Showing posts with label veterans. Show all posts
Showing posts with label veterans. Show all posts

Heroes' Café gives awards

Tuesday, December 24, 2019

Angelita Shannahan
Text and photos by Jerry Pickard

On Tuesday, December 17, 2019 Lynnwood's Heroes' Café, a Veterans Support Group, held its monthly meeting.

Meetings start at 9am and last until 1pm with announcements and awards at 10am and lunch at 11:30am.

Meetings are held at the Verdant Community Wellness Center in Lynnwood at 4710 196th St SW next to Applebees.

After the Flag Salute Angelita Shannahan led the singing of The National Anthem and Christmas carols.

Jana Phillips
Jana Phillips, Volunteer Services Coordinator of Providence Hospice and Home Care of Snohomish County, explained what her company does and made a presentation to the Hero's CafĂ©. 

After the presentation, an Ambassador For Peace Medal, A South Korean medal, was presented to Deanna Foote and her daughter representing her Grandfather, Korean war veteran Robert Lord.

Deanna Foot and daughter

Gina Israel
Next, Gina Israel was presented with an Ambassador For Peace Award for her Korean War Veteran Grandfather Rosendo Luna Sr.

Debbie Marks
Debbie Marks presented to Gary Walderman pictures of her uncle Ronald Marks Sgt. USMC, and Robert Marks, Vietnam war veteran.  The pictures will be hung in the Northwest Veterans Museum in Lynnwood.
Larry Campanero

Gary Walderman presented a Thank You Plaque to Larry Campanero for hosting the October 19 Heroes' CafĂ© meeting 

Donna Padello

Lastly, our Bakers Angel Donna Padello, who makes cookies and pastries for the Heroes' Café every month was presented with a check for $400 for her efforts to support our veterans.

Following awards and presentations, attendees were served a lunch of chili dogs, vegetable dips, condiments, and the monthly Birthday Cake to celebrate those with December birthdays.



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VFW delivers gift cards to Shoreline Veterans Center

Sunday, December 22, 2019

L-R: Jenny Marquette (Compass Community Resources Manager), Carl Christophersen (Post Commander VFW), Shree Vigil (Compass Program Manager)


By Carl "Chris" Christophersen

Two members of Blackburn Aurora VFW Post 3348 visited the Compass Veterans Center in Shoreline (on N 205th across the street from Costco) on December 19, 2019 to deliver a bundle of $50 Fred Meyer gift cards - one for each of the 25 veterans who live there year-round.

The gift cards were purchased with money raised from the Buddy Poppy donations. (See previous article)

Shree Vigil works there every day. She accepted the gift cards, commenting that 4-5 of her residents had told her that they were waiting for us to show up. We chatted for a while.

When asked what the veterans who lived there used the gift cards for, she commented that "besides the common socks and underwear, you may be surprised."

33% of her veterans have jobs but do not make enough to live on their own. 

Shree told us of a veteran who had an interview but did not have a tie --- he could now buy one. 

She told us of a veteran who had just gotten back on his feet and was trying to reconnect to his kids who lived out of state with their mother. He had not had enough money to buy anything for them --- he now had enough to buy them something. Shree said that he was so proud.

Shree mentioned how proud she was of a framed picture that one female veteran, who had improved her lot enough to be able to move out of Compass into a place of her own, had given to Shree. The picture was covered by glass, but it was broken i.e. had a crack.
When asked if she was going to repair it, Shree said “no but let me tell you about that.” That lady veteran had a hard time when she first arrived. 
When she gave this framed picture to Shree, she told Shree that she was broken when she moved into Compass, and that Shree helped her so much to regain faith in herself, that she thought it appropriate to give it to Shree. Shree had to pause a moment, wiping a tear from her eye.

One of the important aspects of the Compass Veterans Center in Shoreline is that each of the 25 veterans (21 men and 4 women) have their own rooms that have a lock on the door i.e. their belongings do not get stolen. 

There are separate sections --- one for men and one for women. No children or married couples live there. Each room has a bed, dresser, closet, desk, chair, internet connection and a mini refrigerator. 

They are not allowed to cook or heat any food in their room but there is a large kitchen available on the first floor with a large stove and food storage. There is a large TV lounge with a large HDTV. There is a computer training room for them to improve their skills.

