Issue link: https://imageup.uberflip.com/i/1545515
| LIFE IN SOLERA | JULY 2026 | 33 Over the years, I have had the pleasure and honor of sending care packages to many service men and women. When I think back, I can remember many service members who I have supported on two and three tours. On two occasions I was able to support Army husbands and their Army wives, at the same time. The husbands and wives were in different Middle Eastern countries. I supported a Captain in Kuwait and his Sergeant First Class brother in Iraq at the same time. Because I have been sending packages since 2005, I have had three fathers who I have supported, who contact me later to let me know that their sons were now serving on an overseas tour. Because I supported so many service members with letters, photos, cards, emails, and packages during their entire tours, I have made many fond memories. One of those service members was a young Navy Lieutenant by the name of James E. Zumwalt. James was serving in Iraq as a Bomb Squad Commander in the Anbar Province in Iraq. I can't recall if it was his first or second Iraqi tour. James is the son of USMC Lt. Col. James G. Zumwalt who served in the Vietnam and Persian Gulf wars and the grandson of Admiral Elmo R. Zumwalt Jr. The Navy has named a class of Guided Missile Destroyers after the Admiral. The Admiral had two sons. James' father, who became a Marine and the Admiral's other son, who served in the Navy. Admiral Zumwalt became Commander of Naval Forces In Vietnam during 1968-70. It was during this time that his Navy son, a Lieutenant Junior, served as commander of a patrol boat in Vietnam. These patrol boats often patrolled the rivers adjacent to the jungles. Sadly, and without knowing the ramifications, the Admiral authorized the usage of the defoliant Agent Orange. One of the victims of this product was his Navy son. He later died at age 42, from the long suffering effects of Agent Orange. Thank you for caring. ~ Jesse Donardt, (951) 892-6635 SUPPORT OUR TROOPS VETERAN ASSISTANCE FLAG BRIGADE Billy (Mitch) Mitchell is a resident and Veteran who has voluntarily worked with individuals and the Veterans Administration to assist Veterans in obtaining benefits. If you are a Veteran and want to know which benefits you may be eligible for, contact Mitch at (951) 797-0800. The Flags were raised June 6 for D-Day and June 14 for Flag Day. Thank you to those few dedicated resident volunteers who are up "at the crack of dawn" on these special days to put up and take down our flags. Contact for the Flag Brigade – Nick Gercis, nick.gercis@ gmail.com. Flag schedule for 2026 Independence Day: Thurs., July 4 (up 7/3, down 7/6) Labor Day: Mon., Sept. 7 (up 9/4, down 9/8) Patriots Day: Mon., Sept. 11 (up 9/11, down 9/14) National POW/MIA Day: Fri., Sept. 20 (up 9/18, down 9/21) Veterans Day: Sat., Nov. 11 (up 11/10, down 11/13) Pearl Harbor Day: Thurs., Dec. 7 (up 12/4, down 12/8)