Military Appreciation Day MARCH 9, 2019, 11 AM TO 3 PM | KITSAP PAVILION AT THE FAIRGROUNDS
A SUPPLEMENT OF THE BAINBRIDGE ISLAND REVIEW, CENTRAL KITSAP REPORTER, NORTH KITSAP HERALD, AND PORT ORCHARD INDEPENDENT
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We’re Proud to Support the Military Every Day of the Year! The Kitsap County Board of Commissioners is proud to support the military not only on Military Appreciation Day but every day of the year! The U.S. Armed Forces have had a presence in Kitsap County since 1891. There are nearly 13,000 active-duty military and 36,000 retirees in the county today. The military are the pride and strength of our nation, our county and our communities. Military personnel have worked and lived alongside the loggers, fisherman, farmers, shipyard and sawmill workers, manufacturers and small business owners who have built our county into one of the greatest in the state. The Kitsap County Veterans Advisory Board, comprised of veteran volunteers, keeps the Board of County Commissioners informed on the needs of veterans, helps distribute temporary emergency assistance and supports efforts to address challenges such as housing, job retraining and health services. We owe a debt of gratitude for the sacrifices you and your families have made to preserve and protect our freedoms. Thank you for your selflessness, courage and dedication to defending this nation.
www.kitsapgov.com
Your Kitsap County Board of Commissioners Edward E. Wolfe, Chair Charlotte Garrido Robert Gelder
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With respect, honor and gratitude, thank you for your service.
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Washington stands by its service members A Military Appreciation Day message from Gov. Inslee Washington is one of the most strategically important hubs for our nation’s military operations. For more than 100 years, Washington has stood alongside service members to celebrate their successes and — all too often — mourn their losses. Whether stationed here for one year or planting roots for the remainder of their life, our military families are part of the Washington family. We stand by to navigate the unique family and career challenges that come with frequent moves and deployments. I’ve lived and worked on both sides of this state. In my time serving the Yakima Valley as a state legislator and congressman, and as congressman and governor while living in Kitsap County, I’ve seen how much our service members enrich our communities and economy with their skills, talents and strong sense of dedication. With more than 127,600 military personnel, reservists and defense sector civilians working in our state, we’re constantly thinking how the state can do its part to support them and their families.
Governer Jay Inslee
Military spouses, for example, often face barriers because of gaps in employment or shorter employment dates. The military spouse unemployment rate currently rests at 16 percent. It takes up to six months, on average, for a military spouse to find employment after
Welcome! The Silverdale Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Information Center sincerely welcomes you home! “Where we love is home, home where our feet may leave, but not our hearts.” - Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. Dear Service Members, We are so proud of our military and truly appreciate your service, support, and sacrifice! We hope you enjoy your stay and will call the Kitsap Peninsula your home! Our community has so much to offer to you and your loved ones. At the Silverdale Chamber of Commerce, we honor our military and provide many services to our military through our Military Affairs Committee (MAC). We invite you to our Military Appreciation Day event on March 9th at the Kitsap Pavilion from 11AM to 3PM where businesses will gather to provide free food, services, kids activities, and overall information while you live, play, and stay here in Kitsap. Our MAC has many services to support our military including our Sailor and Marine of the Quarter, Thanks a Latte, Service Dog program for Veterans, and Stand Down to name a few. Check out our Facebook page “Military Affairs Committee Kathleen Gordon
SEE WELCOME, PAGE 11
they receive a ‘change of duty’ assignment. We are the only state to partner with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation to implement a military spouse economic empowerment zone that helps military spouses find employment and continue pursuing their career. The transition to civilian life for service members and their spouses can also be a challenge. For those who end their service and choose to call Washington their permanent home, we help them be as successful in civilian life as they were in military life. My first executive order as governor was focused on veteran employment. It directed state agencies to boost veteran employee recruitment and retention. This resulted in the implementation of the Military Transition Council, a first of its kind collaboration between all five military services and state agencies. In cooperation with our partners in military transition programs and non-profits such as the U.S. Chamber’s Hiring Our Heroes Program, many of the services for transitioning service members have been extended to military spouses. And, the new nation-leading WorkSource center, located on Joint Base LewisMcChord, now has the Department of Defense spouse employSEE INSLEE, PAGE15
Join us at the Carnival! 2019 Military Appreciation Day and Informational Fair
Saturday, March 9th • 11am- 3pm Kitsap Sun Pavilion - Kitsap Fairgrounds 1200 Fairgrounds Road NW • Bremerton, WA 98311
Kids Work Shop Bounces Princess Face Painting Free Door Prizes
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“Neither the Navy nor any other part of the Federal Government Officially endorses any company, sponsor or their products or services.”
