Rita Eugenia Eliason, nee Le Piane

Born March 12, 1939, Died January 8, 2023, May she Rest in Eternal Peace.

Funeral Mass will be held at St. Philomena at 10:30 am on March 10, 2023, followed by a reception at the Des Moines Senior Activity Center.

A committal service will be held at Tahoma National Cemetery, 18600 SE 240th St, Kent at 2:15 pm the same day.

Please let Scott know at sreliason@msn.com if you will be able to attend.

Washington State Patriotic Day serves to celebrate patriotism and honor service members, veterans, first responders, and their families. There will be a Massing of the Colors, where 50 or more flag units from veterans’ organization; active duty and National Guard units; first responders, civic and youth groups and Junior ROTC units march into Pioneer Middle School Gym carrying their unit flag alongside the American Flag.

Pioneer Middle School, 1750 Bob’s Hollow Lane, Dupont, WA 98327

4 March 2023

2 – 4 PM (1400 – 1600)

Happy New Year VFW Post 6785!

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We wish everyone the best in 2023 and thank you for your support and continued service with the VFW.

VFW Post 6785 color guard led the way during the 2022 City of Kent Winterfest Parade!

VFW Post 6785 thanks the veterans elves who help deliver toys and presented a donation check to the Compass House!

The toys and donation will go to veterans and their families at the Renton Veterans Center providing permanent and transitional housing for Veterans, including singles, couples, and families.

With 59 units of permanent housing for Veteran individuals and families, the Renton Veterans Center (RVC) offers a variety of Veteran-specific services. Reading groups and art classes for children in our youth center engage young residents, and case management services help adults find the support they need. The program is open to homeless veterans or homeless Veterans with families, earning between zero to 60% Area Median Income.

The Compass House also helps military veterans experiencing post-traumatic stress, injury, and other unique challenges as they return from duty and reintegrate into society. They offer a variety of programs and housing that meet the specific needs of military veterans and their families so that the people who served our country are not forgotten.

If you are currently a homeless Veteran or at risk of losing housing, please call the VA’s Homeless Outreach Clinic at 425-203-7200.

What do all these veterans have in common?

They are all members of the VFW Post 6785 out Kent, Washington and still serving!

On Sunday VFW Post 6785 (6785) donated $2,500.00 to USO Northwest as a token of our appreciation of all they do to help active servicemembers and their families.

Many of our Post members volunteer at the USO and during Honor Flight. Some notable members from 6785 include Executive Director Cmdr Don Donald M. Leingang, USN (Ret), Seatac Center Manager LTC Matt Sult, USA (Ret), volunteer CMDCM Ken “Pepsi” Przepiora and many others.

About USO Northwest

“Since 1941, the USO has been the nation’s leading organization to serve the men and women in the U.S. military, and their families, throughout their time in uniform. From the moment they join, through their assignments and deployments, and as they transition back to their communities, the USO is always by their side.”

“Today’s USO continuously adapts to the needs of our men and women in uniform and their families, so they can focus on their very important mission. The USO is not part of the federal government. As a congressionally chartered, private organization, the USO relies on the generosity of individuals, organizations and corporations to support its activities, and is powered by a family of volunteers to accomplish our mission of connection.”

“The USO Northwest supports America’s military service members and their families throughout the states of Washington and Oregon. With the help of more than 400 volunteers,

USO Northwest serves over 800,000 military and their families annually.

USO Northwest provides support to those who need it the most including military deploying overseas and returning home, military families, wounded warriors and their families and families of the fallen.

To learn more about USO Northwest and how you can help them visit their website at: https://northwest.uso.org/

VFW Post 6785 recognizes Korea Defense veterans Richard C. Sample with his missing medals from his service in South Korea.

From Walt Tanimoto the Post Commander of VFW Post 6785. “. . . as a Company Commander one of our responsibilities is to ensure soldiers are recognized and awarded for their service before they leave. When I found out RC did not receive his due awards from his time in Korea I took some time to correct a wrong, and recognize a long standing member of the VFW for his service and dedication to help veterans . . . “

About the VFW: The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is the nation’s largest and oldest major war veterans organization. Founded in 1899, the congressionally chartered VFW is comprised entirely of eligible veterans and military service members from the active, Guard and Reserve forces. With more than 1.5 million VFW and Auxiliary members located in nearly 6,000 Posts worldwide, the nonprofit veterans service organization is proud to proclaim “NO ONE DOES MORE FOR VETERANS” than the VFW, which is dedicated to veterans’ service, legislative advocacy, and military and community service programs. For more information or to join, visit our national website at vfw.org

VFW Post 6785 had the opportunity to give back to the community with a donation to the Chinook District of Garden Clubs.

The Chinook District of Garden Clubs volunteers their time to help maintain the Blue Star Memorial and plans are underway to refurbish the memorial in 2023 at the Tahoma National Cemetery. From Walt Tanimoto the post commander, “. . . as part of our mission to serve our veterans, the military and our communities we work with organizations like the Chinook District of Garden Clubs to further advocate for veterans and their families . . . “

About the Chinook District of Garden Clubs. “THE CHINOOK DISTRICT OF GARDEN CLUBS was federated in 1964 with the Washington State Federation of Garden Clubs (WSFGC), which belongs to the Pacific Region of National Garden Clubs, Inc., the largest volunteer gardening organization in the world.” Learn more about this organization at their website: http://www.chinookgc.org/

About the VFW: The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is the nation’s largest and oldest major war veterans organization. Founded in 1899, the congressionally chartered VFW is comprised entirely of eligible veterans and military service members from the active, Guard and Reserve forces. With more than 1.5 million VFW and Auxiliary members located in nearly 6,000 Posts worldwide, the nonprofit veterans service organization is proud to proclaim “NO ONE DOES MORE FOR VETERANS” than the VFW, which is dedicated to veterans’ service, legislative advocacy, and military and community service programs. For more information or to join, visit our national website at vfw.org