APRIL 2026

Mission Moment from the Field

Hello and welcome to our Mission Moment, where we share updates from the field on one of our Yellow Ribbon initiatives.

Each month, your support helps our mission forward — providing immediate and meaningful support to veterans and their families.

In March, our Yellow Ribbon Project team completed three Supply Drops to local VA facilities. Special thanks to FedEx San Jose and Livermore for their donations and to our volunteers who made the Supply Drops possible.

Here is a quick snapshot of this month's direct impact:

IMPACT SNAPSHOT

Donation distribution: Several vehicle-loads of supplies including shelf-stable food, hygiene products, and household essentials

Meals provided: $1,500 in frozen/prepared meals purchased and distributed

Volunteer support: 20 volunteer hours contributed across logistics, setup, and distribution

Community/logistics support: Corporate donor (FedEx)

To learn more about our Supply Drops, or our other Yellow Ribbon Projects, see the Spotlight section later in this newsletter.

Thank you for helping us turn community support into direct action in the field where it matters most.

Upcoming Events

Memorial Day Event - America: Their Sacrifice. Our Freedom.

The Veterans Memorial & Support Foundation is pleased to partner with Open Doors to Future Possibilities for a meaningful day of remembrance at the Flame of Liberty Memorial in downtown Los Gatos as we honor the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our nation.

Through reflection, community gathering, and tribute, we remember their sacrifice and the freedoms it secured. All are welcome to attend and stand together in gratitude and remembrance.

Location:

The Flame of Liberty Memorial

Los Gatos Civic Center Lawn

Address:

110 East Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030

Friday Veterans Support Breakfast with Dr. Clyde Horn

Every Friday at 9:00 AM

Our Veterans Support Breakfast is an ongoing gathering where local veterans meet for conversation, connection, and community support, hosted by board member Dr. Clyde Horn—a Vietnam combat infantry veteran, Purple Heart recipient, and licensed therapist.

These gatherings provide a space where America’s heroes can connect, share experiences, explore ways to address PTSD, exchange tips on navigating the Veterans Administration system, and support one another in moving forward.

The breakfasts provide a place where veterans can share stories, support one another through challenges, laugh together, and celebrate progress in a welcoming, supportive environment.

Learn more and RSVP

Upcoming Patriotic Dates

May

May 8 — V-E Day (Victory in Europe Day)
May 16 — Armed Forces Day (third Saturday in May)
May 25 — Memorial Day* (last Monday in May)

June

June 6 — D - Day
June 12 — Women Veterans Day
June 14 — Flag Day and Army Birthday (1775)
June 19 — Juneteenth National Independence Day

July

July 4 — Independence Day

*Memorial Day Date corrected from March newsletter

Yellow Ribbon Spotlight

Highlighting Veteran Impact and Community Support

In March, our Yellow Ribbon team supported local VA facilities by volunteering at the Fisher House I Open House and making three Supply Drops.

These efforts often require short-notice coordination and flexibility, as timelines shift based on donor availability and facility needs to ensure timely pickup, transport, and delivery of materials.

If you are interested in supporting our Supply Drop missions to veterans and their families, please consider making a donation. Your support makes it possible to continue providing care for those who have served our country.

Fisher House Open House

The Veterans Foundation knows all too well that when one member of a family serves in the military, all family members serve.

Two Fisher Houses exist on the Palo Alto VA campus that provide 41 comfort rooms where military and veteran families can stay free of charge while loved ones receive medical support at the VA hospital. Families staying at the Fisher House can be from points west of the Mississippi River and are connected to veterans receiving long term care.

On March 12, Fisher House I celebrated 20 years of providing lodging for families of veterans receiving care at the VA Medical Center in Palo Alto.

The event was well attended, with high visitor turnout throughout the day. Several Foundation volunteers supported this meaningful community event.

