VETERANS CHRONICLE APRIL 2021
National Native American Veterans Memorial The memorial on the grounds of the National Museum of the American Indian opened Nov. 11 in Washington, D.C., to honor the service and sacrifice of Native veterans and their families. MATAILONG DU/ SMITHSONIAN’S NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN INDIAN
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VETERANS CHRONICLE VETERANS CHRONICLE A SUPPLEMENT TO THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW APRIL 16, 2021
VETERANS HELP NET Don Walker Bryan Bledsoe MANAGING EDITOR Theresa Tanner ART DIRECTOR Anne Potter DIRECTOR OF SALES Scott Baumbach
the third Friday of every month to increase awareness about veteran issues and to help veterans find hope and help. To share a veteran story or information about resources for veterans, please contact info@veteranshelpnet.com or visit www.VeteransHelpNet. com. For advertising information, please contact advertising@ spokesman.com or (509) 4595095. No portion of this magazine may
Veterans Help Net partners be reproduced in whole or in part with The Spokesman-Review to without written consent of the publish Veterans Chronicle on publisher.
Blue Water Navy claims top 82,000; payments over $813M As of Feb. 28, the VA has processed over 82,000 Blue Water Navy claims for veterans and surviving family members. Over 47,000 claims have been completed with 32,298 claims granted. Retroactive benefits payments totaled over $813 million. The most common granted Agent Orange related disabilities are diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, malignant growths of the genitourinary system, coronary bypass surgery and malignant growth of the lung. The most common reasons for claim denial are no diagnosis and that an illness has not been established as a presumptive disease associated with Agent
Orange exposure. Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019, which took effect on Jan. 1, 2020, extended the presumption of herbicide exposure, such as Agent Orange, to veterans who served in the offshore waters of the Republic of Vietnam between Jan. 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975. These veterans had previously been denied access to VA disability benefits for any of the conditions that have been connected to herbicide exposure. If you think you may qualify as a Blue Water Navy veteran, see “How Can I Get Help?” on page 5 to begin the claims process.
IN THIS ISSUE Veterans Help Net: What we’ve learned.....................................................3 Hey Veterans, Did You Know?.......................................................................4 Illnesses associated with military service..................................................5 How Can I Get Help?.........................................................................................5 Mobile Vet Center serves rural communities............................................6 Gold Star Memorial Highway honors heroes............................................7 Veterans find a path to healthier living......................................................8 Gren Dixon, Royal Navy...................................................................................10 National Native American Veterans Memorial opens ............................11
Spokane, Wash. / Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
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WHAT WE’VE LEARNED In December 2020, we published an article about our volunteer organization Veterans Help Net. We stated who we were, why we started and what we did in the first two years to help provide “Help and Hope” for our veterans and their families. Since then, we’ve published over 50 monthly editions of the Veterans Chronicle in The Spokesman Review and the Veterans Press in the CdA/ Post Falls Press. We have visited dozens of Veterans Service organizations and groups. We interviewed many veterans and their family members and published hundreds of stories, all with the objective of increasing awareness in our communities to the benefits and services available to our veterans. As we evaluated the past years, we thought it might be important to let you know what we have learned and witnessed.
were not aware of many of the benefits and services they have earned with their service. Many veterans think the process is too hard so many never tried. Many veterans found it difficult to get started so they quit trying to get help. Most did not know how to start the process of getting their benefits or obtaining VA medical help. Many veterans did not seek help because they thought other veterans needed or deserved it more and thought that they would be “taking someone’s place in line.” In general, we found a large amount of negative perception from the public and many veterans about the VA’s treatment and accessibility to services. Many have lived or heard about the horror stories associated with some past VA treatment or handling of veterans who tried to get help and were turned down or treated poorly.
