South Santa Clara Valley Memorial District

12/09/2024

This Friday, December 13th, will be the ONLY BINGO Night this month. There will be NO BINGO on Dec 27th.
So, come enjoy the evening with games, raffles, and prizes all while supporting our local VFW Veterans! 🎗(Must be 18 and over to play & attend)
Food and drinks are allowed. Outside alcohol is prohibited!
See you soon!🎤

12/06/2024

This HUGE and beautiful Fir Tree was personally cut down by Gilroy Mayor Elect, Greg Bozzo "from the El Dorado National Forest in the Sierra Mountains at an elevation of just over 5000' off highway 88 near Jackson, California".
He personally delivered it to our building last night with the help of Council Member, Tom Cline. With some visual assistance & direction from myself, my youngest son, Facilities Manager, Jesse Sanchez, American Legion Adjutant Sam Palmisano and Commander Bill Dunmeyer.
Thank you, Mayor Elect and Councilman, for your generous donation and installation of the Veterans Hall 2024 Christmas Tree! "How many men does it take to put up a Christmas Tree?" 😆🌲🇺🇸

12/06/2024

Tomorrow, December 7th, is ‘A Date Which Will Live in Infamy’.

Each year in the United States, National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day honors all those who lost their lives when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. More than 3,500 Americans lost their lives or were wounded on that solemn day.

Q. Why was the bombing of Pearl Harbor so pivotal?
A. Until December 7, 1941, The United States had practice isolationism with regards to the war. The country had no interest in joining the war with the exception of providing some resources for those Allied countries already battling the war. When Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, though, The United States had no option but to join the fray.

Today, Pearl Harbor offers several sites in memory of those who served during the bombing. The Pearl Harbor National Memorial dedicates sites in memory of the crews lost on December 7th, 1941. For many of the crew of the USS Utah, USS Arizona, and USS Oklahoma, Pearl Harbor on Oahu, Hawaii is their final resting place. The memorials serve as a place of honor to those service members lost during the attack. They also provide a moving reminder of the loss war causes.🇺🇸

12/02/2024

This Friday, (Dec 6th) is Veterans Benefit Day at the South Santa Clara Valley Memorial District Building (Gilroy Veterans Hall) located at 74 W. 6th Street from 8:30am-3pm! 🇺🇸
**PLEASE NOTE** The VSO's will NOT be here on Friday December 20th. However, the VA Medical Team will be here for half the day from 8:30-12:30. The VSO's will return Friday January 3rd, 2025.

Take advantage of this opportunity to get benefit information/resources/medical screenings and to ask any questions/concerns you may have about your existing benefits.🎗
Open to all Veterans, Surviving Spouses & Children! Bring in your DD214 and come on in!

11/27/2024

Look what's happening in our neighborhood!

Saturday Dec 7th 8:30am OR 10:30am.
$18 per person
Register here: www.cityofgilroy.org/reconline
or: https://secure.rec1.com/CA/gilroy-ca/catalog (type in breakfast with Santa in the search menu)

Gilroy Senior Center
7371 Hanna Street
Gilroy

11/25/2024

The South Santa Clara Valley Memorial District Building will be closed this Thursday, November 28th and Friday, November 29th for the Thanksgiving Observance. If you need to speak to the Rental Manager or Executive Director this week, please call or stop by M-W from 9am-1pm. We will be back in the office on Monday, December 2nd.
From our homes to yours, we wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving!🦃🥧

11/21/2024

The Mobile Dental has partnered with the VSO to provide free dental screening and care to veterans. These dental services are available by appointment only.
Please call their office at 408-918-4980 to register!

Please note, the December 11 date will be located here at the SSCVMD-Gilroy Veterans Memorial Building from 8:30am-11:30am then again from 1:30-4:30pm! Please call VSO to secure your spot.
74 West Sixth Street
Gilroy, CA 95020

Santa Clara County Office of Veteran Services
Santa Clara County Military & Veteran Collaborative

The Mobile Dental has partnered with the VSO to provide free dental screening and care to veterans. These dental services are available by appointment only. Please call our office at 408-918-4980 to register!

Please note, the December 11 date will be located at the SSCVMD-Gilroy Veterans Memorial Building. Please call VSO to secure your spot.

11/19/2024

This Friday, Nov 22nd, is BINGO night! 🎟
Come enjoy the evening with games, raffles, and prizes all while supporting our local VFW Veterans! 🎗(Must be 18 and over to play & attend)
*Please note the new hours on banner*
Food and drinks are allowed. Outside alcohol is prohibited!
See you soon!🎤

11/14/2024

The South Santa Clara Valley Memorial District Building is a proud drop-off location for the YMCA's "House of Toys" Toy Drive. Bring in new unwrapped toys, books and/or jackets between now and Dec 8th and drop in the red bin in the lobby next to display case.
Your donation will make a child very happy!
Building is open M-F from 9-1 and then again from 2-8. Saturday from 2-8 and Sunday from 1-6pm.

