VETERANS CHRONICLE NOVEMBER 2021
What veterans value STORY ON PAGE 6
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Friday, November 19, 2021
The Spokesman-Review
VETERANS CHRONICLE
VA to start processing claims for certain particulate matter conditions History of Veterans Day
Information courtesy Encyclopaedia Britannica Veterans Day, in the United States, is a national holiday on Nov. 11 honoring veterans of the armed forces and those killed in the country’s wars. The observance originated in 1919 on the first anniversary of the 1918 armistice that ended World War I and was known as Armistice Day. It was commemorated in 1921 with the burial of an unknown soldier from World War I at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. Other countries that had lost soldiers in the conflict, such as Italy and Portugal, conducted similar ceremonies that year. The previous year, unknown soldiers had been interred at Westminster Abbey in London, England, and at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France. Veterans Day was celebrated on Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021, this year. Nov. 11 became an official national holiday in the United States in 1938. In 1954 the name was changed to Veterans Day to honour those who had served in all U.S. wars. Ceremonies are held each year at the Tomb of the Unknowns, and floral tributes are placed on the graves of service men and women and at memorials throughout the country. Naturalization ceremonies have come to be an important part of the day’s activities. In Britain, Canada, Australia, and France November 11 is observed in honour of the veterans of World Wars I and II. In Britain the second Sunday of November is observed as Remembrance Sunday, and in Canada November 11 is observed as Remembrance Day. In Britain and the Commonwealth countries and in countries of Europe, it is common to observe two minutes of silence at 11:00 AM on November 11, the time and date of the World War I armistice in 1918. Poppies have long been associated with World War I memorials through the poem “In Flanders Fields” by John McCrae, and in several countries paper poppies are sold to raise money for the support of veterans and are worn in the lapel as a sign of remembrance.
The Department of Veterans Affairs began processing disability claims Aug. 2 for asthma, rhinitis, and sinusitis on a presumptive basis based on presumed particulate matter exposures during military service in Southwest Asia and certain other areas, if these conditions manifested within 10 years of a qualifying period of military service. The VA conducted the first iteration of a newly formed internal VA process to review scientific evidence to support rulemaking, resulting in the recommendation to consider creation of new presumptions of service connection for respirato-
ry conditions based on the VA’s evaluation of a National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine report, and other evidence. The process concluded that particulate matter pollution is associated with chronic asthma, rhinitis, and sinusitis for veterans who served in the Southwest Asia theater of operations beginning Aug. 2, 1990, to the present, or Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Syria, or Djibouti beginning Sept. 19, 2001, to the present. The VA’s review also concluded that there was sufficient evidence to presume that these veterans have been exposed to particulate matter.
“I announced my intent to initiate rulemaking on May 27 to consider adding respiratory conditions to the list of chronic disabilities,” said Denis McDonough, Secretary of Veterans Affairs. “Through this process I determined that the evidence provided was sufficient to establish presumptions of service connection for these three respiratory conditions. This is the right decision, and VA will continue to use a holistic approach in determining toxic exposure presumptives moving forward.” The Southwest Asia theater of operations refers to Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the neutral zone between
Iraq and Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, the Gulf of Aden, the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, the Arabian Sea, the Red Sea, and the airspace above these locations. The VA will conduct outreach to impacted veterans and survivors to inform them about their eligibility and will provide information on how to apply. Veterans and survivors who believe they may be eligible for the newly established presumptive conditions are encouraged to apply. Looking for local help? See the “How Can I Get Help?” section on Page 5.
Spokane, Wash. / Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
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Friday, November 19, 2021
VETERANS CHRONICLE A SUPPLEMENT TO THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW NOV. 19, 2021
VETERANS HELP NET Don Walker Bryan Bledsoe
on the third Friday of every month to increase awareness about veteran issues and to help veterans find hope and help.
MANAGING EDITOR Theresa Tanner
To share a veteran story or information about resources for veterans, please contact info@ veteranshelpnet.com or visit www.VeteransHelpNet.com.
ART DIRECTOR Anne Potter DIRECTOR OF SALES Scott Baumbach Veterans Help Net partners with The Spokesman-Review to publish Veterans Chronicle
For advertising information, please contact advertising@ spokesman.com or (509) 4595095. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in whole or in part without written consent of the publisher.
IN THIS ISSUE
VETERANS CHRONICLE DIRECTORY
Claims for particulate matter begin.............................................................2 Hey Veterans, Did You Know?.......................................................................4 Kris Kristofferson’s military past...................................................................5 How Can I Get Help?.........................................................................................5 What Veterans Value........................................................................................6 Meet Tray Traylor...............................................................................................7 Donald McSparrin continues to brighten lives.........................................8 The Afghanistan experience..........................................................................10 Proper care of the flag.....................................................................................12 Honor Native American veterans.................................................................13 Veterans Help Net turns 3...............................................................................14 Food drive successful.......................................................................................15
HEALTH SERVICES Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center 4815 N Assembly St Spokane WA, 99205 (509) 434-7000 www.spokane.va.gov
Hospice of Spokane 121 S Arthur St Spokane WA, 99202 (509) 456-0438 www.hospiceofspokane.org
BANKING & FINANCE Banner Bank (800) 272-9933 www.bannerbank.com
FURNITURE Lazyboy Furniture Gallery 10205 N Division St. Spokane WA, 99218 (509) 465-4380 www.lazyboy.com
END OF LIFE SERVICES Hennessey Valley Funeral Home 1315 N Pines Rd Spokane Valley, WA 99206 (509) 844-9709 www.henesseyvalley.com
REAL ESTATE Spokane Association of Realtors 1924 N Ash St Spokane WA, 99205 (509) 326-9222 www.spokanerealtor.com
VETERAN SERVICES Spokane County Veteran Services 1117 N Evergreen Rd Spokane Valley, WA 99216 (509) 477-3690
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The Spokesman-Review
VETERANS CHRONICLE
HEY VETERANS, DID YOU KNOW … ? ... Death certificate conditions may affect benefits?
