Sharing thoughts at the celebration are Linda Raffignone (left), vocational rehabilitation and employment officer, Department of Veterans’ Affairs regional office in San Diego; SVBRC Director Al Renteria (center); and Gary C. Douglas, service officer, AMVETS Dept. of California Service and Rehabilitation Dept., Loma Linda.

County Supervisor Bill Horn (foreground) speaks to the crowd at the grand opening ceremony for the Southwest Veterans’ Business Resource Center (SVBRC) on November 1. Standing in back are (from left) Sam Luna-Sanchez, Assemblyman Kevin Jeffries, Frances Lowe, Gillian Larson and SVBRC founder/CEO Al Renteria. The center is located at 145 East Fig Street.

Roger L. Reed (left), a service disabled business owner who volunteered his talent to photograph and videotape the grand opening event, visits with USMC Pvt. Daniel Boothe.

Al Renteria, founder/CEO of the Southwest Veterans’ Business Resource Center.

Temecula resident Gillian Larson (left), a CBS TV “Survivor” contestant, visits with Linda Raffignone (center) and Chris Day at the grand opening event.