Vets preserve and landscape monument tract
Expanse of holdings to public land keeps vet family intact
LAKEPORT >> Vet Voices Foundation empowers military veterans to continue their public service once they leave active duty service and they have done so ever since their founding in 2009.
The nonpartisan, nonprofit 501(c)(3) supports veterans accede to civic leadership throughout their retirement with additional training and the tools they need in California to continue public service noted Janessa Goldbeck, CEO of Vet Voice Foundation and a Marine Corps veteran. “It's funded totally by philanthropic gifts or individual donations,” Goldbeck said.
“California's national monuments and other public lands have long provided service members and veterans with necessary refuge and respite from the demands of military service,” she said. “The already public, federally owned and maintained tracts are under the protection of the federal government, aimed to be preserved historic or scientific landmarks as well as certain protected species found in unique locations. One such place is Snow Mountain, Berryessa, running through Napa, Lake and up to Mendocino, with free public access and open when weather permits.”
“California's national monuments and other public lands have long provided service members and veterans with necessary refuge and respite from the demands of military service,” added Goldbeck. “These lands are places of reflection, reunion, and healing for millions of veterans throughout the country. They also protect cultural resources, including military heritage sites, and important habitat, and help ensure access to nature for all
communities, particularly those that lack parks or other green spaces close to home. Together with veterans from around our state, I urged President Biden to protect these special places — from Tribal lands in Northern California to the majestic San Gabriel Mountains above LA to World War II training sites in the California Desert. We see protecting these places as an extension of our service to this country and the duty of anyone who thinks of themselves as a patriot. We urge President Biden to designate national monuments in our state.”
The mission of Vet Voices Foundation is to be a part of policy discussions, regarding public lands and work on getting improved health care, housing. They are an advocacy organization. “One of the issues important to vets, accessing public lands and many vets use them to reconnect with family after returning from overseas or to heal from active combat or even while training because it takes them away from family,” Goldbeck said. “Another reason is tribal communities have the highest per capita of enlistment than any other demographic.”
One of their goals is to establish co-management among tribal communities and the federal government. as well as return indigenous names to these lands. A specific request is for President Joe Biden to expand the Monument designation to the Moloka Luyaka (Condor Ridge) in Patwin Language on the eastern edge of the current monument area, expanding another 13 acres. Biden can expand it on his own using the antiquities act yet sometimes local Congressmen such as John Garamendi (D-8th) and Mike Thompson (D-4th) had requested expansion noted Goldbeck. “It helps protect a migration corridor for birds, elk, mountain lions and black bears.
The Vet Voices Foundation are eager to preserve even more Monument lands noted Goldbeck, reflecting upon her military service. “I served from 2012 to 2019 as a combat engineer officer (Captain), based at Miramar Air and then at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, also San Diego. The land is owned by the federal government and co-managed by the government and the local tribe, Yocha Dehe Winton, she added.