Spokane, Wash. / Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
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Friday, July 16, 2021
VETERANS CHRONICLE
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. KATHY PLONKA/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW
Army ROTC cadets from Gonzaga University and Whitworth University carry their gear after riding in a Chinook helicopter after landing at Luger Field at Gonzaga University on Sunday, April 22, 2018. A Boeing CH-47 Chinook helicopter was used to fly cadets to Camp 7 Mile for their Spring Field Training Exercise.
Agreement will allow Whitworth students to enroll in Air Force ROTC classes Whitworth University and Washington State University’s Air Force ROTC Detachment 905 have signed a crosstown agreement that will allow Whitworth students to enroll in Air Force ROTC classes offered on WSU’s Pullman campus. A crosstown agreement allows students to enroll full time at their institution of choice while simultaneously taking Air Force ROTC classes at a university that hosts a training detachment. Whitworth will provide students with transportation to WSU once a week for required aerospace classes and leadership labs. Any student can apply to be in the ROTC. If they meet minimum requirements, they will be enrolled in 100-level aerospace courses. Students can earn an ROTC scholarship while in high school or in college. If a full-tuition ROTC scholarship is earned, Whitworth will also provide a full room-and-board scholarship. An ROTC cadet who contracts with the Air Force will earn a commission as a second lieutenant upon graduation. “As an Air Force veteran, being able to bring Air Force ROTC to Whitworth is very exciting to me,” said Phil Labrie, assistant director, Military & Veterans Outreach. “With Fairchild Air Force Base being so close and a large Air Force community here in Spokane, this partnership
makes perfect sense. We have an amazing opportunity to produce officers for the Air Force that will lead our country with the same principles that support Whitworth’s mind-and-heart education.” Whitworth also has an Army ROTC program that develops and commissions officers for the United States Army. This program is a cooperative effort between the U.S. Army, Gonzaga University and Whitworth and can be completed alongside any academic major or program. Most ROTC classes and events are hosted at Gonzaga University with the Bulldog Batallion. Whitworth is proud of its relationship with veterans and are pleased that the support provided to these students has been recognized by some of the nation’s top military and news publications. Viqtory Media has named Whitworth a Military Friendly School® with bronze distinction for the past two years, and U.S. News & World Report has consistently ranked Whitworth among the top universities in the region, naming Whitworth No. 2 in the West for Veterans for 2021. For more information on Whitworth’s ROTC programs and how to enroll, visit www.whitworth.edu/cms/academics/ rotc-programs/index.htm, or contact Labrie at (509) 777-3302 or plabrie@whitworth.edu.
VA.gov/welcome-kit
The VA Welcome Guide
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)