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MILITARY APPRECIATION DAY
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Bremerton, a military town A message from Bremerton Mayor Greg Wheeler The City of Bremerton supports Military Appreciation events and the dedication to our country of our active service members, our retired veterans and those separating from service. With more than 34 years of combined service in the Navy and Department of Navy, I am committed to our city providing the best possible quality of life in our neighborhoods, bringing online new housing units, supporting walkable communities, and delivering the best police and fire protection. As part of that focus, our City is working to modernize systems to improve customer service, upgrading local parks and recreational opportunities and investing in infrastructure with the goal of making the city one of the best in the region.
Mayor Greg Wheeler
The City of Bremerton has a strong legacy and military heritage due to Naval Base Kitsap, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance facility, which serves as a significant and strategic base, where many military men and women have contributed to a proud tradition of service. I am proud to have served here and abroad and join in our city’s support
of military members who operate at sea and onshore. Our community of residents, businesses, government and public employees appreciates the courageous dedication of our military personnel and will continue working to provide a thriving city that offers the best lifestyle possible for our military and their families. About Mayor Wheeler Mayor Greg Wheeler began serving his first term as Mayor in January 2018. From 2010 through 2017 he served on the Bremerton City Council in District 4. He served as President of the Council from 2013 to 2015. He is a member of two service clubs and many government and nonprofit boards in the community and the region. Mayor Wheeler is a lifelong resident of Bremerton, Navy veteran, and retiree from the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard Engineering Department. He holds an MBA from Brandman University and BA from Chapman University. He and his wife Sunny have three adult children, a grandchild and two dogs.
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Naval Base Kitsap’s Commanding Officer A message from Captain Adam Schrader The Navy has had a vital role in the Pacific Northwest since 1891. Originally only a ship builder as Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (PSNS), Naval Base Kitsap (NBK) is now the third largest naval base in the United States made up of bases in Bangor, Bremerton, Manchester, Keyport, and Jackson Park. We’re home to two nuclear powered aircraft carriers and 13 active submarines which include the entire West Coast’s ballistic missile submarine force. With more than 34,000 employees across all bases, NBK is a significant strategic asset to the nation and our allies. The Navy continues to invest in NBK’s infrastructure and will be spending significant resources to modernize PSNS to allow them to conduct the Navy’s required maintenance and ship recycling for the next century. PSNS fills many unique missions for the Navy, including conducting all West Coast aircraft carrier maintenance. With the only dry dock capable of servicing an aircraft carrier on the West Coast here in Bremerton, PSNS will continue to cycle the aircraft carriers from San Diego and Japan through required non-waterborne maintenance for many years to come. Captain Alan Schrader
Going forward, our government has committed to modernize our military and prepare for future conflicts. As other
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world powers modernize and build their fleets, the Navy must always be ready to adapt to a complex and shifting environment. NBK is a strategic asset which must be maintained and improved. NBK has a strong and mutually beneficial relationship with the surrounding area. During our most recent winter storms, the integration of NBK into the Kitsap community in terms of information sharing was an important part of successfully making it through these significant events. We worked with the various emergency management organizations to guide our work force throughout the area safely. To make as little of an impact as possible, we worked to stagger the arrival and release of employees as necessary to limit the numbers on the main roads and made sure to pass road condition information from the county to the workers on NBK to limit the possibility of accidents and injuries to employees and local residents. Over the last several decades with the expansion of our mission set, our economic impact to the community has expanded as well. A new study using 2017 data shows our total economic impact to the regional economy is over $4 billion a year. As Commander, Navy Region Northwest, Rear Adm. Scott SEE SCHRADER, PAGE 15
