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

We owe our lives today to heroes who gave theirs in the past

Saturday, November 11, 2023

Cemetery in Europe for American soldiers who died in WW II
Photo by Jan Hansen 

As we celebrate Veterans' Day, remember those who rest on foreign shores. 

Nimitz sails home on a cloudy day. Photo by Jan Hansen

I am also grateful for the women and men who serve in active duty. Yesterday the CVN 68 Nimitz again sailed by on her way to her home port in Bremerton.

--Jan Hansen

  

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Veterans' Day 2023

A message from the White House: A Proclamation on Veterans Day, 2023

This Veterans Day, we honor the generations of women and men who have served and sacrificed — not for a person, a place, or a President — but for an idea unlike any other: the idea of the United States of America. For nearly 250 years, our veterans have defended the values that make us strong so that our Nation could stand as a citadel of liberty, a beacon of freedom, and a wellspring of possibilities. 

Today, I am thinking of all our Nation’s veterans, who put their lives on the line to protect our democracy, values, and freedom around the world. 

We honor our wounded warriors, so many of whom the First Lady and I have met over the years, who are bound by a common sense of duty, courage, and optimism, and we remember those who are still missing in action or prisoners of war and renew my pledge to bring them home. Our military families, caregivers, and survivors also answer the call to serve. I remember so clearly the pride I felt in our son Beau during his service in Iraq as well as those mornings I saw the First Lady saying a prayer for his safe return. Our veterans and their families give so much to our Nation, and we owe them a debt we can never fully repay.

As a Nation, we have many obligations, but we only have one truly sacred obligation: to prepare and equip the brave women and men we send into harm’s way and to care for them and their loved ones when they return home. 

Since the beginning of my Administration, we have worked to make good on that promise, passing nearly 30 bipartisan laws to support our veterans and service members and their families, caregivers, and survivors. That includes the PACT Act — the most significant effort in our Nation’s history to help millions of veterans exposed to toxic substances during their military service. Since I signed the PACT Act into law last year, more than 478,000 veterans and survivors are already receiving benefits — ensuring that veterans exposed to burn pits and other harmful substances and their loved ones get access to the care and support they need. 

My Administration is also committed to ending veteran suicide and homelessness and ensuring that our veterans have the resources they need to live full lives and thrive in their communities. 

We released a national strategy to reduce military and veteran suicide by improving lethal means safety and enhancing crisis care as well as by addressing the economic, legal, and mental health issues that impact veterans. The Department of Veterans Affairs is also funding community-led suicide prevention programs, which help connect veterans and their families to needed services. Every veteran deserves a roof over their head, which is why we have taken bold actions to end veteran homelessness, permanently housing more than 40,000 veterans last year and investing $1 billion to provide supportive services to help homeless and at-risk veterans and their families. 

My Budget also proposes tripling the number of rental-assistance vouchers for extremely low-income veterans to prevent homelessness. Further, we have taken steps to improve the economic security of veterans and their families by expanding job training programs for transitioning veterans and their spouses and issuing rules to protect them from predatory educational institutions. We are also working to ensure every veteran has access to the benefits and services they have earned.

Earlier this year, I signed an Executive Order directing more than 50 actions to improve access to child care and long-term care for Americans, including military and veteran families, and to support family caregivers, especially those who care for our veterans. 

Recognizing the talents and contributions of veteran and military spouses, caregivers, and survivors to our workforce, I signed an Executive Order establishing the most comprehensive set of administrative actions in our Nation’s history to support their economic security — increasing training and employment opportunities for military spouses in the workforce throughout the transition to veteran spouses status and encouraging all Federal agencies to do more to retain military and veteran spouses through flexible policies. 

The First Lady’s Joining Forces initiative is further supporting military and veteran families, caregivers, and survivors by improving economic opportunities and expanding resources to promote health and well-being for this community.

As we mark the 50th anniversary of an all-volunteer force and the 75th anniversary of the full integration of women in the Armed Forces and the desegregation of the troops, my Administration reaffirms our commitment to supporting everyone who serves in our Armed Forces. 

We have taken steps to ensure that the more than 918,000 women veterans enrolled in the Department of Veterans Affairs health care have equitable access to benefits and health services, in part by expanding access to reproductive health care. 

We have worked to proactively review the military records of veterans discharged under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and to modernize the process of upgrading discharges to help all veterans access their earned benefits. 

We will continue to support our LGBTQI+ veterans and veterans of color who have made innumerable contributions to our Nation and have truly made our military stronger, tougher, and more capable.

This Veterans Day, may we honor the incredible faith that our veterans hold, not just in our country but in all of us. They are the solid-steel backbone of our Nation, and we must endeavor to continue being worthy of their sacrifices by working toward a more perfect Union and protecting the freedoms that they have fought to defend.