With the increased number of veterans being treated for COVID-related conditions, if a veteran passes away from this virus, please ask the hospital, medical center, or hospice care professionals assisting in the creation of the Death Certificate to list one or more of the veteran's service-connected conditions as contributing causes of death along with COVID, such as coronary artery disease, lung cancer, diabetes mellitus type II, Parkinson's disease or similar service-related conditions. The veteran's service-connected conditions must be listed on the Death Certificate in order for the surviving spouse to receive Dependency Indemnity Compensation (DIC) and Service-connected Burial Benefits (one-time payment of $2,000).
... COVID requires National Personnel Records Center to operate at reduced capacity?
Due to the resurgence of COVID-19 infection in local communities, the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) is operating at a reduced capacity. As of Aug. 2, 2021, the NPRC has reduced its on-site staffing to 10% of the workforce. Until things change, the center staff will continue to service emergency requests associated with medical treatments, burials, and homeless veterans trying to gain admittance to a homeless shelter. The staff requests refraining from submitting non-emergency requests such as replacement medals, administrative corrections, or records research until it returns to pre-COVID staffing levels.
COURTESY PHOTO
The Eligibility Team at Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center incudes, back row, Sarah Boardman, VA Associate Director; and Bennett “Tray” Traylor. Front row, Ronnie Dietrick, Reid Bryan and Heather Groom.
... Different VA cards are available?
A basic Veteran ID card (VIC) is used to identify you as a veteran and to obtain discounts at various businesses. It can’t be used to obtain VA healthcare. Visit www.va.gov/records/ get-veteran-id-cards/vic/. You will need to upload your DD214, a copy of your driver’s license or state ID card, and a jpg type photo of yourself. There is also a Nonservice-connected Veterans Health Identification Card (VHIC). This card is for veterans who were not injured or had a serious illness while on active duty but can meet certain low-income eligibility standards. The qualifying dollar amounts will vary according to the community where you live and must be calculated by the VA. Many veterans are eligible but never take the time to apply. You use your card for medical purposes at the VA, to show your veteran status and receive discounts at various businesses. You obtain this card at your local VA Medical Center. A third card is the Ser-
vice-connected Veterans Health Identification Card (VHIC). This card is for veterans who were injured or had a serious illness while on active duty. VA Disability Ratings range from 0% to 100%. Also eligible are veterans who received a Purple Heart, have POW status or are Medal of Honor recipients. You use your card for medical purposes at the VA, to show your veteran status and to receive discounts at various businesses. You also have access to Department of Defense and Coast Guard commissaries, exchanges and MWR. Your VHIC card will identify your specific eligibilities and will be printed on your card. You obtain this card at your local VA Medical Center. The final card is a 100% Permanently and Totally Disabled Service-Connected Card. This card can be obtained from a local military installation. Spouses of these veterans are also eligible for this ID card and can shop at commissaries, exchanges and use MWR without the veteran present. The spouse can continue to use the card if the veteran dies.
... There’s an Eligibility Team to help?
The team, located on the 7th floor of Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center in Spokane is where you can go to sign up for your VHIC and to learn about all the benefits available to veterans. Tray Traylor, Ronnie Dietrick, Reid Bryan and Heather Groom are well trained to walk you through the process and get you enrolled. Many veterans have struggled to qualify for benefits until this team went to work and completed the paperwork. Tray said many veterans fail to bring all their required paperwork for an interview and that a few have more than one DD214. Some veterans have been denied on one DD214 and then get approved when they produce the second DD214. The team sometimes must search for information not available from the veteran and his/her paperwork. Many veterans become frustrated with the process, but this team takes the time to find solutions – and they get results. BENNETT “TRAY” TRAYLOR:
Tray is a retired Air Force veteran and a Vietnam veteran who has been working at the VA for 20 years. He says he does his very
best to advocate for our veterans in the Spokane VA. He wants to make sure all veterans get the healthcare they deserve. Tray has a can-do-will-do attitude to make it happen. RONNIE DIETRICK: She grew up in Kodiak, Alaska, as an Army brat and met and married her husband in Kodiak. He was in the military, and years after his discharge they found out how difficult it was to navigate the VA. She gave up 10 years of healthcare work in the private sector and joined the VA to help veterans like her husband. At the VA, she has worked in the Office of Community Care and Veteran Eligibility while pursuing a Bachelor of Psychology degree from Washington State University. She hopes to become a counselor someday but right now is blessed to make a difference in people’s lives. REID BRYAN: Reid is married with two children and two step-children. He started with the VA as a volunteer in 2019 and was hired full time in July 2020. His prior work experience was in the manufacturing field. Reid calls himself a true Washingtonian who is an avid Mariners and Seahawks fan and likes to play golf. He is very excited to help veterans receive the care they deserve. HEATHER GROOM: She has lived in Spokane all her life and is retired from the Washington Army National Guard after 20 years. Heather was stationed in Ephrata with the 1161st Transportation Company and at Fairchild AFB with C 1-112 Aviation Unit. She was deployed to Iraq twice. Her employment at the VA has included 1 year and 3 months at Community Care and 9 months on the Eligibility & Enrollment Team. Written by Darrel Maddux, Veterans Help Net Correspondent and American Legion Department Public Relations Committee Member. Looking for local help? See the “How Can I Get Help?” section on Page 5 of this publication.
Spokane, Wash. / Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
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VETERANS CHRONICLE
FAMOUS VETERAN: KRIS KRISTOFFERSON
Friday, November 19, 2021
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.
By Blake Stilwell MILTARY.COM
Country music legend and Army veteran Kris Kristofferson has a list of accomplishments so long, it might be faster to list off things he hasn’t done. He was an Army brat and brother to a naval aviator, so it was only natural that Kristofferson would find himself in the military. But his life both before and after the military has been more than interesting -- it’s downright legendary. In his younger years, Kristofferson was an accomplished athlete, skilled at rugby and American football. He also was a Golden Gloves amateur boxer. Pretty much anything that required giving or taking a beating, he was up to it. For anyone who might be thinking he was a dumb young jock-turned country star, think again. Kristofferson studied literature at California’s Pomona College, where he became a Rhodes Scholar. He carried on his literature studies at Oxford’s Merton College, where he continued boxing. Upon graduating from college, he joined the U.S. Army.
