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

Veterans Benefits Workshop July 29 at Senior Activity Center

Wednesday, July 13, 2022

Free veterans workshop Friday July 29, 2022 from 10am to 2pm at the Shoreline / LFP Senior Center, 18560 1st Ave NE #1, Shoreline WA 98155.

Call to register before July 26 - 206-365-1536.

COVID-19 precautions apply.


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VFW Post 3348 and the Shoreline Compass Veterans Center

Wednesday, June 15, 2022

Chris Christophersen and members of VFW Post 3348 present a check and gift cards to Shree Vigil at the Shoreline Compass Veterans Center. Photo from VFW Post 3348.

By Carl “Chris” Christophersen
Post Commander VFW Post 3348

VFW Post 3348 just presented 25 gift cards ($50 each) to Program Manager, Shree Vigil, of the Shoreline Veterans Center (SVC) – 1 of 14 facilities owned and run by the Compass Housing Alliance (CHA) -- funded by King County. 

SVC is setup to house 25 formerly homeless veterans (21 male and 4 female) -- no children. CHA has other facilities that accept families. 

Each veteran at SVC must pass an interview with the VA. There are no requirements for income and in fact some of the residents have zero income.

The Shoreline Compass Veterans Center is on N 200th across from Aurora Village

Each resident has their own room with a lockable door, a set of dishes and silverware, electricity, hand soap and towels, heat, a bed with covers, a mini refrigerator, a dresser, a closet, and a desk. While there is no running water in each room -- rooms are in pods (3-5 rooms) where each pod has a restroom and a bathroom.

None of the residents are provided any cooked meals daily -- but there is a large community kitchen (2 stoves, a cooler, a freezer, a microwave, a toaster, 2 sinks and a garbage disposal) for their use.

There is a separate storage room where residents can borrow fry pans, pots, spatulas, and some donated canned goods. Those with no income get VA Vouchers, $350 monthly food stamps and donations from friends, family and caring citizens. Annie’s Community Kitchen in Edmonds supplies them one cooked dinner per week. Several residents get Meals-on-Wheels. 

Veterans sell poppies to raise money
SVC is staffed 24/7/365 and always welcomes individual-sized food donations.

In addition, VFW Post 3348 donated $1,500 toward a kitchen remodel that Shree wants to get done. 

The funding source of these donations came from our recent Memorial Day Buddy Poppy event that we held at the Shoreline Fred Meyer, Central Market, and the Thrashers Corner Fred Meyer in Bothell. 

Other than SVC, we donated an additional $5,000 to other organizations that service veterans.



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American Legion Post 227 honors one of their own - Justin Fitch

Tuesday, June 14, 2022

SSgt Justin Fitch, US Army served
nine tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Article and photos by Doug Cerretti 

Starr Sutherland Jr. Post 227 of The American Legion held their general membership meeting Tuesday June 7, 2022. 

After proceeding with normal business, newly elected officers were installed who will be responsible for guiding Post 227 in the 2022 to 2023 fiscal year. 

As dictated by tradition we followed the installation of officers with dinner. 

However, this end of the year meeting had a very solemn endeavor. 

Starr Sutherland Jr. Post 227 honored one of our own, SSgt Justin Fitch, US Army, who passed away March 28, 2022. 

Justin graduated from Roosevelt High School in 2000 and went on to serve as an elite Army Airborne Ranger (2nd Battalion 75th Regiment). 

He served nine tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. 

Justin was 41 years old. Several members of Justin’s family including his mother, Camille Blakey Callner, and sister, Brittany Freeman, were in attendance.

We conducted the ceremony of draping the Post Charter in black in honor of Justin. 

Post 227 also honored Justin by engaging Michael Reagan of the Fallen Heroes Project (https://www.fallenheroesproject.org) for a portrait that he presented to Justin’s mother, Camille.


