Los Alamitos, California– On Saturday, August 22, 2009 new members of the Southern California ESGR Committee were trained by their seasoned volunteer counterparts at the impressive Veteran’s Service Center onboard the Los Alamitos  Joint Forces Training Base.

After a greeting from our State Chair, Major General Peter Gravett (Retired) our new members were given an overview of the ESGR and it’s mission by our Executive Director, Dennis DeNoi. Other staff member, Sam Giovinazzi and Tatyana Alvarez, provided information on their areas of responsibilities.  Experienced volunteers trained the eager group in the following mission essential areas: Military Outreach, Employer Outreach and other committee opportunities such as becoming Ombudsman, Public Affairs, Awards and Recognition, and National Subcommittees.

We would like to thank the following volunteers for sharing their expertise, wealth of experience and most of all, their time….Patrick Morrissey for giving an overview of military briefings and how he has upgraded our California webpage, Kristina Miller who spoke on Employer Outreach, the upcoming PIHRA conference, Boss Lifts and the Statement of Support Program, Rudy Obad who discussed ways to reach out to employers through the Statement of Support program and Cheryl DeNoi who discussed the Freedom Award process and Presidential Volunteer Service Awards. In addition, Andra Higgs spoke about returning from multiple deployments and Brian Martin and Tanya Pham documented the day with photographs and video.  The day would not have been a success had it not been for those other valuable volunteers working “behind the scenes”!  We would like to thank Blanche Gravett, Elisa Castanon, Elaine Castanon and David Van Holt.  But most of all we would like to welcome and thank the newest members to our dedicated volunteer family: Sandra Villarreal (her husband, Joe has been a member for years and his tech support skill are invaluable), Thad Gembacz, Alisha Gravett (yes, Peter’s niece), Elaine Castanon and TSgt Gilbert Rodela for taking time from their busy schedules to attend the training and pledging to support our brave men and women serving in the Guard and Reserve …..Welcome to the ESGR!!