February Meeting Speakers
Multiple speakers presented at the Post meeting in February.
The evening began with Steve Swanson of Operation Military Family, who first spoke about “WAServes Greater Puget Sound” an organization which improves coordination and transparency in order to efficiently and effectively guide veterans and their families to the most appropriate services and resources available. For help with veterans services, visit their website: (www.waserves.org)
Swanson also spoke about a new program called REBOOT COMBAT RECOVERY, a new combat trauma healing course which will meet Mondays, 6:00-8:00 PM with a new session beginning in April. Visit www.rebootrecovery.com, or contact Shawn Schrader; shawnschrader@gmail.com, or 425-359-4856 for more information and to register. Dinner & childcare provided.
Our second speaker was Kim Sharpe from South Snohomish County Fire & Rescue, who told us about their Veterans In Prevention program, the purpose of which is team up with paramedics for in-home visits to provide clients with safety assessments and recommendations. Fire District 1 is accepting applications for Veterans Grant-funded Temporary Positions in the Emergency Medical Services Falls Program. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and have served in the military. Grant funding is through 2018. To learn how to apply visit the Fire Dept web site: www.SouthSnoFire.org/employment. (While he was here, Membership Chair Traner signed him up as a new Post member.)
Rounding out the evening’s speaker line up was Jose Rodriguez, Puget Sound District Executive for the Boy Scouts of America. Rodriguez spoke about some of the latest changes in the Scouting program, such as the recent expansion of opportunities for young girls. He also suggested volunteer opportunities that are available to our members, including acting as Unit Commissioners and the Post acting as a unit Charter Sponsor. Rodriguez also spoke of the impact of scouting in his own life, presenting himself as an example of Scouting’s ability to build character in youth.
Scouting is one of the major community service commitments of VFW, one in which Post 8870 has not participated much of late. Perhaps it’s time we changed that.
Lorraine Zimmerman will speak to the Post at the March meeting to share the story of Wreaths Across America and particularly the recurring event at Evergreen Washelli.
The historical monument, a memorial to those young men of Edmonds School District No. 15 who lost their lives to war, is getting a new home. On Thursday morning, workers removed the monument from outside the Edmonds Historical Museum on 5th Avenue, to relocate it to the Edmonds Memorial Cemetery and Columbarium at 820 15th St. According to historian Betty Lou Gaeng, the monument will be rededicated during Edmonds’ annual Memorial Day ceremony, which will be held at the cemetery.
