Veterans Home of California - Barstow

11/16/2025

Thank you, American Legion Riders, from Chapters 716,534,497,299 and Post 595 for your generosity and visit today! Our American Legion friends hailing from Long Beach, Los Alamitos, Riverside, Chino and Bloomington came to the Barstow Veterans through rain and sleet to deliver tables of items for our veterans to choose from.

ALR members treated each veteran with love and attentiveness as they assisted veterans in choosing items, sizes and needs.

Residents had a great time visiting and choosing from a wide variety of items. Thank you, American Legion Riders, for coming such a long way through all this rainy weather. We appreciate you. Everyone had a fantastic time.

California Department of Veterans AffairsAmerican Legion Riders

11/12/2025

Thank you, San Bernardino County Barstow Sheriff’s Station, for your Pre-Veterans Day visit!

Barstow Sheriff’s Station Captain Markegard, Lieutenant Mello, and Deputies honored us with their company; sharing love of country along with a dedication to serve and protect with a commitment to public safety.

A shared comradery was present for those men and women that met, and you can easily see the strong sense of discipline, loyalty and sacrifice they are often characterized by with a shared culture; both our veterans and our law enforcement being a part of keeping us safe. VHC Barstow thanks you.

California Department of Veterans AffairsSan Bernardino County Sheriff's Department Barstow Sheriff's Station

11/11/2025

HAPPY VETERANS DAY! To every veteran, thank you for your service, your dedication and your sacrifice. You are in our hearts and thoughts.

In celebration of our veterans at the Barstow Veterans Home on Veteran’s Day, the day began with the reading of the Veterans Day Proclamation from Governor Newsom by the Home Public Information Officer. A full house Bingo game kicked off the day of festivities. American Cruisers MC provided es**rt to the Barstow Cemetery Veterans Day Ceremony; Veterans Bill and Carole presented the Wreath on behalf of the Barstow Veterans Home.

American Legion Riders Post 574 arrived from Moreno Valley to deliver personal donated items for our veterans. An outpour of community support with support letters from Barstow High School Club America, Riverside Prep School, Excelsior School Cameron Elementary School, Eucalyptus Elementary School, Rio Vista Elementary School, Helendale Elementary School, the Morrisons and many others were received.

A special meal prepared by our culinary team representing honor to our veterans consisted of a beautiful and quite elegant steak, Cornish game hen and shrimp cocktail dinner with all the trimmings.

The luncheon was followed by music performance by singer Elvia where our residents danced and toe tapped to easy listening tunes.

It was a day of honor and celebration for our veterans, and we are grateful for the continued support that we receive from all of you. Happy Veterans Day!

California Department of Veterans Affairs American Cruisers MC Chapter 149 American Legion Riders, Post 574 Moreno Valley

11/09/2025

VHC Barstow was bestowed the honor of a visit by Jason Q. Bohm USMC (ret) Major General. Maj. Gen. was joined by his wife Katrina and the High Desert Marines. Our veterans gathered with admiration to enjoy Major General Bohm’s stories and comradery.

Major General Bohm is a 34-year veteran (Retired Inspector General of the United States Marine Corps), and author of Washington's Marines; The Origins of the Corps and the American Revolution, 1775 – 1777 (2023) and From the Cold War to ISIL: One Marine’s Journey (2019).

An infantryman by trade, he commanded Marines at every level from the platoon to Marine Air, Ground, Task Force levels in peacetime and war. He participated in several operations and served in several critical staff positions in the supporting establishment in joint and combined commands.

As a General Officer he served as Commanding General, Marine Corps Training Command, Chief of Staff, Naval Striking and Support Forces, NATO, Commanding General, Marine Corps Recruiting Command, and as the Inspector General of the Marine Corps.

He and his wife Katrina represent a lifetime of service and sacrifice to our country, and we are so honored to have met them. Major General Bohm is the guest speaker at the November 8, 2025, High Desert Marines Ball and graciously paid a special visit to the Barstow Veterans Home! Oorah!

High Desert Marines California Department of Veterans Affairs

11/07/2025

VHC Barstow good friends and neighbor Barstow Community College delivered these beautiful floral arrangements for each and every one of our veterans!