Kris Kristofferson: Soldier
Joining the Army in 1960, Kristofferson earned his Ranger tab before becoming a helicopter pilot, which was critical in getting his country music career off the ground (more on that later). He would reach the rank of captain during his service. In the meantime, he was making music and formed his own band while stationed in Germany. Kristofferson was offered the prestigious position of teaching literature
GO ONLINE VA.gov ASSOCIATED PRESS
Members of The Highwaymen, left to right, Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Waylon Jennings and Johnny Cash, appear on stage in October 1985. at West Point in 1965, but turned it down and left the Army. It was a move that caused his family, full of veterans, to disown him. His first wife divorced him four years later, which is some prime country music songwriting fodder. It was finally time for Kristofferson to focus on music. He moved to Nashville, where he worked as a janitor and flew helicopters for oil rigs. He also worked in construction and fought forest fires in Alaska, anything he could do to keep focused on the music. It also was good experience from which to draw country music inspiration. As he turned 30 years old, he was still moonlighting as a janitor in Nashville recording studios, strategically dropping demo tapes onto desks and hoping they would get into the hands of some of the biggest names in country music.
Army training lands him in history books
In a big gamble, he once stole a helicopter, flew to Johnny Cash’s house and landed on the Man in Black’s front lawn. In retrospect, Kristofferson admits he’s lucky Cash didn’t try to shoot him down. Instead, the icon listened to his demo
for “Sunday Morning Coming Down.” Cash liked it so much, he recorded it, and Kristofferson took the first step toward becoming a country music legend. Now “lifted from obscurity” (as Kristofferson puts it), he wrote some of his biggest hits, including “Vietnam Blues,” “Help Me Make It Through the Night” and “Me and Bobby McGee.” Later, he would form The Highwaymen, a country music supergroup comprised of himself, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings and Johnny Cash. There are few country music stars that Kristofferson hasn’t worked with or influenced during his career, even to this day. His music fame led him to the silver screen, where he appeared in 119 roles, including the “Blade” trilogy, the third remake of “A Star Is Born” and the History Channel miniseries “Texas Rising.” Kristofferson was inducted into the songwriter’s Hall of Fame in 1985 and has earned more than 48 different BMI Country and Pop awards. In 2004, he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and received the Veteran of the Year Award at the American Veteran Awards in 2011, with fellow country legend and vet Willie Nelson presenting the honor.
The Department of Veterans Affairs website has resources on every topic relevant to veterans.
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)
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VETERANS CHRONICLE
What veterans value most Another Veterans Day has arrived and gone, and like any other previous year, there were ceremonies, celebrations and reruns of classic war movies (or documentaries for the more serious armchair generals). Discussions and commentary about veterans-related issues filled TV screens and the papers as well. Yet, beyond the parades, flag waving, and commentary, what does Veterans Day mean to veterans? My father is a Vietnam veteran, but had never spoken about his experience when I was younger. Without a military base near my hometown in Oregon, the topic of veterans was all the more foreign and distant. However, my perspective would radically change after joining the military and a particularly poignant experience immediately following my first combat deployment. Late one evening in December 2006, I stopped at a local store in Colorado Springs on my way home from Fort Carson. It was a frigid night typical of a Colorado winter. As I was leaving the store I heard a voice call out from behind me: “Hey Soldier!” I turned to see a man about my father’s age approach. “Were you with those 4th Infantry Division boys that just came back from Iraq?” he inquired. “Yes, we just came back on November 11th of all days,” I replied. After seeing my rank, he reached out to shake
Lt. Col. Benjamin J. Van Meter, left.
my hand and said: “Welcome back lieutenant!” Surprised, I asked him how he recognized my rank. “Sir, I was with the 4th Infantry Division in Vietnam back in 1968 and there’s a lot I still remember about the Army – including babysitting our young lieutenant!” I laughed at this classic Army joke and replied that “My dad is a Vietnam veteran as well and that’s the same time he was there too.” The man’s eyes lit up as we began
talking about his time in Vietnam, my father’s experience, and the similarities of their experiences with mine while recently deployed to Iraq. During this conversation, a stranger had suddenly become a fellow comrade. Two different generations became part of a larger continuum that started long before us and continues on. It was from this conversation that I began to understand the value of connection for veterans.
Since joining the Army, Veteran’s Day has been a moment to pause and reflect on the experiences that tested our mettle and transformed strangers into brothers and sisters. The hardships, sacrifice, and challenges that we endured together forged an incredible bond. After this collective experience, it is hard to return to an American society that can be hyper-individualistic and divided. Sometimes members of
the public ask me what they can do to help veterans. From my perspective, it is simple: listen and ask questions. Non-veterans will have a hard time relating to these stories, but asking questions like “What was your favorite memory from serving?” and “What are you most thankful for?” is simple, but shows interest while guiding the conversation in a positive direction. Interest shows value, which in turn starts the process of building the sense of connection that veterans often miss and value most about their time in serving our nation. A sharing of stories and developing new, common experiences with members of the community, will help veterans feel connected vs. alienated. I learned early in my military career that taking a moment of your time to listen can have a profound impact on others within the organization and within our community. Outside that local store in Colorado, my conver-
By Lt. Col. Benjamin J. Van Meter sation came to an end with a fellow veteran from another generation. He seemed overjoyed at the opportunity to meet a member of the newest generation from his old unit. The man also appeared content that he could relive his own story with someone who could understand and appreciate it to a degree. As we prepared to say farewell, I reached over and pulled off my combat patch from my right sleeve. I handed it to the man and said, “From one veteran to another, thank you for your service and please take this 4th Infantry Division combat patch as a keepsake from our conversation tonight.” He held the patch for a moment, his eyes began to water and glisten under the parking lot lights. Suddenly, he stood straight, rendered me a salute, and said “Thank you, Sir!” I returned the salute and as I shook his hand, I repeated the 4th Infantry Division Motto “Steadfast and Loyal!” From the look in his eye, a sense of connection and belonging had come alive inside of him. In that brief moment, he was a proud soldier standing among his comrades once again. Lt. Col. Benjamin J. Van Meter, U.S. Army, currently serves as the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Professor of Military Science at Eastern Washington University.
