veterans life march 2013
DESCRIPTION
Local Veterans News andIssuesTRANSCRIPT
LifeVeteransA Sound Publishing Monthly Magazine March 2013
Findinghope innaturepage 15
www.kitsapveteranslife.com
2 | V E T E R A N S L I F E | M A R C H 2 0 1 3
Rachell served our country building barracks in Afghanistan, now she’s building a career as a Union Carpenter!
CARPENTRY CAREERS FOR VETSFriday, March 8, 2013 • 9 AM - 2 PMCarpenters Specialty Training Center • 20424 72nd Ave S • Kent, WA 98032
Discover opportunities for a career in construction. Explore interactive craft exhibits. Talk to industry professionals.
Register for Helmets to Hardhats* (H2H).Apply for our apprenticeship programs.
*Helmets to hardhats (H2H) is a national program that connects National Guard, Reserve and transitioning active duty military members with quality career training and employment
opportunities within the construction industry.
This is a FREE event for our military veterans. Bring a copy of your resumé and DD 214.
www.nwcarpenters.orgPacific Northwest Regional Council of Carpenters
www.carpentertraining.orgCarpenters-Employers Apprenticeship & Training Trust Fund of Washington-Idaho
WANT MORE INFORMATION? Call 1-800-573-8333 or
email: [email protected]
NOWOPEN!
9960 Silverdale Way NW, Ste #4Silverdale
360-336-2512360-337-2513 MSG
A new dining experience! Traditional Chinese Cuisine over 100 items to choose from. New Sushi Bar,
Grilling Bar,Private Party Rooms, American Food and much much more!
We Can't Wait To Serve You!Now Serving Bottled Beer!
Governor Jay Inslee has appointed Lourdes E. Alvarado-Ramos as the first woman to serve as director of the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs.
“Words cannot describe how honored I am to serve you as Director of this great agency,” Alvarado-Ramos said. “Together we have worked to improve the lives of vet-erans and their families and my goal is to continue empowering you to make a differ-ence for veterans each and every day.”
Alvarado-Ramos joined WDVA in 1993 and was appointed Deputy Director in 2005. She has a unique understanding of the agency, having led the Veterans Services Division and each of the State Veterans Homes as Superintendent.
Alvarado-Ramos served 22 years on active duty, retiring in August 1993 as
Command Sergeant Major and Troop Command Sergeant Major of Madigan Army Medical Center in Fort Lewis.
During her military career, she was the recipient of numerous awards and decora-tions including the Legion of Merit, Order of Military Medical Merit, Expert Field Medical Badge and Meritorious Service Medals.
“Today is a great day for veterans and their families in Washington State,” said retiring WDVA Director John Lee. “Alfie
is clearly the right person to provide a new vision and focus leading this agency into its next chapter of Serving Those Who Served.”
The Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs serves as an advocate for our state’s military veterans and their families, in recognition of their service and sacrifice to our country. WDVA operates three State Veterans Homes which provide long-term nursing care and offers a number of programs ranging from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Counseling to services for homeless veterans.
Alvarado-Ramos to lead WDVA
Jim McKenna has been named to lead the Kitsap County Veterans Assistance program. McKenna replaces Lief Bentsen who retired in December.
The Kitsap County Veterans Assistance program provides services to veterans who reside in Kitsap County through sales tax collected at the county level. The program has a budget of just over $300,000.
A 17-member board of
directors oversees the needs of veterans in the county and allocates funding to address those needs. All of the board members are veterans. McKenna is the staff person who works for the board gathering information about service needs for veterans in the county.
McKenna is a Vietnam Veteran and also works as the OneStop manager at the WorkSource Kitsap office in east Bremerton. His position with the assistance program is part time.
“I come into this position with a back ground in banking,” he said. “For 28 years I was in banking and then I switched to working with WorkSource in programs that look at employment issues.”
Although there are three specialists at WorkSource who help veterans with employment issues, McKenna said the work of the county’s veterans assistance program has different goals.
“We look at the 36,000 veterans who live in Kitsap
County and try to determine their needs,” he said. “For example, recently we’ve found that veterans need more transportation to medical appointments at area veterans’ hospitals and medical centers. So we are trying to allocate funding for more vans and more van trips.”
Homeless veterans and indigent veterans are two groups that also need attention, he said.
“We’re trying to find ways to address those issues,” he said.
Another thing that he and the board does is monitor state and federal legislation that
affects veterans.“Right now the State
Legislature is considering implementing a one-tenth of one percent sales tax that will be dedicated to veteran (medical) care,” he said. “That’s something that we will be watching and working to get passed.”
Funding for the county program has been reduced because it is based on sales tax and in recent years, less sales tax has been collected, due to the economy.
“Just a few years ago, we had a budget of $500,000 to $600,000,” he said. “Funding has declined and even though
90 percent of all we get goes to direct services, we’re still seeing needs that aren’t being met.
“And we are concerned because we are seeing greater numbers of vets coming back home and getting out of the (military) service. We want to make sure we have the ability to help all of those who have served.”
McKenna was in the Army from 1968 to 1972, and spent 1968 and 1969 in Vietnam. He was an ammunitions expert. He has lived in the Bremerton area for 30 years. He is married and has two grown children, one grandchild with another on the way.
The assistance program is active in two well-known events that support veterans, McKenna said. One is the Stand Down, which this year will be April 27 at the Sheridan Center in Bremerton, beginning at 9 a.m.
“It’s a day where veterans can come and get services they need for free,” he said. “We have food and clothing available and there will be on-site dental care. It’s a time where veterans can make connections to other services they many need, too.”
The other event is the Run to Tahoma, which is on Memorial Day weekend. It’s a time when veterans escort the remains of veterans that have not been claimed to the veterans cemetery for burial.
“It’s done with full military honors,” he said. “We have about 300 veterans on motorcycles and the honor guard and a military fly over. It’s a very touching ceremony.”
The board of the assistance program meets monthly on the second Wednesday, at 5:30 p.m. on the lower level of the Silverdale Community Center. Meetings are open to the public.
McKenna can be reached at [email protected], or at 360 337-4767.
Veteran leads Kitsap County Veteran Assistance programBy Leslie Kelly
Alvarado-Ramos
Veterans Life is published monthly by Sound Publishing Inc.; Corporate Headquarters: 19351 8th Avenue, Suite 106, Poulsbo, WA 98370. SUBSCRIPTIONS: $24/year via USPS. Copyright 2012 Sound Publishing Inc
3888 NW Randall Way, Suite 100, Silverdale, WA 98383www.kitsapveteranslife.com
LifeLifeLifeLifeLifeLifeLifeLifeLifeLifeLifeLife
Every veteran deserves a voice. And this month in Veterans Life we’re looking at ways in which veterans can have a voice, be it through politics, business, or social services that have programs for veterans.
On the pages of Veterans Life, you’ll meet Lourdes E. Alvarado-Ramos who was recently appointed direc-tor of the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs. The Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs serves as an advocate for our state’s military veterans and their families, in recognition of their service and sacrifice to our country.
Also inside you’ll meet Jim McKenna who has been named to lead the Kitsap County Veterans Assistance program. The Kitsap County Veterans Assistance program provides services to veterans who reside in Kitsap County funded through sales tax collected at the county level. McKenna is the go-to person for the program and helps coordinate a 17-member board of directors.
Reporter Chris Chancellor will introduce you to legislative issues that U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer is champi-oning in the U.S. House of Representatives. He also talks to State Sen. Nathan Schlicher who is working on legislation aimed at helping veterans with healthcare needs.
You’ll read about Project New Hope, a summer weekend retreat, that’s available to veterans who are suffer-ing PTSD and need a place where they can take the family for a get-away that combines relaxation, outdoor activities, and counseling sessions aimed at dealing with PTSD. It’s a project sponsored by the Lions Clubs.
We’re also looking at what’s available for veterans who are unemployed and need help finding work. Reporter Wes Morrow looks at statistics on veteran unemployment, companies that are hiring veterans and agencies making sure veterans know how to get back to work.
Reporter Kevan Moore writes about U.S. Sen. Patty Murray an her memories of growing up in a military family and how she’s working to help veterans and their spouses.
We’re featuring another local veteran-owned business, too. This month its Douglas Dutton’s East Towne Cleaners in Bremerton. He’s a Navy veteran and active in the VFW Post 239.
And as always, we have a great profile of a veteran by Jessica Ginet who talked to Kenneth Vining. Vining spent 23 years in the Navy and now practices at the Navy health clinic at Bangor.
In “The Bond” column, Greg Peterman gives us his recollection of his service days in the Navy and shares his website, www.goatlocker.org with readers.