Michael Reagan of the Fallen Heroes Project
presents Justin's portrait to his mother, Camille

Justin was wonderfully multi-faceted: a sensitive artist, a stalwart soldier, a quick-witted soul who loved to laugh, a person who found beauty in ordinary things, and someone who was an unfailingly loyal support to his family and friends. 

He will be missed by Family, Friends, Army Rangers with whom he served, and many others who knew him.



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96th Service of Remembrance at Evergreen-Washelli

Wednesday, June 1, 2022

Service of Remembrance

Evergreen-Washelli held the 96th annual Service of Remembrance for Memorial Day to honor service members who died in service to our country.

Volunteers gathered early to place small flags at each grave and large flags along the main road.

The NW Junior Pipe Band

The Northwest Junior Pipe Band led in the procession of participants in the ceremony.

Visiting the graves

After the formal ceremony, people spread out to visit the graves.

--Diane Hettrick. All photos by Steven H. Robinson



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Memorial Day Celebration at Evergreen Washelli

Saturday, May 28, 2022

Decorated graves at Evergreen Washelli
Photo by Steven H. Robinson


Evergreen Washelli Will be hosting its
96th ANNUAL MEMORIAL DAY CELEBRATION

Monday, May 30th, 2022

The Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Evergreen Washelli

Please join us in expressing our gratitude for those who dedicated themselves to safeguarding our liberty and for preserving our peace.

8:00 am – Avenue of Flags. At the beginning of the day, our grounds crew will line the main street of the cemetery with American Flags. Each has been donated by families of Veterans in remembrance of their loved one, who are honored with their name and rank in the margin of each flag.
 
10:00 am– Flag placement at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Each of the white marble upright markers in the Veterans Section will receive a flag. Veterans and Scout groups, along with members of the community, will place the flags within about half an hour. We will have coffee, cocoa, and cookies for volunteers. The public and media are invited to attend, witness, and participate in this event.

11:00 am - Service of Remembrance. Please join our Veterans Memorial Cemetery Board and Evergreen Washelli staff for a brief memorial service, including participation from the Washington State Guard, members of the NW Junior Drum and Pipe Band, and Chaplain Linda Haptonstall of the King County Sheriff’s Office.

Evergreen Washelli is proud to hold the remains of several Medal of Honor Recipients. We invite you to visit their graves, read their stories and see an image of the medals received. Our Chimes Tower will also be open to the public.

If you have any questions, please contact Evergreen Washelli at 206-362-5200



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Memorial Day Service - Purdy and Walters at Floral Hills

Floral Hills Veterans' Memorial photo courtesy Purdy and Walters

««« Memorial Day Service «««
Purdy and Walters at Floral Hills

Monday, May 30, 2022, at 11:00am, veterans, their families, and the public will gather for a Service of Remembrance at our Veterans Memorial site located in the cemetery at 409 Filbert Rd. Lynnwood, WA 98036
  • 9:00am Saturday, May 28, volunteers will place flags on the graves of veterans.
  • 11:00am the Service of Remembrance begins.
Members of the Sno-King Chapter #423 Vietnam Veterans of America, and Purdy and Walters at Floral Hills present the program.

This event is open to the public.

For additional information, contact Brenda McCoy



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American Legion hosted founder of Heroes' Café at their May meeting

Gary Walderman, founder of the
Lynnwood Heroes' Café
By Doug Cerretti

The Starr Sutherland Jr Post 227 of The American Legion in Shoreline, WA had the honor to host Lt Col Gary Walderman United States Air Force and Founder and Director of Heroes' CafĂ© in Lynnwood at our general membership meeting May 3, 2022. 

Gary began his service in Commissioned Officer Training School resulting in his commission as a 2nd Lt December 21, 1979. He was first assigned as an Imagery Intelligence Officer responsible for photographic processing and interpretation. 

Gary continued as an intelligence officer gaining more responsibly as he rose through the ranks in supporting operations in the Cold War, Grenada invasion, Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm, the Bosnia-Croatia War and other operations around the world. 