Spokane, Wash. / Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
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VETERANS CHRONICLE
Veterans grateful for ‘the Mayor of the VA’ Bennett ‘Tray’ Traylor loves to help find solutions
By Darrel Maddux
VETERANS HELP NET CORRESPONDENT
Bennett “Tray” Traylor is a retired Air Force veteran and a Vietnam veteran who has been working at the VA for 20 years. He served in the U.S. Air Force from December 1971 to January 1992. Tray wishes he had volunteered for more overseas assignments, as if serving in Guam, Thailand, Vietnam, Korea and Japan were not enough. He was once asked what he would say to a young person considering the military, and he called it “the best place to grow up and to learn about discipline and responsibility.” He then retired from Fairchild AFB and attended Spokane Falls Community College, graduating with an Associate Degree in substance abuse and specializing in drug and alcohol counseling. He was hired by the VA and started out in a work-study program to learn how the VA functioned. Tray learned that not enough information was being given to the veterans so he set out to make a difference. Counseling taught him how to get veterans to open up and to supply the information needed to help them. His main job is to get veterans into the healthcare system and not to give up while he finds solutions. Tray has been recognized for his outgoing personality and cheerful disposition, even in adverse situations. Colleagues have referred to him as the “Mayor of the VA” because he fixes all the problems and thinks out of the box. Tray says he does his very best to advocate for our veterans in the Spokane VA system and wants to make sure all veterans get the healthcare they deserve. He also says he has a can-do-will-do attitude to make it happen. Faith in God and placing God first in his life guides him thru the challenges of helping other people.
COURTESY PHOTO
Bennett “Tray” Traylor, left, also known as the “Mayor of the VA,” speaks in front of a camera. He has learned that a veteran’s personal records can be found in pay, personnel or medical so it’s not uncommon that specific information needed for a claim will be found in any of these places. Oftentimes a veteran can have more than one DD214. He is always willing to share his vast knowledge with the other members of the team. Teaching, giving seminars, handing out packets of information, speaking at forums and special events, using Telehealth and PowerPoint presentations are Tray’s means to get the word out to veterans.
He adds his skills at comedy to help people remember the important facts of what could become a dry or boring presentation for some people. His people skills make him a sought-out speaker at many events, which to date have numbered around 15 and counting. In the past, he has volunteered at Scope, the Juvenile Court System and at Fairchild AFB retirement events. Counseling veterans and helping them sign up for medical benefits can be interesting and sometimes eye-opening. Veterans who have experienced life-changing events from combat and POW sta-
tus have sat across the desk from Tray and told their very private experiences. He has heard stories of the Bataan Death March, Pearl Harbor attack, a German prison camp POW, Battle of the Bulge, Vietnam tunnel rat followed by becoming a POW, B17 pilots being shot at with flack, a nurse’s experience in Vietnam and many more. Kelly Young, Assistant Chief Health Care Administration, said the vets love him. “Tray is a huge asset to the Mann-Grandstaff VAMC with his knowledge of the Enrollment System but his compassion and drive to help every veteran is what
makes Tray invaluable to the VA,” he said. “Tray’s tenure working in Eligibility really helps when we have turnover and he can share his years of wisdom and knowledge with the new staff. The reason the current Eligibility team is so amazing is his willingness to share his knowledge and expertise. Will he retire? Someday, Tray says this will happen when his employment at the VA becomes a job! Darrel Maddux is a Veterans Help Net Correspondent and American Legion Historian.
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The Spokesman-Review
VETERANS CHRONICLE
Meet Donald McSparrin, U.S. Army Air Corps
WWII veterans continue to be America’s Greatest Generation By Bret Bowers
MANN-GRANDSTAFF VAMC
A local World War II veteran continues to inspire his family and the dedicated team at Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center by crediting VA for his continued health, access to COVID vaccines, and a lifelong commitment to service before self. U.S. Army Air Corps veteran Donald McSparrin was an “airman” before the Air Force was even borne. Today he is now 97 years young and was recently accompanied to his appointment at VA by his daughter Lisa. Born in 1924, and like many who grew up through during The Great Depression, Donald followed his own father’s footsteps into the military after World War I. Long before acquiring a 120acre ranch and settling down to raise his family outside Chewelah, McSparrin enlisted in the Army Air Corps and was trained as a weather forecaster. He helped plan top-secret aircraft bombing missions by the U.S. and its allies into Nazi Germany and throughout Europe. After the war, Donald McSparrin enrolled in college. He was a brilliant mathematician, which is probably why he bet on himself when he proposed to Roberta, a nurse who he met at a local soda shop while enrolled in college at Chico State University in northern California. They were happily married for 72 years. Beyond the military, travel, and raising a family together, McSparrin would attend several higher education institutions, including Harvard University. Donald would earn degrees in both mechanical and electrical engineering. He and Roberta were blessed with seven daughters.
Don McSparrin, then and now Daughter Susan is a retired Registered Nurse who has cared for her father since Roberta’s passing two years ago. “I’m privileged to live and care for Dad, along with the loving help from all my sisters and the wonderful help, care, and services from the Coeur d’Alene Senior Center, American Legion, and VA,” she said. Daughter Rachel distinctly remembers a special moment while she was a little girl and the family lived in Tri-Cities, where McSparrin proudly worked at one of the nuclear reactors that decades earlier helped put an end to World War II with Japan. The Cold War and nuclear deterrent followed, and in 1963, President John F. Kennedy visited the Hanford Nuclear Complex, honoring Kaiser Engineering and its employees, including McSparrin. Rachel still has news clippings and pictures of the day her daddy took her and his wife Roberta to work for the President’s special visit, including watching the landing of Marine 1 at the nuclear reservation. More than 50 years later, daughter Lisa escorted her father to his recent appointment at Spokane’s Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center. Beaming with pride, Lisa couldn’t help but “ham it up” with her dad, sharing stories of his days as a young boy, stealing watermelons, or getting his tonsils out without any anesthesia. “My papa is a bad**s,” she smiled. She then explained how
he loved billiards and was a regular at Don’s Pool Hall in nearby Post Falls, Idaho. Donald McSparrin served his fellow veterans as secretary of his local American Legion post, as well as volunteering for the rifle squad and Honor Guard during burial ceremonies. “This is how we were taught to serve our nation, our communities, and to honor our fellow veterans,” he shared. In addition to his family and the beautiful love story he and Roberta lived and created with their daughters and extended family and friends, Donald McSparrin’s smarts, wit and cando spirit are an inspiration to all who know him, including his VA health care teams in Spokane and Coeur d’Alene. As a believer, Don also gives his thanks “to God Almighty” through St. Cyril’s Byzantine Catholic Church. When asked what inspires him now, he says,
COURTESY PHOTOS
All of Don and Roberta McSparrins’ daughters gathered to celebrate the couple’s 50th wedding anniversary. “I have many wonderful memories.” But as he looks to the horizon, he can’t help but think about his favorite and beloved Gonzaga Bulldogs basketball team.
