If you are looking for an experience that’s enjoyable and meaningful, consider joining us for our meetings and functions. You will enjoy it while learning something new and worthwhile. We meet regularly on the last Thursday of the month at 3PM to 4:30PM, and then we will begin meeting every other month starting in January. These meetings, events, and presentations are held usually at the Berger Center, and on the occasions we are meeting in another facility we will announce the change well in advance. See our Calendar and Events Page for more details on our upcoming schedule. In addition, during the months of February, April, June, August and October we regularly conduct our well publicized special functions.
John DeGroot, Army Specialist and combat vet, and our current Chairperson and Interim Secretary at: jdegroot@sonic.net
John Adams, retired USAF Senior Master Sergeant, and the Chair Emeritus, at: john119@sbcglobal.net or,
Paul Gowins, disabled Marine NCO is our current Treasurer, and Director of Communications and Publicity at: pngowins@yahoo.com, or at pgowins@oakmontvetsclub.org
Pat Hendricks, RN and Army Lieutenant, and current Leader of Outreach at: pathendricks3@gmail.com
We urge you to contact us soon.
From Veterans Day ceremony 2023
The Oakmont Veterans Club is open to all who have served in any US Armed Forces, during a period of war or peace. The club is dedicated to all veterans, Gold and Blue Star parents or grandparents, and all surviving spouses, or family members.
We promote camaraderie among veterans and others, but especially to those seeking support, friendship, and contact with those who share a common experience. As veterans we have a conscious awareness for each other. This is a universally shared distinctive characteristic by those who have been in the armed forces.
We advocate for, and support our members on a range of important issues. In our resolve to actively promote camaraderie, we are a strong network of vets and others that live in the Oakmont community of over 5,000 strong that extends beyond the confines of the borders of our collective properties. We stand together as one.
Standing up to defend our rights and freedom around the world, we proudly continue to serve.
Our club takes the observances of our nations heritage and history seriously at every opportunity to display our spirit and pride in what we do every day.
Meet our team
From the top left is our newly installed Treasurer, and Communications/Publicity Director, Paul Gowins, and on the right is our Interim Chair, and Secretary, John DeGroot. The picture below this is our excellent Outreach Coordinator Pat Hendricks.
It is worth noting that our organization is currently in the process of filing documents to be recognized as a non-profit veterans organization under the definition of the IRS code for a 501c19
There is important news to tell you about here. Our current Chairman John De Groot has now declared he is running to fill one of the vacating seats on the OVA Board of Directors. The election will be held in April this year, and he will remain on the job as our Chairman until we can elect our new Chair for the Club going forward. Of course, John will always remain active in the Club and offer any advice and activities we will still look to him for. In the meantime he has asked for our endorsement, and volunteers to help canvas the community to get him installed in a seat on the Board. If you can help, contact John at jdegroot@sonic.net, or Paul Gowins at pngowins@yahoo.com
These seven candidates have qualified for the 2025 OVA board elections:
John DeGroot
Jess Marzak
Tim Nelson
Jeff Neuman
Neill Ray
Karl Turner
Robert Williams
Candidates Night will be held Feb. 19 at 6 p.m. in the Berger. Oakmont members seeking seats on the Board of Directors will be running to fill four positions. Members can submit questions to askova@oakmontvillage.com by Feb. 12. Questions must be addressed to all candidates and not to specific individuals. Questions will be reviewed and collated for similar topics to ensure efficiency. Due to time constraints, not all submitted questions may be selected.
Candidate Meet & Greets are scheduled by the candidates and will be shared in Oakmont News and Inside Oakmont as they come available. Find the full list at oakmontvillage.com/2025-meet
Ballots for the election will be mailed to members by March 1. Completed ballots can be mailed, or they can be delivered in person to the Annual Meeting at the Berger Center prior to the start of ballot counting at 10 a.m. Ballots will not be accepted at the OVA office.
Results of the election will be announced at the Annual Meeting on April 7.
Key dates for the 2025 election follow:
April 7: Ballot counting begins at 10:00 a.m.
Feb. 10: Campaign signs may be displayed
Feb. 18: Candidates announced at Board Meeting
Feb. 19: Candidates Night at 6 p.m. in Berger
March 1: Member voting begins
April 7: Annual Meeting
April 7: Ballot Counting Begins at 10AM
Breaking News! A vote was taken in the Vets Club leadership council on February 6th to offer John our unanimous club endorsement for his candidacy for a seat on the Board of Directors. You have all our votes, and our hopes and best wishes, John! Run to victory for us all mate.
We’ve served in all the Nations’ greatest conflicts.
Korean War
Viet Nam War
Gulf War
Afghanistan
Give more substance to your retired years and offer continued service as only we know how.
- Collaborate with fellow veterans.
- Showcase your skills and interests.
- Experience the gratifying world of giving to your community.
- If you are a veteran, or the family member of a veteran, and are not currently a member of the Vets Club we invite you to contact us to join. Contact: Pat Hendricks at pathendricks3@gmail.com ,or John DeGroot at jdegroot@sonic.net to be added to the roster.
