We Are Supporting Veterans, Active Duty Military and First Responders

 

In the fall of 2015 the Merced Sunrise Rotary initiated a grant process by which local community groups supporting Veterans, Active Duty Military and First Responders could request funds.  The following summary gives a sense of community involvement.  

• The Merced College Veteran Center is supporting student veterans in need of books and meals.

• Castle Air Museum is renovating facilities in part from grant funds to comply with ADA requirements.

• The Robert M. Kelly V.F.W. Post 4327 will be acquiring much needed facility upgrades.

• Merced Elks Lodge Veterans Committee and the Kiwanis Club of Merced will be preparing and sending “Care Packages” to members of our armed forces stationed in dangerous and/or remote locations around the world.

• The American Legion Merced Post 83 will be supporting their Boy’s State program.

 

In addition to the efforts above, other actions are being supported.

• With matching funding from the Field of Honor and the Yosemite Conservancy to the University of California, Merced.  University partners are preparing veterans to understand and successfully use their GI Bill benefits to support university and/or junior college education, health benefits, and career pathways. The week long seminar will be a combination of classroom and field exercises in Yosemite National Park at the new UC Sierra campus in partnership with NatureBridge.  The classroom seminar content has been developed and will be co-instructed with the California Department of Veteran's Affairs. Funding will provide scholarships for 15 applicants to attend this seminar during the summer of 2019.  Six from Merced, and one each from Chowchilla, Los Banos, Fresno, Atwater, Mariposa, Manteca, Weed, Lancaster, and Rocklin.

• "Plaza Project" at Merced College was supported to re-positioning flag poles to a more prominent position on campus.

• Merced College Student Veterans attendance was supported allowing two students to attend the  Student Veterans Association National Conference.

• Castle Air Museum Foundation, Inc. will construct a Pole Barn type structure to protect our valuable
  equipment used to maintain the aircraft collection from the elements.

• The Annual Run for the Fallen that honors and remembers fallen soldiers from Merced County.

• Merced County Blue Star Moms and Families will be sending care packages to our troops. So they know they are appreciated and loved.

• Merced College Veterans Association will purchase T-shirts for veteran students so they may be recognized performing community service. i.e. parades, clean-ups, etc.

• VFW CA District 13 Honor Guard will purchase uniform items, help defray gasoline and meal
  costs while providing Military Honors at San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery.

 

Here are a few projects the Merced Field of Honor through the Merced Sunrise Rotary supported
from 2013-2017:

• Veterans Boulevard – A Citizens Committee has sought Merced City Council approval to co-name “M” Street as:  “M” Street - Veterans Blvd.

• The Merced County Honor Guard, who provides Military Honor at funerals in Merced County & at San Joaquin National Cemetery, are being supported in their efforts to honor those fallen.

• Honor Flight - Six World War II veterans have been flown to Washington D.C. to participate
  in ceremonies at the World War II Memorial.

• A contribution was made to the Merced Police Department Honored Officers Memorial.

• Castle Air Museum was supported with funds to paint one of their aircraft and to replace
  tires on the vehicle that transports planes to and from the hangar.

• Active Duty Military were supported through the Merced Elks Club.  The Elks Club mails
  packages to our active duty military personnel.  Merced Sunrise Rotary is supporting their
  efforts by providing postage.

• Four scholarships were awarded veteran students at Merced College.

• Finger printing kits were acquired in concert with the Merced Police Department.