I began this column Feb. 14, 2007. I have reported on many events, resources and meetings over the years — trying to let you know what is out there for troops, veterans and their families in the way of help and support.
Mike, editor of the Sequim Gazette, has graciously granted me another year of columns. I am grateful to him and the organization for all the articles on our local veterans and for printing my column. I hope that you, the readers, find it useful, helpful and a resource.
Please let me know if you have any questions about support for veterans or ideas for topics. Happy New Year!
Get connected
Save the date! Vet Connect and Veteran Community Partnerships are hosting a free Women Veterans Conference & Luncheon from 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 8, at the Gardiner Community Center, 980 Old Gardiner Road. The featured speakers will be WDVA Director Alfie Alvarado-Ramos, and M.J. Mariano of VA Mental Health.
There will be a panel discussion led by Tracy Garrett (Ret. USMC) titled, “Networking With Your Community After Service!” The event is free to women veterans; all others are $10 at the door. Registration is required at www.eventbrite.com. Enter the name of the event and follow the instructions to register. For assistance or information, call 360-344-4940 or email to vetconnect@olycap.com.
Help with VA paperwork
Veteran Service Officers are available to answer questions and help with filling out VA paperwork at the Veterans Center in Port Angeles Wednesdays from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. and at the Sequim American Legion Post, 107 E. Prairie St., on Thursdays from 1:30-4:30 p.m. by appointment only. Please call 360-797-1791 to set up an appointment.
MOAA meets, hosts police chief
The Olympic Peninsula Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America will hold their monthly luncheon meeting on Sunday, Jan. 13 at noon at Baja Cantina, 531 W. Washington St., Sequim. Anyone who has been an officer in any of the United States’ uniformed services are welcome. The speaker will be Sequim Police Chief Sheri Crain. Lunch is from the menu. Please call me at 360-683-6419 or email to cdrlgilchrist@gmail.com to RSVP or ask questions.
Contributors: American Legion, Carl Bradshaw, thbk dragon@yahoo.com; MOAA & DAR, Lorri Gilchrist, cdr lgilchrist@gmail.com; Marine Corps League, Mark Schildknecht, markisin2day@gmail.com; Korean War Veterans, Jerry Rettela, eletteor@msn.com; Fleet Reserve Association, Marty Arnold, martinar nold2001@yahoo.com; Voices For Veterans, John Brasch, voic esforveterans@yahoo.com; VFW, Art Thomas, sequim vfwpost4760@gmail.com.