In respect and recognition of the contributions our veterans and their families, caregivers, and survivors have made to the cause of peace and freedom around the world, the Congress has provided (5 U.S.C. 6103(a)) that November 11 of each year shall be set aside as a legal public holiday to honor our Nation’s veterans.

     NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim November 11, 2023, as Veterans Day. I encourage all Americans to recognize the valor, courage, and sacrifice of these patriots through appropriate ceremonies and private prayers and by observing two minutes of silence for our Nation’s veterans. I also call upon Federal, State, and local officials to display the flag of the United States of America and to participate in patriotic activities in their communities.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this seventh day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-three, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-eighth.
 
                               JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.


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Avis Schwab – Donut Dolly, Vietnam 1967 to 1968

Donut Dolly Avis Schwab at Tay Ninh, January 1968

By Doug Cerretti
All photos courtesy Avis Schwab unless noted

Heroes Café in Shoreline was privileged to host Avis Schwab, a Peace Corps volunteer and Donut Dolly, on October 10, 2023. She reminisced about her service as a Donut Dolly in Vietnam from 1967 to 1968.

Avis Schwab at Heroes Cafe-Shoreline, October 10, 2023.
Photo by Doug Cerretti

In 1967, Avis Schwab was returning home to Seattle after a two-year service in the Peace Corps in Venezuela. She was glad to be going home but was apprehensive as she had something to tell her parents. 

When her Dad picked her up at SeaTac International Airport, she said, “I have something to tell you. I want to go to Vietnam but Mom is going to get mad.” 

Her wonderful Dad said, “Kid, don’t worry about it, I’ll take care of Mom.” 

A colleague of hers in the Peace Corps had told her about an American Red Cross program that sent young women to Vietnam. They had to be 21-24 years old, have a college degree, be single and have a great personality. Their role was to bring a bit of home to the troops in Vietnam. 

Handing out presents at Trung Lap on Christmas Day, 1967

They did not brandish guns or crawl in the trenches but were armed only with smiles and hand-made games. The Donut Dollies risked their lives every day to achieve their mission of cheering up and bringing a sense of home to the U.S. troops, holding the line in the emotional battlefield of war. 

As Avis learned about this program she thought long and hard about volunteering for a program that would send her to a war zone. The anti-American sentiment in Central America at the time pushed her to apply as she wanted to help our soldiers. Avis applied and was accepted where only one out of six applicants was selected. 

Dragon Mt, August 1967

Donut Dollies date back to World War II where female Red Cross volunteers visited soldiers in the field with special clubmobiles that carried coffee and donuts they made, hence the name Donut Dollies. 

Donut Dollies also served during the Korean War. In Vietnam, their mission was to boost morale with song, board games or just their presence. 

Since they no longer made donuts, they were officially known as Supplemental Recreational Activities Overseas (SRAO) program staff; not a name that rolls off your tongue. Instead, they were affectionately known as Donut Dollies and the name stuck.

Cu Chi, 1967. Helicopters were their primary mode of travel

A total of 627 Donut Dollies served in Vietnam. Avis arrived in Vietnam in 1967 after two weeks of training in Washington, D.C. Avis, with other Donut Dollies, visited troops via Jeep, half-tracks, and helicopter in some of the country’s most remote and dangerous regions. 

Avis and her colleagues visited many locations in Vietnam including Cu Chi, Dragon Mt, Dau Tieng, Trung Lap, Tay Ninh, Firebase 6-A and Da Nang. Helicopters were the primary mode of transportation as travel over surface roads was not safe.

Avis with Rinty, 25th Scout Dogs, Dau Tieng, October 1967

Avis even had an opportunity to visit Rinty, a 25th Scout Dog, in Dau Tieng.

Cu Chi, Christmas Day 1967

On Christmas Day 1967, Avis and colleagues flew to Trung Lap to distribute Christmas presents sent from the U.S. They only stayed 30 minutes as the enemy always attacked with rockets or mortars on holidays. 

One unexpected duty Avis and the Donut Dollies performed was to talk with troops on their way home so that they hopefully would clean up their language. You can imagine a soldier’s language is quite different in a war zone than at home.

Avis called this her "Hard Hat”
 Photo by Doug Cerretti
One of Avis’s favorite keepsakes is her cap which she calls her “Hard Hat.” All of the pins, ribbons and badges were given to her by the troops.

After returning from Vietnam, Avis earned her teaching certificate at Western Washington University and had a 30-year teaching career with the Edmonds, WA School District. 

During this time, she married and raised two boys, both of whom served in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Avis is a very humble person; she does not consider what she did in Vietnam that big of a deal. 

