By Lorri Gilchrist
The New Dungeness Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution will be conducting a Wreaths Across America Ceremony and veterans wreath laying on Saturday, Dec. 13 at 9 a.m. at Sequim View Cemetery. All are welcome.
They are looking for a Merchant Marine to lay the Service Wreath for the Merchant Marines. Please contact me at cdrlgilchrist@gmail.com if you are willing and able to perform this ceremony. More wreaths are needed at Sequim View Cemetery to cover all the veterans markers. You can order wreaths online at https://wreathsacrossamerica.org/WA0248. Please make sure you are under the New Dungeness Chapter of DAR and select Sequim View Cemetery. If you have questions please email me.
The United States Marine Corps Reserve Clallam County Toys For Tots program is underway. There is an online application process. Use the website https://port-angeles-wa.toysfortots.org where community nonprofit agencies can request toys, community members can sign up to volunteer and businesses can request a drop box for toy donations. Non-profits can request toys until Nov. 15.
Clallam County Toys For Tots provides new, unwrapped toys for needy children at Christmas. For any questions please contact the coordinator, Kim Costello, at port.angeles.wa@toysfortots.org or call 253-625-6450.
The Army Navy game party is on Saturday, Dec 13 at the Sequim VFW annex, 169 E. Washington St. Doors open at 11 a.m. The game starts at noon. Lunch will be provided and the bar will be open for beverages.
There will be a $10 donation to offset the cost of lunch. Raffle prizes will be awarded. Cheering sections for each service will provide fun for all. If you have questions, email secretary@vfwpost4760.com or call 360-683-9546.
Veterans with a qualifying discharge, a 70%+ disability rating, and a federally defined service animal can now apply for special disability parking privileges valid for five years and available through Oct. 1, 2035. For more information and an application form, go to dol.wa.gov.
Thank you to all who contributed sports balls through the Olympic Peninsula Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America. This project was in honor of America 250! and 250 sports balls went to Santa’s Castle, a 501(c)(3) at Joint Base Lewis McChord that collects and distributes toys to active duty personnel’s children for Christmas. These families are recommended by the chain of command or chaplain.
A mobile unit goes to Navy Base Bremerton and toys are picked and transported to NAS Whidbey Island. Please go online and check it out. They are going to provide food gift cards this year and any cash donation to make this happen would be greatly appreciated. The Chapter meets on the third Wednesday of the month at Paradise Cafe. Email me at cdrlgilchrist@gmail.com for more information.
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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.
