I would like to use this week's column to remind the veteran community about Seabee Days on June 28-29 at Naval Base Ventura County. The events will kick off at 11 a.m. June 28 with a full-dress military parade of approximately 500 participants. Seabee displays and demonstrations will be featured throughout the weekend, giving an up close look at the Seabee mission and types of construction and defensive combat skills Seabees employ throughout the world. Seabees will also showcase some of the latest in construction and communication equipment.

By supporting Seabee Days we have the opportunity to thank the Seabees for all the support they provided during our time in the service and for the work they continue to perform today. In my service in Central and South America, I was responsible for contingency missions, to include natural disasters, so I always had Seabees on my staff.

Seabees are currently deployed to more than 17 countries. Along with their contingency construction and force mission protections in Iraq, Kuwait and Afghanistan the Seabees continue to execute humanitarian work like building schools and medical clinics, drilling water wells, and assisting less fortunate people around the world.

The Seabees consider it a privilege to live and work in Ventura County and take this annual opportunity to give back by inviting us to participate in their activities. The Seabees have certainly always had a positive effect on this county, and we consider them our own. By attending this event, we can demonstrate our support.

Seabee Days offers a variety of entertainment throughout the weekend. I am always impressed by the display of equipment the Seabees use in their missions. Food booths from local organizations and businesses will also be available.

Seabee Days admission and parking are free. Enter at the Patterson Road or Victoria Avenue gates. Gates open at 9 a.m. both days. For more details, visit the Seabee Days Web site at http://www.nbvc.navy.mil/seabeedays or call 982-6000.

— George Compton, retired Army colonel, is the veterans service officer for the County of Ventura Human Services Agency. Send your questions to Veterans Services Office, 1701 Pacific Ave., Suite 110, Oxnard, CA 93033; phone number: 385-6366; fax: 385-6371; or e-mail: George.Compton@ventura.org.