But Vietnam combat veterans, John Hosey and Michael Reagan, will tell you Avis’s service as a Donut Dolly was extraordinary and above and beyond what is called for by any citizen.

While not in her thought process at the time, to me she lived by the immortal words from President John F Kennedy’s inaugural address that inspired so many of the importance of civic action and public service: “Ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country.” 

Clearly Avis took the meaning of this phrase to heart with her service to her country in the Peace Corps and as a Donut Dolly in Vietnam.

1st Cav A Co April 1968

Addendum:
Before Avis was born, her mother was feeding her older sister when all of a sudden, she heard this very loud noise. Stepping out into the back yard, she saw plane after plane after plane. They were flying so low she could see their faces. It was December 7, 1941 and these were the Japanese planes attacking Pearl Harbor. 

Her Dad was a bus driver for Hawaii Rapid Transit. After the attack he transported women and children from Schofield Barracks to safer areas on the island. At night women on the bus would use flashlights to find their way on the road as it was lights out. 

After Avis was born, the family moved to Washington state in 1943 where her Mom was from. The family felt safer there as the war raged in the Pacific.

Heroes Café – Shoreline
meets the second Tuesday of every month from 9:00am to 1:00pm at the Seattle Scottish Rite Center, 1207 N 152nd St, Shoreline WA 98133

Veterans, Family, Friends and the Community are welcome. 

Heroes Café is the largest gathering of Veterans on a monthly basis. Unique among Veteran Organizations is that there is nothing to join. You Just Show Up! (See our previous article)


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Veterans' Day Celebrations Thursday and Friday November 9-10, 2023

Wednesday, November 8, 2023

Celebrations honoring veterans will be held on Thursday at the Senior Activity Center, and Friday at Shoreline City Hall, Evergreen Washelli Memorial Park, and Acacia Memorial Park.

Thursday, November 9, 2023

Table for the Fallen Soldier at 
Senior Center luncheon
VETERANS DAY LUNCHEON at Shoreline Senior Activity Center, Thursday November 9, 11:30am, Reservations required 206-365-1536 

The Shoreline/Lake Forest Park Senior Activity Center invites you to a special Veterans Day Luncheon honoring all those who have served. Join us for lunch and a presentation. Free for Veterans and their families.



Friday, November 10, 2023

VETERANS DAY AT ACACIA MEMORIAL PARK IN LAKE FOREST PARK

Ceremony will be held at 11am at the Veterans section of the cemetery.


Friday, November 10, 2023

Veterans Day at Shoreline City Hall
Photo by Doug Cerretti
VETERANS DAY AT SHORELINE CITY HALL

The Shoreline Veterans Association and the City of Shoreline will celebrate Veterans Day at Shoreline City Hall, Friday November 10, 2023 at 2pm.


Veterans Day at Evergreen Washelli
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

VETERANS DAY SERVICE AT EVERGREEN WASHELLI MEMORIAL PARK

74th Annual Veterans Day Service 

Friday, November 10, 2023 at 11:00am, veterans, their families and the public will gather for a Service of Remembrance at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery located at 11111 Aurora Avenue N., on the grounds of Evergreen Washelli Memorial Park in Seattle.

10:00am – 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.

11:00am, the Service of Remembrance begins.

Evergreen Washelli is proud to hold the remains of several Medal of Honor Recipients. Please join us today in remembering them. We invite you to visit their graves, read their stories and see an image of the medals received. To assist in finding their location we’ve roped off the graves. Special markers have been placed at the grave, telling their story.

The public is encouraged to attend as we honor the military of the United States of America. Please join us in expressing our gratitude for those who dedicated themselves to safeguarding our liberty and for preserving our peace. We welcome family and friends of those who have served and continue to serve.


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Discounted tickets to an Everett Silvertips hockey game benefit Disabled American Veterans

Sunday, November 5, 2023

The Everett Silvertips are hosting the Department of Washington Disabled American Veterans for a fundraiser on Veterans Day, November 11, 2023. The Silvertips play at the Angel of the Winds arena in Everett, Washington.

This is the first time these two organizations have collaborated and we need to make sure it’s not the last! 

This link offers discounted tickets and up to $5 of each ticket goes to the DAV to help fund their service officer training, van program, jobs, and outreach. 

Please forward the link and help us sell the 100 tickets we need to bring this back next year!

Learn more or donate online at DAV.org.

--Cali Mullins, Commander, Department of Washington


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Compass honors Boeing as 2023 Outstanding Community Partner

Tuesday, October 31, 2023

Boeing granted Compass $150,000 this year for veterans services
Photo courtesy Compass

Winner of Compass’s inaugural 2023 Outstanding Community Partner award, Armando Mejia is The Boeing Company’s Community Investor for the Puget Sound region, focused on supporting Veterans. 