At Veterans Life, we’re here to help. We want your ideas. We want to know about veterans who are out there doing great things, or who need help. And next month, we’ll take a look back at the Vietnam War. If you’re a Vietnam Veteran with a story to tell, call or email us: [email protected], or 360 308-9161, ext. 5050.
On the inside
GettinG awayA program offered by the Lions Club called Project New Hope
gives veterans and their families opportunities to share time out-doors, sit by the campfire and talk about being back home. 15
the BondAs I was reaching the end of my career, “what’s next” was on my mind.
I started networking with friends, relatives and anyone I could think of for my next career.12
employment Congress is looking at a number of ways to help veterans transition
to civilian life. And companies are looking to hire veterans.
inSide
5
[email protected]/ShaneM
Shane McGrawLoan officer Lic # MLo-90072The Legacy group SiLverdaLe
360.698.6471
BECAUSE YOU’VE ALREADY BEEN THROUGH BOOT CAMP.
Skip the drills.
Get your VA home loan from a guy who actually cares.
I care about the community. I’m a disabled veteran.And I do dependable home loans for active and retired military families.
CALL ME TODAY.• • •
Administration (360) 308-9161
Classified Ads (360) 394-8700
Display Advertising (360) 308-9161
Fax (360) 308-9363
Newsroom (360) 308-9161
ADMINISTRATIONPUBLISHER
SeAN McDONAlD [email protected]
ADVeRTISINGMARKETING REPRESENTATIVES
RITA NICHOlSON [email protected] NelSON [email protected] ZUVeR [email protected]
MARKETING ARTISTBRYON KeMpF [email protected]
NeWSROOMEDITOR
leSlIe [email protected]
SENIOR REPORTER KeVAN [email protected]
SENIOR REPORTER CHRIS [email protected]
REPORTER WeS [email protected]
CIRCUlATION CIRCULATION COORDINATOR
JOSHUA [email protected]
“Scan this code and start receiving local news on your
mobile device today!”
On the cover: A trip to camp in the Olympic Mountains brings veterans and their families closer. Activities such as zip lining and four wheeling are combined with counseling sessions.
“The Navy has done me good.”
That’s how Kenneth Vining summarized his 23 years in the Navy. Vining retired as a Lieutenant in
the Medical Service Corps in 2000 from the Branch Health Clinic - Bangor and returned to the same clinic as a provider, albeit as a civilian, in 2005. With a career that has spanned the globe, Vining is thankful for the opportunities the Navy
provided him since joining in Long Island, NY, in 1977.
“I escaped New York and the East Coast and saw the world,” he said.
Vining has indeed trav-eled the world, with two deployments to the Persian Gulf and to Haiti, in between serving at duty sta-tions in Hawaii, San Diego, Pensacola, North Carolina and Bremerton.
“I’ve circled the world two separate times,” Vining said.
It was during his first time stationed in Hawaii that Vining decided to become a physician’s assistant in 1982. He has been a physician’s assistant for 20 years.
“The Navy set me up for
life,” he said. “They let me travel all over the world.”
Vining expressed appre-ciation at how the Navy pro-vided him the opportunity to obtain multiple degrees. Vining climbed the ranks to Chief Petty Officer as an enlisted serviceman before getting his commission to officer ranks.
Memories abound for Vining. Some are from his duty aboard the cruiser USS Worden (CG18). The USS Worden set sail for the Persian Gulf, Vining said, “when Iraq was considered our friend.”
The cruiser took over duties as an anti-air warfare commander in the northern Persian Gulf with the mis-
sion of intercepting control-lers directed at coalition aircraft in combat air patrols before hostilities began. Vining said his favorite duty was on that cruiser.
“I finally felt like a sailor,” he said.
Sent to Haiti for six months in 1996, Vining was part of a coalition that was intended to stabilize the country when the Haitian president Rene Preval was deposed. Vining was assigned to a fleet hospital. When they weren’t caring for troops, the medical staff cared for the people of Haiti in areas such as Port Au Prince.
“We did hernia repairs and procedures that could be done without a need for a lot of follow-up,” Vining said. “It made me grow as a physi-cian’s assistant.”
Despite the profound personal growth, Vining summed up Haiti in one word: “Depressing.” He described the whole effort as futile.
“No matter what you did, it was just a bandaid,” he said.
Vining compared photo-graphs he had from his time there 15 years ago to those taken after the Jan. 10, 2010, earthquake.
“It was dirty and poor and it didn’t look any different from when I was there,” he said.
While the Haitian infra-structure hasn’t changed much, Navy culture has. Vining described the atmo-sphere in 1977 as vastly different from the Navy of today. Back then, he said, there was more harassment, more drug use and drink-ing and the quality of family life wasn’t as good as it is now. The corpsmen weren’t trained on women’s medical issues then, either, because only men served on ships.
“And then you could wear a beard,” he said, adding, “if you could grow one.”
The Navy of today is the polar opposite of the Navy Vining enlisted in. He said drinking is frowned upon, drugs are not tolerated and the combined service of men and women aboard ships is commonplace.
Vining appreciates the additional family support the Navy now provides.
“There is a better quality of life for the family now,” he said. “They’re more support-ive of family.”
Vining enjoys his work as a civilian at the Branch Health Clinic - Bangor. He likes taking care of the active duty military patients and always preferred working at smaller commands. He misses the camaraderie of being an active duty sailor. But there’s a positive side to it as well.
“I don’t have to worry about promotions,” he said. “I can spend more time with my family. If some-thing really bad happened, though, I know all the crew here would be deployed and I would remain here. Right now I come to work. I see patients and there’s no col-lateral duty.”
Now that Vining has time to pursue outside inter-ests, he is an accomplished outdoor photographer and artist.
Vining has made the most of his life both during and after his Naval career. He’s proud of the service he has given the Navy and his country.
“Anybody who has put their life on the line for their country and wants to serve, whether it’s two or 30 years, is a veteran,” he said. “They gave their all. These people could have made more money on the outside but they served.”
4 | V E T E R A N S L I F E | M A R C H 2 0 1 3
Yank-A-PartAuto Wrecking & Metal Recycle
VEHICLE REMOVAL
METAL RECYCLE
360.779.3344www.yankapart.net
23719 Stottlemeyer Rd NE, Poulsbo Must Present Coupon. Expires 2/28/13
• Self-help wrecking yard • Over 700 vehicles from which to select parts • Huge selection of both imports & domestic • local, friendly & environmentally conscious
USED AUTO PARTS
✃
$250 CASH!You Drive Your “Complete Vehicle”
To Premise with Coupon or
$200 CASH!We Pick-Up Your “Complete Vehicle” from Your Premise
Open 5 Days a WeekTues-Sat, 9-5
East Towne Cleaners4207 Wheaton Way next to Goodwill Bremerton
(360) 479-2039
Providing Services to The Community & Military~ Medal Mounting~ Sew on Patches
~ Hem & Alter UniformsA Veteran Owned Business
Supporting Those Who Are Serving and Have Served
We Deliver On-Base & Off Base!Silverdale
9800 Silverdale Way NW#101
360-662-1300 Order Online at PapaJohns.com
30% OFFwith
MilitaryI.D.
3100 Building #103 on Bucklin Hill Rd., Silverdale
Silverdale • 360-692-6650
Hearing solutions provides quality hearing aids, repair, and services. We feature Agil, a new hearing device, designed to improve your ability to hear and understand even in difficult listening situations. Oticon discovered Agil to help people with hearing problems to stay included as a complete person and to confidentially engage in conversation.
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday
9:00am-4:00pm
Wednesday, Friday 10:00am-2:00pm
Better Hearing Choices
Kenneth Vining
VETERAN PROFILE
By Jessica Ginet
The last few years haven’t been the easiest for veterans who are looking for work. Overall, numbers haven’t been far from the national average. Unemployment among veterans in January was 7.6 percent, while the national average was 7.9.
So things didn’t look so bad overall, but delving deeper into the numbers, they didn’t look so great either.
An unemployment rate 0.3 percent lower than the national average seems encouraging, until one looks back several months. Just two months prior, in November, the veteran unemployment rate was just 6.6 percent. Since then it rose an entire percent-age point in December and January.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates there are 21 million veterans in the United States, so a rise in unemployment of 1 per-cent would be a staggering change — 210,000.
The biggest concern seems to be for those vet-erans who just recently are getting out of the military. One way to see the differ-ence is to look at the unem-ployment rate for post-9/11 veterans, which stood at 11.7 percent in January.
More and more military women and men are exiting the service and moving into the private sector, adding to the already high number of veterans looking for work, statistics show.