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Thank you Congressman Derek Kilmer’s message to the troops My message is simple: thank you to all the men and women who have served – and continue to serve – our country. Our region has a special connection to those who serve and defend our way of life. Thousands of service members and their families, veterans, and Department of Defense civilian employees live and work in our community. They are our neighbors and friends. We shop together at the grocery store. Our children play together. We pray together. They strengthen the fabric of our community. But their dedication and sacrifices are felt beyond our region and reverberate across America and all around the world through their sacrifice and service, and by their efforts to uphold our freedoms and values. We owe them – and their families – our heartfelt thanks. If you fight for our country, our government should have your back. Saying ‘thank you’ is extremely important, but those words need to be backed up by action. As your representative, I am focused on making sure folks in our nation’s capital support our veterans and military families back home. I will continue to go to bat for our local military installations and ensure that they receive investments they need to maintain the readiness of our armed forces. I’m also working to hold the VA accountable to ensure that veterans
Congressman Derek Kilmer
get access to the healthcare they have earned, and to make sure student veterans who did not receive their housing benefits are reimbursed fully. I am also committed to making sure something very basic happens – our service members and the civilians who support them get paid. Just recently our nation faced the longest government shutdown in our history, during which members of the U.S. Coast Guard were forced to serve without pay. This is unacceptable. Those who protect our country’s security should never have to worry about the economic security of their families. Coast Guardsmen should never have to visit a food bank because of politics in Washington, DC. With that in mind, in addition to working to stop these ridiculous shutdowns, I’ve sponsored legislation to ensure members of our Coast Guard get the pay they have earned – even during a government shutdown. While every day offers the chance to thank those who serve our country, the 2019 Military Appreciation Day is a special opportunity for us to express our gratitude. The volunteers and sponsors from around Kitsap County who make today possible embody the spirit of our community and demonstrate our comSEE KILMER, PAGE 15
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Stand Down! Stand Downs give vets a chance to get back on their feet By GABE STUTMAN
gstutman@soundpublishing.com
An estimated 33,292 veterans were living in Kitsap County in 2017, according to U.S. Census data. In a county with one of the largest Navy installations in the western United States and a rich military tradition, veterans make up about 17 percent of the adult population. The plurality of military veterans living in the county are Vietnam-era vets, the data show. Post-9/11 veterans are not far behind, numbering roughly 11,100, followed by Gulf War-era veterans, with close to 11,000. Finally, Korean War and World War II-era number around 2,400. About 56 percent of Kitsap County’s veterans are 55 or over, and 15 percent are 75 or over. In Kitsap County and elsewhere, military vets suffer higher rates of disability than the average population. Hundreds struggle with poverty across the county, data show. Many
need help navigating the complicated patchwork of benefits available to them, and others sometimes need help getting on their feet after falling on hard times. Enter the Kitsap County Veteran Assistance Program — a county agency whose purpose is to provide assistance to “its citizens who have served our country.” “Under Washington law, the county gets a percentage of real estate taxes to help indigent veterans,” said Andrew Sargent, a retired attorney and Vietnam veteran, who heads the veterans program. There are a number of programs on offer from the VAP, including temporary emergency assistance to veterans, and an annual “Run to Tahoma,” he remembers and celebrates fallen service members on Memorial Day. Perhaps the local veterans organization’s bestknown service are its “Stand Down” events – SEE STAND DOWN, PAGE 8
Gabe Stutman/Kitsap News Group Navy sailors honor fallen and MIA service members during a table setting ceremony on September 29, 2018.
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MILITARY APPRECIATION DAY
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stationed in Okinawa, Japan, and then in Texas — picking up messages sent by the militaries of communist China, North Korea and the Soviet Union.
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Asked if he still remembers that antiquated code language, Brockman — who now lives in transitional veterans housing near Port Orchard — replied that he certainly does.
community fairs held twice per year, that bring scores of veterans to a local community center to learn about benefits, pick up free groceries, get a haircut, a hot meal, and even get free dental care.
Others spoke about their struggles with poverty, even homelessness.
The Stand Down is an open house, meant to help all veterans, including those who lack adequate resources or have experienced poverty or homelessness. It’s structured like a job fair, with organizations setting up booths circling a gym, as men and women — many wearing ball caps with the name of a war they fought in, a branch of the army the served in, or even a ship they were stationed on — mill about, inquiring of benefits available to them. Organizations like the Northwest Justice Project, a legal nonprofit that helps veterans dispute their discharge statuses, among many other things; the National Association of Black Veterans; Kitsap Transit, which offers free public transportation passes; the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Red Cross set up booths during a Stand Down last September.
Gabe Stutman/Kitsap News Group Veterans wait in line for services at a Stand Down veterans assistance fair in Bremerton on September 29, 2018.