“Maybe, just maybe, this will be the year they win it all? I’d sure like to see that,” he smiled. Bret Bowers is Public Affairs Officer for the Mann-Grandstaff VAMC. Former U.S. President John Kennedy visited the Tri-Cities when Don McSparrin was working at Hanford.
Spokane, Wash. / Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
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VETERANS CHRONICLE
Whitworth’s Labrie receives credit for veteran support University receives position of honor, military-friendly designation By Trisha Coder More than 5 million veterans received a bachelor’s degree or higher in 2019, according to the latest statistics published by the Statista Research Department last month. At Whitworth University, the first person some of them are likely to meet is Phil Labrie, assistant director of military and veterans outreach. Labrie joined Whitworth in 2018 with a blank slate in front of him. The first hired in this position, Labrie taps into his own past experiences serving in the Air Force and completing an accounting degree at Whitworth so he’s better able to serve those military-connected students looking to go to college. His expertise spans a wide array of topics; everything from how to apply for college to the resources available to veterans on campus. “The two things I knew I wanted to do were recruit military-connected students to Whitworth, but more importantly, I wanted to create an environment that made our military-connected students feel valued and welcomed,” said Labrie. Labrie is definitely accomplishing that. In the last three years, Whitworth has grown its veteran-connected student population from 168 to 221. Earlier this year, Whitworth signed a crosstown agreement with Washington State University that allows Whitworth students to enroll in Air Force ROTC classes of-
fered on WSU’s Pullman campus. The university has been named a Military-Friendly School by Victory media for the past three years, has invited dignitaries like U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers to be a keynote speaker at the annual Veterans Day ceremony and put together its second Military Appreciation football game complete with military flyovers and a coining ceremony. This month, one of Labrie’s dreams, and perhaps what will be his legacy, became a reality. “Since my first day at Whitworth one of my goals was to have a dedicated space on campus where veterans and military connected students can gather, study, support one another, encourage our ROTC students and so much more,” says Labrie. “This past June, Whitworth leadership graciously provided a 3,000 square-foot house on campus that could be converted into such a center. It will be known as the Military and Veterans Resource Center or MAVRC.” MAVRC will be a place for veterans to study, recreate and host veteran-related events as well as a place for outside veteran organizations to come and work with Whitworth students. Labrie has sought donations from local donors and area business owners to furnish the center. He and his wife, Kristen, have even spent countless hours painting and getting the
Do you have Medicare? Part A - Hospital stays Part B - Doctor visits Part D - Prescription Drugs
These are some of the extra benefits you are entitled to: Dental Coverage COURTESY PHOTO
Free Fitness Membership
Phil Labrie, assistant director of military and veterans outreach at Whitworth University.
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Page 10
Friday, November 19, 2021
The Spokesman-Review
VETERANS CHRONICLE
How Afghanistan veterans can learn from Vietnam veterans By Adam Stump
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS ADMINISTRATION
This is the second in a four-part series about Afghanistan veterans and how they can get help. This series focuses on how those who served in Afghanistan can learn from those who served in Vietnam. While the conflicts are different, there are parallels. Each operation had U.S. involvement for about two decades. Both countries had a low initial amount of forces. Both later had a surge in forces. U.S. forces in both theaters fought an enemy that hid among the people. The U.S. participation in the Vietnam War started ending in 1973 with the signing of the Paris Peace Accords. The U.S. withdrew, leaving the country to determine a path ahead. In Afghanistan, the U.S. withdrawal will leave Afghans to determine their own future.
Emotions on Afghanistan
When the announcement came that U.S. forces would leave Afghanistan, it triggered a complicated wave of emotions through those who served in the country. Air Force veteran Scott Watson is one of them. Watson spent a year in Afghanistan from July 2009 to July 2010. He worked for Combined Security Transition Command – Afghanistan as the Afghan National Army fuels officer, the top level of the supply chain when it came to fuel. He spent a year separated from his daughter. “It was a mix of disappointment and relief,” Watson said about hearing the news. “I’m disappointed that we’re leaving, and I don’t feel like we’re done training the Afghan security forces. At the same time, I’m relieved that I don’t ever have to go see names of people that I know redeploying to
this place where it’s just Groundhog Day every day.”
Veterans coming together
The withdrawals are an experience that Afghanistan and Vietnam veterans share. One of the ways these veterans come together is through Vet Centers. Vet Centers operate outside of the traditional medical model, where eligible veterans, service members and their families can come together to find meaning in their service. Talking through these shared experiences helps, and there’s no time limit or additional cost for services. “I’ve got Vietnam veterans who are still coming here, not because we failed to resolve any issue in their life, but because they found a home in the community,” said Joe Lasky, director of the Las Vegas Vet Center. “They found friendships and a way to come talk and
deal with issues that may have started in Vietnam, but now affect their current health. Because Vet Centers are readjustment counseling, that’s defined by every veteran who comes in here.” Lasky can see the bonds because he’s an Afghanistan veteran himself. He served on active duty in the 1st Ranger Battalion for four years, then joined the National Guard.