Armando, a long-time partner of Compass’s Renton Veterans Center, came to present Compass with an incredible honor, a $150,000 grant award that will provide direct support to all of Compass’s Veterans and their families.

Thanks to Boeing’s generous funding, Veterans and their families at Compass will benefit from vital resources to enhance staffing and case management, employment counseling and workplace readiness programs, financial coaching and debt consolidation services, food support, youth programs, wellness and health groups, therapeutic gardening groups, community events, computers and internet devices, specialized staff training… the list goes on.

The Shoreline Veterans Center is one of the recipients

Compass staff shared examples of what the Boeing grants have allowed them to do in the past, and how this new grant will benefit Veterans and their families moving forward.

Shree, from Shoreline Veterans Center (SVC), described how support from Boeing allowed staff at SVC to meet residents’ critical immediate needs, while also expanding enrichment and community-building activities.
“We are able to get people what they need now,” she said, “and we’ve ramped up activities for our residents too. 
"We improved our community kitchen, and we’ve provided cooking classes, music classes, and even body movement classes. Trauma is carried in the body, so the body movement classes can really help Veterans deal with their trauma.”

For years, The Boeing Company has been a key source of support to Compass's Veterans programs. 


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Nominate a veteran for a new roof from Valentine Roofing

Honor a local Veteran in the Puget Sound community by gifting them a roof free of charge through Valentine Roofing's Peace of Mind program. 

From now until November 3, 2023, we are accepting nominations for the brave men and women who have served our armed forces. 

Please let others know about this opportunity and share this with someone you know.

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Voters renew Veterans, Seniors and Human Services Levy

Friday, August 18, 2023

Passed with a 71% approval

With a decisive victory in the Primary election, the Veterans, Seniors and Human Services Levy (VSHSL) is renewed for a fourth time, continuing the investments of the six-year levy first approved in 2005. 

Over 71% of King County voters approved the VSHSL, the highest approval rating in the levy’s history, solidifying that the community understands the importance of the programs and services that support our region’s veterans, seniors, and resilient communities.

The initiative helps people and families transition to affordable housing, get job training, find employment, access emergency financial assistance, obtain domestic violence advocacy, receive behavioral health treatment, and provides other resources and services.

“The voters' approval of the Veterans, Seniors and Human Services Levy builds on nearly two decades of work and progress and will ensure sustained programming, vital investments, and greater coordination among nation-leading service providers,” said Executive Constantine. 
“The levy plays a critical role in supporting the people and programs that help our communities thrive, and together we will improve the quality of life for so many across King County.”


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Shoreline Veterans Association at Shoreline Farmers Market this Saturday

Thursday, August 17, 2023

Shoreline Veterans Plaza
Photo by Doug Cerretti
By Doug Cerretti

The Shoreline Veterans Association (SVA) will again have a booth at the Shoreline Farmers Market this Saturday August 19, 2023 from 10:00am to 2:00pm to showcase the Shoreline Veterans Recognition Plaza. 

Sample engraved bricks will be displayed and orders taken to honor Veterans and questions answered about the Plaza and the Shoreline Veterans Association. Engraved bricks to honor veterans can be obtained for a donation of $100 which is tax-deductible. 

We recently received a notable engraved brick order at the dedication of a memorial bench for Dwight Stevens at Echo Lake Park. Dwight was one of the founders of the Veterans Recognition Plaza (see previous article), 

King County Councilmember Rod Dembowski, Tiffany Bothell and Doug Cerretti.
Photo by RB White

King County Councilman Rod Dembowski met Tiffany Bothell, a US Army and Iraqi War veteran. Tiffany has been a long-time chaplain for Shoreline Post 227 of The American Legion and recently became the Commander of the Veterans of Foreign War Post 3348 in Shoreline. 

Rod was so taken by Tiffany’s service that he gifted her $100 for an engraved brick to honor her service to our country. Tiffany was so surprised and thanked Rod immensely. It was a wonderful moment.

We expect to send an engraved brick order to the manufacturer soon after our third Saturday at the Shoreline Farmers Market on September 2. Engraved bricks should be installed at the Plaza by the beginning of next year if not before. 

The Shoreline Farmers Market is located at Shoreline Park / Ride, 18821 Aurora Ave N (N 192nd St and Aurora Ave N). It is held every Saturday from 10am to 2pm.

The Plaza recognizes past, current and future veterans (those on active duty) and is located on the northside of Shoreline City Hall, 17500 Midvale Ave N, Shoreline 98133.

Bricks can be purchased online from  The American Legion Post 227’s webpage or you can print out the order form, fill it out and mail it in with your check or credit card number. Purchases are tax deductible as the Shoreline Veterans Association is a 501 (c) 19 non-profit.