While this paints a fairly bleak picture for veteran employment, not all is bad news. Because of conflicts winding down and troops returning home, national attention has turned toward veterans moving into the workforce.
Congress is looking at a number of ways to help veterans transition to civil-ian life.
National companies like Walmart have made prom-
ises to hire more veterans than ever before. Walmart announced in January that it plans to hire more than 100,000 veterans in the coming five years.
“Walmart will offer a job to any honorably discharged veteran within his or her first twelve months off active duty,” said CEO Bill Simon in a January speech. “Not every returning vet-eran wants to work in retail. But every veteran who does will have a place to go.”
More locally, representa-tives in the Washington State Legislature are pre-senting bills that attempt to help stem the tide of rising veteran unemployment.
State Rep. Jan Angel of Kitsap County presented a bill in February that would give tax credits to businesses that hire unemployed veter-ans. State Rep. Steve O’Ban of Pierce County introduced
a bill that would speed up the process through which veterans apply for jobs by allowing them to apply and receive preference prior to officially separating with the military.
As current law stands, veterans must be fully separated from the military before they can begin apply-ing for jobs with veterans’ preference, forcing many veterans to take unemploy-ment while looking for work instead of seamlessly transi-tioning from the military to civilian workforce.
“Our veterans have earned their place in our communities through their unmatched public service,”
O’Ban said. “The least we can do is help ensure they carry on with their lives and not have to stand in the unemployment line.”
Newly appointed Washington Governor Jay
Inslee also made the hiring of veterans a priority. After remaining somewhat quiet in his first few weeks on the job, Inslee announced in February an agenda that he said would help companies
hire 4,100 new veterans.“I’ve also asked (the) leg-
islature to approve bills to recruit more (and) require more purchasing from vet-owned businesses,” Inslee tweeted in February.
Inslee listed eight top priorities in his economic policy brief. Second on that list was “Pass tax credits for businesses that hire unem-ployed veterans.”
Gov. Inslee’s legislation would also ask government agencies to increase con-tracts with veteran-owned businesses from 3 percent to 5 percent.
With the return of many formerly deployed soldiers and military reduction fol-lowing the eventual close of conflicts in the middle east, active-duty military members will continue to transition to other jobs in 2013 and beyond.
All of these actions are part of a larger attempt to reverse the rising tide of veteran unemployment, but to do so will require not only legislation and employ-ment initiatives from busi-nesses like Walmart, but also a shot in the arm to the nation’s economy.
Veteran jobs are in a tenuous situation, but if the unemployment rate can be held at bay, there are good signs on the horizon.
Getting out, and getting employmentBy Wes Morrow
M A R C H 2 0 1 3 | V E T E R A N S L I F E | 5
10424 Silverdale Way NW, Silverdale(360) 613-4005 • Ross Plaza
SPECIAL
with this coupon
Lunch spend $15 take $3 off
Dinner spend $25 take $6 off
KNOWYOURRIGHTS!
· Personal Injury· Auto Accidents· Slip & Fall• Injury Due to Negligence
360-876-5005800-273-5005
HELP AVAILABLE CALL NOW
www.glpattorneys.com
FREE ATTORNEY CONSULTATION
X Z L A B O C T
9990 Mickleberry Rd NW • Silverdale Located Inside Pearle Vision
Tricare, Geha & Most Major Insurances accepted
Call Today 360.692.7372
• Headaches • Blurred Vision • Eye Strain & More
David Whitemarsh, OD
Most Insurances Accepted
“I have worn dentures for 27 years and have never had such attentive care. The dentures are wonderful!”Anderson Denture Patient
You'll love what we can do for your smile!FREE*
New patient consultation and oral exam
*X-Rays excluded. Must present this
ad to receive.
Most Insurances AcceptedMost Insurances AcceptedMost Insurances AcceptedMost Insurances Accepted
19410 8th Ave. N.E., Suite 102, Poulsbo • 360-779-1566 • 1-800-NEW -DENTURE • 800-990-9116 www.andersondenturedental.com
Denture Repair• Relines (while you wait)• Denturist & Dentist on Staff•
Denturist & Dentist on Staff• Crowns & Bridges• Cosmetic & General Dentistry•
Extractions• Emergency Care• Dentures / Partials•
Courtesy Photo
Rep. Jan Angel, R-Port Orchard, joins Rep. Steve O’Ban, R-Pierce County (center) and retired U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Keith C. Cianco of Bremerton to testify in favor of House Bill 1537. The measure, under consideration by the House Government Operations and Elections Committee, would accelerate public employment preferences for veterans returning home from war or armed conflict. Angel jointly sponsored the measure with O’Ban.
6 | V E T E R A N S L I F E | M A R C H 2 0 1 3
There’s no doubt when you walk into the East Towne Cleaners in Bremerton that the owners support the troops.
“We support our troops and our veter-ans,” said Douglas Dutter. “Anything we can do for them, we do.”
Dutter, a veteran himself, is among a number of Kitsap County veterans who own their own businesses. He also partici-pates in a business network that promotes veteran-owned businesses.
On one wall of the cleaners hang awards that he and his wife, Edith, have earned for service to veterans. On the counter sits a military uniform in a box showing their services to preserve uniforms for veterans.
Even the shop’s business cards feature an eagle, an America flag and reads: “We Support Our Troops.”
Dutter’s love of the military began when he was quite young.
“My father was in the Air Force,” he said. “I grew up in that environment. We moved every couple of years and we lived all over the world.”
His family lived throughout Europe including in Germany and England. Stateside, he lived in Washington and Texas.
His family settled in the Vancouver area after his father left the Air Force and they lived on a five-acre farm in Washougal with pigs and chickens. Today, Dutter and his wife own the farm.
After graduating from high school in Vancouver, Wash., and attending commu-
nity college he decided to join the military. Dutter chose the Navy.
“My dad said ‘Why are you joining the Navy’,” he said. “I told him because I want to see the other half of the world.”
So at age 20, in 1979, Dutton signed up and became a machinist’s mate. He spent 20 years in the Navy and was assigned to the USS Badger — a Knox-class destroyer escort turned frigate — for the first seven-and-a-half years.
“That was my sea duty,” he said. “And then I came home to shore duty at Pearl Harbor.”
In his later years he was stationed on the USS Sterrett, a Belknap-class destroyer leader/cruiser. Part of that time he spent in the Philippines.
That’s where he met his wife.“She was a seamstress,” he said. “I took
a pair of jeans into her and asked her to make me two pair of dress pants. She did and I still have them.”
Edith, who co-owns the dry cleaners, was taught to sew at Lorraine’s Tailoring School and worked for the Jantzen swim-suit company. She followed him back to Hawaii where they were married in 1984.
“It was a very special day because my father was able to marry us,” Dutter said. “After the Air Force, my dad became a chaplain.”
Together the Dutters had three daugh-ters, who are now 24, 26, and 28. They also have a four-and-a-half month old grand-daughter and another one on the way in April.
During his service years, Dutter had two
tours of the Persian Gulf and the South Pacific. Those were the Cold War years, but his work was “expeditionary: Go look, listen and see and then document every-thing,” he said.
When Dutter finished his time in the Navy, he applied to the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton and was offered a machinist’s job. He moved his family to Bremerton in 1994 and Edith went to work at Navy Base Kitsap Bangor at the base exchange. She became known as a good seamstress, and in 2004 the Dutters bought East Towne Cleaners in Bremerton. Many of Edith’s customers from Bangor followed her to their new business.
“This place has only had two owners in its history,” Doug Dutton said. “The shop has been here for more than 20 years.”
After a car accident in 2005, Dutton left his shipyard job with a disability and began working with his wife at the dry clean-ers. He’s in charge of keeping up all of the equipment, maintaining all the electronics and he picks up and drops off cleaning twice each week to customers.
“I like to say it’s my volunteer job,” he said. “That’s because I never get a pay check. That’s what owning your own busi-ness is all about.”
The business does all its dry cleaning on-site, except for leather jackets and ori-ental rugs, which are sent out to a specialty cleaners in Seattle.
The business is steady and picks up around pay day, Edith said.
“People drop clothes off all the time,” she said. “But often, they don’t pick them up until pay day, especially the seniors on
Social Security and the active military.”They clean many active duty uniforms
and they specialize in preserving military uniforms for retired veterans.
“We offer them discounts and we have a fast turnaround,” Dutton said. “If someone comes in with a handful of patches they need sewn on their uniform, we try to do it while they wait. And if there’s three of them, we just charge them for two. It’s just an honor to have their business.”
They also clean the VFW Post color guard uniforms at a discount.