VA of 10 years ago. We also found that the most veterans that were currently in the VA system had a significantly more positive perception and thought they were getting great help. Veterans using the VA medical programs stated clearly that they thought their help and services were not just good, but great. Help is there if you have patience and are willing to do your part to complete the forms and provide the required documentation. The process is hard. Without the help of a local Veteran Service Officer (VSO), many veterans struggle with the online application process on VA.gov, and became frustrated and confused about what to do next and how to get started. You have earned the right to get help. The VA has the desire and the capacity to help all the veterans that have earned the benefits through their service.
PERCEPTIONS AND MISCONCEPTIONS
OBSERVATIONS ABOUT THE VA
OBSTACLES TO GETTING HELP
By Don Walker
VETERANS HELP NET
Most veterans and families
The VA today is not the
Veteran Service Officers are
very busy and are sometimes overloaded. They are also working under the COVID-19 restrictions, so it will take some time for them to get to you and start the process. But you must start the process and be patient as they will get to you and help you move through the system. You may not be aware of all the benefits available to you and your family. Ask your VSO for a benefits review. All states and counties have Veterans Service Centers and websites to help you discover and understand your
benefits. There are lots of online resources to read that can help, including our website VeteransHelpNet.com. You will need your DD 214 form or certificate of service to begin applying for benefits; it can be ordered online at www.va.gov/records/get-military-service-records. If you can’t use the online process or struggle with it, you could ask a friend or family member to help you. You can contact a local VSO or go to the local VA Medical Center and make an application for your records.
CONCLUSIONS
It is worth it and you deserve it! Because you served, you owe it to yourself and your family to seek the benefits and services that you earned with your service. If you quit, try again. If you never tried, start now. No one will do it for you, so you have to take the initiative, but there are resources to help you complete your application and gather the necessary documents. To get started, see “How Can I Get Help?” on page 5 to find veteran resources in Eastern Washington and North Idaho. Contact us at (509) 655-9266 or don@ veteranshelpnet.com, or visit VeteransHelpNet.com.
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HEY VETERANS, DID YOU KNOW … ? … Help from a Veteran Service Officer is free?
Veteran Service Officers (VSOs) are trained, certified and accredited advocates for veterans! They are not VA employees. Assistance is FREE. Every state and most counties have a Veteran Affairs department that employess VSOs, as do many Veteran Service Organizations, like American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and Disabled American Veterans (DAV). In Washington, the Spokane County Regional Veteran Services Center is located at 1117 N. Evergreen Road in the Spokane Valley. They have five VSOs on site. In Idaho, the North Idaho Veteran Services and Benefits Office is located at 120 E. 3rd Ave. in Post Falls. They have two VSOs on site. For contact information, see “How Can I Get Help?” on page 5.
… You can apply for VA medical benefits at Mann-Granstaff VA Medical Center in Spokane?
The Mann-Grandstaff VA Eligibility Office can help you determine if you qualify for VA benefits and what you need to begin your application. You will need: • A copy of both sides of your current insurance card (including Medicare or Medicaid) • A copy of your discharge papers (DD214 or other separation documents) • For Purple Heart recipients: A copy of your award letter if Purple Heart is not noted on your DD214 To speak to someone in the Eligibility Office, call (509) 4347009 or (800) 325-7940. You can also visit www.va.gov/healthcare/how-to-apply/ to review the information online.
COURTESY PHOTO
The Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center is located at 4815 N. Assembly St. in Spokane. For additional support resources, see “How Can I Get Help?” on page 5.
… Three new Agent Orange conditions were added to the existing 14 presumptive conditions?
Congress passed H.R. 6395, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (NDAA), over a presidential veto. This law, which took effect on Jan. 1, 2021, adds blad-
der cancer, hypothyroidism, and parkinsonism to the VA’s list of presumptive conditions associated with exposure to Agent Orange; there are now 17 recognized presumptive conditions. If you need help filing a VA claim, see “How Can I Get Help?” on page 5 to connect with a Veteran Service Officer for assistance.
… You may quality for disability benefits?
