To: Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Human Services
Staff Name and Phone Number: Paul Dunaway 707-565-3673, Mark Orlando 707-565-5955
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Recommended Action:
Title
Adopt a Gold Resolution honoring November 11, 2024, as Veterans Day in Sonoma County
End
Executive Summary:
Veterans Day was established in 1919 as Armistice Day to commemorate the signing of the peace agreement that ended World War I on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. Sonoma County joins the country in honoring Veterans Day on November 11, 2024.
Discussion:
In proclaiming the veterans holiday in 1919, U.S. President Woodrow Wilson said, “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country's service and with gratitude for the victory.” In 1938, a Congressional Act made November 11 of each year a legal holiday known as Armistice Day. In 1954, the veterans’ service organizations urged Congress to change the word armistice to veterans. President Eisenhower signed a bill establishing Veterans Day as a national holiday. He proclaimed, “In order to insure proper and widespread observance of this anniversary, all veterans, all veterans’ organizations, and the entire citizenry will wish to join hands in the common purpose…”
According to the California Association of County Veterans Services Officers 2023 annual report, there are 22,612 veterans in Sonoma County. Many veterans remain unaware of, or do not use, the benefits and services for which they are eligible. Though a majority of these veterans may be eligible for medical care from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), only approximately 10,000 are enrolled and accessing the health care benefit. Of the veteran population in Sonoma County:
- The largest segment is the 60-79-year-old age group (Vietnam-era)
- Approximately 6% are women
- 86% are Wartime Veterans
- Approximately 25% are receiving some form of disability compensation or non- service disability pension from the VA.
The County of Sonoma Veterans Service Office (VSO) plays a key role in ensuring that all local veterans are aware of and have the opportunity to receive the services and benefits they earned through their service to our nation. In 2023, the VSO served over 10,500 individuals via telephone/email and walk-in service. Of the total individuals served, approximately 852 had never previously sought VA services. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2022-2023, the VSO helped bring in over $12.5 million from the VA in new and retroactive compensation and pension benefits for local veterans.
The VSO regularly collaborates with the VA’s Community-Based Outpatient Clinic in Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College, the Vet Center, and the Sonoma County United Veterans Council. The United Veterans Council represents over 30 Sonoma County veteran organizations and various community-based organizations such as Vietnam Veterans of California. Veterans’ organizations and veteran volunteers in the community work tirelessly along with the VSO to help veterans get the benefits they are entitled to.
Many County agencies provide services and supports for veterans including Regional Parks disabled veteran park access permits; Tax Assessor disabled veteran property tax exemption; Sonoma County Transit Veterans Ride Free program; Santa Rosa City Bus; Department of Health Services participation in VetConnect outreach activities for homeless veterans; Human Services Department (HSD) Economic Assistance eligibility workers helping homeless veterans access benefits at VetConnect; HSD Employment and Training staff helping veterans find employment; and County contributions to the Palms Inn housing for homeless veterans.
The VSO continues to facilitate a local Veteran ID card program. To date over 5,400 local ID cards have been issued which allow low income and homeless veterans access to health care and other services with free transportation on Sonoma County transit and Santa Rosa CityBus.
The outstanding support from local government agencies, community-based organizations, and the VA makes Sonoma County a great place to be a veteran. The veterans of Sonoma County are appreciative of the recognition and support from the Board of Supervisors.
Prior Board Actions:
Every year since November 2014, the Board has adopted Gold Resolutions honoring November 11th as Veterans Day in Sonoma County.
Fiscal Summary
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FY 24-25 Adopted |
FY 25-26 Projected |
FY 26-27 Projected |
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Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
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Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
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Attachments:
Gold Resolution
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None