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WDVA Veteran Voices
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August 2024
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Greetings from your WDVA Director - David Puente
I am proud to share that your WDVA VSO Network increased claims filed by 100% over the last two years, as we work to connect Veterans to PACT Act Claims!
Additional County Veteran Service Officer Grants, WDVA Benefits Specialists, and a 10% increase in Veteran Service Organization contracts have resulted in this dramatic increase in the number of claims filed.
Thanks to funding from the Governor's budget and the Washington State Legislature, more Washington Veterans and survivors are being connected to their earned benefits with 29,714 claims filed since 2022. Much of this increase is attributed to the , which expanded VA benefits and health care for Veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances.
At the national level, the number of claims filed for PACT Act benefits has exceeded and the VA has delivered more that $6.8 billion to Veterans and survivors.
WDVA committed early on to increasing the number of service officers available. Since 2022, WDVA has requested and received funds to hire 4 WDVA Benefits Specialists (Service Officers), advocated for legislation and additional funding for County Veteran Service Officers, and requested a 10% increase in contract funding for our 5 partner Veteran Service Organizations who are serving Veterans and survivors across the state.
Currently, 23 Counties have agreements with WDVA to accredit their County Veteran Service Officers and provide training and claims quality assurance, six of those receive grants through legislative appropriations. In addition, WDVA has agreements with 7 federally recognized Indian tribes to provide training and accreditation to their Tribal VSOs.
If you are a Veteran or family member with questions about your earned benefits, we encourage you to reach out to a Veteran Service Officer and get connected with benefits and services that could change your life. Email , call 1-800-562-2308, or visit to find a Service Officer near you.
(Number of claims filed corrected to 29,714)
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WDVA News and Current Events
State Veterans Cemetery - Medical Lake
It’s not every day our Washington State Veterans Cemetery has the honor of interring a Veteran of the Civil War. That is exactly what we had the privilege of doing on July 26.
Your Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs was actually created to care for Civil War Veterans. Back in 1891, the Washington Soldiers Home was opened to care for disabled Civil War Veterans who heeded the nation’s advice to “Go West” during the great depression. Many of these Veterans also had disabilities which prevented them from working, so the State created the Soldiers Home and a few years later a Veterans Home to provide care and a supportive community.
It was fitting that even in one of our more recent facilities, we had the privilege to memorialize a Civil War Veteran and his wife. John M Staples and Martha S Staples now rest among other military heroes. They will be honored and remembered for their service to our great nation. And their family, the Veterans Community, and all Washingtonians will have the opportunity to offer our thanks.
Like service members and their spouses today, John and Martha were part of a cause that was bigger than themselves and had implications that neither could have imagined. They, like millions of other Military Families, bore the burden of securing the freedoms we all enjoy today.
We thank John’s family for allowing us to be a small part of your family’s history, and assure you that we will continue to honor John and Martha’s legacy along with all Veterans and Family Members here at the Washington State Veteran’s Cemetery.
Click HERE for more photos.
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Veterans Town Hall and Women Veterans Forum Coming to the Tri-Cities!
WDVA and the Governor's Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee are hosting a Women Veterans Forum from 8:30 to 9:30 and a Veterans Town Hall from 10:00 to 12:30 on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, at American Legion Post 34 1029 W Sylvester St., Pasco, WA 99301.
This double event is presented by the Governor’s Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee (VAAC) and the Women Veterans Advisory Committee (WVAC).
Click HERE to read more!
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Veteran Training Support Center (VTSC)
Check out the list of upcoming VTSC Workshops.
Click HERE to visit our Workshop Calendar.
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Washington Soldiers Home
The spirit of the Olympics is alive and well at the Soldiers Home!
Residents had a great time recreating opening ceremonies by lighting their own torch!
Watch parties continued to take place as our Veterans cheered on Team USA!