VA disability compensation is a monthly, tax-free payment de-
signed to compensate veterans for an injury or illness incurred or made worse from active military service, regardless of when they served. A disability can apply to physical conditions, such as a chronic knee condition, as well as mental health conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Brad, an Army veteran, finds the compensation he receives helps give him a better quality of life. “Sometimes I can’t do the things that I used to because of my injuries. But the compensa-
tion helps out,” said Brad. Service-disabled veterans may also be entitled to health care, employment counseling and other benefits at no cost. For example, if your disability limits your mobility, you may qualify for a payment to buy or modify a vehicle to get around easier. To start the application process, see “How Can I Get Help?” on page 5 to connect with a Veteran Service Officer for assistance. VA also provides resources and information at www.va.gov/disability/get-helpfiling-claim.
Spokane, Wash. / Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
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HOW CAN I GET HELP?
Every county and state has a Veteran Affairs office to answer questions about benefits and provide assistance. There are also other useful resources for veterans in the Inland Northwest.
GO ONLINE VA.gov
The Department of Veterans Affairs website has resources on every topic relevant to veterans.
VA.gov/welcome-kit
The VA Welcome Guide
Certain illnesses associated with military service The Department of Veterans Affairs has determined that certain illnesses and health concerns have been associated with military service. Some injuries are common to all wars, such as amputations; traumatic mental health disorders such as traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), including Military Sexual Trauma; and vision and hearing loss. The VA can make monthly monetary payments, or “service-connected disability compensation,” for these and other illnesses and diseases directly related to the unique circumstances of your military service. In addition, many veterans suffer from chronic diseases later in life as the result of exposure to toxic chemicals and biologics used during their wartime service. In Vietnam, veterans (Feb. 28, 1961 – May 7, 1975) were exposed to Agent Orange and other toxic herbicides and pesticides. Many who now suffer from various cancers and other maladies – such as Type II diabetes, ischemic heart disease and Parkinson’s Disease – can file for compensation benefits and health care with the VA. Children born with birth defects to a veteran parent exposed to AO may also be eligible for certain VA benefits and health care.
The same is true for any Gulf War veterans (Aug. 2, 1990 to present) and Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans (Sept. 11, 2001 to present) exposed to depleted uranium munitions, or the toxic fumes and chemical smoke released from oil well fires and “burn pits,” and who now suffer from debilitating illnesses such as Lou Gehrig’s Disease (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS), fibromyalgia and other neurological disorders. The amount of compensation depends on the severity of a veteran’s service-connected disability and in some cases the number of qualifying family members. If a veteran dies of a medical condition considered to be service-connected by the VA, the spouse (and their children) may be eligible for monthly compensation payments through the VA’s Dependency and Indemnity Compensation program (DIC). To file a claim or learn more, contact one of the Veteran Service offices listed in How Can I Get Help?” on page 5. Information provided by the Veterans Health Council, which is a program sponsored by the Vietnam Veterans of America.
covers all types of benefits and services available for veterans, new recruits, active service members and their families.
DAV9.com
Based in Post Falls, Disabled American Veterans Chapter 9 Fort Sherman shares links and information to both local and national help organizations for veterans.
Explore.VA.gov/benefitsnavigator Explore VA benefits and discover which ones you and your family may be eligible to receive.
IN PERSON
BY PHONE
1117 N. Evergreen Rd., Spokane Valley, WA (509) 477-3690 Apply for emergency services, or have any benefits or service questions answered by 5 Veteran Service Officers (VSO) and staff.
(509) 477-3690
Spokane County Regional Veteran Service
North Idaho Veteran Services and Benefits Office
120 E. Railroad Ave., Post Falls, ID (208) 446-1092 Meet with a VSO or staff for help with VA benefits enrollment, claims or other veteran needs.
Goodwill Support Services for Veteran Families (SSVF)
130 E. Third Ave., Spokane, WA (509) 828-2449 SSVF helps homeless veterans and their families find housing and connects veterans with other support organizations.