Gary retired from the USAF after 21 years as a Lt Col.

The Founding of Heroes' Café Lynnwood

In 2016, Veteran Paul Frederickson moved to Snohomish County from Wisconsin and told Gary of a veterans' organization called American Heroes' CafĂ© where veterans gathered for camaraderie and to share experiences. 

It was like a family get-together without all the drama. It didn’t matter which branch of the service you are in; whether you served in combat or not, where you served, or what era. 

On August 2, 2016 Gary and Paul decided that this could work here. The purpose of Heroes' CafĂ© is to foster a positive outreach, interaction, establish a healthy and safe environment, enhance veteran welfare, and increase camaraderie among veterans and to offer a helping hand to veterans in need. 

Welcome sign in Lynnwood 2019
Photo by Jerry Pickard

With these goals established the first Heroes' CafĂ© in Lynnwood was held January 31, 2017 with the help of his team of veterans, American Red Cross Support to Armed Forces, the City of Lynnwood and the Verdant Community Wellness Center. 

Gary mentioned that they would be happy if 15 to 20 people came. Remarkably, 125 veterans showed up - causing a scramble for more coffee and food. That level of attendance continued to grow to a high of 165 and has maintained itself for almost six plus years. During the pandemic numbers dropped but are now back to those lofty numbers.

Gary Walderman is presented with a certificate
from the American Legion
Gary established a standard format for Heroes' Café, Heroes' Café starts at 9:00am with coffee and pastries, followed by a veterans' program and lunch ending at 1pm. There is no cost to participate. Veterans, Family and Friends are welcome.

While many veterans' organizations have similar goals, Heroes' Café is unique, as there is nothing to join, you just show up.
 
Because of the success of Heroes' Café, the American Red Cross of North King County approached the Shoreline Veterans Association to start a Heroes' Café in Shoreline, which held their first gathering March 9, 2021.

Heroes' Café Lynnwood meets the fourth Tuesday of every month from 9am to 1pm at New Life Church, 6519 188th St SW, Lynnwood, WA 98037

Heroes' Café Shoreline meets the second Tuesday of every month from 9am to 1pm at Seattle Scottish Rite Center, 1207 N 152nd Street, Shoreline, WA 98133.



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Heroes' Café Shoreline is open to everyone - Tuesday, April 12, 2022

Friday, April 8, 2022

Like many Veterans' organizations, Heroes' CafĂ© Shoreline is a venue for a gathering of Veterans for interaction and camaraderie and to reach out to Veterans in need. 

Heroes' Café Shoreline meets the second Tuesday of every month at Seattle Scottish Rite Center, 1207 N 152nd St Shoreline WA 98133. This month's meeting is Tuesday, April 12, 2022.

Heroes' CafĂ© starts at 9am with coffee and pastries, followed by a Veterans program and lunch ending at 1pm. There is no cost to participate. 

Unique among Veterans organizations is that there is nothing to join, you just show up. Heroes' Café Shoreline is open to Veterans, family, friends and the public.


April program

The Shoreline Veterans Association and Heroes' Café Shoreline is proud to host author and Gold Star Wife, Michelle Black for a presentation of her book entitled Sacrifice
 
Tuesday, April 12, 2022 at 9:00am. 

Her husband, Bryan, was an integral part of the Green Beret team operating in Niger, North Africa under the US Command of AFRICOM. In early 2017, the team was ambushed by ISIS resulting in the tragic death of Bryan and three other team members. 

Reports of the event provided by US AFRICOM differed from the reports Michelle learned from the surviving Green Beret team members. The Command placed blame for failings of the mission on the team leader and the team.
 
“I’ve heard it said that you marry your equal; if that’s true, I’m a beast. A force to be reckoned with. I will do Bryan proud,” Michelle Black.

This sparked an investigation by Michelle resulting in the writing of her book, Sacrifice. Michelle will bring books for sale before and after her presentation. 




