Veterans Corner: VFW hosting a weekly coffee for veterans
Published 1:30 am Wednesday, August 13, 2025
Business- and job-related scams cost the “military community” – those in uniform and their family members, along with retirees and veterans – $38.4 million in 2024, up from $26.4 million the previous year. Victims lost $2,800 on average in 2024, up from $2,600 in 2023.
Keep the following tips in mind when combating task scams: Platform is key. Real job offers won’t come unsolicited via text messages, emails, or apps like WhatsApp.
It’s a reason to stop right from the start. Don’t pay to get paid. This technique can be found in other scams, such as multi-level marketing schemes, and should be an immediate red flag. Follow the money (or don’t). Watch for promises of payments in cryptocurrency, and steer clear of any offer that involves gift cards.
These payment methods can be all but untraceable, making it more difficult to recover losses after a scam. If you’ve been a victim of a task scam or suspect you’re being targeted, file a report with the FTC.
Flag disposal
Flag disposal boxes can be found at the side of the Veterans Center building, 216 S. Francis St. in Port Angeles; at the main entrance of the Sequim VFW, 169 E. Washington St.; and at the front entrance to the Sequim Elks Lodge #2642, 143 Port Williams Road. The American Legion is in the process of building a new box.
Please replace your flag when it gets faded or torn and place it in one of these boxes to be respectfully and properly disposed of. It should not be put in the garbage.
Coming events
Sequim VFW Post 4760 is inviting all veterans to a weekly Tuesday coffee get-together at 10 a.m. at the VFW Annex at 169 E. Washington St. Come and have a cup of coffee and visit with other veterans. You may find a new friend!
Please come out and visit the Mt. Olympus Detachment 897 Marine Corps League booth at the Clallam County Fair! The AmTrak will be there for viewing. They will be collecting money for Toys For Tots. You can ask them about the various projects they are involved in and tell sea stories. I will be there, so please come by and say hello.
The Wall That Heals — the traveling Vietnam Veteran Memorial replica, at three-quarter scale — will be at the Jefferson County Airport at 191 Airport Road in Port Townsend Sept. 11 – 14. The display is hosted by American Legion Post #26 and Hadlock VFW Post 7498.
The exhibit will be open around the clock providing the opportunity to visit during the early morning and overnight hours when there will be fewer visitors. All are welcome. There will be docents to help find specific names on the wall, and there will be a Mobile Education Center as part of the exhibit.
More information can be found at vvmf.org/The-Wall-That-Heals/.
Save the Date
The second Sarge’s Veteran Support fundraising gala will be held Saturday, Oct. 11 at 7 Cedars casino in Blyn in the Club 7 room. This will be a dinner event. I will have more info on how to sign up in the next column.
If you have items to donate for the silent or live auctions, or if you have questions, please contact me at cdrlgilchrist@gmail.com.
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Contributors: American Legion, Nancy Zimmermann, nmtzim@gmail.com; MOAA & Marine Corps League, Lorri Gilchrist, cdrlgilchrist@gmail.com; Voices For Veterans, Rita Frangione, rita.frangione@gmail.com; Korean War Veterans, Jerry Rettela, eletteor@msn.com; VFW 4760, Steve Henrikson, secretary@vfwpost4760.com ; VFW 6787, vfwcarlsborg@gmail.com, Fleet Reserve, Mike Sieg, mybadfish@gmail.com .
