Honoring Military Veterans in the Central Valley
Thank You For Your Service
The best way a person can say, “Thank you for your service”
to a Veteran is by being an active member in building their local community. A
Veteran would love to know that their sacrifice was for something. Are people using
their freedom to enrich a life of another person? You don’t need to change the
world, but are you helping make things better in some way? Volunteer at the VA
hospital once per month if you can. Read books at a local school to build
relationships in your community. Enriching the lives of others is how you thank
a Veteran for their service.
The wait is over
Forget about any other experience that you’ve had at a
“Veterans Hall” before you walk into the Clovis Veterans Memorial District. You
can expect to meet interesting people who are as willing to help you, as you
are willing to help them. Finally, a place where all people of Clovis can honor
Veterans in any way that they wish. The Clovis Veterans Memorial District is a
place that you’ll find Veterans and civilians joining together to honor those
who have served, by adding value to their community. Some people end a day of
volunteering in silence, with a smile on their face as they spend time
reflecting. Others join family members and friends to share stories of a loved
one who had served. It doesn’t matter how you give honor, but you can know that
there is a place for you.
You can be a part of Greatness in Clovis by helping CVMD at
one of their many events. CVMD staff are a group of people who seek to understand how
they can help their community honor a Veteran, the best way possible.
Success Breeds Success
Mr. Lorenzo Rios is the CEO at
CVMD and he is a true visionary. The Central Valley of California is home to approximately 330,000 U.S. military Veterans, which is about double the rate of
the United States. This is a huge opportunity for Fresno/Clovis innovation and
business growth. Military leaders know how to get the job done, and now we have a huge talent pool to choose from, here in the Valley. We are expecting to see a spike in entrepreneurship in the military Veteran community within the next few months. Technology, Entertainment, and
Business are areas of opportunity for Veterans to thrive in the Valley.
Mr. Rios and his team at CVMD created and held the 1st Annual Patriots Dinner to honor and celebrate those students
who have taken the oath of service to our country. They celebrated 46 students
from Clovis Unified School District who are joining the Army, Marines, Navy,
and Air Force and 3 of their own staff members who are joining the Marines and
Navy. Events like this are only possible when Leaders try new things. Students
and their families, as well as community leaders made it a night to remember.
Visionaries
Who they were yesterday is not who they will be tomorrow. Clovis Veterans Memorial District is proud to
support the local schools robotics programs. The CVMD is
always looking for ways to improve the experience of honoring our Veterans and
their families. It takes a certain type of person that “Dares to Dream” and
CVMD has it! Teamwork makes the dream work, that is the attitude a person will feel
when visiting CVMD. This team is committed to making your Veteran honoring experience
as seamless as possible. They have an understanding of community needs and
building future opportunities for our following generations.
Mr. Lorenzo Rios is here to lead the way
Former U.S. Army Colonel and a leader with true GRIT
is at the head of the Clovis Veterans Memorial District! Attitude is altitude and
you can expect something along the lines of, “It’s not me, it’s us.” Mr. Rios
is a man with a real passion for student and community success. He will
definitely exercise his innovative strategic thinking and creative problem
solving as the head of CVMD. Mr. Lorenzo Rios has a career which reflects success in developing innovative programs that
improve productivity, morale and safety. It’s also important to mention his
experience with collaborative international networks, academia, consulting and
leadership development.
We are the solution
Veterans can lead the next generation of America, starting
with Clovis businesses and youth. Anyone who served in the military knows about
rank structure and leadership. We can use our former skills and training to
build a Greater future in our local communities. We are here to set the example of how to celebrate the
things that are Great about America. Let’s focus on the positive things that we
have the ability to change. Collaboration is the key to success when it comes
to bridging the civilian and Veteran divide. Contact the Clovis Veterans
Memorial District to see how you can join their movement.
Very respectfully,
George Ohan
Blog Author:
George Ohan
Fulton Film Company
U.S. Army Veteran
Clovis’ Freedom Fest Is Back On –
With Help From Veterans Memorial District
CLOVIS (KMJ) — The 4th of July
Clovis Freedom Fest will take place this year – and that assurance comes from
the CEO of the Clovis Veterans Memorial District.
“I can’t stress enough, there
is no way while I’m here and these local veterans are here, are we going to
have a 4th of July that is not celebrated in Clovis,” states Lorenzo Rios.
Organizer Clovis Kiwanis Club
announced in April that the event had been canceled due to a lack of funds. But
Rios says the Clovis Veterans Memorial District is going to do its part to make
sure the event takes place.
“It’s too important to the
community to not have this take place. The Veterans Memorial District, in
partnership with the City of Clovis, Clovis Unified School District, and the
veterans organizations and service clubs: we’re all going to come together and
we are going to have a Freedom Fest this year.”
The plan is to coordinate
community organizations willing to participate, both as financial sponsors and
hosts, with Clovis Veterans Memorial District organizing a committee to manage
all those involved.
“This is the greatest show on
earth, and at a time when you see so many things around us our community needs
to come out and celebrate what’s right in our community.
“Community and people
partnering together is something thing worth celebrating and the 4th of July is
one day that we will celebrate in Clovis.”
He adds that the District’s
contacts with veterans and other community service organizations, puts it in a
unique position of being able to help restore the Freedom Fest.
“By the end of the month we
would like to raise at least $15,000. If we can get that kind of support by the
end of the month I think it’ll put us in a better shape.
“But unequivocally I can say
that we will be holding a Freedom Fest this year.”
If the money isn’t raised in
time, Rios says he’ll be putting forward the cash himself.
“In absence of the District not
being able to fork over the money, my family will make sure that this takes
place.”
Officials reveal that that
basic format of the event will remain the same as in previous years, and it
will take place at 9pm July 4th inside Clovis High’s Lamonica Stadium.
