|
WDVA Veteran Voices
|
November 2024
|
|
|
In this edition:
Greetings from your WDVA Director:
David Puente
In recognition of this year’s Veterans Day theme, we salute the loyalty and service that define our Veterans. Your steadfast devotion to duty and country inspires us all.
From the battlefields to the home front, your unwavering commitment has safeguarded our freedoms and upheld the values we hold dear. Each of you has demonstrated extraordinary courage and resilience, embodying the true spirit of patriotism.
|
Your sacrifices have not gone unnoticed. Whether you served in times of peace or conflict, your contributions have made a lasting impact on our nation. We honor your bravery, your dedication, and your loyalty.
This Veterans Day, we stand united in gratitude. We remember the fallen, support the living, and express our deepest appreciation for the countless ways you have served. Your legacy of loyalty and service will continue to inspire future generations.
By raising awareness of the benefits, services, and programs available to Veterans, service members, and their families, we ensure they receive the support they deserve. To learn more about these benefits, please visit the Washington Department of Veterans Affairs website at www.dva.wa.gov.
|
Thank you, Veterans and their families, for your service. We honor you today and every day.
Washington Department of Veterans Affairs would also like to remind all Washingtonians that the laws defining who a Veteran has recently changed, expanding Veterans Benefits in Washington State.
Who is impacted? As of June 6, 2024, the state of Washington broadened its definition of “veteran” to include:
- Eligibility for Federal Benefits: Any Veteran already eligible for federal Department of Veterans Affairs non-service-connected pension and disability compensation.
- Inclusive Criteria: Veterans separated with less than honorable characterizations of service due solely to sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, regardless of characterization of service.
What benefits are now available? State and Local Veterans Benefits such as county Veterans assistance funds, civil service employment preference, state parks passes, hunting and fishing licenses, admission to State Veterans Homes, homeownership down payment assistance, licensing extensions, property tax relief, and tuition waivers at public colleges. (The change in WA State law does not impact Federal Veterans Programs such as VA Health Care and Medical Centers, Vet Centers, GI Bill, or National or State Veteran Cemeteries.)
Learn more: https://dva.wa.gov/definition-veteran
Read more: Veterans Day Message from WDVA Director David Puente | WDVA
|
Happy Veterans Day - Video Greeting from WDVA Director David Puente
 Select the link to watch the above Happy Veterans Day video.
What It Means to Be a Veteran - Video Compilation
Join us as we interview several Veterans on what it means to them to be a Veteran and why it's important to serve.
 Select the link to watch the above What It Means to Be a Veteran video.
Washington State Veterans Affairs to Host Annual Commanders Call on December 4, 2024
Your WDVA and the Governor’s Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee (VAAC) invite all leaders and advocates from Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs) and the broader Veterans community to attend the annual Commanders Call on December 4, 2024.
The event will take place at the Thurston County Readiness Center, located at 8303 Kimmie St. SW, Olympia, from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM. This year’s Commanders Call will focus on three critical priority areas, with an emphasis on supporting rural Veterans and their families. The meeting will include interactive breakout group discussions, allowing attendees to explore these issues in depth.
More information and to RSVP, please visit: Washington State Veterans Affairs to Host Annual Commanders Call on December 4, 2024 | WDVA
|
WDVA News and Current Events
Veterans Day Proclamation and Events
Click on the link below for more information on Veterans Day events across Washington State.
List of Veterans Day Events in Washington State | WDVA
Saluting Branches supports restoration of the Washington Soldiers Home Cemetery and Fishing Pond
Cemetery employees from the Washington Department of Veterans Affairs teamed up with registered volunteers at the Washington State Soldiers Home Cemetery for the 10th annual Saluting Branches event. Saluting Branches, the largest single-day service event in the forestry industry, is dedicated to honoring and recognizing the sacrifices and services of our military veterans.
During the event, participants engaged in various activities, including limb clearing on trees with long branches, raising canopy layers by 15-20 feet, planting and maintaining overhanging maples in a new section, and removing trees near the Washington Soldiers Home fishing pond.
Read more: Saluting Branches supports restoration of the Washington Soldiers Home Cemetery and Fishing Pond | WDVA
|
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 evidence-informed and innovative approaches to suicide prevention.
“By focusing on suicide prevention, we can build a network of support that reaches out to those in need, providing them with hope, compassion, and a lifeline during their toughest times,” said David Puente, WDVA Director. “Together, we can foster a community where everyone has the opportunity to overcome their challenges and realize they are not alone on their path to healing and recovery.”
With the SSG Fox SPGP award, WDVA will support suicide prevention efforts in several counties, including Island, Whatcom, Skagit, San Juan, Kitsap, Chelan, Douglas, Kittitas, and Grant. The program has facilitated 140 benefit claims resulting in over $817,000 received annually by Veterans and families in disability compensation or pension payments. Through this grant, WDVA also submits Veterans Health Administration applications, screens Veterans for suicide, conducts Veteran Cultural Engagement trainings, and supports outreach events.
Read more: NEWS RELEASE - Washington Department of Veterans Affairs is working with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to prevent Veteran suicide in Washington state. | WDVA
Veteran Training Support Center (VTSC)
Check out the list of upcoming VTSC Workshops.
Click HERE to visit our VTSC Workshop Calendar.
|
Washington Veterans Home
REMEMBER the Fallen. . . HONOR those who Serve. . . TEACH our children the value of Freedom.
Please consider supporting Washington Veterans Home's Cemetery for 23024 through the Wreaths Across America program. Our goal is to provide a wreath on every gravestone.
