California's Ulrike "Uli" Willimon name Veteran of the Year

Benician Ulrike “Uli” Willimon doesn’t think her actions as service center manager for the Department of Veterans Affairs office in Oakland have been particularly selfless or worthy of attention.

Ulrike Willimon, left, was honored by Mariko Yamada last week

A certain Assemblymember disagrees.

Willimon was named Veteran of the Year for the 8th Assembly District, which includes Benicia, last week by Assembly member Mariko Yamada.

“I am very honored,” said Willimon, who served in the Air Force from 1985 to 1992 and joined the VA in 1994. “I think there are many, many veterans who are doing what I do for the community. I do outreach. Since I’m in a unique position, I know what benefits are available.”


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California Budget Pulls Plug for Fresno Veterans' Home

The Fresno Veterans' Home is being built to provide services for veterans and returning soldiers. Whether it's medical care, or just a place to adjust to civilian life, the building is supposed to be the place they could receive just that. Construction will be completed next April, but it might not be used for awhile. That's because California's new budget is pulling the plug on funds for it.



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California Veterans file Lawsuit against Los Angeles VA

After more than six years of political pressure on the West Los Angeles Veterans Administration (VA) facility to house disabled homeless veterans, a team of high-powered lawyers has brought suit against the agency, charging it with discrimination and violation of its founding mission.

Carolina Winston Barrie, descendant of 19th century donors of land for a soldiers' home, announces ACLU lawsuit in front of West L.A. VA campus. Photo by ACLU Communications Director Jason Howe

Four veterans standing in for a much larger class of homeless servicemembers who've returned from the battlefield suffering from mental illness, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and brain injuries are among the plaintiffs in the complaint brought by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Harvard law professor Laurence Tribe, the Inner City Law Center and others, announced by the ACLU Wednesday.

“War can take a serious toll, both physical and emotional, and it is shameful when our wounded warriors return home and are left to live on our streets,” said former Adjutant General of the California National Guard, Maj. General Paul Monroe in support of the lawsuit.

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