Spokane County Regional Veteran Service North Idaho Veteran Services and Benefits Office 120 E. Railroad Ave., Post Falls, ID (208) 446-1092
Veteran Crisis Line
1 (800) 273-8255, press 1
North Idaho Crisis Center (208) 625-4884
Washington or Idaho 2-1-1
Dial “2-1-1” for health and human resources referrals. If you don’t know who to call, VA has a new “Single Access Point” phone number to all VA contact centers 1-800-MyVA411 (1-800-698-2411)
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Mobile Vet Center brings help, hope to Inland Northwest veterans By Darrel Maddux
AMERICAN LEGION DEPARTMENT PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE
The Spokane Mobile Vet Center works out of the Spokane Vet Center at 13109 E. Mirabeau Parkway in Spokane Valley. The Vet Center provides counseling for veterans and active-duty service members, including National Guard and Reserve components. Qualifications for services include active military duty in any combat theater or area of hostility; anyone who experienced a military sexual trauma; anyone who gave medical care or mortuary services while on active duty or a crew member of an unmanned aerial vehicle in a combat zone. Vet Center services are also provided to family members to aid in readjustment issues or to provide bereavement counseling. The Vet Center Program was established by Congress in 1979 after it was found that a significant number of Vietnam-era veterans were still experiencing readjustment problems. The Spokane Vet Center is staffed by eight full time counselors and four graduate-level students. Some Vietnam veterans became disillusioned with the VA years ago but have been reinstated and now use their entitled services. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a major disorder that can be delayed until long after a service member is discharged. There are many indicators of PTSD and the counselors report that anxiety, depression, isolation, survivor guilt, anger and irritability are the most often identified symptoms. Dave Baird is the Director of the Vet Center and his counselors conduct over 800 appointments each month at this location. The Vet Center counselors also help in applying for VA benefits, alcohol/drug assessments, employment guidance and referral to community resources. The Spokane Mobile Vet Center serves war veterans in rural communities not served by the VA. They provide individual
COURTESY PHOTO
Robert “Stu” Sturtevant, Veterans Outreach Program Specialist and van driver, stands at the doorway of the Mobile Vet Center. counseling; group counseling; marital/family counseling; are a liaison with VA facilities and refer veterans to community agencies. They drive a 38-foot van built in 2015, which has two rooms for private counseling. It is self-contained with internet access to Telehealth Video at Myhealthevet©, water, a restroom and heating/cooling. They go to assigned monthly locations, as well as sponsored events like Stand Downs, 2nd Harvest Mobile Market events, job fairs, natural disasters and locations announced by email or the VA
website. The Mobile Vet Center is a critical resource to homeless veterans who have a primary requirement each day of finding food to eat and a place to sleep that night. These veterans are assisted with finding resources available to them for food, shelter, medications, VA benefits and even permanent housing. Two Outreach Program Specialists support the Mobile Vet Center vehicle. The Spokane Vet Center is available for your call 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. You are guaranteed same day ac-
cess to a professional to discuss your individual needs. The counselors have had success stories like when a homeless vet was out of his medication and they found a local source to have the prescription filled. His information had dropped out of the VA system after he moved to the Pacific Northwest from Texas. They also helped a veteran in Malden whose home burnt to the ground and needed a VA Home Loan to rebuild. They also provided water and a charging station in Malden for people to recharge their portable devices.