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Join the virtual community conversation to discuss the Veterans, Seniors and Human Services Levy

Sunday, April 3, 2022

Save the Date and Register Today!

You are invited to join a virtual community conversation to discuss the Veterans, Seniors and Human Services Levy!

This year, the Veterans, Seniors and Human Services Levy (VSHSL) is partnering with community groups from across King County to host a series of community conversations to help inform plans for 2023. 

Each conversation will focus on a specific community and offer:
  • A brief update on the Veterans, Seniors and Human Services Levy
  • Opportunities to share what you think is going well with the VSHSL
  • Discussion on what parts of the VSHSL may need improvement going forward

Join us!

North King County Conversation:
Thursday, April 7 from 5:30-7pm

With a focus on communities along North Lake Washington including Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, Kenmore, Bothell, and Woodinville.

Register on Eventbrite!

What is the VSHSL? Read more here and here.

The levy community works to support veterans, service members and their families, older adults and their caregivers, and the diversity of our resilient communities throughout King County. The VSHSL is focused on achieving results in five areas, each of which features a suite of strategies and programs: 
  1. housing stability, 
  2. financial stability, 
  3. healthy living, 
  4. social engagement, and 
  5. service system access and improvement.
This meeting will be accessible in American Sign Language (ASL) via interpreter and closed captioning. To request free-of-cost language access services during the community conversations, please make a note during registration. Questions? Email VSHSL@kingcounty.gov or staff@NUHSA.org



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Provide feedback on the Veterans, Seniors and Human Services Levy at meeting Thursday, April 7, 2022

Thursday, March 31, 2022


A virtual meeting on Thursday April 7, 2022 from 5:30-7pm, will focus on communities along north Lake Washington including Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, Kenmore, Bothell, and Woodinville to receive YOUR input on issues related to King County's Veterans, Seniors and Human Services Levy (VSHSL.)

The meetings are to gain input on issues relating to the levy from community members. The focus of the discussion:
  • Provide a brief update on the state of Veterans, Seniors and Human Services Levy
  • Learn from community members and providers on what went well during the levy
  • Discuss what needs improvement going forward.
For access needs, please contact us at: VSHSL@kingcounty.gov

Register here

They will be hosting additional meetings throughout the next few months. Those dates can be found here



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Painting Away the Trauma spotlights art created by veterans through art therapy - Wednesday at Shoreline Community College

Tuesday, March 15, 2022

Free, one-day event to feature paintings, sculptures and metalwork designs

Shoreline, WA – Artwork created Puget Sound area veterans engaged in art therapy will be spotlighted at "Painting Away the Trauma" exhibition presented by WA AmeriCorps Vet Corps and Shoreline Community College this Wednesday, March 16, 2022. 

Free and open to the public, the event is hosted by Shoreline Community College’s Veteran and Military Student Services (VMSS) and will be held at the college’s Pagoda Union Building (PUB, Building 9000) from 10am to 6:30pm.

The event will feature the talents of veterans showcasing their paintings, sculptures and metalwork. Those attending the exhibition will have an opportunity to speak directly with veterans about the relationship between art therapy, mental health care and post-traumatic healing.

“Recent combat veterans returning home from their time in active duty, including conflicts in the Middle East, have found art therapy helps them overcome their traumas,” said Morgan Davis, Shoreline CC Vet Corps Navigator. “Art therapy provides pathways for many veterans to express themselves through an artistic process.”

In addition to the public Shoreline CC students from multiple study disciplines: psychology, fine arts, photography, visual and foundation arts and more, will be on hand to apply their unique critical perspectives to the exhibition merging art, history and lived experiences.

Shoreline Community College, www.shoreline.edu, is located at 16101 Greenwood Ave N., Shoreline, WA 98133.

About "Painting Away the Trauma": The Shoreline CC Veterans Art Exhibit

"Painting Away the Trauma" is a visual history project that will result in a collection of art works (painting, sculptures, ironworks) detailing the experiences of veterans while preserving the value of art therapy.   Veterans often return home with acute psychological or medical conditions and art therapy can be an effective form of treatment in concert with other therapies, or through individual or group psychology.
 
