Sarge’s Place is a transitional and permanent housing program developed specifically for veterans located in Forks. It just opened last week! They received the keys from the contractor on July 5 and are hoping to have residents move in on Aug. 15.

 

There is a long list of new, big items that are needed: five washer/dryer sets, 12 sets of twin beds, a couch, a range, 20 stacking chairs, microwave, etc. They also are selling bricks to pave the entry and raise money for these items.

 

Volunteer painters and carpenters are needed to finish the interior.

 

For more information, go to Sarge@sargesplace.com. If you can donate money or an item, contact Cheri Fleck at cherif@forkshospital.org or call her at 360-374-5011. If we all pitch in, this can become a great facility for the homeless vets on the West End.

Stand down in P.T.

The Port Townsend Stand Down will be from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Monday, July 25, at the Elks Lodge No. 317 at 555 Otto Way, on the way into town. We still can use new, regular size toiletry items: toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, pet food, washcloths, etc. No clothes are needed at this time. Call me at 683-6419 and I will come pick up your donation.

 

We are in need of USO hot dog sponsors! The USO at SeaTac airport serves free hot dogs to the service personnel and their families while they are in the airport waiting for a flight. Jerry Rettela purchases a month’s worth of hot dogs and buns for $60 and delivers them to the USO.

 

If you can sponsor a month, it would be much appreciated. E-mail Jerry at eletteor@msn.com.

 

The American Legion Post in Sequim has two service officers available to help you with questions on VA benefits, entitlements, how to register with the VA, etc. Call the post at 683-5915 and leave a message with your name and phone number and a request to speak to the service officer and Carl or John will give you a call back.

 

Don’t be shy. You don’t know and you won’t get it if you don’t ask. You served and you earned it!

You can make a difference

I want to encourage all of you to educate yourselves on the proposals in Congress for changing military retirement, raising the premiums on Tricare, changes to the post-9/11 GI Bill, doing away with commissaries, etc.

 

In this time of economic uncertainty and the need to cut costs, many aspects of military pay and retirement are being looked at closely.

 

Please ask questions, talk to your elected representatives, write them letters, tell them what you want to see enacted. Remember the service organizations are fighting the battle for the troops, their families and retirees.

 

Please consider joining and supporting their efforts — elected officials listen to big numbers of people all saying the same thing!

 

The VFW, American Legion and Military Officers Association of America all are front-line players working to keep pay and benefits for troops and their families. There are branches of these organizations right here in Sequim — check them out!

 

Contributors: DAR, Regent, Patricia Graham, pattyg@wavecable.com; American Legion and MOAA, Lorri Gilchrist, cdrlgilchrist@gmail.com; VFW Commander Roger Padie, commander@vfwpost4760.com; Marine Corps League, Terry Roth, mroth@olypen.com; Korean War Veterans, Jerry Rettela, eletteor@msn.com.