Calling all veterans! On Thursday, Oct. 3, head to the Clallam County Fairgrounds for a day packed with resources, goodies, and community spirit.
From 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at 1608 W. 16th St. in Port Angeles, there will be a Veterans Stand Down and Resource Fair that’s all about connecting you with the benefits and support you deserve. Discover local, state, and national resources, and chat with experts from VA Medical and the Veterans Benefits Administration.
Enjoy a free breakfast, lunch, and even a fresh haircut. Bring your family and come on down!
For more info, contact Levi Douglas at 360-797-1791. Can’t wait to see you there!
MOAA collecting athletic gear
The Olympic Peninsula Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America is joining with other Washington MOAA Chapters to collect sports balls — basketball, football, soccer, volleyball, playground — for Santa’s Castle, a 501(c)3 nonprofit that distributes toys to active duty troops’ and sailors’ kids in Washington state for Christmas.
You can send them to me (Lorri Gilchrist, 538 N. Seventh Ave., Sequim) or drop them by my porch anytime. Deflated balls are best for transporting.
My goal is 200 balls! If you have questions email me at cdrlgilchrist@gmail.com. Thank you!
Clothing Closet needs
The Clothing Closet at the Veterans Center (216 S. Francis St., Port Angeles) is getting ready for fall and winter. They need men’s sweatpants sizes small to 2X, rain ponchos or rain suits, and new waterproof boots sizes 9-12.
You can drop them off at the Veterans Center or at my house (538 N. Seventh Ave., Sequim). They are also looking for donors who will give a case of tuna, chicken, Spam, soup or chili each month to keep the Emergency Food Pantry stocked. If you could do this please email me at cdrlgilchrist@gmail.com.
We still have veterans and their families in need and they are using the Clothing Closet and Food Pantry. Winter is a tough time for them.
I hope you can help keep the place stocked so they can find what they need.
Kudos to Eagle Scout
Many thanks to James Mason for taking on replacing the old flagpole at the Dungeness Cemetery as his Eagle Scout Project.
It had seen better days, and I was sad at Memorial Day and Wreaths Across America when the flag could not be present for those important veteran events.
The new one has internal lines and is solar lighted! Impressive.
Keep safe from scams
Veterans or other beneficiaries who believe they’ve been victimized by claims predators or any benefit-related scam can call 833-388-7233 to report the incident.
They can also file a report at VSAFE.gov, a website which offers scam-protection resources for military and veterans benefits as well as other common types of fraud. You don’t need to pay anyone anything to file a VA claim.
The Veterans Center at 216 S. Francis St in Port Angeles is open Monday through Thursday to help you and answer questions … all free.
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, vfwcarlsborg@gmail.com, Fleet Reserve, Paul Rogers, paul.rogers5@comcast.net.
