Author: rgrutko

Seattle VA Christmas Eve Event

rgrutko

Greetings 6785 Colleagues, 

We have been invited to attend the Seattle VA Christmas Eve event.  The Christmas Eve event is in lieu of the Christmas Day event where we visit selected wards and pass out gifts to hospitalized veterans.  

This is an exclusive VFW only event and we have 17 slots to fill.  Please take time to volunteer for this event.  If you plan on bringing family members and friends please remember to sign their name on the sign up list.   

  • Date:  24 December 2022
  • Time:  0800 hrs
  • Location:  Main Hall at the Seattle VA (By the Coffee Shop)
  • Uniform:  Festive, casual, VFW or Santa had, NEED TO WEAR A MASK

Update on VFW actions regarding the PACT Act

rgrutko

Here is another update on VFW actions regarding the PACT Act. As I mentioned last week, while we’re celebrating this great victory, our mission continues – What’s next is that we now must do everything possible to ensure EVERY veteran is made aware and has opportunity to meet with a VFW Accredited Service Officer.  Camp Lejeune Justice Act (CLJA) claims are different than VA Disability claims thus the reason we have entrusted law firms for CLJA claims that require an attorney as it will likely involve litigation in a federal court.  VA Disability Claims are a different matter though.

Wednesday November 16th we will deploy a website to streamline referrals to our cadre of accredited service officers for VA Disability Claims. Through a short series of questions, veterans can determine whether they’re likely eligible for VA benefits and request to be contacted by a VFW Accredited Service Officer. Our system will capture their answers and generate a referral. The veteran will then be contacted by a VFW service officer within one week.

The site also warns against scams, explains the basics of the PACT Act and encourages veterans to get involved with the VFW through joining the VFW if eligible, by signing up for Action Corps as well as making a donation.  They can choose one, all three or none. 

Making this site available is just phase one of our large-scale effort to make certain every veteran meets with us. We’ll soon start nationwide promotion and will need your help getting the word out, so we’re developing a toolkit for you to use in your communication vehicles to make certain we reach EVERY veteran.

Once these emails come out, we would ask that you promote by sending out to your Department leaders and members, placing on your website or social media accounts and in any print publications you have. 

Please note the url or link is www.pactactinfo.org, but it will not be accessible before Wednesday November 16th.   Before publishing this link check to make sure it is working, it is password protected at the moment as it is still under construction.

Snoqualmie Buffet

rgrutko

The Snoqualmie Casino is hosting a free buffet to all veterans on November 11, 2022.  The casino is located at 37500 SE North Bend Way, Snoqualmie WA.  The hours are 11:00 am – 3:30 PM for lunch and dinner is from 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM.  The Snoqualmie Falls Buffet was voted “best buffet” by  425 Magazine.  

Auburn’s Annual Veterans Parade

rgrutko

Auburn’s Annual Veterans Parade

Save the Date!! Our Post will be one of the groups marching in the Auburn Veterans Day Parade this year. The date is November 05, 2022. Auburn has hosted the Veterans Parade since 1965. Now in its 57th year, the parade has grown into one of the largest parades of this kind in the United States of America. The parade typically has over 200 units and around 6,000 participants, including marching bands, military vehicles and veteran’s units.

Please look for the volunteer sign-up sheet on the Post Website, or, contact Alan B’Hymer at alanb91100@aol.com to join in with other Post members. Details will follow when they are released by the Parade organizers.   

VFW Post 6785 gives a shout to USO Northwest for the night out at the Tacoma Rainiers baseball game at Cheney Stadium!

rgrutko

6785 volunteers were treated to a night of baseball, food, and drinks  in the USO suite at Cheney Stadium.  And a visit by Rhubarb the mascot of the Tacoma Rainiers was a fun addition to the night of baseball fun.  

Also, invited were the U.S. Navy recruiting office in Kent, WA.  It’s always good to see active duty members at our events. 

Also, our thanks go to Kenneth A Przepiora, Command Master Chief Petty Officer, USN (RET) for coordinating this event. 

VFW Post 6785 Honor Guard with the Navy team from Naval Station Everett at the Tahoma National Cemetery.

rgrutko

As part of the VFW “Vision: Ensure that veterans are respected for their service, always receive their earned entitlements, and are recognized for the sacrifices they and their loved ones have made on behalf of this great country.”

VFW Post 6785 out of Kent, WA shares half day duty with the Kent DAV on the first and second Thursday of each month, with the DAV taking the mornings and the 6785 in the afternoons providing services.

Thank you 6785 honor guard volunteers!