Colonel Kurt Schake-Ret.
Assemblymember Mark Stone (D-Monterey Bay) has designated Colonel Kurt Schake-Ret. as the 29th Assembly District’s Veteran of the Year for his many years of service to the United States and for assisting homeless veterans along California’s Central Coast through the non-profit Veterans Transition Center (VTC).
“This is a great honor,” said Schake. “VTC has been serving homeless veterans in the Monterey region for two decades and our work continues, in large part, due to the strong support of Assemblymember Stone and the California Legislature.”
Currently, Schake serves as Executive Director of the VTC in Marina, California, which provides critical services to homeless Veterans and their family members. VTC offers housing and wrap-around supportive programs, including case management, life skills, educational opportunities, job training, and medical referrals.
“I’m thankful for Mr. Schake’s many years of service at the VTC, and I’m proud to honor him and his accomplishments,” said Stone. “Veterans, their families, and Central Coast communities across have benefited from his work at VTC.”
Schake has served his country and his community his whole life. He graduated from the United States Air Force Academy and spent twenty-five years on active duty. During that time, he served as an F-15 pilot, an exchange officer, and a NATO requirements officer. He was also an Air Force fellow, earned a Ph.D., and served as a faculty member at the US Air Force Academy. Additionally, he served for a decade abroad, which included deployments in two war zones.
He has volunteered and served as a board member with several California non-profits that assist veterans with education and employment.
Schake continues to serve the military community as an adjunct professor at the Naval Postgraduate School and a flight instructor with the Monterey Navy Flying Club. He and his wide, Heidi, live in Carmel Valley. They have four sons.
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The annual Veteran of the Year ceremony takes place in Sacramento and honors veterans across California designated by State Senators and Assemblymembers.