10 Sep 2025

Recap of 2025 Serving Those Who Served conference

From WDVA: The Yakima Convention Center hosted the 8th annual Serving Those Who Served (STWS) Conference on August 20–21, bringing together more than 300 attendees from 30 Washington counties and beyond. The conference saw numerous tribal representatives and more than 100 federal, state, county and nonprofit organizations present with a shared theme of putting ‘Veterans First: Focusing on our Mission of Serving Those Who Served’. The STWS Conference unites Veteran resource providers to foster collaboration, strengthen connections, and share expertise ...

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09 Aug 2025

Recap of 2025 Purple Heart Day

Chelan and Douglas counties and the cities of East Wenatchee, Waterville, Chelan and Wenatchee came together Aug. 7 to honor local recipients of the Purple Heart. Families of the honorees joined us, as did veterans and leaders from around the community. The 2025 Purple Heart recipients honored are: Shane Delaney: U.S. Army, Gulf War Vernon Zornes: U.S. Army, Vietnam War Paul Bradshaw: U.S. Army, Vietnam War Lee L. Bradshaw: U.S. Army, WWI Earl Paslay: U.S. Army, WWII Frank Telford: U.S. ...

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13 Jul 2025

New findings on toxic exposures, community care, and leukemia

Official announcement from national VA: “This week, VA’s Office of Research and Development published three news briefs highlighting research findings on the effects of Gulf War exposures on heart disease risk, increasing non-VA prescriptions, and a potential new leukemia treatment. Gulf War exposures led to higher heart disease risk – Researchers with the VA Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness, and Safety led a team that linked toxic exposures during deployments to an increased risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVD) ...

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30 Jun 2025

Orting Veterans Farm closes

From the WDVA website: “As we bid farewell to the Orting Veterans Farm, which ceased operations on July 1 due to completion of funding from a VA Rural Farms Grant, we reflect on the immense impact it has had on the community, the land, and the many Veterans who found purpose and healing through its soil. This farm was more than just acres of land, it was a space for growth, resilience, and connection. Over the years, the Orting Veterans ...

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27 Jun 2025

Nominations open for Purple Heart 2025 Hall of Honor

Chelan County officials are seeking Purple Heart recipient nominations for the 2025 Hall of Honor. Known as the oldest U.S. decoration for military merit, a Purple Heart is awarded to veterans who have been killed or wounded serving their country. In 2024, the local community came together to honor and recognize Purple Heart recipients (as reported last August). The initiative served as the region’s way of recognizing those who have earned this prestigious award. Now, the community annually identifies local ...

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24 Jun 2025

Flagpole gets a fresh coat of Pride

The Manson American Legion Post 108 extends a heartfelt “Thank You!” to Fire Chief Arnold Baker and firefighters Micah Petersen and Raynor Baker for repainting the flagpole at American Legion Park in downtown Manson. With help from Tower 51, Micah and Raynor were safely lifted to the top, where they applied two coats of bright white paint, restoring the pole to its former glory.     American Legion member Craig Pittson, who has spearheaded this project for more than a ...

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10 Jun 2025

Emergency Action Needed to Prevent Further Veteran-Related Tragedies

As received from Heather Hill, Central WA Veterans Counseling:   Mr. Bucholtz and Vet Center Leadership – Central Washington is facing a deadly crisis—one born not of sudden catastrophe, but of a long-standing failure to adequately support the mental health needs of our veteran community. The tragic loss of three young girls at the hands of their father, Army veteran Travis Decker, is not an isolated event. It is the most recent and devastating example of what happens when veteran-specific ...

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30 May 2025

Wenatchee includes ceremony to honor those lost at sea on Memorial Day

As part of the Wenatchee Valley’s series of events on Memorial Day, there has always been a small ceremony to recognize and honor those who were lost at sea. In years passed, this took place on the black pedestrian bridge crossing the Columbia River with a ceremonial wreath being tossed out onto the water. Due to construction on said pedestrian bridge this year, the Patriotic Council (who organizes the Memorial Day events each year) decided a new location was needed. ...

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06 May 2025

Honor Flight Fundraiser hosted by American Legion Post 28

Art Semro Unit & Post 28 are raising money to benefit Inland Northwest Honor Flight, an organization that takes veterans to visit the Washington DC Memorials built in their honor. Eligible veterans include those who served in WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and now Desert Storm Veterans. The fundraiser includes a Taco/Nacho Feed (all you can eat for a minimum donation of $15) and an auction. COME, HAVE FUN, MAYBE WIN A PRIZE!! Saturday, May 17, 2025. Doors open at 5pm. Opening ...

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30 Apr 2025

WDVA signs MOA with Confederated Tribes of the Coleville Reservation
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OLYMPIA – On April 28, 2025, the Washington Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) and the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation (CTCR) formalized a partnership aimed at enhancing services for Native American Veterans and their families. This collaboration is made possible by a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) which allows WDVA to provide in-kind support and resources to the CTCR’s Tribal Veteran Service Officers. This MOA underscores the WDVA’s commitment to its mission of “Serving Those Who Served” and focuses on strengthening ...

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02 Apr 2025

Wenatchee Valley honors Vietnam Veterans

On March 29th at Wenatchee Valley College, veteran organizations from around the valley joined together to mark the 50th Anniversary of the end of hostilities in Vietnam. The afternoon’s program paid tribute to all who served in Vietnam and recognized those Chelan and Douglas County military members that were killed during the conflict. The event was held in the WVC Student Rec Center with nearly 400 people attending. The Wenatchee Valley Symphony Orchestra and Wenatchee Apollo Club Men’s Choir provided patriotic ...

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19 Mar 2025

Jim Taylor honored with a Quilt of Valor

Jim Taylor, a United States Navy veteran and esteemed member of the Manson American Legion Post 108, was recently honored with a Quilt of Valor during a ceremony held at the Lake Chelan Winery on March 8, 2025. The quilt, a symbol of gratitude for his service, was presented by Doug Marsh, a fellow American Legion member, and Jean Horner, representing the Quilts of Valor Foundation, Chelan Group. Doug Marsh, a retired United States Navy 1st Class Aviation Structural Mechanic ...

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