Sarge’s Place, a 501(c)3 organization providing housing for veterans on the West End, is seeking azaleas and rhododendrons for its hen yard. They will pick up in Sequim or Port Angeles.
Staff there have started Sarge’s Attic to earn money and provide jobs. You can donate collectables for them to sell. They always need gas cards, paper products and white bath towels. Please email Cheri at ct.sargesplace@gmail.com.
Appreciation coming your way
The American Legion Post 62 asks you to “Save the date” for the annual Home Depot Veterans Appreciation Day from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Aug. 12; and the annual Turkey Shoot from 10 a.m. until finished on Aug. 26 at the Peninsula Long Rifles facility on Slab Camp Road. The inaugural Veterans Picnic at Captain Joseph House has been postponed indefinitely.
For more information, call Commander Carl at 360-461-7460.
Partners in aid
Veteran Community Partnership is going to have an open meeting at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 20, at the Clallam County Veterans Center. They will provide a summary of the group’s activities over the past year, upcoming events and plans for the future.
VCP is an organization of veteran service providers so those who serve veterans are the focus. For more information, email Rita at rita.frangione@gmail.com.
Honors
I want to thank all those who attended a Memorial Day ceremony. There were several conducted all over the county. I was honored to escort a Korean War nurse to the ceremony at Crescent Beach. A Korean War veteran spoke, as well as a high school senior from the local school. There were memories shared and the Boy Scouts did a super job with the flag for honors. We must never forget the ultimate sacrifice men and women made to ensure our freedom.
Promise fulfilled
On June 1, the White House unveiled its Veterans Complaint Line, delivering on its promise to give veterans direct access to the Trump administration.
Veterans can voice their concerns or individual complaints by calling 855-948-2311 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. EST until August, when there will be 24-hour coverage.
The complaint line is a vehicle for the VA to start collecting, processing, tracking and responding to complaints in a more responsive way. The VA will use the data to improve the delivery of high quality healthcare and benefits to veterans and their families in a measurable way. I encourage you to call if you are a vet and have concerns or problems.
Stand Down shines
The Voices for Veterans Stand Down in Forks on May 4 went well. There were 106 veterans attending, 12 of these were women. There were 18 homeless veterans of which four were women. Many service providers were present to assist veterans — dental screening, housing assistance, Friends of Forks Animals, the American Red Cross, lawyers and Tools for Troops, to name a few.
The Clothing Room helped 85 vets get new clothes and boots. Eight veterans qualified for outdoor gear.
Thanks to all of you who volunteered to help, donated money or supplies or came to get help. The Stand Downs are for all vets who need assistance or questions answered. The next Stand Down is in Port Townsend at the Elks on Monday, July 31. Hope to see you there.
Contributors: American Legion, Carl Bradshaw, thbkdragon@yahoo.com; MOAA &DAR, Lorri Gilchrist, cdrlgilchrist@gmail.com; Marine Corps League, Mark Schildknecht, markisin2day@gmail.com ; Korean War Veterans, Jerry Rettela, eletteor@msn.com; Fleet Reserve Association, Marty Arnold, martinarnold2001@yahoo.com; Voices For Veterans, John Brasch, voicesforveterans@yahoo.com .