BCC Special Programs, Veterans Resource Center and BCC CARE students gathered to make 81 floral arrangements so that each veteran would receive one for Veterans Day. The love, support and effort that goes into coordinating such a beautiful venture is so huge and touches our hearts.

Thank you to all at Barstow Community College for your continued support and care of our veterans. Your commitment to our community and to our veterans is invaluable. No wonder BCC is rocking so many awards… BCC leadership and staff are amazing!

We appreciate this meaningful event and your continued partnership in helping us brighten their day.

Barstow Community College California Department of Veterans Affairs

11/01/2025

HAPPY HALLOWEEN to all of you from all of us at VHC-Barstow! Halloween was a spectacular day full of joy, laughs, smiles, oohs and ahhs, and of course we had a frightfully full and fun day!

The annual Halloween parade and parties began today at the Barstow Veterans Home and was a day to dismember…Festivities included our annual Halloween Parade throughout the Home and ended in our Domiciliary’ s Haunted House!

Our spooky bash included a costume contest, and staff department’s theme decorated work areas got everyone involved and in the spirit! The Home decorated throughout included Disney’s Aristotle and Mad Hatter Tea Party, the Wild Wild West and a Haunted carnival! Festivities included a very Spooktacular lunch and costume winner announcements and awards!

The day ended on a high note, celebrating our veteran’s monthly birthday celebration with the High Desert Marines. Music by Roadhouse Ron and a Halloween duo by resident Tom and HD Marines Commander Mark Hotchkiss that had us in stitches!

California Department of Veterans Affairs High Desert Marines

10/28/2025

HOW DO WE MAINTAIN OUR CONTINUAL FIVE STAR RATING? High-quality care of veterans is always at the forefront for our nursing team and the professionals within it. One way we continually achieve recognition as a five-star (across the board) facility is by being proactive. VHC Barstow’s Nursing Instructor and team promote continuing education beyond the scope of requirements by creating a supportive learning environment, encouraging career advancement, and integrating new knowledge into practice.

October is “Annual Review Month” and our C.N.A’s, LVN’s and Registered Nurses are being provided refresher training in their areas of expertise. Ongoing training ensures that our staff are well-prepared and are empowered to expand their skills and knowledge beyond mandatory requirements. They are ready to meet any challenge head-on and Director of Nursing Theresa Estep, Nurse Instructor Jennifer McClure, along with Jennifer Rogado and Lillian Palacio ensure that core clinical staff skills have practice-based learning and improvement opportunities are available.

10/22/2025

Do you believe in magic? We do! Jonathan Molo the Magician was at VHC Barstow yesterday and not only awed us with his magic but also shared some of his tricks with us.

We weren’t in a tower at Hogwarts, and we can’t really share our magic secrets, but Jonathan did bring us much joy and many laughs as we honed in on our new magical skills!

10/14/2025

Happy 250th Birthday to the U.S. Navy! VHC Residents celebrated the occasion with cake and a Navy Documentary.

10/08/2025

Oktoberfest at VHC Barstow is O’Doul’s, pretzels and cheers! Schuhplattler dance performers were on hand to perform. Dances are often performed by groups of men, the Schuhplattler is a cornerstone of Oktoberfest festivities and is performed by dedicated Bavarian folk dance groups. At VHC Barstow we just love to celebrate!

10/01/2025

Please read the important information provided in the links provided.

While a federal government shutdown has happened, be reassured that CalVet offices and services will remain open as normal. If you are a veteran and need assistance, reach out to our Local Interagency Network Coordinators or our District offices in Los Angeles, Oakland, or San Diego. You can also reach out to County Veteran Services Offices. CalVet headquarters offices — including the Home Loans and Veterans Homes divisions — are also available and ready to serve you. Find contact information on our website: calvet.ca.gov

For information on potential impacts to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs services and benefits, please visit https://department.va.gov/contingency-planning.

09/30/2025

VHC Barstow Activities Team arranged a Luau for our residents with Akemi Welsh Productions. We had a great time learning the moves to Hula and Hula Kane. Music, dance and food was a lovely way to spend the afternoon.