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Other volunteers helped prepare meals, bag free groceries, organize clothing and toiletries, and sign in guests.
Steve Brockman sat on a folding chair, waiting to get a haircut. He wore dark plastic-framed glasses, and spoke softly. His hair was on the long side and mostly gray.
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Until four years ago, Petrovich was homeless and living in Seattle. He said veterans agencies like the VA and the King County veterans program were instrumental in securing him an apartment. “I was down and out, living in the bushes and sleeping in vehicles” he said. “The King County veterans program helped me a lot.” He said he knew experiences could differ
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During the 1970s, Brockman was a morse code interceptor in the U.S. Army. He was
Peter Petrovich waited in line for barbecue from a veteran-owned food truck, Proud American BBQ. He served in the Army as an electronic signals specialist in the 1980s, and now works in construction and pipe fitting. He said he came to the Stand Down for clothing and groceries, and to seek other assistance.
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Military Appreciation Day
among veterans seeking help from federal or state agencies. “I hear stories both ways,” he said. Local officials also attend the biannual events. County commissioner Edward Wolfe, who served in the Army during the Vietnam War, said he had not missed a Stand Down since he was elected into office. “It makes me so happy to be here,” he said. John Hadwin, an aviation mechanic with the Navy from 1971-1974, provided a tip: arrive early if you want the free dental work. “If you’re not early, you don’t get it,” he said. Originally from Reno, Nevada, Hadwin said the quality of veterans assistance had improved over the years. “They’re useful,” he said of the Stand Downs. “You find out what’s available in the veteran community.” “Back in the 70s we didn’t have these things,” he added. The next Stand Down event will take place on Saturday, April 27 at the Sheridan Park Community Center in Bremerton, at 10:00 a.m. Agencies that are planning to attend include the Department of Veterans Affairs, Olympic College, Veteran Service Organizations, Kitsap Legal Services, Washington Department of Veterans Affairs, Abraham House, Asset Building Coalition, Housing Solutions
PAGE 9
Gabe Stutman/Kitsap News Group A veteran receives a free haircut during a Stand Down on September 29, 2018
Center, and more. Free services like dental cleanings, clothing, groceries and advice on housing, employment, education, and counseling will be on offer. The event is open to Kitsap County veterans and their families, who are asked to bring a DD214, military retiree ID card or VA card.
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Two Kingston students selected to attend military academies By MARK KRULISH
mkrulish@soundpublishing.com
Two soon-to-be graduates from Kingston High School have been tapped to pursue a higher calling by their state representative.
Courtesy photo Noah Pluska was recently nominated by Rep. Derek Kilmer to attend the United States Air Force Academy.
Kingston seniors Noah Pluska and Leif Whalen are part of a very select group of students from Washington’s 6th Congressional District selected by Rep. Derek Kilmer to be nominated to one of the United States’ service academies.
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The two students went through a rigorous application process to be considered for nomination. The first step is an application in which prospective nominees need to demonstrate a combination of “leadership experience, commitment to community, academic achievement, athletic ability, and strength of character,” according to the welcome page on Rep. Kilmer’s website. Thank You For Your Service & Sacrifice
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If the application is deemed worthy, potential nominees then have to be interviewed. The nomination process is very competitive, so the fact that two of the four students chosen from the entire district come from Kingston is quite an accomplishment. “It’s pretty crazy,” Whalen said. “I think it shows the nature of the people in our community.” Both students have military backgrounds in their family, so it should come as no surprise they were interested in serving their country. Whalen’s father and mother have both served in the Navy — his mother is still active duty — while Pluska’s grandfather was in the Air Force, his father was in the Navy and his uncle was a Marine. Pluska was drawn to the Air Force Academy by his interest in aviation. He is involved in Civil Air Patrol, which he began at the age of 14, the auxiliary of the United States Air Force and is a cadet commander at Bremerton Airport. His goal is to become a military pilot and he also plans to pursue a commercial pilot license. “It’s a completely unworldly experience for a 14-year-old being able to control the airplane all by myself,” Pluska said. “My instructor is right there but it’s a pretty cool experience. I wasn’t
old enough to drive a car and here I am flying a plane. It’s one of the coolest feelings in the world, honestly.” On , Pluska said he is looking forward to forging connections and working with those who share his love of flying and becoming immersed in the military and educational components of the academy. “I’m essentially just interested in the entire experience,” Pluska said. “Meeting people who are like-minded and being in an environment where I can work with a team.” Whalen will have a much farther trip from Kitsap County when he leaves for West Point, which is in upstate New York. He said he had decided on the Army rather than the Navy so he could serve on land where he could interact with more people. While the training, both military and academic, that he will receive at West Point could serve him well just about anywhere, Whalen said he currently has a career in the Army in mind. “I knew that I wanted to serve my country,” Whalen said. “West Point gives me the perfect opportunity to do that, it has everything I want.”
