Veterans Corner: Seeking old war letters

Sarge’s Place can use cash or gas card donations to help with the costs of taking veterans to medical appointments.

They use about $6,000 a year in gas to drive veterans to Port Angeles or wherever is needed to get medical care.

Please send to: Sarge’s Place, 250 Ash Ave., Forks WA 98331.

War correspondence

I am going to echo a request I saw in the “Dear Abby” column on April 6. She told about the Center for American War Letters started by Andy Carroll at Chapman University in Orange, Calif. They are conducting the “Million Letters Campaign.”

Carroll is traveling the nation on speaking engagements to explain the importance of these correspondences and encourage people to share with him their own war-related letters and emails so the stories and voices of the military men and women in all wars will be preserved.

Letters can be sent to: Andrew Carroll/CAWL Chapman University, One University Drive, Orange, CA 92866.

Originals are preferred, but scans also are appreciated. For more information, go to www.WarLetters.us. Please do not throw away these valuable pieces of history.

Walk helps homeless vets

The VA 2k walk (1.2 miles) will be at noon Wednesday, May 17, starting at Ennis Street on the Olympic Discovery Trail. This walk benefits homeless veterans and the HUDVASH program (vouchers for housing).

They are asking for donations of nonperishable food items, phone/gas/grocery store gift cards and toiletries.

The walk is put on by the VA Puget Sound Health Care System. Please come out and walk with the veterans.

Memorial in Sequim

There is a Veterans Memorial in Sequim by the school and museum offices at 544 N. Sequim Ave. It was dedicated in 2003 as a way to honor veterans and recognize military service organizations.

You can purchase a 6-inch square tile for $32. The inscriptions include name, branch of service and other service facts. Carlsborg VFW Post 6787 is the lead on this.

For order forms and more information, call Larry at 912-1976 or go to www.sequimmuseum.com and click on “Veterans Monument Tiles.”

Please go by and take a look. I have a tile and got one for my mom and dad — both were in the Navy during World War II. It’s a nice gift for your parents or grandparents.

DAR meeting set

The last meeting before summer break of the Michael Trebert Chapter, DAR will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 17, at the Port Angeles Veterans Center, 216 S. Francis St., Port Angeles. After the meeting there will be a potluck lunch and members and potential members are encouraged to bring a guest and a dish to share.

For more about the meeting or membership, please call Regent Janis at 457-1446 or email jflanagan1034@comcast.net.

MOAA meets

The Olympic Peninsula Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America will hold its monthly luncheon at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, May 14, at the Paradise Restaurant, 703 N. Sequim Ave.

The president of the Washington State Council of Chapters will give a report on the “Storming of the Hill” where MOAA members talk to their elected representatives about legislation affecting veterans and their families.

There will be a musical program and a Sea Story.

To RSVP, email me or call 683-6419.

Contributors: DAR, Janis Flanagan, jflanagan1034@comcast.net; American Legion, Carl Bradshaw, thbkdragon@yahoo.com; MOAA, Lorri Gilchrist, cdrlgilchrist@gmail.com; Marine Corps League, Mark Schildknecht, marana@tfon.com; Korean War Veterans, Jerry Rettela, eletteor@msn.com; Fleet Reserve Association, Marty Arnold, martinarnold2001@yahoo.com.