It was an enlightening visit.



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Historic Flight Museum docent to speak at American Legion Post 227 meeting

Saturday, December 21, 2019

The American Legion Post 227 in Shoreline will hold their monthly meeting on Tuesday evening, January 7, 2020. A meet and greet starts at 6:30pm and the program starts at 7:00pm. Both veterans and the public at large are invited and welcome to attend.

The meeting will be held at Post 227, located at 14521 17th Ave NE, Shoreline 98155. [Behind Goodwill @ NE 145th St and 15th Ave NE]

Guest speaker will be Al Ramos, Docent at the Historic Flight Foundation Museum. He will talk about the historic planes still flying at the museum at Paine Field, such as planes flown in the Battle of Britain, D-Day and Korea. 

He will also speak to museum presentations and forums conducted during the course of a year, There will be the opportunity for questions after the presentation. You don’t want to miss this informative and interesting presentation.

A brief intermission for refreshments after the talk will allow visitors to depart. Post 227 members are urged to stay for the post meeting that will follow the intermission. We hope to see you at the meeting.

While you are at the meeting, you can check out the Post Library that includes a large collection of military related books, video tapes and DVDs. Any of these can be checked out, used and returned by post members and community without charge.


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Heroes' Cafe for veterans on Tuesday

Monday, December 16, 2019



Veterans are invited to the Heroes' Café on December 17, 2019 at the Verdant Community Wellness Center in Lynnwood at 4710 196th St SW, next to Applebees.

9am to 1pm with lunch served at 11am.

Heroes' Café is a monthly gathering for all veterans to focus on fostering positive outreach, interaction, and welfare within their neighboring community.



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Movie night at American Legion Post 227

Sunday, December 15, 2019

Attendees vote on which os 12 choices they want to see
Photo by Jerry Pickard


On Friday evening, December 13, 2019 American Legion Post 227 hosted a free movie night for members and guests.

Attendees were given a selection of twelve movies to choose from. When the vote was over, "Aviator," a movie about Howard Hughes, was chosen.

Members had a table of snacks, as well as
a popcorn machine.
Photo by Jerry Pickard


Free snacks, popcorn, pop, coffee and tea were provided by the post.

The popcorn machine was kept busy until everyone had their fill.

As the movie started there were twelve attendees and two more arrived after the movie had started. The movie was two and a half hours long. Commander Fischer suggested a shorter movie next time, possibly a comedy. A fun time was had by all!




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Vets ride free on Metro and Sound Transit to ninth annual Seattle Stand Down

Wednesday, December 11, 2019

Veterans heading to the ninth annual Seattle Stand Down event on December 12-13 can ride free on King County Metro and Sound Transit buses, light rail, and Sounder trains.

The Seattle Stand Down event connects veterans, service members, and their families who are experiencing homelessness with local resources and services, will be hosted at South Seattle College’s Georgetown campus, 6737 Corson Ave S, Seattle.

It’s a one-stop shop for veterans to receive housing assistance, case management referrals and employment opportunities. 

Veterans can access legal aid, medical screenings, eye exams, dental services, haircuts, personal hygiene items, veterinarian care, and meals – all coordinated through representatives from businesses, nonprofits, educational institutions, and all levels of government are brought together at one location to provide services.

Representatives from ORCA LIFT, the reduced-fare transit card, and ORCA to Go, which provides information and sales of regular-fare ORCA cards, will be on-site both days.

Veterans traveling to or from the two-day event can ride free by showing one of the following forms of ID:
  • Veteran Health Identification Card
  • Uniformed Identification Card
  • DD-214 discharge paperwork
  • Driver’s license with veteran’s designation
Veterans also can obtain a special two-sided free bus pass by visiting one of the following service providers:
  • Community Resource and Referral Center (CRRC): Rebecca Stevens, 305 S. Lucile Street, Seattle, WA 98108
  • WDVA: Tracy Jones, 2106 Second Ave., Seattle, WA 98121
  • KCVP: Bryan Fry, 645 Andover W. #100, Tukwila, WA 98188
  • William Booth Center: Michelle Smith, 811 Maynard Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98134

Metro bus routes that travel to or near the campus include routes 60, 124, 131, 132, 107 and 154. Route 154 is peak-only service. 

