From Sept. 15-Nov. 11, the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs and the Washington Lottery are working together to raise money through the Hometown Heroes Raffle to support the Washington State Veterans Innovations Program. The VIP provides emergency funding to National Guard, Reserve and active-duty service members and their families from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. The VIP can help with education, training, medical care, rent and other temporary assistance. Raffle tickets, costing $10, can be purchased at any lottery sales outlet. Please consider purchasing a ticket and help support this important program for our Washington veterans.

Stand-downs a success
Many thanks to all who donated to or worked at the Port Angles Stand Down. The DAR ladies were in the clothing room. My retired Coastie friend gave 10 sleeping bags. St. Luke’s Episcopal Church conducted an ingathering on Sept. 25 and donated it to Voices For Veterans. PFOA gave me coats and gloves, as did the Clallam County Historical Society. Several individuals gave personal care items and/or cash. It takes all of us, giving what we can, to help the homeless veterans. Thank you so much. There are no more stand-downs until spring. I will kick off requests for donations in March. Please give me the winter to reorganize my garage!

Time for shots

Speaking of winter — it is time for flu shots. Tricare and Tricare For Life cover the costs of the shot so please take advantage and get one. You may have to pay a co-pay if you go to your primary care physician. Remember to wash your hands, cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze and please stay home if you are sick.

 

There are many budget cuts being considered by Congress. Some of these impact military pay, retirement and health care. I urge all of you to educate yourself on these proposals and let your elected officials know your thoughts and desires. We need to learn from the past and not repeat the same mistakes, so remind our legislators of what didn’t work and why.

 

Do not think that it won’t affect you — the defense of our country rests on 1 percent of the population. If we do not have trained, well-equipped, career personnel, we are all in trouble. Just think of the sacrifices they make and realize that they have earned the medical services and retirement pay they receive.  

Lunch on tap

The Olympic Peninsula Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America is holding a General Membership Meeting luncheon on Saturday, Oct. 15, at the Elks Club, 143 Port Williams Road, in Sequim. Social hour starts at 11:30 a.m. All officers of the U.S. armed services are welcome — past and present. The speaker will be a Border Patrol agent. Lunch is a soup and sandwich buffet for $15.

 

We will be collecting old cell phones to turn in to Cell Phones for Soldiers to get calling cards for the troops stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan. RSVP to me at 683-6419 if you are interested in attending — or if you can donate cell phones. I will be glad to pick them up.

 

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; Fleet Reserve, Tom Flanik, gunny@sos.net.