Secretary of Defense Ash Carter this week ordered the Defense Finance and Accounting Services to suspend all efforts to collect reimbursements from affected California National Guard members, but VFW National Commander Brian Duffy said the suspension decision doesn’t go deep enough, and is now calling on President Obama to issue an executive order to eliminate the collection process altogether, to repay those monies already collected plus interest, and to restore any damaged credit ratings that resulted from a horrendous abuse of power and lack of oversight within the California Army National Guard. “The president must get personally involved and not leave it to a weak system of checks and balances that created a financial crisis that is tremendously impacting the lives of thousands of current and former Guard members,” exclaimed the Chief. “The president often touts that he has a phone and a pen and is not afraid to use either. This would be a good time to use both.”

The Post’s Christmas party will be held on Saturday, December 10 at 12:00 Noon, and lunch will be served at 1:00 PM. The annual pot-luck event will be held at the American Legion Hall in Edmonds. The American Legion and VFW Posts will supply turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, wine, beer, soft drinks, and coffee/tea. Families attending are asked to bring a dish that will be shared with others. We need side dishes, salads, rolls/bread, and desserts. Additionally, the “cost of admission” will be non- perishable food item(s) and/or unwrapped toys.

There is a new focus on the needs of Teenagers this year. Suggestions include gift cards from Target or Fred Meyer, sports equipment (basket/soccer balls, etc.), warm fleece clothing, grooming supplies for girls and boys.

Food donations will be given to the Edmonds Food Bank and the toys/clothes will be donated to Holly House.

Members who plan on attending the party are asked to sign up on the Post web site https://vfw8870.org/ volunteers-needed/, (under Holiday Party) indicating the number of guests and the class of food item you will bring. Family members and friends are invited to attend the party. We all look forward to the fellowship.

In a relatively short period of time the steering committee has raised $510,000 toward this project. All that remains is an additional $65,000 to assure that there is adequate funding to complete the project and provide tasteful amenities to honor our veterans. Citizen contributions of $100, $250 or $500 will go a long way toward finishing this task.

Contributions of $500 or more receive the opportunity to honor a veteran through a paver that will be placed on the plaza, or can be made to a fund to honor veterans who lack the financial resources to purchase a paver.

Donors of $1000 or more can have their names engraved on the donor wall in perpetuity, and major donors of $5000 or more will have newly designated and exclusive naming opportunities available.

Contributions in any amount, can be made to Edmonds Veteran’s Plaza, C/O Edmonds VFW Post 8870, PO Box 701, Edmonds, WA 98020. Checks should be made payable to Edmonds VFW Post 8870, indicating that the check is for the new plaza. Donations can also be made online at http://edmondsveteransplaza.com. Credit cards are accepted.