For additional information about transit service, visit Metro’s Puget Sound Trip Planner, or call Metro’s Customer Information line at 206-553-3000.

The Seattle Stand Down will open for registration at 7am on Thursday, December 12, and services will be available from 8am until 4pm.

On Friday, December 13, registration will begin at 7am with services available from 8am until 2pm.

More information is available here: Seattle Stand Down



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Special recognitions given at Post 227 meeting

Monday, December 9, 2019

Family member of Ronald Marks
accepts his certificate from Gary Walderman

By Carroll Goering
Photos by R. B. White

The American Legion Post 227 met at their Post building on Tuesday evening, December 3, 2019.

Gary Walderman from Hero's Café in Lynnwood presented a certificate to the family of Korean War veteran Ronald Marks in appreciation of the more than 100 books that Marks donated to the Post 227 library.

The books are all on military subjects with many of them on WWII action.

Also presenting an award was Thelma Sevilla, Deputy Director of Region 8, Filipino-American Veteran Recognition and Education Project.

Thelma Sevilla presented an award to
Merlin Staatz for his military service.

She presented a Congressional Gold Medal to Post 227 member Merlin Staatz in recognition of his military service in the Philippine Islands during WWII, for which he was awarded a Purple Heart.

Post Commander Larry Fischer also presented a certificate to Staatz in recognition of his WWII service in the Philippines.

Staatz spoke briefly about his service in the Philippines. Members of Merlin Staatz's family were present to observe the presentations.

Larry Fischer also presented a
certificate to Staatz with his family
members present.

Also speaking at the meeting was Raymond Coffey, Chairmen of the Shoreline Veterans Association. It was the Shoreline Veterans Association that created the Veterans Recognition Plaza located on the lawn north of the Shoreline City Hall.

The Plaza is paved with Commemorative bricks. Coffey suggested that a good Christmas gift for a veteran would be to pay $100 to the Association to have a brick engraved in recognition of that veteran's military service.

The engraved bricks are a lasting gift and the $100 payment is tax deductible.

The presentations were followed by a break for refreshments and the departure of the Guests.


After the refreshment break, Post members stayed for a Post business meeting.


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Special recognitions to be given at the American Legion Post 227 meeting Dec 3

Tuesday, November 26, 2019

The American Legion Post 227 in Shoreline will hold their monthly meeting on Tuesday evening, December 3, 2019. A meet and greet starts at 6:30pm and the program starts at 7:00pm. Both veterans and the public at large are invited and welcome to attend.

The meeting will be held at Post 227, located at 14521 17th Ave NE, Shoreline, 98155. [Behind Goodwill @ NE 145th St and 15th Ave NE]

Gary Walderman from Hero’s CafĂ© will present a certificate of appreciation to the family of Korean War Veteran Ronald Marks for the donation of more than 100 books – many of WWII action. The books will be turned over to the military library of Post 227.

Then Thelma Sevilla, Deputy Director of Region 8 Filipino-American Veteran Recognition and Education Project, will present a Congressional Gold Medal to Post 227 member Merlin Staatz for WWII action in the Philippine Islands in war time in which he was awarded a purple heart.

A brief intermission for refreshments after the talk will allow visitors to depart. Post 227 members are urged to stay for the post meeting that will follow the intermission. We hope to see you at the meeting.

While you are at the meeting, you can check out the Post Library that includes a large collection of military related books, video tapes and DVDs. Any of these can be checked out, used and returned by post members and community without charge. 

To learn more about Post 227 activities, check out their website



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Photos: Shoreline Veterans Day event

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Veterans were asked to stand and be recognized

Photos by Steven H. Robinson

The Shoreline Veterans Association, the Starr Sutherland, Jr. American Legion Post 227, and the City of Shoreline recognized the contributions of the men and women in the military who have served our country at an event at Shoreline City Hall on Veterans Day, Monday, November 11, 2019.

All veterans of any U.S. military service and all those who wanted to honor their service were invited to this annual recognition event.

Speakers and Councilmembers

Mayor Will Hall and Shoreline Councilmembers represented the city.

