May 3, 2022
Mayor's Office
DATE: May 3, 2022
TO: Members of the City Council
FROM:
Tom Butt, Mayor
Subject:
Military Appreciation Month – May 2022
FINANCIAL IMPACT: N/A
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
N/A
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
In 1999, Senator John McCain introduced legislation to
recognize National Military Appreciation Month and
gather the country around its military family to honor, remember, recognize, and appreciate those who are
serving or have served, and to know their history.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
PROCLAMATION declaring May 2022 as Military
Appreciation Month in the City of Richmond – Mayor’s
Office (Mayor Tom Butt 510-620-6503).
AGENDA
REPORT
May 3, 2022
DISCUSSION:
The month of May also recognizes Month of the Military Caregiver, Loyalty Day and Silver Star Service Banner Day (May 1), Public Service Recognition Week (May 1-7), Military Spouse Appreciation Day (May 6), Victory in Europe Day (May 8), Children of Fallen Patriots Day (May 13), Armed Forces Day (May 21), and Memorial Day (May 30).
The Veterans Resource Program (VRP) in Richmond provides services for homeless veterans in the Bay Area, including housing, employment, job training, and information on higher educational opportunities, all while providing residents of the VRP home a veteran peer support network, access to free computer and internet services, a bike riding program, outings, and accessibility to the upcoming VRP housing development project which will provide housing for homeless, independent veterans, and those who require assisted living.
The Contra Costa County Veterans Service Office helps over 72,000 veterans and their families obtain benefits from federal, state, and local agencies, including: benefits for burials, education, home loans, medical treatment, and vocational rehabilitation; compensation for service related disabilities; pensions for non-service related deaths and for war-time veterans with non-service connected disabilities; government life insurance and proceeds; Military Survivor Benefits Plan; and California College Tuition Fee Waiver Program.
www.militarybenefits.info suggests ways to support our military and veterans, including:
displaying the U.S. flag at your home or business; showing support on social media with #MilitaryAppreciationMonth; sending a care package to a soldier; encouraging elected officials to show recognition; thanking someone in uniform for their service or surprising them with a treat; honoring or recognizing these observances in classrooms with teachers and students or through businesses’ websites, social media, and newsletters; donating to a veteran or military charity; reaching out to a veteran or military family in need; and hiring a veteran.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Proclamation