TO LEARN MORE Call (509) 444-8387 for an appointment or to speak to a live person about your immediate situation. The Mobile Vet Center can be contacted by calling (509) 4448387 or by contacting the two specialists: • Joe Dumlao: Eliseo.Dumlao@ va.gov • Robert “Stu” Sturtevant: Robert.Sturtevant@va.gov, (509) 496-5628
Spokane, Wash. / Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
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Roadway renamed Gold Star Memorial Highway to honor fallen heroes and their families
COURTESY OF WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Gold Star family members gathered March 19 in a small ceremony to unveil new signs designating State Route 902 as a Gold Star Memorial Highway. MEDICAL LAKE – Gold Star family members gathered Friday, March 19, in a small ceremony to unveil new signs designating State Route 902 as a Gold Star Memorial Highway. SR 902 is the primary route traveled to reach Washington State Veterans Cemetery in Medical Lake, the final resting place for over
6,300 veterans and family members. State Rep. Marcus Riccelli joined the families for the highway renaming ceremony along with Washington State Department of Transportation Regional Administrator Mike Gribner, Washington State Transportation Commissioner Kelly Fukai, and Veterans
Cemetery Director Rudy Lopez. Rep. Riccelli sponsored the name change with the Legislature and presented it to the transportation commission where it was unanimously approved on Sept. 16, 2020. "It is my honor to try to help these families who have sacrificed so much," said Rep. Riccelli. "I want
to especially extend my appreciation to someone who helps organize our Gold Star families, Keirsten Lyons. Her son, Staff Sgt. Jacob Hess, was 22 when he died in Afghanistan." "A special thank you to Rudy Lopez and the Veterans Task Force, Rep. Riccelli, the WSTC, and WSDOT," said Keirsten
Lyons. "And we'd especially like to acknowledge all the families of fallen heroes, those who courageously walk into each new day, keeping their loved one's memory alive. This new Gold Star Memorial Highway designation shows we will never be alone in that. We're so thankful to live in a community that honors service in such meaningful ways." WSDOT installed the signs as soon as weather allowed at mileposts 1 and 12 along SR 902. "We are honored to be a part of this simple act of recognition where we can all pay tribute to fallen heroes and those who live with their loss," said WSDOT Regional Administrator Mike Gribner. "The important act of naming this highway assures that their decision to serve will always be honored and remembered."
The sign unveiling is the culmination of work by the Eastern Washington Veterans Task Force, the state's oldest veteran support coalition, which took up this initiative to honor the fallen and their families along the 12-mile stretch of SR 902. Cemetery Director Rudy Lopez said, "The Veterans Task Force was honored to champion this initiative as a lasting tribute to our nation's fallen heroes, reflecting our support for their survivors, whose lives are forever changed." Gold Star is a designation given to the loved ones of fallen heroes to honor the service member's ultimate sacrifice while acknowledging their family's loss, grief and continued healing. For more information, contact Beth Bousley at elizabeth.bousley@wsdot. wa.gov or (509) 990-1504.
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Veterans find a path to healthier living during National Nutrition Month By Darrel Maddux
AMERICAN LEGION DEPARTMENT PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE
March was National Nutrition Month, a campaign created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, to learn about making informed food choices, to develop healthful eating habits and to engage in physical activity. External factors and lifestyle habits contribute to the development of chronic disease. This year the National Nutrition Month campaign was about “Personalizing Your Plate” as there is no one-size-fits-all. Everyone is different and thus all have different needs and goals. The daily recommended amount is 2 cups of fruit 2.5 cups of vegetables and 3 to 6 ounces of whole grains (oatmeal, brown rice and whole-wheat flour). It’s advised that you should add veggies to your sandwiches, cut down on portion sizes and cut back or cut out sodas and sugary drinks. The fast-paced world we live in can make it difficult to practice mindful eating, a technique that helps you gain control over your eating habits and has been shown to promote weight loss, reduce binge eating and help you feel better. Studies have shown that eating without attention leads you to eat fast and more than needed. Dedicating time and attention to your meals, on the other hand, can help you feel more satisfied and eat less during the day. To practice mindful eating, plan your meals for the week and create a shopping list that will deter you from impulse buying. After preparing your meal, you come to the table
ready to eat and you don’t skip meals. You should pay attention to the colors, smells, flavors and textures of your food while eating. Lastly, you take small bites, chew thoroughly and eat slowly. The “Personalize Your Plate” program developed for this
year’s annual campaign at Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center consisted of the following: • Eat a variety of nutritious foods every day. • Plan your meals each week. • Learn skills to create tasty
meals. • Consult your Registered Dietitian Nutritionist at Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center. The dietitians at Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center and North Idaho Com-
munity Based Outpatient Clinic can help with dietary questions and to develop a program for healthy living. They are available for one-on-one consultations, face-to-face classes, telephone sessions, VA Video Connect© or group classes.