Dutter is active in the VFW Post 239 and is junior vice commander. He is also involved in the service work members of the post do with Bremerton High School and the local Boy Scouts.
One of the most interesting things that the Dutters have seen come in to their shop was a pair of socks.
“We cleaned Marvin Williams’ socks,” Doug Dutton said, of the famed Bremerton native. Williams now plays professional basketball for the Utah Jazz. He was a high school basketball star while at Bremerton High School.
“We’ve done suits for him, too. But the socks -- that was something unusual.”
They’ve also cleaned a basketball jersey that his sister had framed.
Dutton said he enjoys his work because of his customers.
“They’re all great,” he said. “They’re all really friendly and I know most of them by name. And one thing’s for sure. You never get cold working at a dry cleaners. It’s always nice and warm in here.”
Veteran helps other veterans
By Leslie Kelly
Taking it to the cleaners
Derek Kilmer moved from the 26th Legislative District in the State Senate to Congress, but said much of his focus on veterans in his new role will come from his past experience. Kilmer (D-Gig Harbor) represents Washington’s 6th Congressional District.
In 2006, when Kilmer was a member of the state’s House of Representatives for the 26th Legislative District, he was the pri-mary sponsor of a bill that added military personnel to a state anti-discrimi-nation law. That measure passed by a 96-2 vote in the House.
“There were people in the National Guard or reserves that were told they were qualified, but (the prospective employ-ers) were worried that they might be called up,” Kilmer said.
More recently, Kilmer sponsored Senate Bill 5307 that counts military training toward several medical professions, such as opticians. That passed the Senate 46-0 in 2011. Kilmer said that piece of legislation reduced redun-dant training and “rewards knowledge” for veterans moving into civilian careers.
Later that year, Kilmer also sponsored Senate Bill 5969, which expe-dites licensing of military spouses who recently moved from another state. The bill applies to a multitude of professions, helping workers in careers ranging from massage therapy to nursing and teaching become licensed by the state.
Kilmer said he spon-sored the bill after meeting with a soldier who said her husband had a difficult time getting licensed for his profession when they moved to Washington.
“I think this is the right thing to do for families who are really sacrificing on behalf of our country,” Kilmer said in a previous news release. “I think it’s the right thing to do for our economy, so more folks can support their families and draw a pay-check rather than unem-
ployment.”At that time, one-third
of 43,000 military spouses within the state required a professional license for their careers, according to data provided by the Department of Defense.
Kilmer, who succeeded Norm Dicks in January, said he wants to bring some of that statewide leg-islation to a nation level in his new position. He said those reforms not only benefited veterans, but businesses.
“We’re in a situation where we have a number of veterans looking to enter the workforce,” said Kilmer, who also helped create local legislation that created a registry of Washington state vet-
eran and service member-owned businesses. “If through smart policy we can help ease that transi-tion, we will be stronger as a country both economi-cally and having the back of those who have served.”
Nathan Schlicher (D-Gig Harbor), who replaced Kilmer as 26th Legislative District Senator, said he endorses House Bill 1011.
That piece of legislation, which was introduced by State Rep. Sherry Appleton (D-Poulsbo), would remove the one-year wait-ing period for veterans or active-duty military to become eligible for resi-dent tuition.
“They would be treated the same as everyone else
and get in-state tuition rates,” Schlicher said. “We want to keep strong and well qualified military members in state.”
Beyond those issues mentioned above, health-care also is a focus for both Kilmer and Schlicher. Kilmer said he is focused
on continuing to improve healthcare options for veterans in rural commu-nities.
Schlicher estimates there are 15 bills dealing with a variety of mental health issues for veterans, including those with co-occurring disorders.
“It’s starting the conver-sation on dual diagnosis and making sure they get care when they need it,” Schlicher said. “I’m passionate about mental-health issues.”
As well as a politician, Schlicher also serves as an emergency room doctor.
M A R C H 2 0 1 3 | V E T E R A N S L I F E | 7
Kitsap’s Best Values in Flooring Since 1975
store hours: mon. - sat. 9am - 5:30 pmClosed sunday’s
4535 auto Center way, bremerton - 360-479-3463
Save 20%-30%on the latest
STAIN RESISTANT CARPETS
CARPET PROBLEMS!
As skilled workers retire…The aerospace industry needs you!
Build your skills today!
The Air Washington Project is 100% funded (in the amount of $20 million) by a grant awarded under the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College
and Career Training Grants Program, as implemented by the US Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. Olympic College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, sexual
orientation, or age in its programs and activities.
OC BremertonHumanities & Student Services Building (Room 129)
Learn more!Attend one of the information
sessions listed above.
For more information, please contactSarah Miksa at 360.473.2826 or [email protected]
www.olympic.edu/Students/WFDBS/WFD/AirWa
✦ Wednesday, February 27 5-6pm✦ Wednesday, March 6 5-6pm
✦ Saturday, March 16 2-3pm✦ Wednesday, March 27 5-6pm
Legislation aims to help veterans needsBy Chris Chancellor
8 | V E T E R A N S L I F E | M A R C H 2 0 1 3
You receive it on Graduation Day. But it’s never handed Graduation Day. But it’s never handed Graduation Day.
to you. Because when it’s a degree from to you. it’s a degree from to you.
Columbia College,it’s a degree fromColumbia College,it’s a degree from
it’s a degree thatColumbia College,it’s a degree thatColumbia College,
demands effort andit’s a degree thatdemands effort andit’s a degree that
rewards hard work. � at’s a notionour students at 18 campuses on military 18 campuses on military 18 campuses
bases truly on military bases truly on military
understand. bases truly understand. bases truly
56396 • Columbia College - Ad3 Joey • Kitsap Navy News • 4.8333” x 13” • 4C • gew • V1, V2-11/16/11
Off ering Associate, Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees.
Contact Columbia College’s local representative at [email protected]
or call (253) 861-6564.
GoForGreater.org
OLYMPIA — After what some felt was moving tes-timony about the realities experienced by military veterans was delivered by Vietnam veteran Gill Calac, the House Government Operations and Elections Committee approved a bill that recognizes March 30 as Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day.
After a motion from Rep. David Taylor (R-15th District, Moxee) to sus-pend the committee’s normal procedural rules to move into executive session, members unani-mously approved House Bill 1319 with a “do pass” recommendation to the Legislature.
Sponsor of the bill, Rep. Norm Johnson, (R-14th District, Yakima) was approached by the Yakama Warriors Association to introduce the legisla-tion that would require the National League of Families’ POW/MIA flag be f lown by public entities every year on March 30.
In addition to Johnson, 37 House members signed on to co-sponsor the bill,
including Rep. Sherry Appleton, a 23rd District Democrat from Poulsbo, and supporters include members of both political parties.
Though soldiers in the Vietnam War received heated criticism from anti-war advocates dur-ing the war itself, Johnson believes that it is time for Washington to pay its respect to those who risked their lives for a national cause.
“They were portrayed as baby killers, warmon-gers and other things,” he said. “It (coming home) was, perhaps, the cruelest aspect of that war. There’s no way to go back in time to change that mistreat-ment. However, we have the opportunity to give these soldiers the recognition and the honor they deserve,” Johnson said.
Calac, a member of the Yakama Warriors Association, testified in support of the bill, and thanked Johnson for bring-ing it forward.
“Closure is important,” Calac said. “Closure helps us put away the guilt, the shame, grief and the huge betrayal issues brought up by the anti-war protestors.
These scars will never be forgiven.”
To potential critics of the legislation, Calac said: “We are not glorify-ing wars. Let’s just say to our Vietnam veterans, ‘Welcome home.’ ”
Of the more than 58,000 Vietnam soldiers who died in Vietnam, 1,123 of those were from Washington state.
Calac urged lawmak-ers to not pass the bill for political advancement.
“Don’t make this a politi-cal issue,” he said. “Don’t support this for the votes. Support this bill and make our state proud. We earned it, we believe in it. Give us that respect.”
The Yakama Warriors Association attempted to have Congress pass the same bill last year, but Calac said politics as usual got in the way.
According to the 2010 Census, there are about 7 million Vietnam veter-ans in the U.S. More than 220,000 are estimated to live in Washington state.
The bill now goes to the House Rules Committee, which could advance it for full House consideration.
Vietnam veterans may get ‘Day’ with House committee approval
Sen. Tim Sheldon has introduced legislation asking the state transportation commission to rename Interstate 5 the “Purple Heart Trail” in honor of soldiers awarded a Purple Heart for injuries sustained during conflict.
The Purple Heart Medal is awarded to members of the armed forces of the United States who are wounded or killed in military action. In honor of all the soldiers who have received this prestigious medal, the Military Order of the Purple Heart established the Purple Heart Trail in 1992.