11/13/2024

And, they're back!
This Friday, (Nov 15th) is Veterans Benefit Day at the South Santa Clara Valley Memorial District Building (Gilroy Veterans Hall) located at 74 W. 6th Street from 8:30am-3pm! 🇺🇸

Take advantage of this opportunity to get benefit information/resources/medical screenings and to ask any questions/concerns you may have about your existing benefits.🎗
Open to all Veterans, Surviving Spouses & Children! Bring in your DD214 and come on in!😄

11/12/2024

Yesterday, on Veterans Day, we gathered to honor our esteemed veterans.
Thanks to all who attended the ceremony despite the weather.
Your attendance was appreciated.

We stood in the presence of living history. With us were veterans whose service spans decades—from World War II to the recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Each generation has faced its own challenges, fought its own battles, and made its own sacrifices for the cause of freedom.

Raul Torrez, VFW Post 6309 Commander was the Master of Ceremonies with a March In and Pledge of Allegiance from the Scout Troop 799 and Scout Pack 794. Presentation of Colors were organized by Jesse Sanchez and led by Al Montes from the Color Guard of the VFW Post 6309 and American Legion Post 217. Our National Anthem was sung by Ted Sanchez followed by the Invocation from St. Mary’s Parish, Father Michael Hendrickson. Our very own Mayor Marie Blankley along with Ted Sanchez sang “God Bless America” and South Santa Clara Valley Memorial District Board Vice President and admired Veteran Gabe Perez stood as our Guest of Honor. We were also honored by Guest Speaker, United States Retired Navy Captain Rolf G. Lund and “Taps” played by Tom Brozene.

The ceremony concluded with the surprise unveiling of a Memoriam Plaque honoring LCPL Jeramy Ailes, USMC, Iraq War 2004 and SSG David H. Gutierrez, US Army, Afghanistan War 2009 whom Al Montes (the VFW Quartermaster and Honor Guard Commander) and members of the VFW Post 6309 with the help of community members actively and diligently pursued. It was particularly special for Patty Gutierrez, David’s widow, who happens to be the Rental Manager for the very building in which the ceremony was held. And for Lana Aisles, who, in just a few days, will be remembering and honoring 20 years since her devastating loss.

Thank you, veterans, for your service, your sacrifice, and your continued dedication to our nation. Your service reminds us that freedom is not free—it is built on the bravery of heroes like you.
May God bless you, and may God bless the United States of America.🇺🇸

11/11/2024

Veterans Day is the day set aside to thank and honor ALL those who served honorably in the military – in wartime or peacetime.

Happy Veterans Day to all of our Veterans. We owe you a debt of gratitude for serving our nation, but more than that, we owe you our freedom. A debt that can never be repaid. 🇺🇸🎗
Please join us inside the Veterans Hall Main Room today at 11am to honor our local heroes.

11/10/2024

On November 10th, The United States Marine Corps Birthday commemorates the establishment of the Continental Marines.
The United States Marine Corps, a branch of the United States Armed Forces, provides power protection from the sea. They use the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. The Continental Congress first established the Continental Marines on November 10, 1775, leading up to the American Revolution.
The birth of the U.S. Marine Corps began as a way to augment naval forces in the Revolutionary War.
The recruiting headquarters was in the Tun Tavern on Water Street in Philadelphia, which is considered to be the birthplace of the Marines.
Happy Birthday, United States Marine Corp!
Semper Fi 🇺🇸🎗🦅

11/08/2024

Rain or Shine, our dedicated Veterans of the VFW will be hosting the Veterans Day Ceremony right here at the Gilroy Veterans Building. If weather permits, the ceremony will be held outside on the Eigleberry side of the building. If not, the ceremony will take place inside the main hall. Bring your friends and family and help us honor our brave and honorable Veterans!🇺🇸

11/06/2024

And just like that, it's time for BINGO again!
This Friday, Nov 8th, the VFW Post 6309 will be hosting their BINGO night in our building! 🎟
Come enjoy the evening with games, raffles, and prizes all while supporting our local VFW Veterans! 🎗(Must be 18 and over to play & attend)
*Please note the new hours on banner*
Food and drinks are allowed. Outside alcohol is prohibited!
See you soon!🎤

11/05/2024

Still haven't voted? That's okay! The Veterans Hall on the corner of 6th and Eigleberry is a voting site until 8pm tonight! Whether you are voting in person or dropping off your absentee ballot, the Registrar of Voters are here! Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters

10/30/2024

In case you missed it, attached is an article written about yours truly ☺️
Despite the paper going through their own personal loss, I'm honored that Kelly included me in this month's article.
Thank you, Kelly and Morgan Hill Life, for spending time with me and getting to know the building better🙏

From despair to helping veterans, woman's life comes full circle Working at the Gilroy Veteran’s Hall is more than just a job to Patty Gutierrez. It’s her way of giving back to the community who supported her 15 years ago when her husband, David Gutierrez, died in active duty

10/26/2024

The South Santa Clara Valley Memorial District is all set up for the Food Truck Fly-in at the San Martin Airport! Stop by and check out all the great vendors and come say hi to your local Veterans!