Wreaths Across America will be at Washington Veterans Home to Remember and Honor our veterans through the laying of Remembrance wreaths on the graves of our country's fallen heroes and the act of saying the name of each and every veteran aloud.
Please help our location lay wreaths at as many graves as possible by becoming a wreath sponsor or an event volunteer, to help place wreaths.
Thank you so much for supporting Washington Veterans Home and Wreaths Across America! Deadline to support is November 27.
Get involved: Overview - Wreaths Across America
|
Washington Soldier's Home
Sights on Target!!! The veterans at Washington Soldiers Home enjoyed participating in the recent Paul Bunyan Rifle Range outings.
They were excited to be able to shoot both rifles and pistols while receiving excellent instruction and safety assistance from the staff. Residents were enthusiastic to receive and display their targets at the end of the shooting rounds. A special shout out to the Paul Bunyan Rifle Range staff and volunteers who were cordial, patient, and knowledgeable with our residents in order to ensure a wonderful experience.
Washington Soldiers Home residents look forward to returning to the Paul Bunyan Rifle Range in 2025 for more shooting range excitement!
|
 |
|
Walla Walla Veterans Home
Thank you to Sergeant Serven and several more of our fellow WA State employees at the Penitentiary in Walla Walla for all the great pumpkins they've donated this season!
They're sparking colorful, festive fall feelings and Halloween spirit all over the WWVH campus.
|
|
|
Spokane Veterans Home
Rosie the Horse visits Spokane Veterans Home Residents
On a cold and blistery 44 degrees day at the Spokane Veterans Home, our volunteer Loree bring in her Horse, Rosie, for a visit.
Our residents and staff took time to pet the horse and really enjoyed feeding her treats. Thanks to Loree and Rosie for visiting us!
|
Hot Jobs - Incentives Available
Be sure to check out the multiple Veterans Day events and Veteran Stand Downs that are scheduled through the next few months.
In the News - Washington State Veterans Cemetery
Washington Department of Veterans Affairs Announces Approval of Federal Assistance for Cemetery Expansion
The Washington Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) is pleased to announce that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has approved an expansion of the Washington State Veterans Cemetery in Medical Lake. The VA grant totals $4,153,953.
“Securing this grant is a monumental achievement for our team and the community, reflecting our collective dedication to honoring our veterans,” said WDVA Director, David Puente. “The expansion of the Washington State Veterans Cemetery in Medical Lake will ensure we continue to provide the dignified resting place our heroes deserve. "WDVA will use the grant to fund the construction of columbaria, signage, a pedestrian stairway, construct a service road for maintenance vehicles, upgrade the facility’s irrigation pumps, add landscaping, and supporting infrastructure. The project will develop approximately 1 acre and include 5,120 columbarium niches. The existing cemetery is located near Medical Lake, Washington, approximately 2 miles northwest of downtown, on 119 acres of land off West Espanola Road.
|
On Nov. 1st, the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) Suicide Prevention Team joined a special ceremony at the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) headquarters in Lacey. The event will mark the placement of 988 Lifeline Suicide Prevention License Plate Emblems on UTC’s fleet vehicles, a powerful gesture in the fight against suicide.
The UTC has proactively purchased nearly 40 988 Lifeline Emblems, symbolizing support and solidarity while promoting suicide prevention and crisis support within the community. When Washington residents purchase a 988 Lifeline Suicide Prevention Emblem, they are not only showing their support but also contributing to a special fund. This fund provides community-based grants to organizations dedicated to suicide prevention through peer support for transitioning veterans, military members, and their families.
UTC Executive Director and Secretary Jeff Killip added, "We are excited to participate in this initiative by incorporating these emblems into our fleet of UTC vehicles. This demonstrates our unwavering solidarity with our veterans and military members and our commitment to raising awareness about mental health. The 988 Crisis Lifeline serves as a beacon of hope for many, and we are honored to be part of this initiative to make a difference in the lives of those in need."
Thank you to KING5 for providing coverage of the ceremony.
VIDEO: UTC Executive Director Jeff Killip shares the importance of purchasing Suicide Prevention License Plate emblems
To learn more information on the emblem and how to get involved, please visit our Suicide Prevention Emblem webpage.
 
WDVA's efforts in honoring Veterans of the Vietnam era have been recognized by the U.S.A. Vietnam War Commemoration. Our actions, such as our Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans events and our pinning event in Spokane, have placed WDVA in the top 15th percentile of commemorative partners across the nation. Thank you all for helping WDVA continue to lead the way in Serving Those Who Served!
Dear Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs,
On behalf of a grateful Nation and the entire staff of The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration, we commend you for being a Top Performer Commemorative Partner! Since the inauguration of the commemoration in 2012, your organization has faithfully represented our Nation by selflessly hosting five or more events which thanked and honored our Vietnam Veterans and their families. As such, your team is among the TOP 15 percent of the more than 13,000 commemorative partner organizations that have participated in this noble effort. Congratulations on this achievement!
|
Serving Washington State Military Spouses
Your Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs team joined over 180 military spouses for the MilSpouseFest event at Joint Base Lewis-McChord on October 23.
Shamekia Moultrie provided outreach support and engaged with military spouses about Washington’s Veteran Owned Business program, and Olivia Burley was a keynote speaker, discussing the Washington State Military Spouse Initiative and sharing how military spouses can plug into the resources that support them while building community together. MilSpouseFest also included resource tables, a panel of military spouses to share their experiences, and a comedy show with comedian and military spouse Ashley Gutermuth.
|
|
|
|
|
|