“What better way to honor those who sacrificed so much for our freedom than to rename the state’s largest highway,” said Sheldon, D-Potlatch, about Senate Joint Memorial 8001. “Our state depends on Interstate 5 for almost everything we need, just as we depend on our nation’s troops for everything we may take for granted.”
The trail is a symbolic and honorary system of roads, highways, bridges, and other monuments
that give tribute, originating at a monument in Mt. Vernon, Virginia. In 45 other states, various roads, bridges, and monuments are designated as part of the Purple Heart Trail, including Interstate 5 in California.
“Often times we forget freedom isn’t free,” Sheldon said. “Every soldier with a Purple Heart wears the scars and pain associated with the cost of freedom every day. They fully understand the price of freedom, and we need to celebrate them.”
State law authorizes the state transportation commission to name or rename state transportation facilities, such as state highways, bridges, and ferry terminals.
Historically the Legislature’s passage of a memorial in support of a naming proposal has been considered by the commission as a measure of community support.
This bill requires no state funding.
Trail may be named to honor soldiers
By Kylee ZabelWNPA Olympia News Bureau
M A R C H 2 0 1 3 | V E T E R A N S L I F E | 9
360.698.3020
This is not a commitment to lend. Qualified buyers only, subject to credit approval. Information deemed reliable but subject to change without notice. Consumer Loan License NMLS-3240, CL-3240
Stephen Coupe Sr. Mortgage Specialist
Stacy Jordan Sr. Mortgage Specialist
Justin Vian Sr. Mortgage Specialist
NMLS-258104, [email protected]
Kristin Roy Sr. Mortgage Specialist
NMLS-118498, [email protected]
Specializing in VA LoansGetting our Military Members, Veterans andtheir families into the homes of their dreams!
Stacy JordanStacy Jordan Kristin Roy
DiscoverKITSAP2013
available on the ferries and in over 300 tourist hot spots.Advertise in Kitsap County’s award-
winning and highest read tourism publication. Discover Kitsap is picked
up by thousands of tourists every day.
TAKE YOUR ADVERTISING TO NEW HEIGHTS!
The Peninsula’s Premier Tourism Publication
Arts & Entertainment • Tours & Activities • Shopping & Museums • Beaches & Parks
The Peninsula’s Premier Tourism PublicationKitsaPitsaPKitsaKitsaK P
2012-2013
KitsaKitsaK PD I S C OV E RD I S C OV E RD I S C OV E RD I S C OV E R
Call your Local advertising representative today!
308-9161
1 0 | V E T E R A N S L I F E | M A R C H 2 0 1 3
At a recent event in Tacoma, Senator Patty Murray shared some per-sonal history about grow-ing up with a father who was a veteran and the work she’s doing to help military spouses. The 2013 Military
Officers Association of America’s (MOAA) Military Spouse Symposium, titled “Keeping a Career on the Move,” brought service members, veterans and mili-tary spouses together with local business experts and employers.
“Now, often times when I thank the spouses of service members I get the same modest answers back,” Murray told the crowd. “I hear, ‘Oh, don’t thank me, thank my husband or thank my wife’ or I hear, ‘It’s not that big of a deal.’ But the truth is - it is a big deal.”
Murray went on to talk about growing up in a military family. Her father fought in World War II, was one of the first on the beach-es of Okinawa, received a Purple Heart and came home from war to start a big family in Bothell. Murray was a twin and one of seven
children in the family. When she turned 15, though, things changed dramatically for her and her family.
“My father, who had up until that point run a five and dime store on Main Street in Bothell, fell ill, was diagnosed with Multiple
Sclerosis, and within a few short years he could no lon-ger work,” Murray said.
At that point, everything fell to Murray’s mother to take care of seven kids, a husband whose medical bills were mounting, and very few of the skills she needed to go out and find a job that would actually pay her well enough to support the family.
For a little while, the fam-ily relied on food stamps and Murray and her siblings thought there would be no way to leave the family to go off to college.
“But my mother was brave enough to reach out for help – and thankfully the country her husband had sacrificed for was there to answer her calls,” Murray said. “Through a program established by the federal government my mom was able to enroll in courses at Lake Washington Vocational School where she got a two year degree in accounting that helped her find work that would support our fam-ily.”
That help from the federal government got the Murrays back on their feet. It also paved the way for Murray and her siblings to go on to successful careers.
“So these days, whenever I talk to military spouses - who not only faces similar difficulties, but who also must constantly worry about the safety of their loved one. It forces me to ask – are we as a nation there for today’s families the way we were there for mine?”
Murray said that when it comes to making sure that military spouses and chil-dren are above water, the government is doing some, but not enough. She noted that employment efforts have expanded in recent years so that they don’t just focus on veterans and active-duty military members, but also on military spouses.
“We have seen many spouses take advantage of the Military Spouse Employment Partnership, an Army program that works with Fortune 500 companies that pledge to hire our mili-tary spouses. And now that we have expanded it to the spouses of service members in the Air Force, Navy, and Marines - it is having an even greater impact.”
Murray also noted that many spouses utilize the Military Spouse Career Center which has centralized many important resources online.
Murray works to help veteran spouses, familiesBy Kevan Moore
CABLE :: INTERNET :: PHONE
It was a love of country that took Grace Foeller Davis from being a com-pany nurse to joining the Navy.
“I wanted to help my country during the war,” Davis said. “I wanted to have a taste of service life.”
Davis is the oldest liv-ing resident at the Veterans Home in Retsil, near Port Orchard.
The 101-year-old former lieutenant commander was born in East Rutherford N.J. on Sept. 8, 1911.
After graduating high school, she attended Drakes Business College and then moved to New Jersey to work for Bell Telephone Co.
A year later, Davis enrolled in the Mountainside Hospital of Nursing in Montclair, N.J. and in 1936, Davis became a registered nurse. She worked several years as a nurse for Walter Kidde, a company that made fire extinguishers.
In that position, Davis was responsible for check-ups for employees and was in charge of the company clinic.
“The people I worked with were great,” she said. “I really liked working there in the clinic.”
But she had a calling to do more -- to join the U.S. Navy. So she enlisted and became a Navy nurse, a
career she enjoyed until she retired in 1964.
Davis loved getting orders and traveling to new places. She worked in San Diego, Hawaii and Japan.
“I enjoyed my work,” she said. “I worked in a lot of clinics and I enjoyed the people I worked with. Some people didn’t like working with civilians. But I did.”
Little did Davis know that she would meet her husband working at a Navy hospital.
During World War II, Commander Edwin Carrier Davis was in charge of a minesweeper in the South Pacific region. Edwin, whose passion was aviation, crashed in a hang glider. While recovering at a Navy
hospital, he was cared for by Davis.
“He broke both legs in that accident,” she laughed. “He was in the hospital for about a year. But he just loved airplanes and flying.”
They were married in Yokosuka, Japan in 1955 and moved to Bremerton in 1957.
“We lived at different bases until my husband retired,” she said.
Edwin, who was from Dollar Bay, Mich., retired as a commander and was an authority on U.S. Navy air-craft of the 1930 to 1960 era.
She wrapped up a 21-year career in 1964 after a third stint at the Naval hospital in Bremerton.
“I had to set up a lot of clinics in my time,” Davis said.
After retirement, Davis spent time knitting, reading and going to church.
“I’ve always been busy with my hands,” she said.
For years, she drove her mother and husband to church service every Sunday morning.
Grace and Edwin moved to the Veterans Home in April 2008. Edwin, who once taught at Virginia Tech University, passed away a year later at 101.
Today, Davis knits,
watches TV and once in a while sends a letter to a friend.
Although she’s not familiar with computers or emailing, she has an old typewriter behind her chair.
“I can still type on that old typewriter if I need to write a letter,” Davis laughed.
She never regrets joining the Navy.
“They hated when I left (Walter Kidde Co.) to join the Navy,” she said. “But I have never been sorry.”
M A R C H 2 0 1 3 | V E T E R A N S L I F E | 11
Hi, I’m Katie. I know what it’s like to start from nothing. Six years ago, as small business owners, my husband and I lost everything.
Now, I’m a financial educator and branch manager of my community’s own Kitsap Credit Union.
Our friendly, knowledgeable staff can help you refinance high rate loans, consolidate debt, and lower your monthly payments. Let us be your financial advocates.
Visit us online, or stop by any branch to see how we can help.
Debt Consolidation Help
Time to lower your payments?
KatieBranch Manager, Perseverer, Financial Advocate
*Limited time offer. Certain restrictions apply.