Vet Centers provide help
Vietnam veterans created those first grassroots Vet Centers as early as the 1970s, because of a lack of trust that their service and trauma could be understood, as well as a seemingly limited access to VA benefits and services. Today, Vet Centers help veterans and service members who deployed to areas of hostility or who experience certain types of trauma while serving, as well as
their families. In doing so, professional counselors and outreach staff work with individuals from all generations. Counselors help to identify goals and create support structures to accomplish those goals and overall aid in the readjustment of those who served. That ranges from assisting in referrals for VA benefits like GI Bill or VA home loans to more traditional counseling. Counseling can include individual, group, couples and family counseling, tackling symptoms associated with anger management or improving relationships. Lasky said Vet Centers also try to get veterans together for activity-based groups based on the local needs and desires of the community the Vet Center is in. These may include activities ranging from outdoor recreational trips, yoga classes, gardening groups See AFGHANISTAN, PAGE 11
Spokane, Wash. / Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
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Friday, November 19, 2021
VETERANS CHRONICLE AFGHANISTAN Continued from PAGE 10
to music, art and writing groups. During these engagements, the goal is for veterans and service members to open up about their experiences. “I’ve seen a willingness to try to do a lot of mentoring from the Vietnam veterans,” Lasky said. Since the Vietnam veterans are decades removed from conflict, many, he said, will offer advice to younger veterans to not repeat any mistakes they might have made.
Linking up veterans
Lasky said when he was the Vet Center director in Yuma, Ariz, Vietnam veterans would link up with Marines from Marine Corps Air Station Yuma. During trips, sometimes with fishing poles in hand, the older veterans would help talk through difficult issues. “The Vietnam vets really liked it because they like to be able to say, ‘We understand, we’ve been dealing with this for years, so let’s talk about it,’ ” Lasky said. Many times, Vietnam veterans would pass along guidance of focusing on the personal level of service. They would focus on “Did I do my job to the best of my ability and support my brothers and sisters to the best of my ability?” Lasky added. “What came out of that was friendships and bonding and experiences that have united generations,” he said. “Two generations from separate eras, but they have that shared conflict.” They were there at different times and a different space, but they support each other. Now he hopes the Afghanistan veterans will come in to bond with their fellow warriors. “Let’s just remove the era and be veterans of conflict together, and see what we
can talk about, recognize and resolve,” he said. “A lot of them are on the same path, maybe a little farther down the road. Maybe there’s a bonding we can learn from.”
Parallels and lessons
Because of the parallels, past lessons from Vietnam can help Afghanistan veterans. “It is likely that part of why Vietnam veterans have struggled is because of their homecoming. That may have made it harder time finding meaning when that conflict ended,” said Dr. Sonya Norman, director of the National Center for PTSD Consultation Program. A 2018 study in the Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease said Vietnam veterans had low homecoming support. Another journal study said negative homecoming experiences predicted warzone-related PTSD symptoms up to 40 years post-deployment.
Closure is necessary
Closure is a necessary part of managing PTSD symptoms, said Dr. Jennifer Vasterling, the chief of psychology at the VA Boston Healthcare System and affiliated investigator with the National Center for PTSD. “The closure helps people demarcate how people feel about things,” Vasterling said. “Without closure, there’s just a lot more room for ambiguity.” Veterans may have trouble adjusting because the conflict is not ending with victory parades, but with an announcement. “People are looking for meaning,” Norman said. “What did it mean that I went there, what did it mean that I risked my life, what does it mean that I saw other people lose their life? In some ways, the celebration gives some mean-
ing, a lens to look through for that experience. If you don’t have that, you’re left to figure it out on your own.” Because of the similarities in the U.S. end to the conflict, Norman said veterans need to address their PTSD issues. “With this more ambiguous conflict where we had some successes, we’re leaving with things still uncertain, there’s a lot more room for people to have interpretations that can have very big impacts and long-term consequences for their mental health,” Norman said.
Learn more
Vet Centers are community-based counseling centers that provide a wide range of social and psychological services, including professional readjustment counseling to eligible veterans, service members – including National Guard and Reserve components – and their families. Readjustment counseling is offered to make a successful transition from military to civilian life or after a traumatic event experienced in the military. Individual, group, marriage and family counseling is offered in addition to referral and connection to other VA or community benefits and services. Vet Center counselors and outreach staff, many of whom are Veterans themselves, are experienced and prepared to discuss the tragedies of war, loss, grief and transition after trauma. Learn more: https:// www.vetcenter.va.gov/ Find a Vet Center: www.va.gov/findlocations/?facilityType-vet_ center Call the Vet Center call center: 1-877- 927-8387
Peer support
Other helpful options are peer support specialists and peer support groups. Veterans interested in participating in peer support need
a referral from their Mental Health Service provider. Peer support specialists draw on past experiences to help bridge the gap between veteran and provider. Peer support groups are a place where veterans can discuss day-to-day problems with other people who have been through trauma. Support groups have not been shown to reduce PTSD symptoms, but they can help veterans feel better in other ways. “They’ve all served, deployed and now gone through treatment,” Norman said. “They’re now sort of in this bridge role between the veteran and the clinician.” Air Force veteran Adam Stump is a member of VA's Digital Media Engagement team.
Read the other parts in series
PART
1:
Afghanistan:
COURTESY PHOTO
Vietnam veterans created grassroots Vet Centers as early as the 1970s. How veterans can reconcile service PART 3: Afghanistan: How spouses, caregivers
can support veterans with PTSD PART 4: Afghanistan: Resources available for PTSD
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Friday, November 19, 2021
The Spokesman-Review
VETERANS CHRONICLE
Flag rules and regulations How to properly display the flag
1. When the flag of the United States of America is displayed over the middle of the street, it should be suspended vertically with the union to the north in an east and west street or to the east in a north and south street. 2. The U.S. flag, when it is displayed with another flag against a wall from crossed staffs, should be on the right, the flag’s own right (that means the viewer’s left), and its staff should be in front of the staff of the other flag. 3. The flag, when flown at halfstaff, should be first hoisted to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The flag should be again raised to the peak before it is lowered for the day. “Half-staff” means lowering the flag to one-half the distance between the top and bottom of the staff. Crepe streamers may be affixed to spear heads or flagstaffs in
a parade only by order of the President of the United States. 4. When flags of states, cities, localities or pennants of societies are flown on the same halyard with the U.S. flag, the U.S. flag should always be at the peak. When the flags are flown from adjacent staffs, the U.S. flag should be hoisted first and lowered last. No such flag or pennant may be placed above or to the right the flag of the United States. 5. When the flag is suspended over a sidewalk from a rope extending from a house to a pole at the edge of the sidewalk, the flag should be hoisted out, union first, from the building. 6. When the flag of the United States is displayed from a staff projecting horizontally or at an angle from the window sill, balcony or front of a building, the union of the flag should be placed at the
peak of the staff unless the flag is at half-staff. 7. When the flag is used to cover a casket, it should be placed so that the union is at the head and over the left shoulder. The flag should not be lowered into the grave or allowed to touch the ground. 8. When the flag is displayed in a manner other than by being flown from a staff, it should be displayed flat, whether indoors or out. When displayed either horizontally or vertically against a wall, the union should be uppermost and to the flag’s own right; that is to the observer’s left. When displayed in a window it should be displayed in the same way; that is with the union or blue field to the left of the observer in the street. When festoons, rosettes or drapings are desired, bunting of blue, white and red should be used, but nev-
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er the flag. 9. That the flag, when carried in a procession with another flag, or flags, should be either on the marching right; that is the flag’s own right, or, if there is a line of other flags, in front of the center of that line. 10. The flag of the United States of America should be at the center and at the highest point of the group when a number of flags of states or localities or pennants of societies are grouped and displayed from staffs.