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Silverdale”
In addition, we have our Young Professionals Network Kitsap (YPNK) that would love to connect with you. Facebook page “YPN Kitsap” They have monthly meetings and activities to support and engage while providing networking, leadership and professional development, all while making friend-
Looking for lodging for your visit or out-of-town guests? Visit our website Thank You to All That Serve Our Country for roomsSTAY with a&view, PLAYcozy B&B’s, PLAY and childrenSTAY and&pet friendly places to stay for the night or all week long!
STAY & PLAY Looking for lodging for your visit or out-of-town guests? our website Looking for lodgingVisit for your visit or for rooms with a view, out-of-town guests? Visitcozy ourB&B’s, website andfor children and apet friendly places rooms with view, cozy B&B’s, to and stay children for the night or friendly all weekplaces long! and pet to stay for the night or all week long!
Looking for lodging for your visit or out-of-town guests? Visit our website for rooms with a view, cozy B&B’s, VisitKitsap.com/lodging VisitKitsap.com/lodging VisitKitsap.com/lodging and children and pet friendly places Looking for lodging for your visit or out-of-town guests? Visit our website for rooms with a view, cozy B&B’s, and children and pet friendly places to stay for the night or all week long!
Courtesy photo Leif Whalen received a nomination from Rep. Derek Kilmer to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point.
ships. In addition, our community has much to offer from trails on land and on water, to incredible fishing spots, camping, diving, sailing, golfing, arts, breweries, gardens, museums, and so much more. Please feel free to contact our Visitor Information Center for maps and information locally. We also have retail for all your shopping needs, delicious cuisine, and state of the art medical care.
lifelong residents. Thank you for making our homeland safe and for your patronage to our freedom. We proudly support our military. With Deepest Appreciation, Kathleen Gordon President, CEO Silverdale Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Information Center
We trust you will enjoy the quality of life in Kitsap and may choose to become
TO ALL THE WOMEN AND MEN SERVING IN OUR ARMED FORCES, WE THANK YOU.
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MILITARY APPRECIATION DAY
MARCH 1, 2019
A sailor remembers
Mike Burke/courtesy photo An A-6 intruder prepares for takeoff from the flight deck of the USS Midway. By MIKE BURKE
“What are we, if not an accumulation of our memories?” British author S.J. Watson asked. Well, those who served in the military have an
abundance of memories. Having enlisted in the Navy in 1967 and retired in 2003, one could say I have an accumulation of them. And it’s interesting what can jog one of those memories. Within the last week, several news sources reported that the research vessel M/V Petrel was
able to confirm a previously sighted wreck as the Japanese imperial warship Hiei, sunk during World War II by U.S. forces. Hiei was one of four Kongo class battlecruisers laid down in 1911 and commissioned four years later. One of the reports quoted the head of the Yamato Museum in Kure noting the importance of this find. I hadn’t thought of it in years but reading about the discovery brought back a memory of my visit to the Japanese battleship Mikasa while on liberty in Japan. I was a second class radioman assigned to the Commander Carrier Division 1, which was embarked in USS Midway back in 1971. Midway had sailed from Alameda in April of that year, bound for Vietnam’s Tonkin Gulf to relieve the USS Hancock for single carrier operations. Even though I was already an E-5, this was my first sea duty assignment. I stood my duties in the communications annex, just off the Flag War Room and the admiral’s quarters. It was an interesting place for a sailor to be because one was kind of the “fly on the bulkhead,” being privy to everything going on. As we passed under the Golden Gate Bridge,
it was reported to the admiral that protesters had dumped red paint off the bridge onto our brand-new flight deck. We were all frustrated that nothing could, or would, be done about it. The day we began our first strikes, my “sea daddy” and I, RM1 Logsdon, the guy who showed the newbies the ropes, were having breakfast in the forward mess deck. A hatch slid back in the deck and a rack of 250-pound bombs appeared about two feet from me with an ordnance man screwing fuses into the front of the bombs. I asked “Logger” if it was possible for one of those to explode on the mess deck — and he told me not to worry because I wouldn’t notice if it did. It made sense as I thought about it while finishing my eggs. A few months into the deployment we were unexpectedly pulled off Yankee Station and sent to Yokosuka Navy Shipyard to undergo fuel conversion. We had been there for a short port previously but this was to be a longer one because of the work to be done. A couple of shipmates and I decided to see a bit of Japan outside the gates, planning to