360.779.9189 | gatewaychristianschools.org
Your Child’s Tuition
Spring Tuition Incentive
OPEN HOUSE
Bremerton K-12Sun, March 102:00–4:00pm
OPEN HOUSE
Poulsbo K-6Thur, March 14
6:30–8:30pm
Former Navy nurse remembers career fondlyBy Dannie Oliveaux
“i wanted to help my country during the war. i wanted to have a taste of service life.”Grace Foeller Davis
1 2 | V E T E R A N S L I F E | M A R C H 2 0 1 31 2 I V E T E R A N S L I F E | M A R C H , 2 0 1 3 F E B A R Y , @
Sell your item in The Flea for FREE
and tell people ALL ABOUT IT!
Call the Flea Line today!
If you want to sell one or more items and the total
price is $150 or less, you can advertise in The Flea for FREE with NO LIMIT on the amount
of words used in your ad.
or email:the�[email protected]
or call toll free 800-388-2527
866-825-9001
Each item must contain a price. No living items.
real estatefor sale - WA
Real Estate for SaleKitsap County
EAST BREMERTON
2 B R W I T H B O N U S room and carport. New carpet, paint, applianc- es, furnance and roof! S i n g l e w i d e m o b i l e home in lovely Pinewood Pa r k ( 5 5 + ) . F S B O $4,500. Lot rent is $405 includes water, sewer and garbage. Call 360- 633-7013.
Real Estate for SalePierce County
Gig Harbor
20X50’ DOUBLEWIDE in Gig Harbor Senior Park. 2 bedroom, 1 bath, propane stove, $19,000. Call 253-853-6232
Real Estate for SalePierce County
Gig Harbor
20X55’ DOUBLEWIDE in Gig Harbor Senior Park. 2 bedroom, 2 bath, heat pump and wood- s tove, $25 ,000 . Ca l l 253-853-6232
real estatefor sale
Real Estate for SaleLots/Acreage
L A N D I S B U I L D READY! Acreage, 2+ acres, all utilities in, nice level building site, t e r r i t o r i a l v i ew, an easy commute to I-5, coutry lifestyle close to town, Johnson Point, O lymp ia . VA , FHA, USDA eligible, Call for viewing 888-290-0913.www.detrays.com
Get the ball rolling...Call 800-388-2527 today.
Classifieds. We’ve got you covered. 800-388-2527
Real Estate for SaleManufactured Homes
F E B R U A R Y S P E - CIAL! $1,500 for any m a n u f a c t u r e d u p - grades of your choice on your new Skyline Home purchased from D e Tr ay ’s O l y m p i a . There are 100’s of up- g r a d e s t o c h o o s e from, put a deposit on a home in January to receive this bonus of- fer. Come by to view our display models & see how many f loor plans we have to offer. Call for Hours & Direc- tions 888-290-0913.
HOT DEAL $149,900 M OV E I N R E A DY ! New Home in a lake- side gated community. 3 Bed/2 Bath, 1296 sq.ft. home on 1/3 lo- c a t e d i n M a s o n County a short 20 min drive to Olympia. You and your family can enjoy the Fawn Lake Community amenities. This land/home pack- age qualifies for VA, FHA, USDA financing. Make an appointment today to view this love- ly home. 888-290- 0913.www.detrays.com
Real Estate for SaleManufactured Homes
OWN YOUR HOME FOR LESS THAN A R E N T PAY M E N T ! Nice previously owned home, desired Olym- p ia schoo l d is t r i c t , easy on/off I-5 access, short walk to shopping & bus line, ge in with as low as $1,500 down OAC. Cal l for ques- tions or to view home 888-290-0913.
YOU’VE GOT LAND? We have homes. Let’s put a package togeth- er. For more informa- t ion ca l l 888-290- 0913. www.detrays.com
Find your perfect pet in the Classifieds.www.nw-ads.com
Find your perfect pet in the Classifieds.www.nw-ads.com
SOLD IT? FOUND IT? Let us know by calling 1-800-388-2527 so we can cancel your ad.
Real Estate for RentKing County
FEDERAL WAY
3 BR $1,225 MONTH. Pay rent before the 1st; get $25 off bonus! Cute landscaped home with washer & dryer. Woodsy setting by 3 acre green- belt. Private and quiet ne ighborhood. Safer, prett ier under ground power, curbs and gut- ters! Large fenced back yard, 12’x16’ entertain- i n g d e c k a n d d r i ve through garage! Hal f mi le West o f I -5 and SeaTac Mall. About one mile from Puget Sound. F i r s t , l a s t , d e p o s i t . Lease op t ions ; year, multi-year or rent to own. Call William for details 253-335-9488.
Real Estate for RentKitsap County
BAINBRIDGE ISLAND
FINCH PLACE APTS215 Finch Place SW
Taking applications for wait ing l ist for 1 bed- room units. 62+, handi- cap or disablility eligible. Income limits apply.
206-842-0724TDD: 711
click! www.nw-ads.com email! classi� [email protected] call toll free! 1.888.399.3999 or 1.800.388.2527
Local readers.Local sellers.Local buyers.
We make it easy to sell...right in your communityReal Estate
For Sale jobshome
services stuff wheelsReal Estate
For Rent - WA
PNW MarketPlace!click! www.nw-ads.com email! classi� [email protected] call toll free! 1.888.399.3999 or 1.800.388.2527
Local readers.Local sellers.Local buyers.
We make it easy to sell...right in your communityReal Estate
For Sale jobshome
services stuff wheelsReal Estate
For Rent - WA
PNW MarketPlace!
Don’t worry...We’ll be up late, too.Don’t worry...We’ll be up late, too.Don’t worry...We’ll be up late, too.Don’t worry...We’ll be up late, too.
As I was reaching the end of my career, “what’s next” was on my mind. I started networking friends, relatives and anyone I could think of for my next career.
As a nuclear-trained sub-marine qualified Machinists Mate I assumed the process would be easy. It was easier but not easy. It still took a lot of time to line up that dream job. I found an opportunity and soon after came the day that my wife and I said it’s time. Let’s do it.
Retiring from a large shore command entailed the big retirement ceremony and the next thing I knew I
was piped over the side and in the Fleet Reserve. The ceremony had been a little emotionally draining but when over I was glad to have had the time to say goodbye to my many shipmates. I had always been told that the retirement ceremony was for them to say goodbye and not for me. I found that to be very true.
As I started my new job in a new state I also anxiously waited for that first retire-ment check. The first direct deposit hit the bank and it finally hit me, I am retired. I was lucky to have found a job where I had the oppor-tunity to work with many former and retired sailors
like myself. It seems most civilian nuclear power plants back then were staffed by ex-navy vets.
As I progressed into retirement I realized I missed many things from my active duty days but most of all I missed the Goat Locker. For those who do not know, the Goat Locker is the name of the Chief’s Mess onboard a shore installa-tion, ship or submarine. The Chiefs at any command are a close knit group bonded by ties associated with their rank. Anyway, about this time the Internet just got rolling and I was a computer nut so I started a website for Navy Chiefs. It still is
in operation today after 20 years. The website helped me reconnect with my fellow Chiefs but that is another long story and I am writing about retirement.
As time passed I changed jobs and retirement set in firmly even though I resist-ed. Still wearing a uniform but now it was a civilian suit. (Yuck) The website had helped but I still missed my Navy. By now I even missed the inspections, audits, exams, tests, long deploy-ments etc. The memories helped but I was retired.
It really hit me when the newest submarine I had been stationed on was decom-missioned. Wow that was a
blow. Even the one ship I had been stationed on was moth balled. But then I got the let-ter. The one piece of paper that really makes me retired. My transfer from the Fleet Reserve to the retired list.
Ok. I am retired and never again to sail the seas. No more haze grey and underway. No more punch-ing holes in the ocean on a submarine. No more liberty in Subic Bay, Hong Kong, Melbourne, Perth, Pusan, Chinhae, Sasebo, Sitka, Adak (haha), Acapulco, Vancouver BC, Nanaimo, Fleet Week in San Fran, Holy Loch, La Maddalena, and I could go on.
Ok. I am retired but I
still love my Navy. It is my Navy. It may be the new Navy with a motto of “A Global Force for Good” instead my old Navy motto of “Join the Navy and See the World” or “It’s not a job. It’s an Adventure.” So they may have a new Navy with a new motto, new rules and requirements but I will hold onto my old Navy memories forever because I am retired. The bottom line is it is not the old Navy or the new Navy, it is our Navy. Hand Salute, I stand relieved.
