August 22, 2016 – September 17, 2016, marks the Seventh Annual Welcome Home Vets Motorcycle Run and Picnic proudly held right here at Penn Valley’s crown jewel, Western Gateway Park.
Proceeds from this event provide direct therapy and support to local Veterans and their family members addressing psychological trauma experienced while in the military. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is probably the most recognized condition associated with service related psychological trauma. PTSD is associated with direct combat experiences. “Anyone can experience psychological trauma at any time if they’re involved in or witness a severely stressful event” says Julie Carrara, Executive Director of Welcome Home Vets. “PTSD is almost always part of the conversation when we talk about Veterans because of the nature of their occupation”.
Grass Valley based Welcome Home Vets provides local counseling and therapy resources to Veterans and family members in Nevada County. “Our goal is to help Veterans and family members get the help they need right here in this community and without all the red tape”, says Carrara. Working in close cooperation with the Nevada County Office of Veterans Services, Welcome Home Vets provides a very unique treatment program for Veterans’ family members. “Our family member program offers much-needed support and therapy for family members who are working to help their Veterans get better”, adds Carrara.
This year’s bike run and family picnic is going to be bigger and better than ever. In addition to a beautiful motorcycle run through Nevada County, there will be a family oriented picnic lunch, information booths, and raffle prizes with many interesting items.
Through a generous donation by the Vietnam Helicopter Museum in Concord, California, a fully restored Vietnam era UH-1 “Huey” helicopter will make an appearance at Western Gateway Park. This fully refurbished flying museum will be on display from mid-morning through lunchtime.
UH-1 65-09961, also known as “Poncho’s Huey”, named after its crew chief in Vietnam, will conduct a Veterans’ Honor Flight at approximately 1:00 p.m. at Western Gateway Park in Penn Valley. This flight is reserved for Veterans who can verify their service. Honorees will be selected via random drawing the week prior to the flight.
This is a family-friendly opportunity to see a lot of different things all happening right here in Nevada County.
Veterans interested in signing up for the random drawing for the Honor Flight are encouraged to enter the drawing. Please send a card with your name, address, phone number, and email (if you have one) to: Welcome Home Vets, PO Box 189 Grass Valley, CA 95945. Entries must be received by September 10, 2016.