The Fleet Reserve needs you!
Published on Thu, Aug 11, 2011Read More Gilchrist
The Veterans Administration has set up a caregiver support line to address the needs voiced by veterans and their family caregivers for one place to go to obtain information about programs and services that the Department of Veterans Affairs offers and to identify community services.
This program started Feb. 1 and already has fielded more than 10,000 calls. Licensed social workers staff the support line, which provides an opportunity for the caregivers to have supportive counseling available.
Callers to the support line can ask questions, seek direction for services or simply seek support from trained staff members. The staff members will listen to them, assist them and refer them to the community support coordinator at their closest VA Medical Center if that is appropriate.
The support line is open 8 a.m.-11 p.m. Monday-Friday, and 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday (Eastern Standard Time). The toll-free number is 855-260-3274.
Fleet folks meet
There is a veterans group of career Navy, Marines and Coast Guard called the Fleet Reserve here on the peninsula.
Fleet Reserve Association Branch 174 meets at 11 a.m. on the first Saturday of every month at the Mariner Café, 707 E. Washington St., Sequim, for a breakfast/lunch meeting. There are no meetings in July and August.
The Twenty and Four, an honor society of women Legionnaires, Washington State chapter, has recognized me as the Outstanding Woman Legionnaire of the Year for 2011.
I received this award at the American Legion Department Convention held in Spokane in July. I was honored to have been chosen and admitted into the society.
The primary goal of this group is to assist disabled and needy women veterans; others are to provide assistance and comfort to women veterans in hospitals and nursing homes and to promote the programs of the American Legion.
You helped me get this recognition by supporting my requests for Retsil, Sarge’s Place and the stand-downs. Thank you!
New officers in the wings
The American Legion Post will be installing officers at its meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 11. All are welcome to come and meet the new officers, led by Cmdr. Carl Bradshaw. There also will be a presentation on disaster preparedness by Eagle Scout candidate Chase Holland. Please join us and learn more about what the American Legion can do for you!
The Military Officers Association of America, Olympic Peninsula Chapter, will be holding a general meeting at 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 20, at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. The annual picnic will be put on by the members of the board. There will be live music by Sound Dogs. Call me to RSVP at 683-6419. All United States military officers past, retired or active are welcome.
Come and meet some great people who are trying to make a difference in the NJROTC program, get educated about what Congress is doing to military pay and benefits, and have a good time together.
Contributors: DAR, Regent, Patricia Graham, pattyg@wavecable.com; American Legion and MOAA, Lorri Gilchrist, cdrlgilchrist@gmail.com; VFW Commander Roger Padie, commander@vfwpost4760.com; Marine Corps League, Terry Roth, mroth@olypen.com; Korean War Veterans, Jerry Rettela, eletteor@msn.com.
