Ginny Craven receives the Most Patriotic Organization award from Brigadier General Emory Hagan II. Courtesy photo.

SACRAMENTO – Ginny Craven picked up the award for Most Patriotic Organization on behalf of Lake County's own Operation Tango Mike in Sacramento's Grand Ballroom on Friday, May 4.

The event was the Homefront Heroes Gala 2007, sponsored by Operation Homefront and Rebels With A Cause, national veterans help organizations.

Honorary co-chairmen of the event were Thomas Johnson, secretary, California Department of Veteran Affairs; Major General William H. Wade II, adjutant general, California National Guard; Major General Roger Brautigan (Ret.), undersecretary, California Department of Veteran Affairs; and Brigadier General Emory "Jack" Hagan II, commanding general, California State Military Reserve, who was the master of ceremonies.

Also gracing the occasion was Lewis Lee Millett Jr., a Medal of Honor winner.

Many other individuals and organizations being recognized for their contributions to our troops, their families and our veterans were in attendance. The room was filled with proud veterans from many eras, as well as many active duty military members.

The keynote speaker was Brian Shul, a fighter pilot shot down during Vietnam. He not only survived the crash, but the extensive and life-threatening burns he sustained and returned to fly again, in the world's fastest aircraft, the SR-71 Blackbird.

Shul spoke of the tremendous support and comfort he felt when receiving packages and mail during his hospitalization and how that bolstered him to fight to survive and thrive.

He strongly and adamantly stated the support supplied to our troops is fundamental to their morale.

Craven's reception is a long-overdue public acknowledgment of her strenuous four-year effort to support our troops.

However, she's not resting on her acclaim. She's briskly nailing down the details of her upcoming pasta feast fundraiser for Tango Mike, which will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday, May 12, at Saint Mary Immaculate Parish Hall, 801 N. Main St., Lakeport.

E-mail George Dorner at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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