Spokane, Wash. / Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
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Most referrals for dietitian assistance come from a VA Physician but can come from a clinic or word of mouth. Veterans can learn about nutrition by studying displays and shadow boxes positioned in the entrance area of the hospital. Recipes and nutritional information are also mailed out to veterans or can be found on the VA Hospital Facebook page. The VA Mobile Clinic is another source for information if you are in a remote or underserved location and have this valuable resource. The rural clinics in Sandpoint, Libby, Wenatchee and Coeur d’Alene do not have dietitians on staff, so you must contact Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center to arrange for telephone or VA Video Connect© appointments. There are many success stories told by VA dietitians Lori Ruckhaber and Cheryl Bales. For example, Jeff joined the Move!© “Weight Management Program for Veterans” and lost 100 pounds and took control of his diabetes. He
has kept the weight off by exercising, following the advice of his dietitian, not going back for seconds and choosing a smaller amount of dessert. Ralph, another Move!© member, has lost more than 75 pounds and 6 inches off his waist. He continues to participate in the Move Support Group, as well as TeleMove!©, which provides a constant reminder of his weight on a daily basis. A diabetic patient quit drinking soda, lost weight and his A1C lab values decreased to the normal range. A tube-fed veteran is sustaining his nutritional status due to Dietitian Intervention. Dietitians have counseled veterans who are considering weight loss surgery and dietitians work with veterans who are going through cancer treatment. An example is cancer of the tongue where they help them establish tolerable food consistencies and advise how to increase calories. The partnership between Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center and
2nd Harvest has produced many benefits. The veterans served have voiced less anxiety toward food insecurity due to new access to healthy free food. The nutritional well-being of the veterans is enhanced through education provided on how to acquire and prepare healthy and sustainable fresh food items. The partnership with 2nd Harvest consists of the Mobile Market, the Healthy Teaching Kitchen and recipes handed out to the veterans. Veterans are also welcome to attend any Mobile Market event in their area. The next Mobile Market event at Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center will be in June (date to be confirmed). You can call Mann-Grandstaff VAMC Nutrition at (509) 4347242 during normal business hours, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and the scheduler will set up an appointment with an available dietitian or enroll you in one of the classes. Seven nutritional team professionals are in the office to provide you with the care you require.
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RISE ABOVE THE REST: AN ALLIED HERO OF THE ROYAL NAVY By Ruth Aresvik
VETERANS HELP NET CORRESPONDENT
The United States and Great Britain have been firm allies for over a century. Their mutually beneficial relationship particularly deepened during World War II, when the circumstances of war brought hundreds of thousands of Americans through the British Isles. The enduring friendships that ensued are still apparent more than 70 years later. That "enduring friendship" brings me to my story. Over several decades, and many cups of coffee, I've had great visits with my British friend and neighbor Patricia. We've shared military stories – I had been in the Navy, her husband had been in the Air Force. But the stories about her brother were most fascinating, and I wanted to dig deeper. Any time the air raid whistle blew in Luton, England, young Patricia Dixon, her mum Eve, dad Alfred, and three sisters Jill, Ann, and Jackie (plus four cats) would dash to the small "Anderson" shelter at the bottom of their garden. "Dad always brought a jug of cocoa," Pat remembered. "Mum had us bring our masks to cover our mouths – I had a Mickey Mouse mask. She said if we were going to be gassed it would help ... she even had water-soaked rags for the cats!" It was during these times that their thoughts would turn to her brother Gren, short for Grenville, serving with the Royal Navy. Where was he? Was he safe? Eve would listen intently to the reports on the radio and exclaim, "We'll never see Gren again!" Gren Dixon joined the Royal Navy in 1938 at the age of 17. Gren, or Dixie as he was called by his "mates," saw a lot of action. But his duties while aboard the HMS Formidable became true war stories. In March 1944, after four months of training and preparations, the Formidable, and others from the British Home Fleet, sailed out on a mission, and on April 3, 1944, aircraft launched from five aircraft