See previous article about the Veterans Recognition Plaza: The Origin of the Shoreline Veterans Recognition Plaza



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Rep. Jayapal: New law expands VA healthcare and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances

Monday, August 7, 2023


If you’re a veteran or survivor, visit http://va.gov/pact or call 1-800-MYVA411, to see if you're eligible. 

If you submit an application by August 9, 2023, you may receive benefits backdated to August 10, 2022.

The PACT Act is a new law that expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances.

The PACT Act adds to the list of health conditions that we assume (or “presume”) are caused by exposure to these substances. 

This law helps us provide generations of Veterans—and their survivors—with the care and benefits they’ve earned and deserve.

This page will help answer your questions about what the PACT Act means for you or your loved ones. 


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Military personnel ride Sound Transit free during Fleet Week August 1-6, 2023

Monday, July 31, 2023

Fleet Week parade 2022 photos by Jan Hansen

During Seattle Fleet Week, members and former members of the Armed Forces, including active duty, veterans and retirees, can ride free on Link light rail, Sounder commuter trains and Sound Transit Express buses.

Service members not in uniform are asked to show their military identification to the transit operator upon boarding a bus or train, or to fare inspectors if requested. 

Valid forms of military I.D. include a Uniformed Identification Card, a Veteran Health Identification Card or a Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty Form (also referred to as a DD-214).

Ships from the U.S. Navy, U.S Coast Guard and Royal Canadian Navy are docked at piers along the Seattle waterfront for the public to tour and enjoy. 

More information on Fleet Week and the Parade of Ships is available here.

All customers riding Sound Transit to Seafair activities should plan ahead and allow plenty of time for traffic delays and road closures. Sign up for Rider Alerts or visit Sound Transit's service alerts page for the latest information.


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A Tree does not grow at Post 227

Sunday, July 23, 2023

Lawson cypress (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana)

Story and photos by Doug Cerretti

The Starr Sutherland, Jr Post 227 of The American Legion occupied its current facility in 1992. The building was originally built in 1951 and soon after, a Lawson cypress (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana) was planted which grew to a very large beautiful two-trunked tree.

The dead half was removed, but the remaining half only lasted for another year

Lawson cypress or Port Orford cedar, as it is known in its native range and by foresters, is restricted in nature to a narrow strip of the Oregon-California coast and to the mountains of northern California. It was once an important timber tree for the region.

The entire tree had to be removed

The greatest concentration of cultivated Lawson cypress is in the maritime Pacific Northwest, in and around Seattle, Victoria, and Vancouver. Here, Lawsons were used during the housing boom following World War II, most planted as hedges or in the “buns-and-rockets” style of foundation planting common to residential front yards of the fifties and sixties.

Nothing could be done to save the tree from cypress root rot

As you can see from the picture, we had a severe problem with our Lawson cypress; half of it was dead. The culprit was a soil-borne disease called cypress root rot caused by a species of Phytophthora, a genus of common fungus-like organisms that are part of a larger group of plant pathogens known as water molds. Interestingly, this cypress root rot was first recorded on planting stocks of Lawson cypress in Seattle in 1923.

Half of our bifurcated tree was dying but an arborist suggested that the other half may last several years but it to would eventually succumb to the root rot. There was nothing we could do to save the tree.

Site for a flagpole

Thus, we removed the dead half last year. Unfortunately, we had only a year for the other half before the root rot took over and we had to remove the cypress completely. We would normally replace it with another tree but instead it is a perfect location for a much needed flag pole to display the American Flag.

Starr Sutherland, Jr Post 227

The Starr Sutherland, Jr Post 227 (14521 17th Ave NE, Shoreline, WA 98155) of The American Legion meets the first Tuesday of the month at 6:30pm. Veterans, members or not are welcome along with family, friends and the community.



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Obtain a commemorative brick for a veteran at the Shoreline Famers Market

Monday, July 17, 2023

Shoreline Veterans Recognition Plaza
Photo by Doug Cerretti
The Shoreline Veterans Association (SVA) will have a booth at the Shoreline Farmers Market this Saturday July 22, 2023 from 10:00am to 2:00pm to showcase the Shoreline Veterans Recognition Plaza. 

Sample engraved bricks will be displayed and orders taken to honor Veterans at the Plaza. The SVA, a standing committee of the Starr Sutherland, Jr Post 227 of The American Legion, was formed in 2010 to design, raise funds, and build the Shoreline Veterans Recognition Plaza. 

The Plaza recognizes past, current and future veterans and is located on the northside of Shoreline City Hall, 17500 Midvale Ave N, Shoreline 98133

If you can’t make it this Saturday, the SVA will return to the Farmers Market August 19 and September 2. The Shoreline Farmers Market is located at Shoreline Park and Ride, 18821 Aurora Ave N (192nd St N and Aurora Ave N).