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE
THANK FOR YOUR YOURSERVICE SERVICE THANK YOU YOU FOR
Our beloved Veterans, we are HEAR for you. Check to see if you are eligible for VA CHOICE by calling 1-800-733-8387, or visiting www.va.gov/opa/choiceact/ We provide Veterans with hearing services right here in Bremerton! Dr. Robin Fiscus is also a preferred VA provider for Audiology
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board a train but not knowing where it would take us. On the way to the train station, we first toured the Japanese imperial battleship Mikasa at Mikasa Park in Yokosuka. She was the flagship of Admiral Tojo Heihachiro of the 1st Pacific Squadron during the Battle of Tsushima in 1905, a battle in which the Japanese decisively defeated the Russian Baltic Fleet. Mikasa was hit by more than 40 10-inch and 6-inch rounds during the battle but sustained little damage and few casualties. While walking her decks, we were impressed by Mikasa and her battle history, but something else happened that day. While we were generally familiar with Japanese World War II history, we knew little of the Japanese people and culture, wondering how they would react to visiting American sailors. What we did know was how much some of our relatives, ones who had served during World War II in the Pacific, still hated the Japanese. My late uncle was one of them. We were most pleasantly surprised, though, by the kindness and graciousness we experienced that day. The teachers and mothers of visiting young school children — some of the students wearing sailor suits — brought them to us to say hello. Some kept their distance, pointing to us and smiling while probably explaining to them that we were Gaijin, a Japanese term for “not Japanese.”
MILITARY APPRECIATION DAY
PAGE 13
Mike Burke/courtesy photo Mike Burke, a second class radioman photographed aboard the USS Midway.
Later as we boarded the train we spoke quietly about what we had just seen and experienced, how well we were treated and what an educational time it had been. We learned something else that day — that the worst that can happen to one while traveling in Japan was to get lost. And pleasantly getting lost, we did. But then again, that was another nice memory of those few days.
THANK YOU! We Honor and Remember Visit us online at PCFCU.org or call us anytime, at 800.426.1601
Mike Burke/courtesy photo Mike Burke photographed at a train station while on liberty in Japan.
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MILITARY APPRECIATION DAY
Those looking to connect to services available to activeduty and veteran service members, or for those in search of fellowship, there are many organizations nearby. VETERANS ASSISTANCE
Services directory Bremerton. 360-373-2397. Volunteers can provide assistance to veterans in submitting their applications for VA benefits and provide guidance in the process that follows. Adjutant: deptwa.adjutant@gmail. com KITSAP COUNTY VETERANS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: Veterans coordinator, Andrew Sargent. 360-337-4811 email: asargent@ co.kitsap.wa.us. Offers temporary emergency assistance to veterans and their families, organize stand down events and the annual Run to Tahoma.
AMERICAN LEGION VETERANS SERVICE OFFICE: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursdays, located at 19068 Jensen Way, Suite 3A in Poulsbo. 360-779-5456. The office can provide assistance to individuals seeking to file claims for physical, mental or emotional injuries sustained during military service. Bring DD-214 and any correspondence from the VA.
RETSIL VETERANS HOME: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Located at 1141 Beach Drive, Building 9. 360-895-4371. Offers 60-bed transitional housing facility and services to help single, homeless veterans return to a more traditional lifestyle.
DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS (DAV) VA CLAIM ASSISTANCE - Bremerton: Open the first Saturday of each month at 11 a.m. Located at 2315 Burwell Street in
SUQUAMISH TRIBE VETERANS OFFICE: Tuesday, Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Located at 18490 Suquamish Way NE. 360-394-8515
MARCH 1, 2019
SUQUAMISH WARRIORS VETERANS CENTER: Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Located at 6353 NE Middle Street. 360-626-1080
AMERICAN LEGION POST 31 - SHELTON: Located at 206 W Franklin Street. 360426-4546
VETERANS HOUSING OPTIONS GROUP: 1 p.m. Mondays. Located at 1201 Park Avenue in Bremerton. Offers a recurring resource fair focused on housing issues for veterans. 360-473-2056
AMERICAN LEGION POST 109 - SILVERDALE: 7 p.m. third Monday of the month. Located at All Star Lanes & Casino, 10710 Silverdale Way. Contact: alpost109cmdr@ gmail.com.
