Voices For Veterans will be holding a Veterans Stand Down from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 6, at the Clallam County Fairgrounds, 1608 W. 16th St., Port Angeles.
All veterans and their families are welcome to come and talk to service providers, get breakfast and lunch, a haircut, see medical providers, get clothing and more.
If you have any questions, call Levi at the Veterans Center, 360-797-1791.
Wreaths Across America
Michael Trebert Chapter-NSDAR is focusing on obtaining wreaths for Wreaths Across America in Clallam County. This year, more than 3,000 wreaths are needed for veterans’ graves in eight cemeteries from Forks to Gardiner.
There will be a public patriotic ceremony at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, at Mt. Angeles Memorial Park, 45 Monroe Road.
To order wreaths, go to wreathsacrossamerica.org/WA0153. For $15 each or buy two wreaths and get the third wreath free with the use of this website.
For more information, email to mtcwreaths@gmail.com.
Instructions for volunteers and when wreaths will be laid at the other seven cemeteries will be announced on this website in November.
The idea behind these wreaths is to Remember our veterans, Honor them, and Teach the next generations about their sacrifices.
Spaghetti fundraiser
The Sequim Valley Lions are having a Veterans Appreciation Spaghetti Dinner from 3-7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, at the Sequim VFW, 169 E. Washington St.
Veterans eat for free and non-veterans eat for $5.
There will also be random Veteran Appreciation Raffles for prizes during the dinner.
Honoring veterans
The American Legion and the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) have been approached in the past by family members of veterans asking why there was not a flag or a wreath on their loved one’s grave.
If the gravestone does not have military information on it neither will be placed there.
The DAR is trying to help the families by making lists and “flagging” graves that are not marked with military information, however this is not a fail-safe system.
I am encouraging families of veterans with no military information on the gravestone to get a free medallion from the Veterans Administration and place it on the gravestone so your veteran can be honored on Memorial Day and Wreaths Across America day. Go to va.gov/burials-memorials/memorial-items/headstones-markers-medallions. You will find information, forms and answers to frequently asked questions. The DAR will be giving this information to funeral homes.
Clothing Closet
The Clothing Closet — at the Veterans Center, 216 S. Francis St., Port Angeles — is gearing up for fall and winter. Needs include waterproof boots sizes 9-12, heavy parka-type, waterproof and washable coats (sizes XL, men’s sweats, top and bottom, sizes X-Large and 2X), and women’s sweat tops (size small).
These can be new or gently used — if you won’t wear it, please do not give it.
You can drop off at the center Monday through Thursday or at my house (538 N. Seventh Ave.) anytime. Thank you for helping keep the homeless veterans warm and dry this winter.
Contributors: American Legion, Paul Renick, grennanalpost62@gmail.com; DAR, 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.