This brick honors well-known Shoreline
resident Dwight Stevens who died in 2020
Engraved bricks to honor Veterans can be purchased for a $100 donation. A single brick can be engraved with the Veteran's name, service branch and years served. 

You can choose to have your brick placed at the Plaza or shipped to you to display at home. This would be a wonderful gift to honor a Veteran family member or friend.

Bricks can be purchased online from The American Legion Post 227’s webpage or you can print out the order form, fill it out and mail it in with your check or credit card number. Purchases are tax deductible as the Shoreline Veterans Association is a 501(c)19 non-profit. 

See previous article about the Veterans Recognition Plaza

--Doug Cerretti


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Memorial Service for long lost WWII B-24 hero on 80th anniversary of Operation Tidal Wave - August 1, 2023

Saturday, July 15, 2023

Alfred "Freddy" F. Turgeon
Portrait by Michael Reagan
The Gold Star Family of USAAF TSgt Alfred “Freddy” F. Turgeon (MIA/KIA) today announce a Memorial Service in his honor to be held on the 80th Anniversary of his being Killed in Action (KIA) on August 1, 1943. 

The memorial Service will be at the Memorial Garden Columbarium at St Dunstan’s Episcopal Church, 722 N 145th St, Shoreline, WA 98133

TSgt Turgeon was listed as one of over 80 known but unidentified casualties of the “Ploiesti Raid” interred in Romania and then Belgium. 

Through the efforts of the Department of Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) using advances in DNA technology, TSgt Turgeon was Identified and Repatriated to his Family in 2021 after being missing for 78 Years.

Technical Sergeant Alfred “Freddy” F. Turgeon was the Radio Operator and Waist Gunner on the storied Consolidated B-24 Heavy Bomber, “The Vulgar Virgin” when he was killed while engaged in Operation Tidal Wave over Ploiesti, Romania on 1 Aug, 1943.

Alfred was born in 1919 in Worcester Massachusetts to Ruth Cutler and Alfred Turgeon Sr.

A young 21yr old Alfred enlisted in the Army Air Corp in the summer of 1941.

He was assigned to the 9th Air Force and after extensive training at Barksdale, LA and Wendover, UT was deployed with the 98th Bomb Group (Heavy) - 344th Bomber Squadron to North Africa in late 1942.

They were known as “The Pyramiders.” The Squadron flew multiple combat support missions out of Benghazi, Libya to targets in North Africa, Sicily, Italy and Greece. 

On 1 August 1943 the ”Pyramiders” joined the other B-24 Squadrons of the 98th in Operation Tidal Wave, the low level daylight bombing raid on the Nazi Oil Refineries at Ploiesti, Romania.

TSgt Turgeon was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster, The Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, The Bronze Star with Three Oak Leaf Clusters, The Good Conduct Medal, The Presidential Unit Citation with Oak Leaf Cluster, The American Campaign Medal, The European-African-Middle East Campaign Medal, The World War II Victory Medal and The Purple Heart.

TSgt Turgeon was interred with Full Military Honors at the Memorial Garden of St Dunstan’s Episcopal Church in Shoreline Washington on Aug 28, 2021. He lies next to his sister, Lorraine Bass (Cutler) in the family columbarium.

He is survived by his sister, Mrs Joan Mackie (Cutler, Tucker) of Shoreline Washington, Nephews Phillip (Laurie) Tucker and Craig (Patricia) Tucker of Ketchikan Alaska and David (Barbara) Bass of Indianapolis, Indiana and Niece Kathy (Don) Newman (Tucker) of Seattle Washington along with numerous great nieces and nephews.

Alfred Turgeon was on board the Vulgar Virgin B-24 Liberator when it was attacked.
Only the captain survived. (Photo courtesy of David Bass)

From The American Air Museum

“On that day, 47 B-24 Liberators of the 344th Squadron took off for the raid against the Ploesti oil refineries.

"Only 21 returned safely.

"THE VULGAR VIRGIN', flying as the lead aircraft in the "E" Section of the 98th's formation, took a direct hit in the nose section by flak over the target and burst into flames. 

"The pilot pulled out of formation and ordered a bail out. It is believed they were still too low for the chutes to open and only the pilot, Wallace Taylor, one of the four who got out, survived. 