MMCM(SS) Greg Peterman USN Retired
Webmaster of the Goat Locker www.goatlocker.org
The Bond
By Greg Peterman
n. removal or withdrawal from serviceRe·tire·ment
M A R C H , 2 0 1 3 | V E T E R A N S L I F E I 1 3
Showthousands of readers
what you’re selling with our PhotoSpecial
Call800-388-2527
today*approximately
1-inch Photo50 Words*
5 weeksfor one
low price
Get Noticed!A one-inch photo and 50 words for 5 weeks in your local paper and online atnw-ads.com for one low price
Call today800-388-2527
Apartments for Rent Kitsap County
BAINBRIDGE ISLAND
Virginia Villa Apartments
1 BR Available Immediately! No Wait List! $620 mo, utils incl. Income limits apply. Must be 62+ and/or disabled. Small pets welcome!
200 High School Rd NE206-842-5482
TDD: 711
POULSBO
$150 OFF!!1-2 BEDROOMS
$695-$795No pets. Credit check.
Valley View Apt.
Available Now!360-779-4679
POULSBO
FJORD MANOR19581 1st Ave NE
Very Nice 1 or 2 BR Apt Avail. Short Waiting List. Rent Is
$474 to $559/mo respectively.Must Qualify As An Elderly/
Disabled Household.Income Limits Apply
360-779-6939 TDD: 711
POULSBO
FJORD VISTA II19581 1st Ave NE
Very Nice 2 or 3 BR Apt.Rent Is Based On 30%
Of Income.Income Limits Apply
360-779-6939 TDD: 711
POULSBO
WINDSONG APTS19880 3rd Ave NW Very Nice 1 or 2 BR. Short Waiting List!
Rent Is $585 or $685/MoIncome Limits Apply
360-779-6244 TDD: 711
Apartments for Rent Mason County
SHELTON
Saratoga Springs Apts1100 N. 12th Street
Rents start at $575/moincluding Water, Sewer,
Garbage & Electric.A No Smoking Community
Elderly and/or DisabledIncome Limits Apply
(360)427-7033or TDD 711
WA Misc. RentalsGeneral Rentals
VETERANS WANTED for homes. I f you are homeless, or in danger of loosing your home; have an income, depen- dents, & DD214, we may have a home for you! Call 206-849-2583.www.themadf.org
You’ll find everything you need in one website 24 hours a day 7 days a week: nw-ads.com.
real estaterentals
Commercial RentalsOffice/Commercial
OFFICE &WAREHOUSE SPACE FOR RENT
Twelve Trees Business ParkVarying sizes and
configurations available. North Poulsbo area. Call Mark, Crista or
Christine at: 360-779-7266
announcements
Announcements
ADOPT: Adoring couple, T V E x e c & l a w y e r , LOVE, laughter, art, out- door adventures await miracle baby. Expenses paid. 1-800-562-8287
ADOPT ~ Ar t , music, laughter, Nurturing edu- c a t e d s e c u r e fa m i l y awaits 1st precious ba- by. Expenses paid. Kar- en [email protected]
ADOPTION: Local, hap- pi ly-marr ied, & stable couple, eager for baby (0-2yrs). Loving home f i l l ed w i th a f fec t i on , strong family values & fi- nancial security for your baby. Joshua & Vanessa 4 2 5 - 7 8 0 - 7 5 2 6 http://bit. ly/joshandva- nessa
Announcements
INTIMATE CLASS with Dr Michael Glock And Rochelle L. Cook. Cost: $45 for Two hour class- es to be held at The Old Boar, a Tutoring & Study Commons on Bainbridge Island, February 28th and March 3rd, 2013 from Noon to 2pm. Class size is limited to a maxi- mum of 10 people per class. The class is de- s igned for those that wish to experience wit- nessing their own life. The class is designed to remove the rocks in the way of your path, and to refine the focus on your fu ture d i rect ions and plans. This is a ‘Law of Attraction’ class where you will experience hyp- notic patterns and sug- gestions in suppor t of your future goals in life, love and wealth on all levels. Follow this link to register:
www.hypnosismindshaping.com/bainbridge
www.hypnosismindshaping.com/bainbridge
Lost
LOST FAMILY PHOTO Book in mid- January. Misplaced in Silverdale, Bainbridge or Poulsbo areas. Could be a store or park ing lo t . Smal l checkbook size with wal- let size photos. Deeply sentimental! Please call if found or seen. Reward for return 206-595-5729.
jobsEmployment
General
CarriersThe North Kitsap Herald has openings for Carrier Routes. No collecting, no selling. Friday morn- ings. If interested call Christy 360-779-4464
INCOME OPPORTUNITY!
The Bainbridge Island R e v i e w n e w s p a p e r seeking qual i ty motor route carriers. Thursday night delivery. No collec- tions. Must be at least 18 years of age. Reliable people with reliable vehi- cle please call Brian.
206-842-6613
Find what you need 24 hours a day.
EmploymentGeneral
INSIDE SALES
Are you tired of working nights and
on weekends?
Do you love to sell?
Are you ready for an exciting career in
advertising?
Sound Publishing, Inc. is seeking an experienced Part Time Inside Sales Consultant. Position will be based ou t o f our Poulsbo office. We are looking for candidates who are assertive, goal- driven, and who possess s t rong i n te r pe rsona l skills—both written and verbal. Ideal candidates will need to have an ex- cept ional sales back- ground with, strong cus- t o m e r s e r v i c e a n d phone solicitation skills; print media experience is a definite plus. Must be able to work indepen- dently and as part of a team. If you thrive on calling on new, active or inactive accounts; are self-motivated, well or- ganized, and want to join a professional, highly energized sales team, we want to hear from you. Compensation in- cludes a base wage plus commission, paid vaca- tion, sick leave and holi- days. EOE
Please send resume with cover letter in PDF
or Text format to
[email protected] or by mail to:
HR/CLS ADSALES
Sound Publishing, Inc.19351 8th Ave. NE,
Suite 106Poulsbo, WA 98370
EmploymentMarketing
MARKETINGREPRESENTATIVE
Kitsap CountyAre you good a t o r - ganization and customer service? Do you enjoy working wi th people? This posit ion requires both telephone and in person sales. I f you have a dynamic person- ality and enjoy working with people then this is the pe r fec t pos i t i on . Salary plus commission. Please send resume to
[email protected] mail to:
HR/MRNK,Sound Publishing, Inc.,
19351 8th Ave NE,Suite 106,
Poulsbo, WA 98370
homeservices
Home ServicesHauling & Cleanup
GOT CLUTTER?WE TAKE IT ALL!
Junk, Appliances,Yard Debris, etc.
Serving Kitsap Co. Since 1997
360-377-7990206-842-2924
Home ServicesHouse/Cleaning Service
MARIE-SO-CLEAN
Experienced~Timely
My supplies or yours! Move in/out, weekly, monthly etc
360-337-2929LICENSED~INSURED
Home ServicesLandscape Services
Evergreen Landscaping
Lawn Maint. Bark. Sod. Seed. Topsoil.
Gardens. Gravel. Rock Borders. Fence. Patio.
Free EstimatesCall Enrique360-633-5575360-297-3355
Lic#EVERGLS899JG
LOPEZ GARDENLandscaping Service
Clean Gutters, Mowing Maint, Pressure Wash,
Pruning, Clean Up.
360-451-9759Licensed~ExperiencedLocal~Serving Kitsap
Home ServicesLawn/Garden Service
* SILVER BAY *GROUNDS CAREAre You Ready?
Clean-Up, Pruning, Full Maint., Hedge, Haul,
Bark/Rock, Roof/GutterFree Estimates360-698-7222
Home ServicesRemodeling
LEWIS AND CLARKEConstruction
Remodel &Repairs
360-509-7514lewisandclarke
construction.com
LEWISCC925QL
Home ServicesWindow Cleaning
GOT ROOF MOSS?www.GETJOHNNY.com
360-440-6301
SERVING KITSAPwww.getjohnny.com/roof-cleaning/
stuffAppliances
MATCHING Washer and Dryer set, $355. Guaran- teed! 360-405-1925
Cemetery Plots
2 CEMETERY PLOTS side by side for sale. Maple Leaf Cemetery in Oak Harbor. Located along the road, a short distance South of the cannons, grave p lo ts #10 and #11 . N ice ly maintained grounds and f r iendly, helpful staf f. $900 each. Cal l 425- 745-2419.
flea marketFlea Market
N-SCALE MICROTRAIN Ro l l i ng s tock . B rand new! $150 for all or offer. Bremer ton . 360-377- 3213.
N-SCALE Train Layout in good condition! $150. Bremer ton . 360-377- 3213.
