CRC Honors Veterans on Veterans Day
In honor of Veterans Day, CRC celebrated active duty military and veterans through a series of events across the state to recognize their service to our country and to honor valued members of CRC’s workforce who are also veterans. Through our activities, and in conjunction with veteran service organizations and non-profits, we were able to support the military community this year to honor, empower and connect with service members, veterans and their families.
Following are some regional highlights of our activities celebrating Veterans Day:
LOS ANGELES BASIN
“Salute to Service Week” Partnership with the Los Angeles Rams
From November 5th to 11th, CRC partnered with the L.A. Rams football team in a week-long series of activities honoring active duty military and veterans as part of the team’s “Salute to Service Week.” Together, CRC and the Rams hosted military appreciation activities throughout Los Angeles, culminating with the team’s game against the Seattle Seahawks on Veterans Day. These activities included attending a private Rams practice, elementary school visits to personalize holiday cards of appreciation, hosting youth on the USS Iowa Battleship for an event encouraging physical activity, and volunteering at the U.S. Vets’ annual Veterans Day Breakfast in Inglewood.
In addition, on Friday, November 9th, more than 200 volunteers representing organizations such as the L.A. Rams, CRC, US Vets, Home Depot, Albertsons and Vons joined Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles to help veterans who reside at the Century Villages at Cabrillo in Long Beach. During this community event, volunteers provided home improvements for veterans at the residential complex.
On Sunday, November 11th, CRC, as a participating sponsor, hosted six CRC veteran employees at the Rams-Seahawks game at L.A.’s Memorial Coliseum. CRC participants included Christopher Cayanan, Operations Support in Long Beach; Garrett Estes, Maintenance in Santa Paula; Robert Kretzschumer, Production in Long Beach; Raymond Rodriguez, HSE in Bakersfield; and Esteban Solano, HSE in Bakersfield. During the pre-game activities, Raymond Rodriguez served as an honorary coin toss captain, while Garrett Estes presented special commemorative CRC-Rams challenge coins to the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (T.A.P.S.) families as a way to meaningfully honor those veterans and their families who paid the ultimate sacrifice with their lives.
South Los Angeles Veterans Day Block Party
In honor of the brave and selfless service of our nation’s veterans, the Department of Veterans Affairs and Victory Outreach Downtown Los Angeles hosted its second annual South Los Angeles Veterans Day Block Party on Saturday, November 10th. The block party featured live entertainment, job resources, giveaways, and delicious food — all of which were complimentary to veterans. Taking place in the new 9th Los Angeles City Council District, the aim of this event was to show appreciation to all the men and women who served in the Armed Forces.
CRC was extremely proud that our own Estuardo ‘Stu’ Iriarte was chosen as one of seven veterans honored at this program. Stu is an Operations Engineer in our Long Beach office and proudly served in the U.S. Navy as an aviation machinist mate. Stu is currently enrolled in the Veterans program at the USC Marshall School of Business.
Annual Charity Golf Tournament
On November 9th, CRC hosted the third annual Charity Golf Tournament with all proceeds benefiting Fisher House of Southern California Long Beach. The Fisher House program is a private/public partnership that supports America’s military service members and their families with housing and assistance during critical care treatment at the Long Beach VA Hospital.
Long Beach Veterans Day Parade and Celebration
On November 10th, CRC sponsored Long Beach’s Veterans Day Parade and Celebration, a free community event for everyone to enjoy and honor our veterans. The day kicked off with the annual Veterans Day Parade followed by an open street fair that includes Vets Fest and veterans services, live bands, great food, beer garden, vendor booths, a Kid’s Zone and more.
American Red Cross L.A. – Salute to Service Luncheon
On November 15th, Scott Heal, CRC’s Director of Supply Chain, participated in the American Red Cross Los Angeles Region’s Salute to Service luncheon at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City. In addition to a keynote address by US Navy Captain (Retired) Larry Vasquez, the Director of Military and Veteran Affairs for the City of Los Angeles, local veterans and supporters of the American Red Cross took part in a panel discussion to support veteran engagement and employment. CRC has been a staunch supporter of the American Red Cross including during the recent California wildfires. The event was an excellent opportunity to meet and hear from corporate representatives about how they have worked to both serve veterans and the American Red Cross.