"This was the crew’s fate: 
  • Capt. Wallace C. Taylor, Pilot (POW), 
  • F/O Paul W. Packer, CoPilot (KIA), 
  • 1st Lt. Jack K. Wood, Navigator (KIA), 
  • 1st Lt. Robert N. Austin, Bombardier (KIA), 
  • T/Sgt. Gerald E. Rabb, Engineer/Top Turret Gunner (KIA), 
  • T/Sgt. Alfred F. Turgeon, Radio Operator/Left Waist Gunner (KIA), 
  • S/Sgt. Ralph M. Robbins, Gunner/Asst. Eng. (KIA), 
  • S/Sgt. Louis Kaiser, Right Waist Gunner (KIA), 
  • S/Sgt. Donald H. Duchene, Tail Gunner (KIA), Sgt. Arthur B. Van Kleek, Tunnel Gunner (KIA). Aug 1, 1943.”
“B-24D Liberator bomber, flown by Capt. Wallace C. Taylor, in the 9th Air Force, the 98th Bomb Group, "The Pyramiders", and the 344th Bomb Squadron flown out of the USAAF Air Base at Benghazi, Libya. 

"Lt. Taylor and 'THE VULGAR VIRGIN' flew on Operation Tidal Wave, the large mission to destroy the German oil refineries at Ploesti, Romania on August 1, 1943. Their target was code named, "White IV", the Astra Romana refinery. 

"As the two groups, the 98th and the 44th Bomb Groups, being led by Col. Leon Johnson and Col. John R. Kane, approached their targets, the entire area was already on fire and compromised by the flames, smoke, and exploding delayed action bombs previously dropped by the 93rd Bomb Group ahead of the attack plan. 

"When the 98th bomb Group, led by Col. Kane, entered a wall of smoke and flames over the Astra Romana refinery complex, #41-24198, 'THE VULGAR VIRGIN', did not reappear coming out of the smoke, shot down and lost over their target.”

See previous article from Shoreline Area News



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On the ballot: Renewal of the Veterans, Seniors and Human Services Levy

Friday, July 14, 2023

King County Councilmember Rod Dembowski speaks in support of the VSHSL to the LFP City Council, Mayor, and citizens at the Lake Forest Park city council meeting on Thursday, July 13.
Photo by Mike Remarcke

King County Proposition No. 1 Veterans, Seniors and Human Services Levy (VSHSL) is on the primary ballot for the August election.

The King County Council passed Ordinance 19604 concerning replacement of an expiring veterans, seniors and human services levy. 

If approved, this proposition would fund capital facilities and services for veterans, servicemembers, and their families; seniors and caregivers; and resilient communities susceptible to reduced health, housing, financial, or social stability outcomes. 

It would authorize an additional six-year property tax levy for collection beginning in 2024 at $0.10 per $1,000 of assessed valuation, with the 2024 levy amount being the base for calculating annual increases by 3.5% in 2025-2029; and exempt eligible seniors, veterans and disabled persons under RCW 84.36.381.

It is the largest source of funding for social service agencies in the county and as such has been endorsed by NUHSA as well as the Shoreline City Council.

 


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Virtual Lunch and Learn about the Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy (VSHSL)

Monday, July 10, 2023

 
RSVP for Zoom link: info@yeskcprop1.com

Friday, July 14, 2023 - 1pm on Zoom


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The Starr Sutherland, Jr Post 227 of The American Legion celebrates summer with a BBQ

Friday, July 7, 2023

Master Griller Steve Seng
Story and Photos By Doug Cerretti

The Starr Sutherland, Jr Post 227 of The American Legion celebrated the beginning of summer with a BBQ Saturday June 24, 2023, attended by veterans, the Auxiliary, family, friends and the community.

Under the direction of US Army veteran Shirley Lovelace, a very appealing BBQ lunch was prepared with the help of master griller Steve Seng, US Marines, Patty Cornelius and John Biladeau, American Red Cross. 

The lunch consisted of hamburgers, hot dogs and brats with side dishes of baked beans, pasta and potato salads, corn on the cob and watermelon. 

As part of the summer celebration our resident karate school, the Shoreline Karate Club, presented a demonstration of karate.

Karate Demonstration at Post 227 before lunch
Under the direction of Sensei John Gough, members showed us individual karate moves with the advanced members putting all of these individual moves together in one fluid and precise movement. 

The Shoreline Karate Club meets at Post 227 Monday to Thursday and Saturday. For more information about the karate club, go to shorelinekarateclub.org

Post Commander Charles Grenard said, “We were fortunate to be greeted with perfect weather and it was our pleasure to host the Shoreline Karate Club.”

Karate Demonstration under direction of Sensei John Gough (right)

Starr Sutherland, Jr Post 227 of The American Legion is located at 14521 17th Ave NE, Shoreline, WA 98155. General membership meetings are held the first Tuesday of the month at 6:30pm. Legion members and non-members including veterans, family, friends and the community are invited to attend.

