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2001

VVA On The California Map

Two longtime VVA stalwarts from California—Zack Earp and the late Vernon Valenzuela—were honored recently when a section of the Golden State Highway near Bakersfield was designated “Vernon P. Valenzuela Memorial Highway” and the football field at Norte Vista High School in Riverside was renamed “K.R. Zack Earp Stadium.”

“We just wanted to do something to honor Valenzuela that is befitting his service and dedication to the veteran community,” said Jenny Frank, the office manager at the Bakersfield Vet Center that Valenzuela helped found in 2009.

Valenzuela served as VVA California State Council President and chaired the National PTSD/Substance Abuse Committee and the Minority Affairs Committee. He also was an active participant in VVA’s Veterans Initiative Task Force.

Zack Earp, too, served as California State Council President. He graduated from Norte Vista in 1966. After being severely wounded in Vietnam, he worked at the school as a teacher, administrator, school board member, and volunteer. A founding member of Riverside Chapter 47, Earp “was among a handful of VVA activists who rebuilt the California State Council,” former VVA Board member Jim Doyle said. “He co-authored the VVA Education Guide and is a longtime advisor to VVA leaders at all levels.”