Shoreline Community College’s goal is to provide a space where veterans can share their artistic talents and experiences. The exhibit will spotlight their work while raising awareness of the benefits of art therapy and its ability to heal pain and trauma. 



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Veterans invited to submit artworks for Painting Away the Trauma exhibit at Shoreline Community College March 16

Thursday, March 3, 2022


Shoreline, WA – Puget Sound area veterans engaged in art therapy are encouraged to submit entries for the upcoming "Painting Away the Trauma" art exhibition presented by WA AmeriCorps Vet Corps and Shoreline Community College on Wednesday March 16, 2022

Free and open to the public, the event is hosted by Shoreline Community College’s Veteran and Military Student Services (VMSS) and will be held at the college’s Pagoda Union Building (PUB, Building 9000) from 10am to 6:30pm.

The event will feature the talents of veterans displaying their paintings, sculptures and metalwork.  

Veterans engaged in art therapy are invited to submit entries. There is no entry fee, and artists can email vcn@shoreline.edu for registration and submittal information.

Those attending the exhibition will have an opportunity to speak directly with veterans about the relationship between art therapy, mental health care and post-traumatic healing.

“Recent combat veterans returning home from their time in active duty, including conflicts in the Middle East, have found art therapy helps them overcome their traumas,” said Morgan Davis, Shoreline CC Vet Corps Navigator. 
“These programs have provided pathways for many veterans to express themselves through an artistic process.”

Shoreline Community College, www.shoreline.edu, is located at 16101 Greenwood Ave N., |Shoreline, WA 98133.

About "Painting Away the Trauma": The Shoreline CC Veterans Art Exhibit:

"Painting Away the Trauma" is a visual history project that will result in a collection of art works (painting, sculptures, ironworks,) detailing the experiences of veterans while preserving the value of art therapy. Veterans often return home with acute psychological or medical conditions and art therapy can be an effective form of treatment in concert with other therapies, or through individual or group psychology.

Shoreline Community College’s goal is to provide a space where veterans can share their artistic talents and experiences. The exhibit will spotlight their work while raising awareness of the benefits of art therapy and its ability to heal pain and trauma.

About Shoreline Community College:

Founded in 1964, Shoreline Community College offers more than 100 rigorous academic and professional/technical degrees and certificates to meet the lifelong learning needs of its diverse students and communities.  



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Fraternal organizations collaborate to aid community

Thursday, February 17, 2022

Back row (L – R): John McSweeney, US Army (Ret), Elks #1800 Veterans Committee Chair; Richard Garrison, US Navy, Elks 1800 and American Legion Post #227 Member; Richard Christianson, US Navy, Elks #1800 & American Legion #227 Member; Bruce Sagor, Elks #1800 Chaplain; 

Front Row: Sherri Pelletier, Elks #1800 Exalted Ruler; Debbie Martinson, American Legion Auxiliary #227 President; Sarah Andrews, US Navy, American Legion #227 Member.


Shoreline Elks Lodge #1800 recently donated $5,500 to the Shoreline American Legion Post #227 with the intent of providing additional, collaborative support to assist the Shoreline community-at-large, and displaced veterans in particular, to fight hunger, homelessness and COVID-19.

During the past two years, members of the Shoreline Elks and American Legion combined part of their volunteer efforts to purchase perishable food, transport it to prep kitchens and, ultimately, prepare and deliver hot meals to needy veterans and other members of the community. 

This cooperative venture was developed, in part, because of the greater difficulty each organization faced in the execution of their respective in-house large projects because of the pandemic. 

Because of various waves of the virus, there has been a significant increase in the number of people needing these services. 

When Elks volunteers heard of their partner organization’s need to replace their dying refrigeration system, the Lodge made the financial donation to purchase a new refrigerator and restore the American Legion Post’s ability to continue helping their Shoreline community.

