Thank You, Pacific Institute (Part 2) and DAV Chapter 23 (West Seattle)

Navy Veteran Ron Bryant
Tests the Chair for Quality
Before Making the Delivery

The Pacific Institute donated a beautiful massage chair to the Old Solders' Home in Orting. This like-new chair was welcomed with glee by the patients and staff alike.
Volunteers from DAV Chapter 23 (West Seattle) transported the chair using their personal vehicles. It was a long drive but well worth it!
TPI, a world leader in developing human potential, has been supporting Veterans And Friends of Puget Sound since our inception, and their continuing support means a lot.
Many Washingtonians have no idea that we support a home for retired or disabled veterans. While funds are always limited, we can be proud of the contributions we as a state are making to their dignified retirement.
Thank you TPI and thank you DAV!

Port Angeles: The Captain Joseph House for Gold Star families

The Captain Joseph House is a Port Angeles bed and breakfast that hosts five-day retreats for grieving military families. Betsy Schultz is converting a century-old cottage to commemorate the 36-year-old son she lost on May 29, 2011, when an explosion killed him and two fellow Green Berets in Central Afghanistan.
Read more at Mother of fallen soldier builds Olympic Peninsula retreat for grieving families, Tacoma News Tribune, May 24, 2015.

GI Bill Students: Resident-Rate Requirement Waived Temporarily

VA Press Release

VA Secretary Waives Resident-Rate Requirements of the Choice Act through December, 2015
Ensures Continued GI Bill Benefits for Students While States Work to Comply with New Law
WASHINGTON – In order to make it easier for Veterans and their families to receive their GI Bill benefits where they choose, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs has used his authority to waive the provisions of Section 702 of the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014 (Choice Act). This action will ensure all GI Bill® students are able to continue training at their chosen institutions. Under Section 702, VA must disapprove education programs at public institutions for Post-9/11 GI Bill and Montgomery GI Bill-Active Duty (MGIB-AD) benefits if a school charges certain individuals tuition and fees in excess of the resident rate for terms beginning after July 1, 2015.
VA recognizes that the time allotted for states and territories to comply with Section 702 of the Choice Act is challenging for some states and schools due to the process required to make legislative and/or policy changes. This limited waiver by Secretary McDonald covers programs that are not in compliance for all terms beginning prior to January 1, 2016, in order to allow time for non-compliant states and territories to make the requisite legislative and policy changes. VA is requesting all currently non-compliant states and territories to submit their plans to become compliant to VA, through their State Approving Agency, no later than June 15, 2015.
“Our military members and their families make sacrifices that require them to pack up and move with little notice,” said Bob McDonald, Secretary of Veterans Affairs. “They shouldn’t be penalized after they leave military service by burdensome residency requirements. This waiver will allow students to continue receiving the GI Bill benefits they’ve earned as states work to comply with this important law.”
VA has provided technical assistance to numerous states and many have reached compliance. A list of states that are in compliance is posted on the GI Bill website. VA will update the list as states become compliant.
In general, the resident-rate provisions of the Choice Act cover Veterans, as well as their spouses and children, using Post-9/11 GI Bill or MGIB-AD who live in the state where they are attending school and who enrolled within three years of the Veteran’s qualifying discharge. To remain approved, schools must charge tuition and fees at the resident rate to these covered individuals. For more information on GI Bill resident-rate requirements and to see which states comply, visit the GI Bill website at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/702.asp. Updates will also be posted on the GI Bill Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/gibillEducation.

From http://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=2700

Veterans Voices Magazine March/April 2015

The Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs bimonthly magazine, Veterans Voices Magazine is available online now. Click here.

Volunteer Opportunities: Washington State Veterans Cemetery

You can help the veterans and their families at the Washington State Veterans Cemetery (located 3 miles west of Fairchild Air Force Base). The staff is recruiting volunteers in the following categories:

• Taps Bugler Trumpet or bugle. 
• Honor Guard, Rifle Honors Team Help provide veterans rifle salute. 
• Ladies and Gentlemen of the State Veterans Cemetery Offer condolences to next-of-kin on behalf of the Governor and the military family.
• Cortege Driver Usher family and guests from designated parking area to the committal shelter for services.
• Minister Lead committal services in prayer.  
• General Volunteers There are many other ways to volunteer. 
• Photographer  Photograph Special Events (Memorial Day, Wreaths Across America).

Please contact the Cemetery staff for additional information or to coordinate training. 
Washington State Department of Veteran's Affairs
1-800-562-2308
1102 Quince St SE
PO Box 41150
Olympia, WA 98504-1150

San Juan County Veterans Assistance Fund

Most Counties in Washington State have their own programs for supporting veterans. This week we look at San Juan County.

The San Juan County Veterans Assistance Fund provides emergency services to indigent veterans, their dependents, widows, widowers, and/or orphans. The Veterans Advisory Board provides timely service to eligible individuals when assistance from other agencies is considered inappropriate or time requirements are constrained. The intent of the SJC VAF is not to replace assistance from any other agency, and assistance is granted on a “case by case” basis only. Eligible individuals may receive assistance for the following:

• Food 
• Rent or Mortgage Payments 
• Utilities 
• Medical and Dental 
• Burial or Cremation

The VAB may also make referrals to other agencies; interview applicants in person or by telephone; provide basic counseling or job counseling; act as a liaison with landlords, utility companies, etc; establishing and maintaining a good rapport with vendors who accept vouchers from the VAF; cooperate with federal, state, county, and city officials in regards to veterans assistance to assure proper operation of the VAF as established by the VAB and SJC government.

To apply for assistance, print out and fill out the Veterans' Assistance Form, and then Send completed form with supporting documents to your local VAB representative; or mail to County Council, 350 Court St. Friday Harbor; WA 98250, or email to veterans@sanjuanco.com.

For More help and information, see their web pages.

May 20: VA 2k Walk And Roll - You Are Invited!

All Veterans and Friends of Veterans are invited to put on their walking shoes or fire up their wheelchairs and join in the fifth nationwide VA2K!
This annual Walk and Roll of approximately 1.2 miles encourages us all to step up our fitness level and support homeless Veterans with donated food and clothing items.
Last year, more than 25,000 people participated at 172 VA locations. Why not join us this year?
Where/When: 
Wednesday, May 20, 2015
11:30 am

• American Lake: Start at the Canteen
• Seattle Division: Start at Southern Courtyard 
• Elsewhere Across America: Check with your local VA Hospital.

For More Information

• Puget Sound Area: Call Public Affairs at 206-764-2317
• Everywhere: See http://www.publichealth.va.gov/va2k/