USO Northwest, an organization that funds activities to support our nation’s wounded, ill and injured troops, includes two airport centers — at Sea-Tac and Portland — and two centers on Joint Base Lewis–McChord. They also have mobile canteens that were sent to Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island and Fairchild Air Force Base over the summer months to support those stationed there.
A highlight of 2021 was the Vice Chief and USO Inc. partnership to bring a USO Show to NAS Whidbey Island in support of the military and their families. Additionally, they hosted an in-person Portland Golf, Seattle Golf and a Seattle Gala (this year Oct. 15 at the Hyatt Regency) and look to repeat those three events in 2022.
The SeaTac USO got a makeover and has now re-opened. Please consider supporting the USO who is there for our troops and families as they travel to new duty stations and assignments. Check it out at northwest.uso.org//sea-tac.
Hooray for Hobucket House!
Save the date! The Hobucket House Open House & Quileute Family Blessing is set for 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 20, at 251 Ash Ave., in Forks.
All are welcome to come see the group home for seven permanently disabled veterans. Please bring a non-perishable food item for the pantry. The Amazon link is a.co/2C4s1uh to donate needed items for Hobucket House.
Memorial Day ceremony set
The Memorial Day ceremony will be held at Sequim View Cemetery at 11 a.m. Monday, May 30.
American Legion Post 62 in Sequim will be hosting ceremonies at other cemeteries around Sequim later on Memorial Day. The scheduling details of these ceremonies is still in the planning stage, but will be announced as the plans become firm.
As always, the public is invited and encouraged to attend.
Post seeking members
American Legion Post 62 is also seeking community minded veterans who served honorably in the U.S. military to become members.
For more information on any Post 62 activity, please visit alpost62.com or contact Commander Paul Renick at 360-461-7974 or by email at the address below.
VFW attending ceremonies
VFW Post 6787 will be attending three ceremonies on Memorial Day: 11 a.m. at Sequim View Cemetery, 12:30 p.m. at Gardiner Cemetery (Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Marvin Shields), and 4 p.m. at the Captain Joseph House Memorial. They will also be supporting veterans gathering at 7 Cedars Casino all day.
The Post is currently selling ball caps at several venues around town. There is always information about the Post at the table. The Post meetings are at Mariner’s Cafe on the third Saturday of each month at 11 a.m. Come by, see who they are and consider joining!
Opening celebration
Captain Joseph House at 1108 S. Oak St. in Port Angeles will have an opening celebration starting at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 20. After the ceremony, guests will be able to tour the house and snacks will be provided out in the yard by the gazebo.
Members join MCL
The Mount Olympus Detachment 897 of the Marine Corps League welcomed two new members at the February meeting: Navy Corpsman Rick Arnett and Capt. Mike Hakanson, chaplain, United States Navy (ret.).
Navy Corpsmen and Navy Chaplains who have served with Marine Fleet Marine Force Units for no less than 90 days are eligible for regular membership in the Marine Corps League. FMF Corpsmen and FMF Chaplains who become members of the Marine Corps League, possess all the privileges, rights and responsibilities of league membership.
The Marine Corps League also welcomes veterans who have honorably served in the United States Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard as associate members.
To learn more about the Marine Corps League, contact Detachment Commandant Mark Schildknecht at markisin2day@gmail.com or write to: Mount Olympus Detachment 897 PO Box 3281 Sequim, WA 98382.
The Marine Corps League is always looking for a few good men or women. Do you think you are good enough?
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, Rod Lee, sealteam54@q.com.
