• The Library of Congress American Folklife Center is conducting a project to capture and archive the stories of our military veterans from World War I to the present.
The project collects first-hand accounts of U.S. war veterans and U.S. citizen civilians who were involved in supporting war efforts.
Tom Cox is a local volunteer who is conducting video interviews. He would like you to consider giving our country your stories because they are a legacy to our history.
The Web site for the project, where you can learn more, is www.loc.gov/vets. To contact Tom, call 582-0560. We need you to do this so future generations will know the sacrifices you made.
• A gentle reminder – please do not fly a United States flag that is tattered or torn. The American Legion is happy to properly dispose of any unserviceable flags. Leave the flag at the post (in a bag on the door knob) on the corner of East Prairie Street and South Sequim Avenue.
• The Voices For Veterans Port Townsend Stand Down assisted 71 veterans and 18 dependents of veterans. Twenty-two indicated they were homeless. They were given dental and health screenings, legal and transportation assistance, clothing and counseling.
There will be a Stand Down in October in Port Angeles. For more information on Voices For Veterans, visit their booth at the Clallam County Fair. I will take donations for them of items or money – call 683-6419. The funds are used to buy things such as glasses, hearing aids and shoes.
• The local Marine Corps League Mount Olympus Detachment received a Meritorious Unit Commendation and several state and national awards at the state convention in Tacoma. These Marines work hard in the community providing honor guards for funerals, collecting Toys For Tots, appearing in community parades and lately working with the VFW to rededicate Elks Memorial Park in Port Angeles. Their commandant is Tom Flanik, of Sequim.
• The Olympic Peninsula Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America is supporting the USCGC Cuttyhunk’s Sailor of the Quarter program. This is a great way to encourage junior enlisted personnel to put forth their best effort. MOAA attended the Coast Guard Day picnic on Aug. 4 to meet active duty personnel and take a tour of the station.
• There are many legislative issues on the health care problem. Please make sure you read and inform yourself on what is being proposed. Service organizations want military and retired health care kept out of the proposals.
During the summer recess, please see your congressional representatives when they are in the area and let them know your feelings. You can also write, e-mail or call their offices. We all need to let our voices be heard on this important program.
Contributors: DAR, Regent Kayellen Garrison, kgarison@olypen.com; American Legion, Lorri Gilchrist, lpgilchrist@webtv.net; VFW Commander, Roger Padie, commander@vfwpost4760.com; MOAA, President Jim McEntire,
jmcentire1@wavecable.com, Marine Corps League, Terry Roth.