Chaplain Col Edward Fackler, USAF Ret., gave the benediction. Brigadier General Ray Coffey presided. Maj. Bill MacCully read the poem In Flanders Field, and presented the Remembrance Table.

Alfred Dembowski and his son Rod read the King County
Proclamation. Brig. Gen Ray Coffey looks on.

Speakers included Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, and County Councilman Rod Dembowski, whose father Alfred, a WWII veteran, assisted in reading the Proclamation from the King County Council that Rod chairs.

Commander James Rankin gave the keynote address.
The Remembrance Table is in the foreground.

The Keynote Address was given by Commander James Rankin.

The Around the Sound Band played for the reception

“Around the Sound" Brass Ensemble provided music.

Veterans in the room stood and were recognized for their service.



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Veterans Day 2019

Monday, November 11, 2019


Veterans Day, November 11, 2019



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Seattle-area dentist forms national charity for needy veterans

Reprinted with permission

It all began when Dr. Theresa Cheng, a Seattle-area periodontist, read a story in the news about a local veteran who had been seriously wounded by an improvised explosive device in Iraq and how his mother was caring for him round-the-clock.

Realizing that caring for a loved one in such a situation requires the caregiver to put aside their own needs while they care for another, she decided to offer free dental care to spouses or mothers who were caring for wounded warriors, since dental care is often one of those expensive things that can wait while other, more pressing issues take the spotlight and money.

Cheng, an immigrant from Malaysia, was soon surprised to learn that, while U.S. veterans can get medical treatment for their service-connected conditions, most don't qualify for dental care from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

As a result, she expanded her dental care program and began offering free care to veterans in her office, shutting the doors to paying patients one day each year to treat only needy veterans. She also contacted dental associations around the country to ask them to do the same. Through her perseverance, there are now more than 400 dentists nationwide offering free dental care as part of the group she founded, Everyone for Veterans.

Program Expands

Most would be content to stop there, but Cheng wasn't. She talked to the veterans as they sat in her dental chair and realized that they were also in need of services and goods that were available from local groups in their home communities. But most were too proud to ask for charity.

She realized that many businesses and individuals want to help low-income veterans, but most veterans don't want to be seen as charity cases. So she created the "Wingman Program" to match those willing to help with those who don't want to go begging.

Sensing a need that could be easily filled, she began expanding the free dental care program to an all-encompassing veterans assistance program, and Everyone for Veterans took off. The group helps a needy veteran get assistance from their community or neighbors that can make a big difference in their lives. The program is open to all low-income or financially strapped combat veterans.

Wingman Program Helps Combat Veterans

Wingmen act as an intermediary; helping a veteran get needed assistance as well as assisting local individuals, organizations, charities and businesses provide help to needy veterans in their community. The program has provided such non-traditional assistance as marriage counseling, gym memberships, sporting goods for healthy habits, rental assistance, household goods and furniture, veterinary care, etc. to veterans who couldn't otherwise afford it.

A combat veteran with a need who signs up for the program is matched with a wingman in their local community or region to discuss their needs and personal situation. The wingman then contacts local groups and individuals to get support to the needy veterans or their families.

Wingmen don't have to be social workers or veterans; in fact, business owners, community leaders, church groups and students are among the current group of wingmen who are helping veterans nationwide every day. The Wingman Program is set up so anybody in the community can help solve problems for veterans. There are no special qualifications for being a wingman, just a desire to help.

A wingman can help by making phone calls to optometrists to provide free optometric care for a veteran, or to veterinarians to provide free care for a veterans’ service dog. They can also let their friends and family know and pool together resources to get food, clothing and furniture for a veteran family, if that is what’s necessary to accomplish the mission.

Providing Support

A military member has a built-in support organization while in the service, as well as a group of friends who can help if necessary. After leaving the service, they are often at a loss when it comes to seeking assistance. If a member leaves the military and moves to, say, Iowa for a job, they have no clue where to get help when the money runs out between paydays.

The organization's wingman can help serve as a point-of-contact to match veterans with services they need and help local organizations easily reach out to veterans in their community. Sometimes, just listening is all it takes to find ways to help make a big difference.

