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WDVA Veteran Voices
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April 2023
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A Message From the Director
Greetings from Your WDVA Director - David Puente
In today's world, it has become crucial for everyone to have access to technology, especially in rural areas, and we are making sure that no veteran and family member are left behind in our mission of Serving Those Who Served.
With help of a grant-funded program through the Washington State Department of Commerce, your WDVA has launched the WDVA Digital Navigator Program.
The WDVA Digital Navigator Program provides qualified veterans and their families the technological resources (a kit with talk, text, and data through T-Mobile, a laptop, and a smartphone with a hotspot) and training in digital literacy so they can easily connect to online appointments and to their earned benefits, including disability payments, pensions, healthcare assistance, online counseling sessions, and other services.
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Walla Walla Veterans Home
The fabulous JoAnne JoJo Mohrland and Mike Hammond provided a concert at the Walla Walla Veterans Home with guest guitarist Jerry! Residents enjoyed "kickin' up their heels" and enjoyed their personal country concert.
The concert was made possible by the Welfare, Arts, and Military (WAM) grant provided by the Washington State Arts Commission.
The WAM grant is being used to increase creative programming in the daily lives of our honored residents at all four WDVA Homes.
 Washington Soldiers Home in Orting
Residents "tried their luck" during a St. Patrick's Day Celebration held at the home.
Residents had the opportunity to take their photo in front of the coveted “Pot O’ Gold”! The Annual St. Patrick’s Day Ice Cream Social provided the perfect time to let the shenanigans & malarkey begin as residents visited with friends, staff and family. They also listened to lively Irish tunes while savoring the cool minty taste of green ice cream sandwiches!
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Washington Veterans Home in Port Orchard
With art being a focus across all of our platform, our Washington Veterans Home in Port Orchard took the opportunity to provide acrylic painting classes to our honored residents.
The acrylic painting classes are quickly becoming a favorite way for them to get creative, even those who may have never painted before. Additionally, the watercolor art program has expanded to a weekly guided watercolor painting class as made possible with the WAM grant.
The residents and staff love seeing their artwork proudly displayed for all to see! #TheseAreOurHeroes
 Spokane Veterans Home
Spring is in the Air and so is the Music!
Spokane Veterans Home honored residents were in a groove during a Music Party at the home sponsored by recent Welfare, Arts, and Military (WAM) grant provided by the Washington State Arts Commission.
During the party, residents and family members enjoyed music, delicious food and drinks, and even some dancing! #WeLoveOurCommunity
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WDVA Hot Jobs - Incentives Available
Available Opportunities:
ALL WDVA JOBS:
WDVA Grounds and Nursery Specialist 2, Full Time - Non-Permanent, Washington Veterans Home
WDVA Custodian 1, On-Call, Washington Veterans Home
WDVA Nursing Assistant Certified, On-Call, Washington Veterans Home
WDVA Food Service Worker, On-Call, Washington Soldiers Home
WDVA Cook 1, Full Time, Non-Permanent, Washington Soldiers Home
WDVA Registered Nurse (RN2), On-Call, Orting
WDVA Office Assistant 3, Full Time - Permanent, Walla Walla Veterans Home
WDVA Licensed Practical Nurse 2, On-Call, Walla Walla
WDVA Cook 1, Full Time - Permanent, Walla Walla Veterans Home
WDVA Registered Nurse 2, Spokane Veterans Home
WDVA Nursing Assistant Certified IN TRAINING, Spokane Veterans Home
DVA Nursing Assistant Lead, Full Time - Permanent, Spokane Veterans Home
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WDVA Current Events
Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day Event Held at the Capitol
Vietnam Veterans, their Families, and the public were invited to attend a Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Celebration that was held at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall at the Capitol in Olympia on March 30, 2023.
“I’m proud that here in Washington, our legislative leaders passed a law in 2013 that recognizes March 30th, as Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day,” said David Puente, WDVA Director. “While there is a National Vietnam Veterans Day on March 29th, our state also commemorates the day Vietnam Veterans came home.”
Photos: 2023.03.30 Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Celebration | Flickr
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Gold Star Families Memorial Monument Dedication Ceremony Held in City of Lacey
A tremendous honor witnessing the City of Lacey's Gold Star Families Memorial Monument Dedication Ceremony.
"The military community continues to expand, and we are proud to see the fourth Gold Star Families Memorial Monument completed, with the goal of many more to come in Washington State." - David Puente, WDVA Director
Photos: 2023.03.31 Lacey Gold Star Families Memorial Monument Dedication Ceremony | Flickr
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Yakama Warriors Association Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Celebration
WDVA was honored to participate in the Yakama Warriors Association Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Celebration on March 25 at Sarg Hubbard Park.
Our special thanks goes to Vic Woods, Gil Calac and all of the Yakama Warriors not only for their pivotal role in creating and advocating for legislation to declare March 30 Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day in WA State, but for their continued dedication to ensuring all Veterans receive their Welcome Home in the future! Speakers included WA State Vietnam Veterans Association Council President Francisco Ivarra, National Vietnam Veterans of America President Jack McManus, former State Rep. Norm Johnson, Senator Curtis King, U.S. Army Captain and nurse Commander Connie Evans, The City of Yakima Deputy Mayor Soneya Lund, WDVA Director David Puente Jr., and several others.
Photos: (5) Facebook
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National News
VA waives copayments for eligible Native American and Alaska Native Veterans
Department of Veterans Affairs announced that eligible American Indian and Alaska Native Veterans are no longer required to make copayments for health care and urgent care received through VA.
Under this new policy, VA will reimburse copayments paid on or after Jan. 5, 2022 and waive future copayments for eligible American Indian and Alaska Native Veterans.
Beginning Tuesday, April 4, Veterans can submit documentation to qualify for the copayment exemption. Eligible Veterans include any Veteran who meets the definitions of “Indian” or “urban Indian” under the Indian Health Care Improvement Act – including Veterans who are members of an American Indian Tribe, certain Veterans who are descendants of Tribe members, Alaska Native Veterans, and more.
NEWS RELEASE - VA waives copayments for eligible Native American and Alaska Native Veterans | WDVA
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April is Month of the Military Child
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. During SAAM and year-round, VA works to raise awareness of its resources for survivors of military sexual trauma (MST), which refers to sexual assault or harassment that occurred during military service. VA believes in MST survivors, and we believe there are many paths to healing.
Healing after MST can take time. But no matter how long it’s been, VA is here to help. MST survivors — we believe you, and we believe in you.
Learn more about MST below, explore VA’s MST-related resources and show your support for MST survivors.
Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) - Mental Health (va.gov)
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 More Information: https://www.dol.wa.gov/vehicle.../sp-vet-suicide-emblem.html
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We Want to Hear from You About the New Format
Please take a few moments and provide us with feedback to make us better in 2023 at Serving Those Who Served for our email distribution.
Your feedback is instrumental in the continued improvement of your Washington Department of Veterans Affairs and will help to inform us on potential topics and subjects that we should include in the future.
Please email us at communications@dva.wa.gov with any feedback you may have.
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