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Washington Veterans Home
Residents recently embarked on an exciting journey to Renton. Their destination? The Seahawks’ training camp! Not only did our Veterans get to cheer for the new players and coaches, but they also indulged in a delicious lunch from the food truck options available at the venue. Corn dogs, burritos, gyros, and pizza – there was something for everyone! The Seahawks Dancers made a special appearance, providing a fantastic photo opportunity for our residents. Smiles, cheers and community support filled the air as they snapped memorable shots together. Seahawks players even made their rounds, signing footballs, hats, shirts, and even Seahawks yearbooks. Our residents were well-prepared, thanks to the activities staff who remembered to bring a bag of sharpies for signing!
The Washington Veterans Home received 20 ADA-accessible tickets from the Seahawks organization, in collaboration with Kris’s Krew – a non-profit led by a WVH Resident, dedicated to providing transportation for veterans to professional sporting events. Let’s salute our veterans and celebrate their unforgettable day at the Seahawks training camp!
Click HERE for more photos.
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Walla Walla Veterans Home
Special Volunteer Request for the Walla Walla Community:
Residents at the Walla Walla Veterans Home team are in need of a volunteer driver or two for transporting residents on occasional weekend, evening, and other recreational outings. This is a wonderful (and fun) opportunity to cultivate meaningful connections with Veterans, and to give back to those who've given so much for our country!
Prior experience driving large passenger vehicles (i.e., bus, large step-van, motor home, etc.) is highly preferred. Volunteers are given a thorough orientation and job-specific training, so they feel comfortable and confident when they begin "Serving Those Who Served" here at WWVH.
For more information, contact Clay Lindsey at clayton.lindsey@dva.wa.gov or text/call 509-209-3491. Thank you!
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Spokane Veterans Home
"That's a Whopper!"
Residents at the Spokane Veterans Home were able to get up close and personal with bison at the Win-Tur Bison Farm!
They enjoyed an afternoon of learning about the bison and feeding them treats! Thank you to the staff at the farm for a great afternoon, we can't wait to come back and see Dude again!
Click HERE for more photos.
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Hot Jobs - Incentives Available
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Click the link below for available opportunities with WDVA!
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Veteran Owned Business Certification Program
Washington State has a certification for Veterans and Servicemembers. Certification is free and requires only basic veteran discharge status and business information to complete.
Check out this VIDEO to learn more!
Click HERE to get your business certified!
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VOBs sign up today for Washington Procurement Connect: Strengthening Your Business.
This is an annual conference connecting small, diverse, and veteran-owned businesses in Washington with the procurement professionals from state and local governments, including counties, cities, schools, ports, commissions, and more.
Tuesday, October 8 from 7:30am - 4:00pm at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center
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Emblem Fund Proposals Being Accepted Through August 30!
The Governor's Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee (VAAC) is pleased to announce that grant proposals for veterans' memorials in Washington State are now being accepted. The application period begins July 23 and closes on August 30.
Funding for accepted proposals will be provided through the Veterans Remembrance Emblem Fund. Established in 1990, this fund is administered by the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs in partnership with the Department of Licensing. The Emblem Fund allows eligible veterans to purchase and display approved decals on their vehicle license plates through the Department of Licensing. The net fees collected from these decals are then deposited into a special account held by the state treasurer.
Click HERE to read more!
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Charity Golf Tournament Benefiting Residents at the WA Veterans Home - Retsil!
INDUS, a leading technology company, is excited to extend an invitation to the community for their 1st Annual Charity Golf Tournament. The event will take place on Friday, August 30th, 2024, at the prestigious Gold Mountain Golf Club in Bremerton, WA. All proceeds from the tournament will directly benefit the Washington Veterans Home at Port Orchard, a state-of-the-art facility providing exceptional care to veterans.
The INDUS 1st Annual Charity Golf Tournament promises to be an exciting day filled with friendly competition and opportunities to support a worthy cause.
Visit the event website to sign up or sponsor and to find out about all the prizes available throughout the day https://indus-keyport-charity-golf-tournament.perfectgolfevent.com/. To learn more about INDUS visit www.industechnology.com.
Click HERE to read more!
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