Shoreline Karate School students and Sensei John Gough

Post 227 of The American Legion was formed in 1947 and named after Starr Sutherland, Jr. Sutherland was a 1940 graduate of Lincoln High School and a student at the University of Washington when he left school to enlist into the US Army, like many of his day. 

His dad, Starr Sutherland, Sr was a history teacher and tennis coach at Lincoln High School and his mother Ruth was a real estate agent and a reporter for the Seattle Post Intelligencer. Sutherland was KIA in Luxembourg during the Battle of the Bulge, two weeks after he was battlefield promoted to 1st Lieutenant and after receiving the Silver Star Metal. 

Go to https://www.shorelinepost227.com for more information on Shoreline Post 227.


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Shoreline City Council supports King County’s Veterans, Seniors and Human Services Levy

Thursday, June 29, 2023

On June 26, 2023, the Shoreline City Council unanimously adopted Resolution No. 513 supporting King County Proposition 1 and encouraged Shoreline voters to approve it. King County Proposition 1 is the Veterans, Seniors and Human Services Levy. It will appear on the August 1, 2023, primary election ballot.

The King County Veterans, Seniors and Human Services Levy has been approved by King County voters three times: in 2005, 2011, and most recently in 2017. Each of these levies has been for a six-year period. The current 2017 Levy expires at the end of this year.

The proposed replacement levy would continue to provide funding for regional health and human services throughout the county for veterans and servicemembers and their families; seniors and their caregivers; and resilient communities. 

Additionally, the new levy would establish funding for regional impact initiatives that provide or support responses to issues that affect all three of the levy’s specified populations and which regional health and human services can help address.

The proposed levy would have an initial levy rate of $0.10 per $1,000 of assessed value in 2024. This would be the same initial levy rate for the existing levy, which was $0.10 per $1,000 of assessed value in 2018. 

If approved by the voters, the 2024-2029 levy is projected to generate a total of approximately $581.5 million in revenues during the six-year levy period based on the revenue forecast from August 2022, compared to an estimated $365.7 million generated for the existing 2018-2023 levy.

Visit the King County Assessor’s Taxpayer Transparency Tool to see the impact of proposed taxes on your property.


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Office of the State Treasurer, Compass Housing Alliance offer financial education workshop for veterans TODAY

Wednesday, May 31, 2023


SHORELINE, WA – The Office of the State Treasurer (OST) and the Compass Housing Alliance are partnering to provide a free ID Theft and Prevention Workshop at the Shoreline Veterans Center on Wednesday, May 31, 2023.

The ID Theft and Prevention Workshop is a part of the Financial Foundations Workshop series provided by the Office of the State Treasurer, which is for adults looking to develop new skills in managing personal finances.

Compass Housing Alliance offers a variety of programs and housing that meet the specific needs of military Veterans and their families. Shree Vigil, the Program Manager of the Compass Veterans Center in Shoreline, connects local Veterans in need of housing with the resources and tools they need to achieve stability, growth, and community engagement goals.

“This will be the first time partnering with the Office of the State Treasurer, and we’re excited to offer this workshop as an additional opportunity for Shoreline area Veterans,” said Vigil.

In addition to managing public finances for the state, OST focuses on financial education as a part of its services to the public.

OST Financial Education Coordinator John McKenney regularly conducts workshops with the help of community partnerships like this one. He has experience working across the state as a facilitator for both in person and online financial wellness workshops to help financially empower Washingtonians.

"Financial education can be an invaluable tool for anyone in Washington thinking about their next steps and long-term personal finances,” said McKenney. 
“We’re honored to partner with the Compass Housing Alliance and Shoreline Veterans Center to provide this development opportunity for Veterans of our military,” he said.

Registration is not required to attend the upcoming workshop at the Shoreline Veterans Center, located at 1301 N 200th St, Shoreline, WA 98133. All Veterans are welcome to attend.

Contact John McKenney with questions about the Financial Foundations Workshops at john.mckenney@tre.wa.gov.



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Memorial Day Ceremony at Evergreen-Washelli May 29, 2023

Tuesday, May 30, 2023

 
Photos by Steven H. Robinson

Evergreen Washelli held their 97th Service of Remembrance at their cemetery at 11111 Aurora Ave N on Memorial Day, Monday, May 29, 2023.

NW Junior Pipe and Drum Band

The brief memorial service included participation from the Washington State Guard and members of the NW Junior Drum and Pipe Band. 

Flags were placed at every veteran's grave

Before the ceremony, Scouts and volunteers placed small flags on all the veterans' graves.

Flags at Veterans' graves

Salvation Army volunteers

Volunteers from the Salvation Army were part of the group placing flags on graves, as were the boy scouts.


 Scout troops salute at the presentation of the colors.


Several hundred people were there for the ceremony


Several different groups were involved in the ceremony.


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