The Sequim Valley Lions will host a spaghetti dinner for all veterans from 4-7 p.m. on Saturday, April 20, at the Sequim VFW, 169 E. Washington St. The dinner is free for veterans and $5 for anyone else. There will also be drawings for gifts for veterans periodically throughout the three hours.
Essay winners
In the spring of 2023, Fleet Reserve Association Branch 174 was given a flyer for the 2023 FRA Americanism Essay Contest. This was something new to most of the present active members. As with most of the other FRA branches across the country, the local branch took a big hit in active members during the pandemic and they were looking to expand their community outreach in Sequim to see how many of the members they could bring back and if they could entice some new members.
The cost of running the essay contest was well within their budget, so they decided to reach out to the schools and other youth groups who might be interested. There were four essays submitted. These essays were passed up to the regional office to be judged with other essays from our region.
Lillian Commeree, an 11th-grader, won first place locally and regionally, and has advanced to the national level. Nolan Stewart, a seventh-grader won first place locally in his age group and third place regionally. Congratulations Lillian and Nolan!
For more about the FRA which encompasses the Navy, Marines and Coast Guard with a motto of “Loyalty, Service and Protection” email to paul.rogers5@comcast.net.
Clothing closet
The Clothing Closet at the Northwest Veterans Resource Center at 219 S. Francis St. is open when the center is open: 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Monday through Thursday. All veterans are welcome to come and get clothing and emergency supplies after checking in at the center. Clothing has been changed out from fall/winter to spring/summer items. Focus is on jeans, boots, coats, shirts and sweats which can be new or slightly used, as well as new socks and underwear.
Please let all veterans know this resource is available to them. For those who would like to donate: please only give new or slightly used items.
If you wouldn’t wear it, please don’t give it to the Closet. Money donations are always welcome.
Stand Down set
Voices For Veterans will be holding a Stand Down from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Thursday, May 2, at the Forks Elks Lodge, 941 Merchants Road.
All veterans in need and their families are welcome to come and talk to service providers, have breakfast and lunch, get a haircut, medical screening and access the clothing room and outdoor gear. Emphasis is on veterans from the West End. For more information, call Jennifer at 360-374-5252. There will be a Stand Down in Port Townsend on July 29 and one in Port Angeles on Oct. 3; please pass the word.
Minsky Place open house
Save the date: From 1-4 p.m. on Saturday, May 18, there will be an Open House at Minsky Place, the group home for six permanently disabled veterans purchased and remodeled by Sarge’s Veteran Support. Meet at the JCPenney’s parking lot to be shuttled to the home.
Organizers would appreciate donations of food for the pantry at Minsky Place. Please bring a can, bag, or box of non-perishable food to the open house. Google “Sarge’s Veteran Support “to find out more about the program of housing veterans, or email me (cdrlgilchrist@gmail.com) with questions.
Contributors: American Legion, Carl Bradshaw, grennanalpost62@gmail.com; DAR and MOAA, Lorri Gilchrist, cdrlgilchrist@gmail.com; Voices For Veterans, Rita Frangione rita.frangione@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, Rod Lee, sealteam120473@gmail.com, Fleet Reserve, Paul Rogers, paul.rogers5@comcast.net.
