, depressed, and stressed. But that’s all behind him. Through Whole Health services such as acupuncture and coaching, he has greatly improved mentally and physically. With less pain and greater mobility, watch how James can lead an active life again.
A great way to move the body is by participating in gentle yoga. Join our VA Long Beach certified yoga therapists, Kathy Du Vernet, and Hiroko Urushido, for gentle yoga to help chronic conditions such as fatigue, pain, stress, insomnia or grief. Whole Health yoga therapists will teach you breathing exercises, gentle mindfulness movement, guided imagery and guided relaxation.
To enroll: request a consult from you Primary Care Team.
DAY TIME LOCATION FOCUS
Monday 8:30 a.m. VVC Managing Chronic Conditions
Tuesday 1:00 p.m. VVC Managing Chronic Conditions
Tuesday 2:30 p.m. VVC Yoga Nidra Guided Meditation
Tuesday 3:00 p.m. Bldg. 150 Stress & Pain Management
U200
Wednesday 1:00 p.m. VVC Chair Yoga (fully seated gentle yoga)
Wednesday 3:00 p.m. VVC Managing Chronic Conditions
Thursday 1:30 p.m. VVC Yoga Nidra Guided Meditation
Thursday 3:00 p.m. VVC Managing Chronic Conditions
Thursday 3:00 p.m. Bldg. 150 Stress & Pain Management
U200
Friday 8:30 a.m. Bldg. 150 Sleep Management
U200
Friday 9:00 a.m. VVC Managing Chronic Conditions
 
 Join us on Friday, May 24 for our Memorial Day Flag Planting from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in front of building 126 (Tower Building) under the flagpole. See you there!
We are excited to announce that VA Long Beach Healthcare System's Center for Development & Civic Engagement (CDCE) will be hosting a Volunteer Townhall on May 28, 2024 to express our gratitude and recognize the outstanding contributions of our volunteers. This event will include Volunteer of the Year award presentation, a special acknowledgment of the great work our volunteers continue to accomplish, followed by a Q&A session.
Date: May 28th, 2024
Time: 10:00 am
Location: Building 165, The Egg
Please RSVP at your earliest convenience, as space will be limited.
Additionally, we will have volunteer packets available at the event for those who might be interested in joining our volunteering efforts.
We look forward to seeing you there!
 Calling all Veterans: The Veteran Social Connection (VSC) provides Veterans with an opportunity to meet and socialize in a safe environment. The VSC is also designed to highlight key programs and offerings at VA Long Beach Healthcare System. The VSC is held on the last Friday of each month from 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. on the Patriot Café Patio. Come by on Friday, May 31!
 Veterans Legal Institute Legal Clinic for Vietnam Veterans with Agent Orange and burn pit exposure and all other VA Disability Benefits Claims and Appeals
When: May 31, 2024 | 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Where: Tibor Rubin VA Medical Center, Bldg. 165, Rm. C209B
 Veterans Legal Institute Legal Clinic for Veterans with legal questions about eviction, discharge upgrades, family law, bankruptcy, expungement, and other areas.
When: May 31, 2024 | 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Where: Tibor Rubin VA Medical Center, Bldg. 165, Rm. D101 (The Egg)
When: Wednesday, June 5, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Where: Tibor Rubin VA Medical Center, The Learning Center, bldg. 165, rm. D101
Event will showcase VA innovation and ideas that have led to positive change throughout the VA hospital.
Projects will be displayed for viewing and will be graded with awards given to best projects.
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U.S. Congresswomen Grace Napolitano and Judy Chu Veterans Forum
When: June 15, 2024 | 8:00 a.m.
Where: National Guard Armory, 1351 W. Sierra Madre Ave., Azusa, CA 91702
Contact: 626-350-0150
Free information and services available for Veterans and families.
 When: May 29, 2024 | 5:00 p.m.
Where: 1045 W. Redondo Beach Blvd., Suite 150, Gardena, CA 90247
RSVP with Sandra Lopez
 When: Every 4th Tuesday of the month
Where: CERS Welcome Center, Community Partner Room
Contact Information: 800-399-4529, email Veterans Intake
 
When: May 25, 2024 | 7:30 a.m.
Where: 950 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90049
Register
Please join us in honoring our fallen service men and women at our annual Memorial Day Flag Placement. Participants will be placing flags on each grave to pay their respects to our Nation’s heroes.
Special displays by Buffalo Soldiers, Civil War Reenactors and Historical Unit of Southern California.
 When: May 25, 2024 | 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Where: 4505 Katella Avenue, Building B, Los Alamitos, CA 90720
RSVP with Chaplain Doreen Matsumoto for luncheon - 714-809-1658
 Honoring Our Heroes is a free, family-friendly citywide event that honors and celebrates military service members who have died in the line of duty, while also uplifting the local Long Beach Veteran community, which comprises more than 15,000 Veterans and their families. The program will include:
- Live patriotic music;
- Flyovers with historic aircraft;
- Exhibition drills by Lakewood High School’s Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps;
- An information fair and family-friendly activities featuring local, historical, and Veteran-led and veteran-serving community organizations;
- A brief program, starting at 6:45 p.m., with special guest speakers; and,
- At sunset, a flag ceremony and the playing of Taps to honor our fallen service members.
Honoring Our Heroes: A Sunset Ceremony complements Los Angeles Fleet Week, which takes place from May 24 through May 27 at the L.A. Waterfront at the Port of Los Angeles. As Sunday’s Fleet Week activities conclude for the day, Long Beach’s Memorial Day celebration begins. The Port of Long Beach is the lead sponsor for this event. Limited free parking is available at the Navy Memorial site. Overflow paid parking is available in the Queensway Bay/Aquarium parking garage (99 Aquarium Way).
If you are interested in attending Honoring Our Heroes: A Sunset Ceremony, please email Gina Overholt.
 When: May 26, 2024 | 4:00 p.m.
Where: Northwood Community Park, 4531 Bryan Ave., Irvine, CA, 92620
When: May 27, 2024 | 10:00 a.m.
Where: Colonel Bill Barber Marine Corps Memorial Park, 4 Civic Center Plaza, Irvine, CA, 92606
For more information, see the City of Irvine website
When: May 27, 2024 | 10:00 a.m.
Where: 950 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90049
Los Angeles Cemetery Facebook
Los Angeles Cemetery Support Foundation
When: May 29, 2024 | 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Where: Los Angeles County Office of Education, Ed Center West, 12830 Columbia Way, Downey, CA, 90242
Register
Contact:
562-922-6765
Downey Job Club
Los Angeles County Office of Education
Hiring Spree LA Facebook
 When: May 31, 2024 | 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Where: 1822 W. 162nd Street, Gardena, CA 90247
For more information:
Grant Smith
310-680-3700
 When: June 5, 2024 | 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Where: 4852 Lakeview Ave., Yorba Linda, CA 92886
Pre-Register
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Reference herein to any specific commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government, and shall not be used for advertising or product endorsement purposes.
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