Photo caption: Volunteers Wayne Heimsoth and Bonnie Clark serving meals to attendees

Photo Credits: Wayne Heimsoth

Supply Drop: Delivering General Supplies and Prepared Meals for Families

On four separate days in March, our Yellow Ribbon team coordinated three large-scale pickups and deliveries of donated materials. A passenger vehicle and a large van packed full of supplies were distributed to the Defenders Lodge at the VA in Palo Alto, with additional deliveries to the VA Palo Alto Health Care System and the VA Northern California Health Care System in Livermore.

Supplies included household and support items collected with the help of corporate donor FedEx San Jose and Livermore, helping meet a range of needs at VA facilities, including needs of families traveling with service animals or companion pets.

Additionally, the team delivered approximately three months of prepared ready-to-heat meal donations (valued at $1,500) to Defenders Lodge.

Overall, these efforts provided essential supplies and ready-to-serve meals for veterans and their families during their stay at the VA facilities.

Photo captions: Volunteers Wayne Heimsoth, Mike Frangadakis, and Mary Lancaster (not pictured) dropping off supplies at various Bay Area VA facilities

Photo Credits: Wayne Heimsoth, Mike Frangadakis, Mary Lancaster

VA Wish List Delivery

A small item, big impact: Board Member Wayne Heimsoth delivered a tablet stand as part of our VA Wish List Initiative, helping a veteran in the Subacute Unit read comfortably in bed and maintain independence as they receive ongoing medical care.

Photo captions: Volunteer Wayne Heimsoth dropping off a tablet stand at the VA Medical Center, Palo Alto

Photo Credits: Wayne Heimsoth

Miss California visits the Palo Alto VA

Board Member Wayne Heimsoth drew a special assignment: serving as host and escort to Rachel Axt, Miss California, 2025 during her visit to the Palo Alto Veterans Administration Hospital.

Together, they spent the day meeting with recovering veterans to offer encouragement, gratitude, and warm conversation. Their presence brought smiles and lifted spirits throughout the hospital.

Photo captions: Volunteer Wayne Heimsoth escorting Miss California

Photo Credits: VA employee

We encourage community members to participate in upcoming events and join us in recognizing the contributions of our local veterans.

Please see the Get Involved section below to learn how residents and organizations can participate.

Get Involved - Support the Mission

We are currently seeking volunteers and community members who would like to participate in this growing work supporting veterans and their families. There are many ways to contribute —whether through assisting at events, supporting community outreach, or helping expand program initiatives.

If you are interested in strengthening programs that serve veterans and their families, we encourage you to learn more about how you can get involved.

Explore volunteer opportunities

Support our programs

📢 Spread the Word! 📢

Sharing this newsletter with others helps extend our reach to veterans and families in need of support, and helps us connect with individuals who want to support our mission.

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Memorial Day, observed on the last Monday of May, was originally known as Decoration Day and first widely observed in 1868 following the Civil War. Today, it honors the men and women of the armed forces who gave their lives in service to this nation.

Essential Information for

Veterans and Their Family Members

The summary below is adapted from a more detailed article written by Board of Director Dr. Clyde R. Horn, which was featured in our March 2026 newsletter.

A veteran is anyone who has served in the U.S. military, in either wartime or peacetime. Many veterans and their families are unaware of the benefits and rights available to them.

Eligible veterans with service-connected disabilities may qualify for healthcare, financial compensation, and additional support services, with potential benefits also extending to spouses and dependent children.

A key first step in accessing these resources is obtaining a copy of the DD214 (Honorable Discharge Form), which can be requested through VA.gov or a local Veteran Service Office (VSO).

Once the DD214 is obtained, veterans can apply for a VA Identification Card, which verifies service and helps unlock healthcare access, benefits, and community resources.

Veterans and families are also encouraged to connect with support organizations such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), VA Health Care and Medical Centers, local VA clinics, and organizations like our own Veterans Memorial & Support Foundation to access ongoing assistance and community support.