This YouTube video contains a service that Gary Smith conducted at Tahoma. It begins with the rifle salute and ends at the conclusion of the service.

Patriots, it saddens me to announce we will not be able to hold a Live In-person celebration for
Washington State Patriotic Day 2021. The restrictions associated with the Covid-19 Pandemic have just
precluded the Washington State Patriotic Day Committee, Partners and Sponsors from putting on the
event at our usual venue in Stadium High School in Tacoma.

Because this event’s objectives is to honor and celebrate our Veterans, Patriots and First Responders we
all agreed to do something that would do just that but virtually.

We plan to hold a virtual celebration on Saturday Feb. 20 th at 1:00 pm. We will hold a large Zoom
meeting that will include a Joint Service Color Guard presenting the colors and the singing of the
National Anthem, a Reading of the Washington State Governor’s Proclamation, a band concert from
America’s First Corps Band and a Traditional Flag Folding Ceremony.

Please use the link below to join us:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/880803874?pwd=QnFycEhJQTVaZmpkamhoQkdJRmRoZz09

Greetings from VFW Post 6785 in Kent, WA!

VFW Post 6785 in Kent, WA honors veterans on Veterans Day at the Tahoma National Cemetery Veterans Day event, at the Auburn Veterans Day Parade, and at many local schools.  However, this year in the interest of public safety and our wish for everyone to Stay Home, Stay Safe, and to remain compliant with the COVID-19 pandemic related mitigation efforts, we thought we would bring Veterans Day to you in the comforts of your home.  The Veterans Day video is set to bugle calls and ceremonial music, and we hope this brings back fond memories and stories when you were in the service. 

We like to thank the City of Kent Mayor, Dana Ralph, for taking the time to participate in the Veterans Day video as the keynote speaker.

Thank you veterans, families, and Gold Star families you all for your service and sacrifices. 

VFW Post 6785 was organized 29 September 1978 and our first Commander was Howard Whitley.  The Panther Lake Post was formed in 1991 and its first Commander was Cal Horman.  In 2008 the two posts consolidated and became known as the Kent-Meridian Post 6785.  The first Post Commander for Kent-Meridian was William (Bill) Russell, and now currently commanded by Army veteran Craig Dougherty.

Click on the link below to watch the movie on YouTube.

Walt

RC did a great job with these Slings – ready for Honor Guard Duty!

Here is a pamphlet from TSA – they are looking for volunteers to help them train their K-9’s.

TSA K9 Volunteer Decoy Poster

Seattle Regional Office M – F 7:00 – 3:30 pm 206-341-8284 VFW.VBASEA@VA.GOV No In-Person

Todd Gruchalla        

Sharon Wines          

Nakeisha Jones          

George Colon          

Eric Wilkinson          

Vancouver M – F 7:30-4:00 pm 360-696-4583 vfwvancouvervso@gmail.com Phone Appts Only

Rachel Rustad      

Lisa Neibert          

Seattle VA Hospital T, Th, F 7:30 – 4:00 pm 206-341-8284 randywithvfw@hotmail.com Working from home

Randy Clawson      

Mount Vernon CBOC Closed due to COVID Contact Everett Currently Closed

Everett Vet Center M – F 7:30 – 4:00 pm 425-740-2703 vfweverettvso@gmail.com No In-Person

Riannon James  

Fife M – F 7:00 – 4:00 pm 253-344-5985 vfwhqfifevso@gmail.com Appointments Only

Jay Phillips      

Roslyn Miller        

Yakima M – F 7:00 – 4:30 509-654-7191    

Nadine Warren       vfwyakimavso@gmail.com No In-Person

Annette Buck       annettebuckvso@gmail.com No In-Person

Retsil-Port Orchard M – F 8:00 – 4:30 pm 206-341-8284 vfwretsilvso@gmail.com Currently Closed

  Currently closed due to COVID-19, contact Seattle or send email.  

Spokane Vet Center M – F 7:00-5:30 pm 509-444-8387    

Cheri Knox       cheriknoxcrafts@gmail.com No In-Person

Will Sampson       William.Sampson2@va.gov No In-Person

Did you know: Washington State offers free passes for disabled Vets

DISABLED VETERAN LIFETIME PASS – NO CHARGE

Free camping / moorage, campsite reservations through State Parks central reservations system, watercraft launching, trailer dump and day-use entry. Valid year-round. Offered to Washington state residents with a documented service-connected disability of at least 30%.  Pass holder must provide proof of identification when checking in.

WA State Disabled Veterans Application

 

DEPARTMENT COMRADES, WE IN THE POST 6785 FAMILY AND THOSE OF DISTRICT 11, SHARE WITH YOU THE PASSING OF A FINE VFW LIFE MEMBER AND SERVANT TO VETERANS OF ALL STRIPE, PAST COMMANDER (3 TIMES) DUANE HUGHES.

DUANE HAD BEEN IN ILL HEALTH OF LATE AND PASSED IN THE PRESENCE OF FAMILY JUST SHORT OF 2100 HOURS, JULY 12, 2020 AT VA HOSPITAL SEATTLE. WE EXTEND TO THE HUGHES FAMILY OUR SINCEREST CONDOLENCES AND PRAYERS FOR THE COMING DAYS AHEAD.

WE REMEMBER DUANE WITH GREAT FONDNESS, THE CHEER HE ALWAYS HAD AND DISPLAYED UNDER HIS VFW SERVICE CAP !

A SERVANTS SERVANT TO ALL VETERANS HE MET, THE NEXT CONVENTION UPSTAIRS WILL FIND HIM IN THE SECOND ROW AISLE MOST LIKELY

HERE IS A PIC OF DUANE AT CORNUCOPIA , KENT WASHINGTON 3 DAY CRAFT FAIR, HE SIGNED UP MORE VFW MEMBERS OVER AT LEAST 20+ YEARS AT THIS COMMUNITY EVENT (INCLUDING ME 17 YEARS AGO), HE IS FLANKED BY POST MEMBERS RICK WEST (LEFT) AND BOB BRUNS (RIGHT) A COUPLE OF YEARS BACK…….

 

Please send donations to:

Duane Hughes Family C/O Kimberly Kent
4428 South 164th Street  Unit A
Tukwilla, WA  98188

Or Donate in Honor of Duane to:

    VFW Department of Washington – Honoring Duane Hughes
    ATTN:  Small Houses-Orting Soldiers Home – Homeless Veterans Program
    5213 Pacific Hwy E.
    FIFE, WASHINGTON 98424