Michael Trebert Chapter NSDAR thanks all those who braved the rain to attend the second Wreaths Across America ceremony at Sequim View Cemetery on Dec. 18. Many thanks to Community Emergency Response Team members for helping with the parking: 186 cars with 380 people! The wreaths were picked up on Jan. 8 and recycled by Lazy J Tree Farm.
There is a special on wreaths for 2022 — go to wreathsacrossamerica.org/WA0152 to order wreaths. You order two for $30 and DAR gets five! This offer lasts until Jan. 14 so please order yours today!
The third year of Wreaths Across America on the peninsula will cover all veterans’ graves from Gardiner Community Cemetery in the east to Forks in the West. It is estimated 3,000 wreaths will be needed. The date of the ceremony will be Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022.
Kudos for your assistance
North Olympic Regional Veterans Housing Network — Sarge’s Place included — would like to thank the folks of the Olympic Peninsula for supporting the homeless veterans whom they served in 2021. They could not do this work without you … it truly does take a village!
The most recent project, Hobucket House, a seven-bedroom group home will be opening in February 2022 in Forks, with a Sequim house soon to follow.
They are still seeking a veteran to honor with the naming of this Sequim project and would love some suggestions! Contact the group at info@sargesveteransupport.com.
Donations appreciated
Steph and Lyn at the Veterans Center’s Clothing Closet thank all for their support in the way of new boots, canned meat, money donations and gently used coats, jeans, bath towels and bedding. This winter weather has made for increased use of the articles available. Most needed are men’s waterproof, high-top boots sizes 10-12.
You can take boots to the Veterans Center (216 S. Francis St., Port Angeles) or drop at my house (538 N. Seventh Ave., Sequim. Please call me if you have questions at 360-683-6419.
The Four Chaplains
American Legion Post 62, 107 E. Prairie St., will hold a ceremony to honor the Four Chaplains. at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 3, at the Post, 107 E. Prairie St. All are welcome to attend.
The chaplains from four different faiths were on the USAT Dorchester when it was torpedoed by a German submarine on Feb. 3, 1943. They gave away their life preservers and were last seen singing hymns as they went down with the ship.
This ceremony honors them and their dedication to the service men on the Dorchester. They gave their lives so other military service members could survive.
American Legion Post 62’s general membership meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 13. All veterans, whether a Legion member or not, are invited to attend.
Post 62 would like to thank the many members of the community who generously donated money in 2021 to the American Legion Post 62. These funds allow the Post to serve the veterans of Clallam County and provide other community services.
Face masks or face coverings are required at all Post 62 functions.
For more information, contact Commander Paul Renick at grennanalpost62@gmail.com or 360-461-7974.
Get involved!
If you served in the military I am asking you to please consider joining one of the service groups here on the Olympic Peninsula — most can be reached through the emails below or email me and I will connect you.
The work is rewarding and being with like-minded folks is uplifting. There would be no Memorial Day or Veterans Day ceremonies, no Honors for deceased veterans, no help for those trying to access VA benefits, no Toys For Tots for Clallam County Children, no Wreaths Across America, no support for the SeaTac USO and so on without these organizations. Most meet once a month, which is not a big burden. You can choose what to participate in.
Make it a New Year’s Resolution to attend a meeting and get involved in 2022!
Contributors: American Legion, Paul Renick, grennanalpost62@gmail.com; MOAA and Voices For Veterans, Lorri Gilchrist, cdrlgilchrist@gmail.com; Marine Corps League, Mark Schildknecht, markisin2day@gmail.com; Korean War Veterans, Jerry Rettela, eletteor@msn.com; VFW 4760, Steve Henrikson, secretary@vfwpost4760.com ; VFW 6787, Joe Borden, borden@wavecable.com.
