Memorial Day Flag Ceremony at the VA Puget Sound Health System Community Living Center Peace Garden

Marvin and Ron raise the new flag
As Dennis, the Chaplain,
and Tanner salute

On Memorial Day, 2014, Flag Ceremony at the VA Puget Sound Health System Community Living Center Peace Garden retired with dignity a flag that has flown for more than a decade, and was getting worn.

Patients, staff and visitors gathered at 11:30am in the garden, along with DAV Chapter 23's Commander, Vice Commander, Chaplain and Senior Members. The 20-minute ceremony opened with a prayer from the Chaplain; then to the call of a trumpet, the old flag was saluted and retired with respect. A crisp, new American Flag was raised as a trumpeter blew the Star-Spangled Banner. All presented saluted, and then retired in good fellowship.

Veterans and Friends of Puget Sound is honored to have assisted in organizing this event. May we all, together and with full hearts, create many more such occasions of improvement!
(Please note: no photos of the event show patients or staff, for reasons of privacy; however they were definitely there and integral to getting it done!)

Community Calendar

Events in Service to Our Veteran Community

• May 24
  Seattle - Central Area Veterans Resource Fair
  Discuss Veterans Benefits and services; Jobs and training services.
  By Tabernacle Military & Senior Care Ministries, Military Veteran Solutions and African American Veterans Group of WA State.
• May 31
  Seattle - Call to Duty Day of Service.
  Volunteers lawyers assist veterans with filling out a Parenting Plan Residential Schedule or a Child Support Worksheet, and provided pro se guidance.
  By Washington State Bar Association.
• June 21
  Tacoma - Veterans Resource And Jobs Fair
  At The Tacoma Dome.King, Pierce, Kitsap and Thurston county veterans welcomed!By TheVeteransResourcefair.us/

Send Your Events To VAFpugetsound@gmail.com

May 14 Roundtable Was A Success

Veterans and Friends of Puget Sound hosted hosted the inaugural meeting of the Veterans And Friends Roundtable at The Pacific Institute (TPI) Wednesday, May 14, 2014, from 10 am to noon.
Participants exploring ways that different groups can work together to better serve our veterans included Diane Tice (One of VAF's Founders, and Co-Founder of TPI), David Loud (Community Liaison for Congressman Jim McDermott); Heidi Audette (Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs Communiations Director); Dane Olsen (VA Puget Sound Health Care System Customer Service Manager) Marvin Burnett (Commender Disabled American Veterans Post 23, West Seattle); Tom Shriver (Commander, American Legion Post 67, Puyallap) and VAF members Cyril Miller, Ron Bryant, Randy Winn and Gail Gorud.
Already a number of items raised are being addressed by cross-organizational efforts. Future Roundtables will include a broader membership and spin-off focus groups to address particular themes.

VAF Newsletter is Available On the Web

Our newsletter is now available on web: share it freely!

• March 2014 - The Therapy Pool Story; Do You Have The Drive To Volunteer?; How To Take Action Yourself; CRDP and CRSC For Military Retirees.
• February 2014 - Final Respects; Spare Wheelchairs; Final Honors Rides Need You!; Why Saturday Is A Good Day To Visit The VA Hospital.
• January 2014 - Farewell Airman Booker; Welcome Director Murphy; VADIP Means Dental Insurance For Veterans; Job Fair; and more.

To get issues emailed to you  for free, contact VAFPugetSound@gmail.org.

May 24: Central Area Veterans Resource Fair

A Free Central Area Veterans Resource Fair will be held May 24th 9am-2pm at Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church, 2801 South Jackson St. Seattle.
Come get the latest information on Veteran Benefits!

Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church2801 South Jackson

• Meet with Veteran Affairs professionals to discuss Veterans Benefits and services
• Jobs and training services
• Become a part of your veteran community.

Coordinated by:

• Tabernacle Military &Senior Care Ministries
• Military Veteran Solutions 
• African American Veterans Group of WA State.

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