Cheng recounted the tale of a wingman who was talking with a veteran. During their discussion, the veteran said everything was OK, but his kids complained about sleeping on the floor since the family couldn't afford mattresses. The wingman rallied her friends and family and provided mattresses along with food and clothing for the family.

If you want to help your fellow vets in need, sign up to be a wingman with Everyone for Veterans because every day is Veterans Day for someone. If you know a needy combat veteran who could benefit from the group's services, urge them to contact Everyone for Veterans for help in their local area.



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Vietnam vet speaks at Post 227 meeting

Rob Caldwell - veteran and attorney
Text and photos by Jerry Pickard

On Tuesday evening November 5, 2019 the American Legion Post 227 held their monthly membership meeting.

The featured speaker was Rob Caldwell who related his military service in Vietnam and his post military career. (DSC05102). He addressed a large group of Veterans and visitors. (DSC05106)

Rob Caldwell was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1967 and was trained as a Paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division in North Carolina before serving as a light weapons Infantry paratrooper with the 2nd Battalion 503rd Airborne Infantry of the 173rd Airborne Brigade (Separate) in Vietnam during a crucial time in the war. 

After returning home he worked as a land surveyor for many years before attending college and gaining his doctorate in law as well as membership in the Washington Bar Association at the age of 49. He practiced environmental law for many years before retiring from full-time practice in 2012. 

A full house for the presentation

Upon his retirement he began assisting Veterans with disability claims seeking compensation and medical benefits for their service-connected disabilities on a pro bono basis (free). His experience as a war veteran himself combined with his legal expertise in administrative law gives him unique experience that he uses to assist veterans. 

His practice includes a large number of appeals to the courts including the U,S. Court of Appeals for Veteran’s Claims in Washington D.C. The largest majority of his clients are those who struggle with psychiatric disabilities such as PTSD, and he has achieved significant success on behalf of those clients. He is intensely involved with “The Joint Services Committee,” an all-volunteer group of Veterans working to enhance the lives of veterans struggling with the long-term medical consequences of serving in the military.

Commander Larry Fischer presented a
certificate of appreciation to Caldwell


Commander Larry Fischer presented a certificate of appreciation to Rob Caldwell after his Presentation. 

Caldwell's crew
Rob introduces his crew to the audience.

Pie and ice cream after the presentation

After the presentation was over the Post had an intermission and served pie and ice cream to all.



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Washington employers honored for hiring veterans

Sunday, November 10, 2019


The state Employment Security Department recognized 12 Washington businesses and agencies for their efforts to employ military veterans in 2019.

Department Commissioner Suzi LeVine announced the Hire-A-Vet award recipients in support of Gov. Jay Inslee’s Hire-A-Veteran Month proclamation and the upcoming Veterans Day holiday.

“Veterans are among the best-trained candidates in the job market and make outstanding employees,” said LeVine. “These leading companies hire veterans because it’s good for business. I encourage other Washington employers to strongly consider veterans in their next hiring decisions.”

Employment Security created the Hire-A-Vet award to call attention to unemployed veterans in Washington and to recognize companies with a good track record of hiring, retaining and celebrating veterans in their workforce. One business winner is selected from each of the 12 workforce development areas in Washington.

All winners participate in the state’s YesVets program to promote the hiring of veterans.

The 2019 awardees are:

Aerotek — This federal staffing and recruiting company in Bremerton worked with WorkSource to recruit and place 137 veterans in federal jobs in 2019

Sierra Pacific Industries — This sustainable forest management company based out of California has hired 53 veterans since opening a mill in Shelton in 2016, of which 15 were hired in 2019.

Pacific Security — This industrial security and patrol services firm headquartered in Bellingham hired 15 veterans this year, the most of any business in the area.

Community Transit — This public transit in Snohomish County recruited and hired 11 veterans in 2019. The company employs more than 800 people, of which 102 are veterans. The transit also participates in WorkSource job fair preparation workshops to educate veterans about effective resumes and applications, and about properly using LinkedIn and other social media. The company proudly displays a Wall of Honor at its headquarters, recognizing veterans who have served.

Q Analysts — This national information technology firm founded the Vets for Test Program in 2019. It offers sustainable careers paths to veterans through training, mentoring and on-the-job experience in quality assurance and testing, and data analytics.