11. When flags of two or more nations are displayed, they are to be flown from separate staffs of the same height. The flags should be of approximately equal size. International usage forbids the display of the flag of one nation above that of another nation in time of peace. 12. When displayed from a staff in a church or public auditorium, the U.S. flag should hold the position of superior prominence, in advance of the audience, and in the position of honor.
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Friday, November 19, 2021
VETERANS CHRONICLE
NATIVE VETERANS – NATIVE PRIDE By Ruth Aresvik
VETERANS HELP NET CORRESPONDENT
Simple and powerful … timeless and inclusive. This is the description given for the Native American Veterans Memorial at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C. The memorial opened to the public in November 2020 and was designed by Harvey Pratt, a member of the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes and a southern Cheyenne peace chief. Pratt is also a Marine Corps Vietnam veteran. A stainless steel circle sits atop a carved stone drum surrounded by benches. Pratt’s design incorporates elements of fire, water, air and earth, and four lances where visitors can tie cloths for prayers and healing, remembrance and reflection. November is American Indian Heritage Month and, like this memorial, presents an opportunity to learn and honor American Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians who served in the military of the United States. Veterans have defended our country for centuries, and Native Americans serve in the United States Armed Forces at five times the national average. According to the USO and VeteranAid websites, General Ely S. Parker, a member of the Seneca Nation, served as military secretary for General Ulysses S. Grant during the Civil War. Parker would later write the final draft of the Confederate terms of surrender. Despite not being recognized as American citizens, an estimated 12,000 Native Americans served in World War I. When the entire population of Native Americans was less than 350,000, an estimated 44,000 served in World War II (nearly 800 were women), and 42,000 served in the Vietnam War. As many as 90% of them were volunteers. In recent years, statistics show almost 20% of all Native American service members are women, compared to the approximate 15% of other ethnicities. Who hasn’t heard of the Navajo Code Talkers? Their indigenous unwritten language was supreme in creating a special code to transmit sensitive information during World War II. A total of 29 Navajo Marine Corps men began the operation, and by the end of the war, about 400 Talkers from the Navajo, Cherokee, Choctaw, Lakota, Meskwaki and Comanche tribes were translating encrypted messages. Japanese forces never broke the Navajo Code. For Native veterans, like so many others,
service to their country does not end when handed their DD 214. Dr. Ricky Robinson, Army veteran and member of the Cherokee Nation and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma, was past Executive Director of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribe at Fort Hall, Idaho. He was also Director of the Cherokee Nation Veterans Affairs Center after his retirement from the Bureau of Indian Affairs - Office of Indian Education. Dr. Robinson follows a tradition of service much like his uncles and grandfather, and continues to work in helping veterans. As past manager for the Cherokee Nation Veterans Center in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, Dr. Robinson enjoys visiting with anyone. “A lot of veterans just want to come in and talk about something, maybe experiences they’ve had. They can do that here ... we will help them get an appointment with a licensed counselor in the tribe or through Veterans Affairs,” he said. The GI Bill was an advantage that helped John Daugherty, Air Force veteran and tribal member of the Cherokee, Shawnee and Delaware tribes. After his four years as an administrative specialist, serving mostly in Spain, John took business and Indian social science courses. He worked in various roles for Indian Health Services and became Area Director of Indian Services for the State of Oklahoma. “I lived with my grandmother who spoke only Shawnee. My mother was full blood Shawnee and Delaware. I’ve been a singer at tribal ceremonies, responsible for maintaining drums and had the pleasure and honor of mentoring young people, encouraging them with their singing,” John Daugherty said. Cherokee tribal member and Navy veteran S. Joe Crittenden has no shortage of warrior spirit. After his tour in Guam, and on the USS Princeton, Joe came back to work for the tribe in many areas. He served as Deputy Chief of the Cherokee Nation, participated in several Warrior (Honor) Flights, and worked with the Department of Veteran Affairs so that veterans who would normally use VA health facilities could use tribal health centers for routine care. Joe also signed an agreement with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in securing a housing program for homeless Native American veterans. “It blesses my heart. We talk about sacrifice that has been given by veterans through the ages ... I’m going to do everything I can to improve what’s already a
success in our tribe.” Joe is proud of his service, it “gave me direction, taught me respect, and to obey orders. I believe we see this land as something created to use and take care of and defend.” Joe was a member of the advisory committee for the National Native American Veterans Memorial. From 2015 until the summer of 2017, the committee conducted many consultations, bringing together tribal leaders, Native veterans, and community members across the nation in order to establish a shared vision and set of design principles. Joe now serves as the Cherokee Nation Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Challenges aside, Native American service members have stepped up to serve the United States with dignity and distinction. They have dedicated their lives to protecting this country and helping veterans. They have blended harmony and fierce spirit in leaving a legacy of tribal pride. For more information and to view the online exhibitions of the National Native American Veterans Memorial, visit americanindian.si.edu/nnavm.