WORK SOURCE KITSAP COUNTY: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Thursday. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays. 360-337-4810.
AMERICAN LEGION POST 172 - BAINBRIDGE ISLAND: 7:30 p.m. first and third Fridays of the month. Located at 7880 NE Bucklin Hill Road. 206-842-5000, bainbridgeislandpost172.org.
VETERANS ORGANIZATIONS AMERICAN LEGION POST 30 - PORT ORCHARD: 7:30 p.m. on the first and third Wednesdays of the month. Located at 615 Kendall Street. 360-813-5399 AMERICAN LEGION POST 149 - BREMERTON: Located at 4922 Kitsap Way. 360-3739839
1 Garnett Way Keyport, WA 98345 www.navalunderseamuseum.org
Many Paths Acupuncture
Thank you for your service
Thank You For Your Service and Sacrifice
• Open Daily: 10 am — 4 pm • Closed Tuesdays, October — April
Mark Duhamel M.S., E.A.M.P. 700 Prospect Street, Suite 101, Port Orchard, WA 98366 360-621-8310 | mark@manypaths.org www.manypathsacupuncture.com
• Free Admission
BREMERTON WASHINGTON
The City of Bremerton Supports and Honors our Military Veterans, Personnel and Families. We thank you for your service
www.pugetsoundnavymuseum.org
We Salute Our Heroes
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Stores Conveniently Located Thru Out The Olympic Peninsula
Locally Owned & Operated Since 1961
THANK YOU TO OUR U.S. ACTIVE DUTY AND VETERAN HEROES Visit us on the web www.westbayautoparts.com
Imaginative Toys For Creative Minds Toys Hobbies Kites Art Supplies Windsocks
AMERICAN LEGION POST 268 - EAST BREMERTON: 7 p.m. fourth Thursday of the month. Located at 1240 Sheridan Road. 360-377-9115 or 360-440-0121 MARINE CORPS LEAGUE DETACHMENT 531 OLYMPIC PENINSULA. Contact: Jason Selby, 951-805-9938. Located at 290 Dora Avenue VFW Post 239 in Bremerton. VFW POST 239 - BREMERTON: 7 p.m. second Tuesday of the month. Located at 190 Dora Avenue. 360-377-6739
- Mayor Greg Wheeler
251 1st Street Bremerton, WA 98337
AMERICAN LEGION POST 200 - BELFAIR: 6 p.m. first Thursday of the month.
Puppets Games Books Puzzles and more...
19494 7th Ave NE #144 • Poulsbo, WA 98370 (360) 779-8797 Open 7 days a week • Located in Poulsbo Village
VFW POST 2669 - PORT ORCHARD: 6:30 p.m. second Wednesday of the month. Located at 3100 SE Mile Hill Drive. Commander Dan Bujok: vfw@vfwpost2669.org, 360876-2669 VFW POST 1694 - SHELTON: 7 p.m. second and fourth Thursdays of the month. Located at Veterans Memorial Hall, 210 W Franklin Street. 360-426-4546
Sweeney’s Country Style Meats Treat yourself and your friends to the best from the Pacific Northwest
“THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE” Family owned, we provide friendly service and quality products to the Kitsap Peninsula and beyond for over 35 years. We offer assorted Sausages, Smoked Meats, and Jerky’s. Best in the County. 9690 Brownsville Hwy. NE Bremerton, WA 98311
(360) 692-8802
Mon-Fri. - 9am to 5pm
Saturday - 10am to 3pm
MARCH 1, 2019
MILITARY APPRECIATION DAY
SCHRADER
INSLEE
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Gray recently stated, the Navy is a “shock absorber” to the regional economy, which helps maintain and sustain cash flow independent of national stressors and budgets.
ment program embedded directly within the center alongside the DOD transition staff and state/local career services.
