16 Dec 2024

The stories behind the Poppies

On the World War I battlefields of Belgium, poppies grew wild amid the ravaged landscape. A surgeon with Canada’s First Brigade Artillery, Col. McCrae expressed his grief over “row on row” of soldiers’ graves who had died on Flanders battlefields. The poem he wrote became a rallying cry to all who fought in that war. In Flanders field the poppies blow Between the crosses row on row. That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce ...

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10 Dec 2024

WA Veteran Owned Business certifications

The Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs certifies businesses owned by Veterans, and there are some valuable potential benefits for pursuing the process. Being certified may increase your marketability, not only in the larger business community, but also to local and state governments, to contractors who are hired by the government and offer subcontracting opportunities, and to agencies and prime contractors who search for certified firms in centralized databases. State and local agencies set participation goals to utilize certified veteran-owned ...

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05 Dec 2024

Fallen Heroes Banners, an Apple Blossom Tradition

“Each year at [the Wenatchee] Apple Blossom [Festival], you may see an entry in the Grand Parade with an outpouring of community volunteers carrying banners with the face of a soldier, marine, sailor, airman, or guardian on them. These are the Washington State Fallen Heroes Banners – each one memorializes a post-9/11 service member from Washington state (and the PNW) who has fallen. The Washington State Fallen Heroes Project started in 2007 when Spokane resident Kim Cole’s son, Marine Corporal Darrel Morris, ...

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03 Dec 2024

Prepare for VA’s secure sign-in changes

In 2025, you’ll need to start using a Login.gov or ID.me account to sign in. In 2025, you’ll have 2 secure sign-in account options (Login.gov and ID.me) for all VA websites and apps. The My HealtheVet option will be removed January 31, 2025, and the DS Logon option will be removed September 30, 2025. You’ll still be able to use your My HealtheVet health portal—you’ll just need to sign in to it with a Login.gov or ID.me account. The VA ...

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26 Nov 2024

Darren Perri receives Quilt of Valor

Hometown boy, Darren Perri was recently honored for his service to our country with a Quilt of Valor, presented by Gail Shaw, representing the Quilts of Valor Chelan group. The event took place during a Chelan Valley Republican Women meeting at Radiance Winery in Manson. “This quit is meant to comfort. We consider it a privilege to honor you as we will never know the extent of your sacrifices and service to protect and defend the United State of American. ...

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22 Nov 2024

Don’t eat alone this Thanksgiving

It can be easy to retreat into our homes this time of year, but for some that can be extremely lonely. Luckily communities like to come together to care for their own. From churches to service organizations, there’s almost always someone willing to make a meal for someone else. Here are just a few opportunities we’ve heard about that may interest you if you’re not attending a large family gathering this year. Let us know if you’ve heard of more ...

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20 Nov 2024

What happened to the Weekly Brief?

You may have noticed that the brief roundup of news, events, and tidbits that was posted here on a weekly basis seems to have disappeared, a while ago actually. Apologies for that and for my extended absence in posting content at NCW Veterans Info. Over the course of the past few years, with COVID directly affecting how events were hosted, how people networked, and how we now live our lives, the format of that weekly post doesn’t seem to hold ...

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18 Nov 2024

2024 Veterans Day Recap

As usual, there was no shortage of activities for and by Veterans around the annual holiday. As I find more articles and stories about what took place, I’ll add them below.   (Okanogan county) Local veterans honored in Quilts of Valor ceremonies, NCW News   Cashmere students honor local veterans, NCW News   (Leavenworth) Cascade High School honors those who served, NCW News   Community reflects during Wenatchee’s Veterans Day Parade, NCW Life (Linked article includes a video)   If ...

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13 Nov 2024

What it means to be a Navigator

In a previous post we learned about the WDVA’s Vet Corps program, in which veteran Navigators serve for a year (or more) helping their fellow veterans through the transition process out of the military. We can learn more about what it means to be a Navigator by talking to the folks who have done it. While I was originally going to reach out and conduct some interviews with past local Navigators, I have not had the chance to do that ...

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08 Nov 2024

Manson American Legion announces Charitable Giving 2024

Submitted by Norm Manly, Post Service Officer, American Legion Post 108. In 1919, The American Legion was founded on four pillars: Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation, National Security, Americanism, and Children & Youth. Each of these pillars encompasses a variety of programs that benefit our nation’s veterans, its service members, their families, the youth of America and our communities. Manson American Legion, Post 108 recently provided funding to five worthy organizations in the Chelan valley through their giving program. Post 108 ...

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07 Nov 2024

Chelan County Veteran Services Office undergoing renovations

In an announcement released by Chelan County earlier this week, we learned that the current office for the Chelan County Veteran Service Officer is going to be getting some much-needed upgrades this winter. Starting tomorrow 08 Nov 2024, the office at 428 Orondo Avenue will be closed for renovations. We are being told construction should be complete by 01 April 2025. During the next four months, the VSO staff will be working from a temporary office at 400 Douglas St., ...

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20 Oct 2024

WDVA working with U.S. VA to prevent veteran suicide

[News release from Washington Department of Veterans Affairs, 18 October 2024] Washington Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) is working with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to prevent Veteran suicide in Washington state.   Through the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program (SSG Fox SPGP), WDVA was recently awarded $750,000 for the third consecutive year of funding, starting on Oct. 1.  The SSG Fox SPGP provides funding to community-based organizations serving Veterans and their families with both ...

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