Army and Air Force Exchange Service — This major retailer located on Joint Base Lewis-McChord hired 17 veterans in 2017, 37 in 2018 and 20 in 2019.

Cascade Fiber Services, Inc. — This veteran-owned fiberoptic services company in Longview employs nine people, of which eight are veterans.

Columbia Basin Job Corps — This education and technical training organization in Moses Lake makes a concerted effort to recruit and hire veterans.

Yakima County Human Resources — This county agency has hired 45 veterans since 2016, 15 this year.

Hewes Marine Company, Inc. — This family-owned small business in Colville was founded by Bob and Ralph Hewes, World War II veterans. The company employs 170 workers, of which 18 are veterans.

Washington River Protection Solutions (WRPS) — This hazardous waste management company employs 2,100 employees in Washington, of which 303 are veterans.

Comcast — This TV, internet and phone service provider in Spokane worked with WorkSource to hire 40 veterans in 2019. Comcast has set a national goal to hire 21,000 veterans between 2015-2021. Comcast in Spokane uses WorkSourceWA.com to advertise its job openings and attends numerous veteran-focused hiring events each year. Military Times ranks the national company #3 for Best for Vets Employers in 2019.

LeVine encourages interested businesses to contact WorkSource for help hiring veterans. Employment Security has staff at centers who are specifically assigned to help veterans find jobs, including disabled veterans. The department has provided these services since 1933.

WorkSource places about 10,000 veterans into jobs each year. There are 514,000 military veterans living in Washington.

WorkSource in a partnership of state, local and non-profit agencies that work together to deliver employment and training services to Washington businesses and job seekers.



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Shorewood assembly Friday morning honored veterans



Photos by Kristi Lin

Shorewood High School held a Veteran's Day assembly on Friday morning, November 8, 2019. 


It was organized by the school Leadership Team. 


Speakers included veterans and students, who highlighted the service of Shorewood graduates.

The jazz choir sang.


In a moving ceremony, the Leadership Team held lights to represent those from Shorewood who died in service to our country.


The student body was silent and respectful, honoring those who had served.


Many Veterans were in attendance.



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Aegis Living of Shoreline honors veterans with dinner



Text and photos by Jerry Pickard


On Friday evening, November 8, 2019 Aegis Living of Shoreline held a three course dinner honoring our veterans. There was recorded Patriotic music and a piper to entertain all the guests. 

Flag team and Piper standing by
General Ray Coffey opened the evening with announcements and introductions. 

Chaplain Reverend Steve Ulmer gave the Benediction.

General Bill McCully led the Flag Ceremony. 

Flag folding ceremony

Mrs. Kaylan Moore represented Aegis Living.

Commander Larry Fischer of American Legion Post 227 addressed the group.


Commander Fischer (left), Dwight Stevens, and Doug Cerretti.


Many veterans had a great evening and a wonderful dinner.




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Veterans Day celebration at Shoreline City Hall Monday, Nov 11

Saturday, November 9, 2019

The Shoreline Veterans Association, with support from the Starr Sutherland, Jr. American Legion Post 227 and the City of Shoreline, will hold its annual Veterans Day Celebration honoring all U.S. military veterans. The event is open to the public.

The Shoreline Veterans Association, the Starr Sutherland, Jr. American Legion Post 227, and the City of Shoreline would like to recognize the contributions of the men and women in the military who have served our country and who have given so much for the cause of peace.

All veterans of any U.S. military service and all who want to honor their service are invited to this annual recognition event. A short program will be followed by refreshments.

Monday, November 11, 2019 at 2pm – 4pm
Shoreline City Hall, 17500 Midvale Ave N, 98133



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Veterans eat free at Lake Forest Bar and Grill on Monday

Friday, November 8, 2019



Veterans Eat FREE Monday November 11, 2019 for Veterans Day at the Lake Forest Bar and Grill!

Just our way of saying THANK YOU for your service!


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Brown Bear Car Wash salutes veterans and active military with free car washes on Veterans Day

“Beary Clean” washes at 26 tunnel wash locations, including Shoreline.