SAN JOAQUIN BASIN
CRC Community Hero Recognition at Rabobank Arena
Dick Taylor, retired Kern Veterans Service Officer with The Bakersfield Veterans Center, was recognized as CRC’s Community Hero at Rabobank Arena on October 27th in honor of Veterans Month. He currently serves as president of the local non-profit, Patriots of Kern. Dick was awarded a beautiful award from CRC, along with a Certification of Recognition from Bakersfield’s Mayor Karen Goh.
Honor Flight of Kern County
CRC sponsored our engineer Clayton Gossett’s travel to Washington, D.C. on October 27th as an Honor Flight of Kern County guardian. Honor Flight is a non-profit organization that transports veteran heroes to our nation’s capital to visit and reflect at war memorials. Honor Flight guardians play a vital and significant role on each trip, ensuring that every veteran has a safe and memorable experience. Guardians assist the veterans at the airport, during the flights, at the hotel and memorials.
In addition, on November 15th, CRC employees volunteered at Honor Flight of Kern County’s Veterans Breakfast, helping serve beverages and a hearty breakfast to veteran heroes from Kern County and surrounding areas.
CRC Appreciation Luncheon for Kern County’s Veteran Heroes
On November 12th, CRC employee volunteers showed their appreciation by serving lunch to local Kern County veterans and families immediately following the Veterans Day Parade.
VENTURA BASIN
Oxnard Chamber of Commerce Military Appreciation Dinner
For the third year in a row, CRC was the title sponsor of the Oxnard Chamber of Commerce’s “Military Appreciation Dinner.” Each year the Oxnard Chamber holds the dinner to show gratitude to the brave men and women who serve our country and our community. Honorees are chosen by commanding officers from the area’s Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Navy based on their military service, community involvement and volunteer efforts.
Bob Barnes, former CRC Senior Executive Advisor, proudly gave the opening remarks noting CRC’s involvement in many veterans activities throughout the state, while also recognizing CRC employee veterans Maira Castro and Justin Peters in the audience.
Gold Coast Veterans Foundation Golf Tournament
On October 22nd, a CRC employee foursome participated in the Gold Coast Veterans Foundation (GCVF) annual golf tournament. CRC’s support goes toward improving quality of life for veterans and their families through benefits and claims assistance, restorative and wellness programs, career and job preparation and, if necessary, housing and financial assistance.
Ventura College Foundation’s Veterans Day Celebration & BBQ
In 2015, CRC established a $25,000 endowment through the Ventura College Foundation to assist veteran students with the costs of higher education and transition to civilian life. Each year, one selected veteran receives a $1,000 scholarship to help with tuition to save other military benefits for a four-year university post junior college. CRC sponsored the Veteran’s Day Celebration and BBQ on November 8th to celebrate this scholarship, as well as many others now available to Ventura College student veterans.
Justin Peters, CRC’s Safety Officer and Army Veteran, represented the company stating, “CRC places a high value on investing in the education of our youth. We are pleased to continue to assist more student Veterans with scholarships to obtain a higher education, which translates into less financial stress and provides for more resources for an easier transition.”
Also, on hand to pass out CRC hats and challenge coins were CRC employee veterans Maira Castro (Navy) and Greg Vance (Coast Guard). Greg is also a Ventura College alum who received scholarships from the Ventura College Foundation, and went on to receive his bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science and Resource Management from CSUCI.
SACRAMENTO BASIN
In the Sacramento Basin, charitable contributions in honor of Veteran’s Day went to several organization who offer services to veterans or family members of active military. They included Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Colusa, Tri-Counties Blue Star Moms (serving troops from Yuba, Sutter and Colusa Counties) and Field of Dreams, Inc. (Colusa). The VFW will utilize the funds to continue to expand the Colusa County Veterans Tribute Wall at Colusa Veterans Memorial Park dedicated to all veterans of the county. Tri-Counties Blue Star Moms will pack and mail as many as 1,000 care packages of snack and hygiene items to troops serving overseas and provide free “Mommy” and “Daddy” dolls to children needing help dealing with the separation of their military parent. Field of Dreams will also continue to provide veterans and their children opportunities to participate in activities such as hunting and fishing in the areas where they work to honor and preserve.
