The Physical Disability Board of Review is trying to get the word out to all eligible veterans who have disability ratings that they are there to help improve the veterans' benefits.

Congress created the board after investigations found inconsistencies in how the military assigns ratings for the level of disability that soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines have before they are discharged.

At issue are disability ratings based on an injury's severity and long-term impact. The panel is managed by the Air Force and charged with reviewing appeals from former members of the armed forces who received disability ratings of less than 30 percent from Sept. 11, 2001, to Dec. 31, 2009.

There is no termination time for the board. For more information go to http://bit.ly/a4rgA1 or Physical Disability Board of Review on the Internet. If you have questions, talk to a service officer at the American Legion or VFW.

Thanks to all the women at the Sequim Senior Activity Center who knitted and crocheted all winter making lap robes for the veterans in the home at Retsil and in the veterans' hospitals.

I am sad and sorry to announce that we did not collect enough money to bring the Clan Gordon Pipe Band back for the Irrigation Festival parade. We will keep the money we have so far and continue collecting, so hopefully next year we will have enough. Thank you, Stuart, for your generous donation.

The American Legion hosted the Third District Spring Conference at the Old Dungeness Schoolhouse. The Washington State Department officers also were present. They have extended a helping hand to Jerry Charles, commander of the Port Angeles Legion Post, who is working to get a doctor at the tribal clinic for VA patients. The clinic and VA have an agreement; they just need a doctor. This would be a wonderful service for peninsula veterans - no long days in a van traveling to the VA hospital.

Charles also is working to stand up a chapter of the American Military Retirees Association on the peninsula. An organizational meeting was held April 8. To get some background on the organization, go to www.amra1973.org. If you are interested in being a member, contact Charles at 461-2035 or gcharles@elwhahousing.com.

Korean War vets - Do you know there is a formal group here on the peninsula that is involved with keeping the memory of the Korean War alive? They have monthly meetings, participate in parades and make sure that special dates involving the Korean War are observed. Some members have gone to Korea and more are going this year to commemorate the beginning of the war, 60 years ago. If you are interested in participating in the chapter, the president is Jerry Rettela. He can be reached at eletteor@msn.com.



Contributors: DAR, Regent Kayellen Garrison, kgarison@olypen.com; American Legion and MOAA, Lorri Gilchrist, lpgilchrist@webtv.net; VFW Commander, Roger Padie, commander@

vfwpost4760.com; Marine Corps League, Terry Roth, mroth@olypen.com.