Brown Bear Car Wash will offer free washes to all current or former members of the military on Veterans Day, Monday, November 11.

The free ““Beary Clean” washes will be available at Brown Bear’s 26 tunnel wash locations from 8am to 6pm.

The offer operates on an honor system and no verification or documentation is required. Drivers should identify themselves as a current or former member of the military to the wash attendant upon arrival. See a list of Brown Bear’s automated tunnel wash locations.

Shoreline tunnel wash
Seattle-based, family-owned Brown Bear will also donate $1 for each car washed on Veterans Day to support Puget Sound Honor Flight and its mission of transporting Western Washington war veterans to visit memorials in Washington, D.C.

Brown Bear is a proud partner in Grace For Vets, an international program uniting the car wash industry each year by listing participating car washes that are honoring veterans with a free car wash on Veterans Day.

Brown Bear tunnel car wash, 16032 Aurora Ave N, Shoreline 98133.



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Honoring our veterans - Seattle Wind Symphony offers free admission to concert

Thursday, November 7, 2019

Seattle Wind Symphony offers free tickets to veterans
for Veterans Day November 11


In a pretty quick turn around from our season opener at Shorewood, Seattle Wind Symphony is putting on an extra special performance November 11, 2019 at Benaroya Hall to honor veterans.

Veterans and active-duty service members can receive free admission by contacting Benaroya Hall. 

Seniors/Students are $15 and General Admission is $25. Tickets here.

BENAROYA HALL

Tickets local: 206.215.4747
Tickets toll-Free: 866.833.4747
Administration: 206.215.4800

200 University Street, Seattle, Washington



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History of the Buddy Poppies - look for veterans at Fred Meyer Fri and Sat

Shoreline poppies
Photo by Lee Lageschulte
Veterans from the Blackburn-Aurora VFW Post 3348 will be accepting donations for Buddy Poppies at the Shoreline Fred Meyer, 185th and Aurora, on Friday and Saturday, November 8-9, 2019.

Money from Buddy Poppies goes to veterans' causes.

History of the Buddy Poppy

In April of 1915 a battle-weary Canadian soldier viewed the final resting place of thousands of young men who had fallen in the second Battle of Ypres in Belgium. Despondently he contemplated the rows of hastily dug graves – each marked by a lone white cross. Amid the graves he saw little patches of red – wild poppies.

Inspired, Colonel John McCrae sat down and penned the three short verses of his famous poem “In Flanders Fields”. The poem brought a message of confidence to millions of people in the dark hours of WWI and established the Flanders Poppy as a symbol of faith and hope in a war-torn world.

The Buddy Poppy, the small red flower symbolic of the blood that was shed in World War I by millions of Allied soldiers in defense of freedom, was originally sold to provide relief for the people of war devastated France. Later, its sales directly benefited thousands of disabled and down-and-out American veterans.

The VFW conducted its first poppy distribution before Memorial Day in 1922, becoming the first veterans' organization to organize a nationwide distribution. The poppy soon was adopted as the official memorial flower of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.

During the 1923 encampment the VFW decided that VFW "Buddy"® Poppies would be assembled by disabled and needy veterans who would be paid for their work to provide them with financial assistance. The next year, disabled veterans at the Buddy Poppy factory in Pittsburgh assembled VFW Buddy Poppies. The designation "Buddy Poppy" was adopted at that time.

In February 1924, the VFW registered the name Buddy Poppy with the U.S. Patent Office. A certificate was issued on May 20, 1924, granting the VFW all trademark rights in the name of “Buddy” under the classification of artificial flowers. The VFW has made that trademark a guarantee that all poppies bearing that name and the VFW label are genuine products of the work of disabled and needy veterans. No other organization, firm or individual can legally use the name “Buddy Poppy”.

Today, VFW Buddy Poppies are still assembled by disabled and needy veterans in VA Hospitals. The VFW Buddy Poppy program provides compensation to the veterans who assemble the poppies, provides financial assistance in maintaining state and national veterans' rehabilitation and service programs, and partially supports the VFW National Home for Children.

The poppy program actually got its start on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean.

Shortly after World War I, Madame E. Guerin, founder of the American and French Children's League, became concerned that the free world was "forgetting too soon those sleeping in Flanders Fields."