As Military Appreciation Day approaches, please take the time to thank our military and our civilian employees for the tireless work that they do to support our national objectives. Know that you, the Kitsap community, is among the most respected in the country for what you do for our military members and the support you show us each and every day. The Navy would not continue to invest in an area such as Naval Base Kitsap unless that area was supportive of its objectives. Know that we truly appreciate and are proud to be a part of the incredible Pacific Northwest family. About Captain Schrader [Bold] In September 2016, Captain Schrader assumed command of Naval Base Kitsap (NBK), which encompasses nearly 11,000 acres in Washington. Locally, NBK’s installations include Bangor, Bremerton, Keyport, Manchester and Jackson Park. Capt. Schrader graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1992 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics. Additionally, he holds a Master of Science degree from the University of Colorado in Electrical Engineering. A career submariner, he has served on four submarines including as Commanding Officer of USS NEVADA (SSBN 733) based at Naval Base Kitsap.
WorkSource JBLM — one of the nation’s first inside-the-gate American Job Centers – provides career readiness assistance to more than 2,000 service members, spouses and veterans. These services connect career-ready individuals to local employers, and leverage military experience, leadership capabilities and technical proficiency to make them top performers. Our increased focus on veteran employment has resulted in more than 40 percent of transitioning service members leaving JBLM with a career opportunity on hand, a significant increase from 14 percent in 2011. But those services aren’t just available at JBLM. WorkSource offices across Washington have worked with the state Department of Veterans Affairs to help more than 3,500 veterans find jobs with roughly 900 employers through our successful YesVets hiring recognition program. Washington also recognizes veteran entrepreneurs through
Port Orchard Plumbing would like to thank our military Heroes and Families for their bravery, sacrifice and service
Port Orchard Plumbing 360-876-4640 Service and Repair | Residential | Commercial
Thanking our Armed Forces for their Service, Sacrifice and Bravery
Veteran Owned Business certification, which helps them compete for contracts with state agencies. Plus, DVA and local partners work with military installation leadership to connect military families to a range of legal, financial, and social services to ensure that every veteran and military family member thrives in Washington State. Our efforts are paying off. Compared with other states, service members who transition out of Washington state military installations consistently achieve better wages in shorter times. And for veterans who have a harder time getting on their feet or are without a home, we’re there with supportive services and transitional housing programs in Port Orchard and Orting. We provide veterans with tools to get their lives back on track that connect to their earned federal, state and local benefits, which include counseling, education and disability compensation. Through all these challenges, I’m proud how we maintain an incredibly strong tie to our armed forces and become the chosen home for thousands of service members currently in or retired from uniform. We stand with them. Washington will always provide a home for military members.
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mitment to America’s heroes who live and work among us. Today, our community – in one voice – says thank you. My team is committed to ensuring every veteran and military family gets the care, benefits and recognition they have earned. We work for you! If you are struggling with the VA or another federal agency, feel free to reach out to my Bremerton office at 360373-9725. If you see something that the government can do better, do not hesitate to reach out. To those who serve, I am honored to salute and welcome you to Kitsap County’s 2019 Military Appreciation Day. Today is your day, and the chance for all of us to show our appreciation. To others from our community who plan to join in the festivities or share information about your local business or organization, thank you for showing your support for our heroes. And to all those who have served, past or present, thank you for your service.
Joseph Kochera Financial Advisor 9951 Mickelberry Rd Nw Suite 225 Silverdale, WA 98383 - 8309 Bus. 360-633-7482 | Fax 888-746-8665 joseph.kochera@edwardjones.com www.edwardjones.com/joseph-kochera
Thank you for your service
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360-479-8056
Visit us Tuesday-Saturday 10AM - 6PM 4201 State Hwy 3 W #111, Bremerton WA 98312
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT & REAL ESTATE SALES, INC
We are proud of our brave heroes, thank you for your service www.gpmkitsap.com
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MILITARY APPRECIATION DAY
West Hills Auto Plex will match all manufacturer incentives for the military.*
A
AUTO GROUP
DISCLAIMER: *All stores at West Hills Auto Plex (excluding Haselwood Chevrolet Buick GMC) will match all manufacturer incentives for military (example: if a manufacturer offers a $500 discount, then West Hills Auto Plex will match the $500). Non-active military personnel can still qualify for the Haselwood military savings program, even if they don’t qualify for the manufacturer military programs. Haselwood Chevrolet Buick GMC customers will receive an additional $500 off in appreciation of your service. Bring this ad and proof of military service in to any West Hills dealership to redeem.
MARCH 1, 2019