This year alone, the Legion Post’s delivery of perishable food to Compass House's Shoreline Veterans Center amounted to150 pounds per week. Meals were served for up to four dozen individuals biweekly. 

This amounted to an increase of over 50% in the number of people served last year. The monthly home delivery of food and meals to the families of disabled and disadvantaged veterans also increased proportionally during the same period of time.

With or without the impact of COVID, the Shoreline community will continue to face the need of food assistance for the needy. 

If you would like to donate food, money or your time to help out with this program, please contact:


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American Legion to honor the Four Chaplains at meeting Tuesday

Saturday, January 29, 2022

The Starr Sutherland Jr. Post 227 General Membership Meeting
February 1, 2022 at 6:30pm

1st Vice-Commander John Brady will perform the Four Chaplain’s Ceremony 
that honor their Heroism on February 3, 1943
 
Post 227 general business will occur afterwards. Doors open at 5:30pm. Open to the public.

On February 3, 1943, the American troop ship SS Dorchester was on duty in the Atlantic Ocean when she was hit by a torpedo and sank 20 minutes later. There were not enough life jackets for everyone. 

That’s when four Chaplains, a Methodist, a Jewish Rabbi, a Catholic priest and a Reformed Church minister, did acts of great courage and sacrifice. They worked to calm the men, gave up their own life jackets to those without and helped direct the evacuation of the ship. 

One of the survivors, Grady Clark, later reported, “As I swam away from the ship, I looked back. The flares had lighted everything. The bow came up high and she slid under. 

"The last thing I saw, the Four Chaplains were up there praying for the safety of the men. They had done everything they could. I did not see them again. They themselves did not have a chance without their life jackets.” 

Four Chaplains' Medal
As we have just reached the 79th anniversary of the event, the February 1 meeting of American Legion Post 227 will feature a Four Chaplains Ceremony commemorating the event. 

The Four Chaplains were awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and the Purple Heart but were ineligible for The Congressional Metal of Honor. Instead, the U.S. Congress created a medal of equal weight and importance, the Four Chaplains’ Medal.

The Starr Sutherland Jr. Post 227 of The American Legion

COVID-19 protocols will be observed, please wear a face covering (ones will be provided at the Post) and practice six-foot social distancing.


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Remains of Soldier killed during World War II to be interred at Acacia in Lake Forest Park

Thursday, January 27, 2022

No longer Unknown, WW II soldier
will be interred at Acacia.
Photo courtesy Defense Dept. 
FORT KNOX, Ky. - The remains of a Soldier killed during World War II will be interred at Acacia Memorial Park, February 3, 2022. 

Funeral services for Army Air Forces 2nd Lt. Anel B. Shay Jr. will be performed by Acacia Memorial Park and Funeral Home preceding the interment.

A native of Seattle, Shay was a member of the 345th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 98th Bombardment Group (Heavy), 9th Air Force. 

On August 1, 1943, he was serving as a bombardier on a B-24 Liberator aircraft, when the plane crashed as a result of enemy anti-aircraft fire during Operation TIDAL WAVE, the largest bombing mission against the oil fields and refineries at Ploiesti, north of Bucharest, Romania. 

Following the war, his remains could not be identified and were buried as Unknown in the Hero Section of the Civilian and Military Cemetery of Bolovan, Ploiesti, Prahova, Romania. He was 26 years old.

2nd Lt. Anel Shay Jr. with his bomber group
Photo courtesy Dept of Defense

Following the war, the American Graves Registration Command, the organization that searched for and recovered fallen American personnel, disinterred all American remains from the Bolovan Cemetery for
identification but was unable to identify more than 80 unknowns from Bolovan Cemetery. 

Those remains were permanently interred at Ardennes American Cemetery and Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery in Belgium.

In 2017, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency began exhuming unknowns believed to be associated with 'unaccounted for airmen' from Operation TIDAL WAVE losses. The remains were sent to the DPAA Laboratory at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, for examination and identification.