A Fleet Air Arm Field Gun Crew patch. carriers. Operation Tungsten had begun. This Royal Navy air raid targeted the German battleship Tirpitz at its base in Kaafjord, in far north Norway. The raid achieved surprise and the Tirpitz suffered considerable damage. The Formidable was then assigned to the British Pacific Fleet in 1945 where she played a supporting role during the Battle of Okinawa and later attacked targets in the Japanese Home Island. On May 4, just after 11:30 a.m., a Japanese plane made a dive from "a great height" at Formidable. The kamikaze was hit at close range, but crashed into the armored flight deck, making a massive dent about 10 feet long, 2 feet wide and 2 feet deep. A large steel splinter speared down through the hangar deck and the center boiler room, where it ruptured a steam line, and came to rest in a fuel tank, starting a major fire in the aircraft park. Eight crew members were killed and 47 wounded. Eleven aircraft were destroyed. The fires were gradually brought under control and the crater in the deck repaired with concrete and steel plate. By 5 p.m., aircraft were again able to land on the Formidable. Another kamikaze hit the ship's flight deck on May 9, but the level of damage was nowhere near as serious as that incurred in the previous attack. In all, 44 men were killed and 83 wounded in kamikaze attacks on the British Fleet, whose pilots shot down more than 40 enemy aircraft, the majority of them suicide bombers. Gren’s mechanic work earned
HMS Formidable under attack in 1945. him a medal. Later that year, Gren designed the crew badge for the Fleet Air Arm Field Gun Association. Until 1999, this group re-enacted the exploits of the Royal Navy by pulling guns and timbers in a yearly event in London. Gren left the service, and in 1972 he and his wife Maureen and three children Ian, Michelle and Stephen boarded the ship Australis at the London port of Southampton, and sailed to Melbourne, Australia, under what was called the Assisted Passage Migration Scheme. It cost a total of 20 pounds. Gren worked in engineering. A parade was held every year by his fellow countrymen to honor the local veterans, which he dearly loved. Grenville Dixon died on Nov. 5, 2016. He was 94 years old. We
PHOTOS COURTESY DIXON FAMILY
Gren Dixon with a fellow sailor. say thank you for your service, as to all veterans of all allied nations. They deserve shared cred-
it for their hard-fought battles in giving us our rights to freedom, from sea to shining sea.
Spokane, Wash. / Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
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Native American veterans recognized with D.C. memorial The National Museum of the American Indian opened the new National Native American Veterans Memorial on Nov. 11, 2020, in Washington, D.C. “The National Native American Veterans Memorial will serve as a reminder to the nation and the world of the service and sacrifice of Native American, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian veterans,” said Kevin Gover, director of the museum, in a press release. “Native Americans have always answered the call to serve, and this memorial is a fitting tribute to their patriotism and deep commitment to this country.” The memorial on the grounds of the museum was commissioned by Congress to give “all Americans the opportunity to learn of the proud and courageous tradition of service of Native Americans in the Armed Forces of the United States.” The memorial design is by Harvey Pratt (Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma), a multimedia artist, retired forensic artist and Marine Corps Vietnam veteran. “Warriors' Circle of Honor” features an elevated stainless-steel circle resting on a carved stone drum. It also incorporates water for sacred ceremonies, benches for gatherings and four lances where veterans, family members, tribal leaders and others can tie cloths for prayers and healing. A dedication ceremony and veterans’ procession to mark the memorial’s completion has been postponed. A video commemorating the opening can be viewed online. The outside memorial can be visited for free
MATAILONG DU FOR THE SMITHSONIAN’S NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN INDIAN
An angled view of the National Native American Veterans Memorial.
at any time, unless safety considerations require it to be closed. The National Museum of the American Indian is currently closed.
For more information about the memorial and museum, visit americanindian.si.edu/ visit/washington/nnavm.
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