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Friday, November 19, 2021
The Spokesman-Review
VETERANS CHRONICLE
Veterans Help Net turns 3 this month and help find a path for “Hope and Help” for our veterans and their families. Thanks also must be given to our readers and story contributors, especially our overworked volunteer correspondents and writers. You may have seen their bylines on many articles and stories, and next month we’ll tell you more about who they are and how and why they joined our team. “We know you put your hearts and souls into your work, and we are honored to have you on our team, sharing your insight and skills.” Three years gone … but not forgotten, and we hope many more as Veterans Help Net tries to show Veterans and their families a “Path to Hope and Help”
By Don Walker
VETERANS HELP NET
Over the past three years, so many people have contributed their efforts and skills to help Veterans Help Net try to accomplish our mission of providing information and direction to area veterans and their families through our two monthly publications, Veterans Chronicle and The Veterans Press. These folks have given parts of their hearts and souls trying to have an impact ... trying to make a difference ... trying to give “hope and help” to our veterans, their families, and friends. During that time, we’ve searched for people, organizations and stories that will mean something to our veterans that need help. We’ve tried to help them find a path to reduce their pain and give them some hope for living a better and healthier life, a better life they earned with their service and sacrifices. We’ve always wondered if anyone was listening ... if anyone was reading our stories. Were both publications delivering the “Hope and Help” that many veterans and their families desperately needed? Are the articles and stories that we presented in our publications and social media really making a difference? We didn’t need to measure results to push us forward ... we believed our messages and stories were important and impacting. We believed if we helped one veteran or one family find hope and help, then our mission was a success. Recently we received a message from Bret Bowers, the Public Affairs Officer at Spokane’s VA Hospital (Mann-Grandstaff Veterans Administration Medical Center). He requested some extra copies of our recent Veterans Chronicle and concluded his request with “Our Enrollment Team is getting flooded with calls over some of the articles within the latest insert.” Even though we did not need
Thank you and keep the stories coming … They are making a difference! anyone to tell us we’ve done some good, it was always wonderful to hear that it was working. Thank you, Bret, for the input and comments, and thank you for all the articles and stories you have provided over the first three years. Many people and organizations deserve thanks for helping us over the last three years. Today, I would to single out a few that don’t normally get mentioned. But first, let me send some thank-yous and credos to our incredible teams at the two newspapers that we help produce their veteran sections.. Veterans Chronicle, which is provided and presented the third Friday in The Spokesman-Review. Joe Butler, Niche and Online Content Coordinator for the Marketing Department, saw the value in our idea and helped lead the team to where we are now. Scott Baumbach, Classified Advertising Manager, was the first person we talked to when we presented the idea of a Veter-
ans Chronicle, and he introduced the idea to the rest of the team. He’s also championed the development of the publication and expanded its scope, reach, and format. Theresa Tanner, Marketing Writer, helped us make the Veterans Chronicle into a professional and quality publication by editing our articles and helping us put order into our chaos. Anne Potter, Advertising/Marketing Graphic Designer, helped us put color, style and format into our publication and made the section – and all of us -- look great. Our deepest thanks for your support, insight, and creativity to help us start and continue this worthy effort. I also want to thank the team at the Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls Press for The Veterans Press, which is published the third Tuesday of each month. Mike Patrick, managing editor, said yes before we even finished our exploration and presented our program. He got it right way, and has been there every step of
the way in developing and expanding the form and format. Other team members include Steve Hanson, Kari Packer, Brenda Hanson and Angie High. Thanks for putting shape, color and form into the publication and help sell the idea and goodness of it to advertisers. Our deepest thanks to the North Idaho team for its support, insight, and creativity to help us start and continue this worthy effort. Both newspaper teams are committed and dedicated to monthly helping Veterans Help Net put together an interesting, impacting and important veteran’s section for the community they serve. They tell our veterans stories, recognize the important work that individuals and organization do for veterans in their communities,
Sincerely, Veterans Help Net Team
Spokane, Wash. / Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
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Friday, November 19, 2021
VETERANS CHRONICLE
Veterans First board, Red Cross partner to reduce hunger ‘Together We Go Far’ was theme of food effort
In March 2017, the Veterans First board was chartered at the behest of both the Veterans Benefits Administration in Washington and the Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center for one singular purpose: “To improve the lives of veterans daily.” Veterans First is categorized as a Community Veterans Engagement Board and is composed of 15 board members from all walks of life in the Inland Northwest including nonprofits, businesses, state veteran agencies and national government agencies. Three members are standing members: the Spokane VA Medical Center, the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs, supporting the National Cemetery Administration and the Veterans Benefits Administration. Retired Col. Brian Newberry chairs the committee and Goodwill Industries of the Inland Northwest kindly administratively anchors the board. Since last Veterans Day, this distinguished board of veteran supporters has been earnest to fulfill its mission of serving veterans in these pandemic times. From developing a public service announcement to educate our community on veteran burial benefits to advocating for a van to support Veterans Community Response in its outreach efforts, the small group of veteran advocates has kept its eye on the ball. One of the more consequential efforts since its chartering was a focused effort to combat food scarcity issues with local veterans and their families. Accepting a very generous grant from the Bob Woodruff Foundation, Vets First secured $10,000 to combat the challenges of veteran hunger. Seizing the moment, several board members including Deb Davis, a volunteer of the American Red Cross, and Thomas Jarrard, local attorney,
COURTESY PHOTOS
Second Harvest teamed up with Veterans First for a food distribution at Fairchild Air Force Base for needy families. connected with Second Harvest Inland Northwest, the premier and largest food bank in our area to help deliver food to veterans. Second Harvest went to work connecting its Mobile Market with the VA hospital, and also coordinated a distribution at Fairchild AFB and the Veterans Administration Clinic in Coeur d’Alene. Veterans like Allen, who is disabled and on a fixed income, received a variety of nutritious staples, including meat, fresh produce, dairy, bread and nonperishable food. Allen expressed his deep gratitude for a wonderful resource for veterans facing food insecurity. Incredibly, Woodruff Foundation provided the grant two more
times to Veterans First, to total an astounding $30,000 donated to the Inland Northwest to help veterans like Allen. Nearly 3,000 veterans or family members were supported over 2021 by this Second Harvest Mobile Market free food initiative. The often-used adage comes to mind: “If you want to go far, go together.” Together, Vets First Board and Second Harvest went far giving ‘red, white and blue’ support to those in need. So grateful for the veterans who defended America, Vets First is also grateful for partners in the community who make the Inland Northwest an All-American community every day of the year!
Page 16
Friday, November 19, 2021
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