Newspaper clipping courtesy Dept of Defense
Shay was accounted for by the DPAA on June 28, 2021, after his remains were identified using dental, anthropological, mitochondrial DNA and Y chromosome DNA analysis.

His name is recorded on the Tablets of the Missing at the Florence American Cemetery, an American Battle Monuments Commission site in Impruneta, Italy, along with others still missing from World War II. 

A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.

To learn more about the Department of Defense's mission to account for Americans who went missing while serving our country, visit the DPAA website at www.dpaa.mil, www.facebook.com/dodpaa, or call (703) 699-1420/1169.



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Widow of Green Beret killed in North Africa speaks to local veterans

Tuesday, January 18, 2022

Gold Star Wife Michelle Black
at American Legion Post 227
Story and photo by Doug Cerretti

The Starr Sutherland, Jr. Post 227 of The American Legion, Shoreline, WA was honored to host Gold Star Wife and Author Michelle Black Saturday January 15, 2022. 

Michelle talked about her husband Bryan’s service as a Green Beret and his mission in North Africa and the events leading to his death. She then answered questions for over an hour. 

Michelle’s husband Bryan, along with three colleagues, was killed in action in the North African country of Niger in 2017.

The military placed blame for this tragedy on Bryan’s Green Beret Operational Detachment Alpha (ODA) Team 3212, describing them as “rogue.” 
As Michelle interviewed other team members she learned that ODA 3212 was not at fault but it was the ill-conceived mission planned by the commanding officers that were to blame. 

Michelle Black (r) signs her book "Sacrifice" for Gold Star Mother Linda Swanberg.
To their left is Gold Star Mother Karen Black, mother of Bryan Black

Michelle’s investigation led her to author "Sacrifice, A Gold Star Window’s Fight for the Truth

As Michelle writes in her book, “I often say I’d prefer to hear an ugly truth than a beautiful lie. In the year following my husband’s death, I was told plenty of both”. 


Michael Reagan presenting his portrait of Bryan Black (being held by Tennis DeJong) to Michelle

After Michelle’s presentation, Edmonds artist Michael Reagan of The Fallen Heroes Project presented her with a portrait of Bryan. Michael, a Viet Nam Marine combat veteran gave up a lucrative career as an artist to draw portraits of Fallen Heroes. 

A second portrait of Bryan was presented to Gold Star Mother Karin Black several months ago. In the last 20 years Michael has drawn over 8,200 portraits given to Gold Star Families at no cost to them.



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Author and Gold Star wife presents her investigation of the Green Beret killings in Niger

Thursday, January 13, 2022


Starr Sutherland Jr. Post 227 of The American Legion is proud to host author and Gold Star wife, Michelle Black, for a presentation of her book entitled "Sacrifice."

Saturday, January 15, 2022 at 1:30pm

Her husband, Bryan, was an integral part of the Green Beret team operating in Niger, North Africa under the broad U.S. Command of AFRICOM. In early 2017, the team on an assigned mission was ambushed by ISIS resulting in the tragic death of Bryan and three other team members. 

Reports of the event provided by the AFRICOM differed from the reports Michelle learned from the surviving Green Beret team members. The Command placed blame for failings of the mission on the team leader and the team.

This sparked Michelle to make an investigation which resulted in her book "Sacrifice". Michelle will bring books for sale before and after her presentation.

Starr Sutherland Jr. Post 227 of The American Legion
14521 17th Ave NE, Shoreline WA 98155
Doors will open at 12:30pm

COVID-19 protocols will be observed. Please wear a face covering (one will be provided at the Post) and practice six-foot distancing.


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The Home Depot Foundation's Operation Surprise campaign improves Shoreline, WA American Legion Post 227 facility

Wednesday, December 22, 2021

 Home Depot volunteers at the American Legion Post
Photo by Stephen O'Connell

By Doug Cerretti

Veterans Day marked the return of The Home Depot Foundation’s annual Operation Surprise campaign, which aims to provide life-changing moments of surprise and support for individual veterans and veteran facilities.