Inspired by Colonel John McCrae's poem, "In Flanders Fields," which spoke of poppies growing in an Allied graveyard "between the crosses, row on row," Guerin decided on the poppy as the most appropriate memorial flower.

She began attending the conventions of any serviceman's organization that would allow her to speak. Her request was always the same - to enact the following resolution: "Be it resolved that every member, if possible, and his or her family shall wear a red poppy."

The poppy program was quickly embraced by the people of France, and also secured the sponsorship of the Prince of Wales, the Governors General of Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, and the President of Cuba. In each of these countries, veteran's organizations and their auxiliaries agreed to sell memorial poppies for the benefit of the children of France.

In April 1919, the "Poppy Lady," as Madame Guerin was now known, arrived in the United States. The Poppy Lady turned to the VFW. In May 1922, the VFW conducted the first nationwide distribution of Poppies in the United States. Then, at its National Encampment in Seattle in August 1922, the organization adopted the Poppy as the official memorial flower of the VFW.

The VFW had great difficulty obtaining enough Poppies for the 1923 sale. From the frustrations of the 1923 sales year, evolved a plan to pay disabled and needy American veterans to make the poppies. This plan was presented to the 1923 National Encampment for approval. Immediately following the plan's adoption, a VFW poppy factory was set up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. All veterans who would be manufacturing poppies for the 1924 sale were sent to a training workshop by the U.S. Veterans Bureau regional manager in Pittsburgh.

It was from these early disabled poppy makers that the name which would be the flower's trademark came. The name just "grew" out of the poppy makers' remembrances of their buddies who never came back from war. Undoubtedly, because it expressed so simply the deepest significance of the Poppy Plan, the name stuck. All over the country, the little red flower became known as the "Buddy Poppy."

After the 1924 sale, some of the larger VFW (State) Departments suggested that it might improve the value of the poppies, if they were made by hospitalized veterans from their own area.

The delegates at the 1924 National Encampment agreed. They ruled that poppies would now be made throughout the U.S. by disabled veterans in government hospitals and by needy veterans in workshops supervised by the VFW. Currently the little red flowers of silk-like fabric are assembled in 11 different locations.

The VA Facilities in which they are made are located in: Leavenworth and Topeka, Kansas; Biloxi, Mississippi; Temple, Texas; Martinsburg, West Virginia; Hampton, Virginia; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Dayton, Ohio; and White City and Grand Rapids, Michigan.

From the start of the VFW's poppy program, the U.S. Veterans Bureau, the Administrator of Veterans Affairs, and other federal agencies have supported the Buddy Poppy. And beginning with Warren G. Harding, U.S. Presidents have also been staunch supporters of the program. Each year, a Poppy Girl or Poppy Boy selected from the National Home's residents starts the annual campaign by presenting the first poppy to the President of the United States.

Today, there are strict rules governing how profits from Buddy Poppy sales are to be used at different levels within the organization. The National organization assesses a tax of 5 cents on every poppy purchased by VFW Posts nationwide.

Profits are used to fund department service work or other programs for the relief or wellbeing of VFW members. Posts receive their profits directly from public donations for Buddy Poppies. National by-laws require that the profits from these sales be placed in the post's Relief Fund to be used only for the following purposes:
  • For the aid, assistance, relief, and comfort of needy or disabled veterans or members of the Armed Forces and their dependents, and the widows and orphans of deceased veterans.
  • For the maintenance and expansion of the VFW National Home and other facilities devoted exclusively to the benefit and welfare of the dependents, widows, and orphans of disabled, needy, or deceased veterans or members of the Armed Forces.
  • For necessary expenses in providing entertainment, care, and assistance to hospitalized veterans or members of the Armed Forces.
  • For veterans' rehabilitation, welfare, and service work.
  • To perpetuate the memory of deceased veterans and members of the Armed Forces, and to comfort survivors. 

With help from the VFW, the "Little Red Flower" continues to benefit the needy just as the Poppy Lady believed it was capable of so many years ago.

To date, the VFW has sold over a billion Buddy Poppies. As long as Americans continue to spill their blood in defense of freedom, sales of these blood-red poppies will undoubtedly continue strong.



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