NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Assemblymember Mariko Yamada (D-Davis) recognized Napa resident Almon Bundy as Veteran of the Year for the Fourth Assembly District during a luncheon held on Wednesday.

The Veterans Recognition Luncheon is an opportunity for members of the State Assembly to honor a Veteran residing in his or her district who has significantly contributed to their community.

“As the senior member of the Assembly Veterans Affairs Committee, I am pleased to honor Mr. Almon Bundy for his enduring efforts to assist veterans,” said Yamada. “Mr. Bundy has created an infrastructure of people, resources, and services to help veterans as they transition back to civilian life and as they cope with trauma and the many challenges this entails.”

Since his retirement from his over 30-year career in sales and marketing, Bundy has focused his energy on volunteering and advocating on behalf of his fellow veterans.

He established the Veterans Emergency Fund which provides veterans with emergency rent, utility payments, food and transportation.

In 2011, Bundy co-founded the Napa County Veterans Advocacy Coalition which consists of a myriad of service providers and organizations that focus on veterans’ issues.

Bundy returned to the workforce in 2012 when he joined the United States Department of Veterans Affairs as a peer support specialist. He primarily focuses on working with veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and other injuries.

“I am diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. We need to stop the stigma associated with that diagnosis,” said Almon Bundy in a statement. “It is my honor to serve my fellow veterans and to pay back what so many veterans have done for me and this country.”

Bundy enlisted in the United States Army in 1966. After completing a course for military advisors at the Special Warfare School in Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, he was assigned as an advisor to the Third Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) Cavalry Squadron.

Bundy’s unit was assigned highway security and was heavily involved in the 1968 Tet Offensive and the aftermath.

The Third ARVN Cavalry Squadron and their U.S. Military advisors received the United States Presidential Unit Citation for their actions during the period.

This is one of the few non-U.S. units to receive the highest U.S. Military Honor awarded at the unit level. Bundy also received the Vietnam Gallantry Cross with a Silver Start and the Vietnam Armor Badge.

Bundy was honorably discharged as a 1st Lieutenant in 1969. He also serves as president of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 702 in Yountville and a member of American Legion Post 113 in Napa.