Did you know Washington is a Purple Heart State? The Purple Heart is awarded in the name of the President of the United States to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the U.S. Armed Services after April 5, 1917, has been wounded or killed.
The Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs is now working on a plan to put signs at 34 highway entrances to the state — one of the places is Port Angeles!
To donate to a sign, mail a check to: WDVA Purple Heart Sign Campaign, PO Box 41150, Olympia, WA 98504.
To learn more, email communications@dva.wa.gov. To learn the history of the Purple Heart, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple_Heart.
Oral history project connects the generations
Clallam County Junior American Citizens, in conjunction with National Wreaths Across America, is conducting a Veterans Oral History Project. The purpose of this is to teach today’s youth to remember and honor veterans of the United States military and their families for the contributions and sacrifices made on their behalf to protect and defend the freedoms granted them in the United States Constitution.
Each youth will pair with a Veteran, current service member or Gold Star Family member and record their interview. After a completed interview is submitted digitally or written, a set of dog tags will be given to the student — one with their name and one with the veteran’s name — and another set will be placed on a balsam fir tree in a special Wreaths Across America honor grove in Maine.
For more information on how to participate, email to mtc1918jac@gmail.com.
Hobucket House could use some help
Hobucket House, the permanent group home for permanently disabled veterans in Forks, is still in need of some landscaping help. This fall we would like to complete the planting.
Needed are 20 azaleas, 20 lady ferns and 10 sword ferns. Gift certificates to a nursery to purchase these plants would be much appreciated — or a cash donation. Please send either donation to: NORVHN, 250 Ash Avenue, Forks, WA 98331-9198.
Thanks to all who have made this home a reality. We are now working on a home for Sequim! You can help if you shop and put NORVHN (North Olympic Regional Veterans Housing Network) on Amazon Smile.
(Full disclosure: I am a board member of North Olympic Regional Veterans Housing Network. If you have any questions please email me at cdrlgilchrist@gmail.com. We want all veterans to have a home.)
MOAA seeks sports equipment
The Washington Chapters of the Military Officers Association of America are collecting sports balls — footballs, basketballs, soccer balls or playground balls — to be given to the children of troops here in Washington state through Santa’s Castle, a 501(c)3 nonprofit (read about this organization at jblmsantascastle.org).
I have a goal of giving 200 balls from the Olympic Peninsula Chapter MOAA. I hope you will help me! You can give me money to purchase balls, buy a ball and leave it at 538 N. Seventh Ave., or order a ball from Amazon and have it delivered to me.
We need to have all the balls by the week of Nov. 13. With any questions please email me at cdrlgilchrist@gmail.com. Thank you for your support of the kids.
Contributors: American Legion, Paul Renick, grennanalpost62@gmail.com; DAR, MOAA and Voices For Veterans, Lorri Gilchrist, cdrlgilchrist@gmail.com; Marine Corps League, Mark Schildknecht, markisin2day@gmail.com; Korean War Veterans, Jerry Rettela, eletteor@msn.com; VFW 4760, Steve Henrikson, secretary@vfwpost4760.com; VFW 6787, Rod Lee, sealteam54@q.com.
