Focus on the Military: Operation Homefront to hold wine-tasting event

By: North County Times - | Friday, January 18, 2008 11:29 PM PST ∞

CAMP PENDLETON -- Operation Homefront will sponsor an evening of wine-tasting and inspiration with speaker Ellie Kay for spouses of deployed Marines assigned to the 1st MEF from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Jan. 23 at the South Mesa Club.

Spouses can enjoy a relaxing evening of wine tasting, door prizes and goody bags, followed by an inspiring seminar by Kay, author of "Heroes at Home." TriWest Healthcare Alliance is sponsoring the event. Information: Tricia De La Paz, (858) 695-6810; tricia@operationhomefront.net.

Heart Beat Auxiliary to meet

CAMP PENDLETON -- The Camp Pendleton Naval Hospital Heart Beat Auxiliary will meet at 10:30 a.m. Jan. 30 at the San Luis Rey Officers Club. Programs and future meeting places will be discussed. Call (760) 729-5769.

Women Marines celebrate 65 years

CAMP PENDLETON -- The Edith Macias Vann Southern California Chapter of the Women Marines Association invites all women Marines, past and present, Loyal Escorts of the Green Garter and their guests to celebrate 65 years of proud dedicated service of women to the U.S. Marines Corps.

The celebration will be held Feb. 9 at the Camp Pendleton Staff Noncommissioned Officers Club. No-host cocktails will begin at 11 a.m., followed by the Presentation of Colors by the Oceanside High School Marine Corps Junior ROTC, a cake-cutting ceremony, lunch and program to include guest speaker retired Marine Col. Kevin Leahy.

Cost is $22. Information: Ellie Judge, (760) 439-1447, sgtmajjudge@cox.net; Peggy Reiber, (760) 521-9093, reiberfamily@cox.net. R.S.V.P. by Feb. 4.

VFW to host Valentine party

FALLBROOK -- The Fallbrook Veterans of Foreign Wars post, 1175 Old Stage Road, will host a Valentine party Feb. 14. Food will be served from 5:30 to 7 p.m., with music and dancing from 6 to 9.

The menu will offer a choice of prime rib or shrimp scampi with golden potatoes, boiled tomato slices, cream-of-chicken soup, pear and cheese salad with raspberry dressing, French roll with butter and chocolate cherry tart.

Cost is $15. There also will be music and door prizes. Call (760) 728-8784.

VANC to hold Outback fundraiser

OCEANSIDE -- The Veterans Association of North County will hold a fundraising luncheon Feb. 23 at the Outback Steakhouse restaurant, 2485 Vista Way.

There will be two seatings, at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Lunch will include choice of steak or salmon with all the trimmings, coffee and tea. A no-host bar will be available. Cost is $18 and $9 for children younger than 10.

VANC is a nonprofit organization established to oversee the renovation of the old police station in Oceanside into a living tribute to all veterans in North County. VANC is partnered with 26 local veteran organizations.

Those who cannot attend the luncheon are invited to purchase a ticket to be donated one of the local Marines and their family. Sponsorship opportunities for the luncheon are available. There will be free drawings and silent auction opportunities throughout the day. Call Harvey Ferman at (760) 433-0116.

Horatio Alger scholarships offered

Applications are being accepted for The Horatio Alger Association's military veterans scholarships for veterans of Afghanistan and Iraq. Applications are available through April 15 at https://www.horatioalger.org/scholarships_military/.

Scholarship recipients will each be awarded $5,000 to support their undergraduate education.

Women Marines to award scholarships

The Edith Macias Vann Southern California Chapter of the Woman Marines Association will award three scholarships of $500 each to students preparing to attend accredited four-year colleges, universities or community colleges. Students must have demonstrated dependability, leadership and service in the home, school and community.

Academic requirements are a minimum SAT score of 1100 and a GPA of 3.5 or higher. He or she must be a 2008 graduate of a North County high school. Applications must include an essay of 500 words or less explaining the student's education and career goals and be postmarked no later than March 26. For applications and information, call Peggy Reiber at (760) 521-9093.

Officers wives to hold auction/dinner

CAMP PENDLETON -- The Officers' Wives' Club will hold its annual auction and dinner April 18 at the San Luis Rey Officers Club. The event is open to all ranks, as well as the public. Tickets are $30 each through March 18; $35 from March 19 to April 17; and $40 at the door.

Tickets include dinner, complimentary drink tickets for beer or wine and 26 Chinese Auction tickets. Viewing of auction items will begin at 5 p.m., dinner at 6:30. The Chinese and silent auctions will close at 7:30 p.m. at the onset of the live auction.

Proceeds from the event go to scholarships awarded by the OWC to Marine and Navy families. Information: (760) 468-5311,http://www.camppendletonowc.org.

Operation Recovery available to vets

OCEANSIDE -- The Mission San Luis Rey hosts Operation Recovery to assist those who need some help getting over the destructive results of combat.

Licensed family therapist Bob Bornt came up with the idea of using a few acres behind the mission Retreat Center to develop a garden and meeting place, to create a healing setting. There are projects in mind and in the works along with grants to raise funds.

Veterans, soldiers and their families are invited to become involved in a noninvasive, nonclinical way to shed trauma. Information: (866) 552-8828, http://www.OperationRecovery.org.

Blue Star moms collect 'Hearts for Heroes'

ESCONDIDO -- The San Diego North County chapter of Blue Star Mothers is holding a "Hearts for Heroes" Valentine's Day Card Campaign. Cards can be mailed to SDNC Blue Star Mothers, P.O. Box 301456, Escondido, CA 92030; or call (760) 594-4853 for pick up. Deadline is Feb. 4.

VFW Post 3795 serves Sunday breakfast

SAN MARCOS -- Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3795 serves breakfast from 9 a.m. to noon Sundays at the post, 212 Mission Road. Cost is $6. The money raised will go to keeping the post open to help veterans in the community.

The post is in need of tall bistro tables and chairs for the lounge area. Also welcome would be a plasma or high-definition TV. Information: (760) 744-3795.