Governor Davis Appoints Vietnam Combat Veteran Secretary of Veterans Affairs.SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 21, 1999-- Former Marine Tomas Alvarado Selected for Top Post at the California Department of Veterans Affairs Gov. Gray Davis Monday announced the appointment of Tomas Alvarado as secretary of the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CDVA), filling a post vacated by James Ramos. "I am pleased that Governor Davis has faith and confidence in my ability to lead the California Department of Veterans Affairs," said Alvarado. "It's been said, `The secret of success in life is for (an individual) to be ready for his (or her) opportunity when it comes' (a). I can say, without hesitation or reservation, I am ready for this opportunity to serve the veterans of California." Prior to his appointment as secretary, Alvarado, 52, of San Gabriel, served as undersecretary of CDVA. His appointment is supported and endorsed by leaders of The American Legion, Department of California; AMVETS AMVETS abbr. American Veterans , Department of California; Disabled American Veterans The Disabled American Veterans, or DAV, is an organization for disabled veterans that helps them and their families through various means. It currently has over 1.2 million members. The DAV was controversial during the 2006 election cycle. , Department of California; and Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. (VFW), Department of California. "I believe that the appointment of Tomas Alvarado is a good appointment. Tom has always been an advocate of all veterans. He'll do an excellent job for the veterans here in California. I know that our organization is 100 percent behind Tom. The appointment is a fantastic appointment and an appointment in the right direction," said Steve Jacobs, state commander of the VFW. A native of Soledad, Calif., Alvarado was recently appointed to serve on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' (USDVA USDVA United States Department of Veterans Affairs ) Advisory Committee on Cemeteries and Memorials by USDVA Secretary Togo West. A combat veteran, Alvarado served 19 months in South Vietnam and was wounded twice during the 1968 Tet Offensive while serving with Company F, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines. While assigned to that unit he served as a rifleman, team leader, squad leader, platoon sergeant and platoon commander. Following his tour of duty during the Vietnam War, Alvarado conducted classes as regimental instructor and supervised day-to-day activities of 260 Marines as company sergeant at the Infantry Training Regiment, Camp Pendleton, Calif. During a career spanning more than three decades Alvarado has also distinguished himself as a civilian. As a veterans' activist and advocate he has worked tirelessly to secure educational and medical benefits for ex-military personnel and their families. From 1991 to 1995 Alvarado worked as CDVA's deputy director of operations under Gov. Pete Wilson. While serving in that capacity Alvarado greatly improved the working relationship between CDVA and veterans organizations. He also created Medal of Honor Medal of Honor highest American military decoration for wartime gallantry. [Am. Hist.: Misc.] See : Bravery Hall, dedicated on Veterans Day 1992. Located at CDVA headquarters here, the multipurpose room/auditorium contains a three-dimensional display of the names of all California recipients of the Medal of Honor. As a legislative aide he worked for the U.S. Committee on Veterans Affairs, the state Legislature and the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors The examples and perspective in this article or section may represent an unduly geographically limited view of the subject. Please [ improve this article] or discuss the issue on the talk page. The Board of Supervisors is the body governing counties in the U.S. . Alvarado also taught bilingual classes through the Pasadena Unified School District The Pasadena Unified School District is a unified school district that is responsible for the schools of Pasadena, California. As of 2005, it has 5 high schools, 3 middle schools, and 24 elementary schools. for two years. Alvarado is a life member of the American G.I. Forum, San Jose; The American Legion, East Los Angeles East Los Angeles, uninc. city (1990 pop. 126,379), Los Angeles co., S Calif., a residential suburb of Los Angeles, in an industrial area. It has a large Mexican-American population. There is a performing arts center and a cultural center. A junior college is there. ; AMVETS; Disabled American Veterans; Fleet Reserve Association; Military Order of the Cooties Cooties is a slang word in American English, used by children, referring to a fictional disease. Cooties are believed to be a highly contagious disease or condition, generally carried by members of the opposite gender. and Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S., East Los Angeles. Participating in 16 major combat operations, he was awarded two Purple Hearts, the Navy Unit Commendation The Navy Unit Commendation of the United States Navy is an award that was established by order of the Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal on 18 December 1944. This commendation is awarded by the Secretary to any ship, aircraft, detachment, or other unit of the United States Navy with combat "V" device for valor and heroic action, Navy Achievement Medal with combat "V" device, Combat Action Ribbon The Combat Action Ribbon (CAR) is a personal military decoration of the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps, and which is awarded to those who, in any grade including and below that of a Captain in the Navy (or Colonel in the Marine Corps), have actively , Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Ribbon, Vietnam Service Medal The Vietnam Service Medal is a military award which was created in 1965 by order of President Lyndon B. Johnson. The medal is issued to recognize military service during the Vietnam War and is authorized to service members in every branch of the U.S. with six battle stars, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal The Vietnam Campaign Medal is a military recognition awarded for service in South Vietnam. Established in 1966, the decoration is a service medal of the Vietnam War and was the most commonly bestowed foreign military award to the United States military personnel prior to the Gulf with palm device, Vietnam Campaign Medal with "60" device and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with palm device. While serving with the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, Alvarado's unit received the Presidential, Meritorious and Navy Unit Citations for heroic actions against North Vietnamese ground troops and engagements. Alvarado and his wife Christina are the parents of one child, a daughter Miranda. Alvarado will receive a salary of $112,890, reflecting a 5 percent reduction as requested by the governor. This position requires Senate confirmation. -0-
(a) Benjamin Disraeli, 1st Earl of Beaconsfield 1804-81; Brit.
statesman & writer: prime minister (1868; 1874-80).
-0- Note to editors: This release and previous CDVA news releases are available via fax by News On Demand at 800/356-8440. |
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