Landscaping improvements photo by Stephen O'Connell

Shoreline Post 227 of The American Legion was honored to receive support from The Home Depot Foundation’s Operation Surprise campaign.

Team Depot, The Home Depot’s associate volunteer force, made landscaping improvements, clearing out flowerbeds, replacing plants and laying out new bark.

The old deck and ramp were rotting out
Photo by Stephen O'Connell

The Home Depot Foundation also engaged a contractor to remove the rotted deck and ramp and replace it with a new structure to make the facility safer and more accessible.

A brand new deck, steps, and ramp 
Photo by Stephen O'Connell

The project took place December 13-17, 2021. The coordinator of the project was Stephen O'Connell, Operations Manager at Aurora Home Depot #4707. 

Shoreline Post 227 Commander Charles Grenard said, “American Legion Post 227 is grateful for the support of The Home Depot Foundation and the Operation Surprise campaign for improvements to our facility, which will enable us to better serve the veteran and local community.”

Giving back to veterans is personal to The Home Depot as more than 35,000 of the company’s associates are veterans or military spouses. Over the past 10 years, The Home Depot Foundation has helped renovate and enhance more than 50,000 veteran homes and facilities, ensuring more of our nation’s heroes have a safe, comfortable place to call home that fits their individual needs.

The Post is located at 14521 17th Ave NE in Shoreline.



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Pearl Harbor soldier memorialized at Shoreline Veterans Recognition Plaza

Tuesday, December 7, 2021

By Doug Cerretti

Today, December 7, 2021 is the 80th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. December 7, 1941 “A Date Which Will Live in Infamy,” became a little closer to some of us in the Shoreline, WA community.

I recently received an engraved brick order for The Shoreline Veterans Recognition Plaza (https://www.shorelinepost227.com/index.php?id=106) from Kathie Keil Crozier, a resident of Shoreline, for her cousin, Seaman 1st Class Ralph Henry Keil who was KIA on the USS Oklahoma December 7, 1941.

Seaman 1st Class Ralph Henry Keil
died at Pearl Harbor at the age of 20
He was 20 years old. 

His unidentified remains were buried in a mass grave at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl Crater (https://www.cem.va.gov/cems/nchp/nmcp.asp) in Honolulu, Hawaii, along with the other 389 Oklahoma crew sailors who died that day. 

In 2015 the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (https://www.dpaa.mil) exhumed remains of the Oklahoma unknowns. 

On December 7, 2019, Ralph Henry Keil was identified by DNA analysis with samples from family members.

This past August 30th would have been his 100th birthday. 

Keil attended high school in Tacoma and Puyallup, graduating from Chimacum High School in Chimacum, WA in 1940. 

Over 80 years later, Seaman 1st Class Ralph Henry Keil will finally be laid to rest at Mountain View Cemetery in Tacoma.




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Lake Forest Park Police honor their military veterans

Friday, November 12, 2021

Story and photos from Lake Forest Park Police

Today, we honor and celebrate all US military service veterans and their families. We would like to thank them for their patriotism, love of the country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

This year, ten Lake Forest Park Police Department officers were also military veterans, and they represented every branch of the United States military as well as an international allied military branch.


Our military veterans include:
  • Sgt. Jason Becker -US Army
  • Ofc. Jess Brecht -US Coast Guard
  • Ofc. George Coleman -US Navy
  • Ofc. Jason Czebotar -US Army Reserve
  • Sgt. Morris Parrish -US Air Force and WA National Guard
  • Ofc. Greg Stankatis -US Army
  • Ofc. Greg Ward -US Army
  • Ofc. William Wieghat -US Army
  • Lt. Diego Zanella -Italian Special Forces
  • Ofc. Beau Zelenock -US Marine Corps


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