Home Furnishings
Must Sell! New NASA Memory foam matt. set. Full $375, Qn $400, King $500. New. 20 yr warr. Del. avail. 253-539-1600---------------------------------Brand New Orthopedic matt. & box spring. Still in plastic. With warranty! Twin $175, Full $200, Queen $230, King $350. Call 253-537-3056---------------------------------Factory Closeout BR se t . Inc l : bed, n ight - stand, dresser, mirror. Full/ Queen, $395. King, $495. 253-539-1600---------------------------------NEW Microfiber Sec- tional. Scotch Guarded, pet & kid friendly. Only $499. 253-537-3056---------------------------------New Adjustable Bed w/ memory foam mattress. List: $2800. Sacr if ice, $950. 253-537-3056
NEW QUEEN pillowtop mattress set w/warranty. Sell $149. 253-537-3056---------------------------------KING PILLOWTOP mat- tress set, 3 piece, brand new in wrap. $249. 253- 539-1600---------------------------------NEW CHERRY Sleigh bedroom set. Includes dresser, mirror & night- stand. Still boxed. Will let go $599. 253-537- 3056---------------------------------NEW Microfiber Sec- tional, Scotch Guarded, kid & pet friendly, $499. 253-539-1600---------------------------------N E W A D J U S TA B L E bed w /memor y foam matt ress. L is t $2800. Sacr i f ice, $950. 253- 537-3056---------------------------------L E AT H E R S O FA & loveseat, factory sealed. Delivery available. Must sell $699. 253-539-1600
1 4 I V E T E R A N S L I F E | M A R C H , 2 0 1 3 F B R U A R Y , @
Public Safety Testing
A unique opportunity foryou to make a differenceand serve your community
POLICE OFFICERFIREFIGHTERDEPUTY SHERIFFCORRECTIONS OFFICERPARAMEDIC911 DISPATCHERPRIVATE SECURITY
CAREGIVER JOBS
AVAILABLEAround the
greater Puget Sound region.
Bene�ts included.Flexible hours.
Visit our website:http://www.kwacares.org/home-care/
Or send resume to:[email protected]
Island County Sheriff's Dept.
is seeking
Lateral Entry and Entry Level Deputies.
Visit our website for more information http://www.islandcounty.net/
humanresources/employment.htm
Target Military
Jobs
Designated Drivers Save LivesThis ad is placed in this newspaper as a courtesy for M.A.D.D.
Jewelry & Fur
Are you a Princess? Ladies size 7.5 Diamond Ring
White Gold Band. GEORGEOUS
Princess Cut DiamondSolitaire!
Paid $3,000 asking $1,500 OBO. Call
253-579-3460
I BUY GOLD, S i lver, D iamonds, Wr is t and Pocket Watches, Gold and Silver Coins, Silver- ware, Gold and Platinum Antique Jewelry. Call Mi- c h a e l A n t h o n y ’s a t (206)254-2575
Must sell Beautiful Ladies size 8 Diamond Ring
White Gold Band. 1/2 karat surrounded
by (4) 1/8 karat Diamonds. Total weight little over
1 karat.Paid $4,000 asking $2,000 OBO. Call
253-579-3460
Jewelry & Fur
Unique & Georgeous Ladies size 8 Diamond Ring
2 White Gold Bands. Layers of Diamonds! 2 Large Diamonds fit together and make a Diamond Shape Over a 2 nd band with 11
Point Diamonds!Paid $2,500 asking $1,250 OBO. Call
253-579-3460
Miscellaneous
1/2 OFF Glass w/ Purchase
of Garage Door
1-888-289-6945A-1 Door Service
(Mention this ad)
Add a photo to your ad online and in print for just one low price
nw-ads.com800-388-2527
Wanted/Trade
FOR SALE OR TRADE; Heated Swimming Pool. M y 8 ’ x 1 4 ’ “ E n d l e s s ” sw imming poo l i s i n great condition!!!! Use indoor or outdoor. Get ready for summer now! Purchased brand new, cost is over $25,000. Will sell for $6,500 or trade for Carpentry La- bor & mater ials work. Please cal l Rob 360- 720-2564. Oak Harbor, Whidbey Island.
pets/animals
Reach readers the daily newspapers miss when you advertise in the Classifieds. 1-800-388-2527 or www.nw-ads.com
Get the ball rolling...Call 800-388-2527 today.
Dogs
AKC POODLE Puppies. Brown Standard. Born on 10/17/2012. Ready to go on January 18th. First s h o t s / w o r m e d . Ve r y beautiful, intelligent lov- ing. Parents have had pre-breeding & genetic testing, also good hips, elbows and eyes. Home raised with loving care. M a l e s a n d fe m a l e s . $1200/each. Call Rober- ta: 360-443-2447 or 360- [email protected]
GOLDENDOODLE Pup- pies For Sale. Ready for their new homes March 7th. 7 Puppies lef t . 2 males, 5 females. Males, $700. Females, $800. Shots, wormed and dew claws removed. Approx w e i g h t w h e n g r o w n around 55 lbs. If interest- ed, email: debbie_1819 @hotmai l .com or cal l Debbie at 360-540-2545.
Dogs
BICHON FRISE pup- pies. AKC Registered. Tak ing depos i t s . For companion only! Will be vet checked and have first shots and be de- wormed. Call for infor- mation: 360-874-7771, 360-471-8621 or go to w e b s i t e t o s e e o u r adorable puppies!
www.bichonfrisepuppies4sale.com
www.bichonfrisepuppies4sale.com
1.25 million readers make us a member of the largest suburban newspapers in Western Washington. Call us today to advertise.800-388-2527
The opportunity to make a difference is right in front of you.RECYCLE THIS PAPER
Dogs
CANE CORSO ITALIAN Mastiff Puppies. Loyal family protection! Raised in home with chi ldren and other pets! Distinc- tive color options; Blues, Reverse Blue Br indle and Formintino. Grand champ ion b lood l ines (GCh). AKC and ICCF Registered. Tai ls and dew claws docked. Va- cines up to date. Ear crop opt ion. Show or Breeding puppy $2,000 each. Pet compainion puppy $1,500. Photos by text available. Call Jeani 509-985-8252. Yakima.
Use our handy online ad 24 hours a day form by clicking the “Place an ad” link at www.nw-ads.com to put an ad in theClassifieds online and in your local paper.
Shop for bargains in the Classifieds. From
tools and appliances to furniture andcollectables.
www.nw-ads.comOpen 24 hours a day.
Dogs
GREAT DANE
A K C G R E AT D A N E Pups Health guarantee! M a l e s / F e m a l e s . Dreyrsdanes is Oregon state’s largest breeder of Grea t Danes and l i - censed since 2002. Su- per sweet, intel l igent, lovable, gentle giants. Now offering Full-Euro’s, Half-Euro’s & Standard Great Danes. $500 & up (every color but Fawn). Also available, Standard Po o d l e s . C a l l To d ay 503-556-4190. www.dreyersdanes.com
wheels
AutomobilesClassics & Collectibles
1 9 7 1 J AG UA R X K E 2 + 2 . V- 1 2 , 5 s p e e d t ransmiss ion . A rea l head turner!! Totally re- stored to concourse con- dition! Silver with Black in ter ior. AM/ FM/ CD Stereo. Many upgrades! $58,500. 360-378-9486 San Juan Isl. Photos [email protected]@rockisland.com
AutomobilesChevrolet
CLASSIC CADILLAC 1991 silver Brougham with leather interior, all p o w e r a n d s u n r o o f . Good tires, original rims and only 66,680 miles. Or ig inal owner main- tained. Spacious cruiser! They don’t make them l ike this anymore! In- cludes records. Wonder- fu l cond i t ion! $3,600 obo. San Juan Is land Interior and exterior pho- tos available via email. 360-378-3186.
Vans & Mini VansToyota
2001 TOYOTA SIENNA Minivan 130,000 miles. Well maintained! Good condit ion! Nice family car; some minor scratch- es and in ter ior wear. New t i res las t June. $5,600. Langley, Whid- bey Isl. 360-321-5715.
Motorcycles
2006 SUZUKI Boulevard w i t h l ess t han 1600 m i l es . A lmos t b rand n e w , s u p e r c l e a n , parked in garage, engine ran a t l e a s t o nc e a week. Ask ing $5000. You can’t pass on a deal l i k e t h i s ! S p r i n g i s around the corner. Will throw in some free gear. (360)720-9264 Whidbey Island
nw-ads.com
When you’re looking for a
new place, jump into action with the classifieds.
M A R C H 2 0 1 3 | V E T E R A N S L I F E | 1 5
Ken Replogle, Luthier(360) 990-0890
www.skunkbaystrings.com
Ken Replogle, Luthier
www.skunkbaystrings.com
Custom AcousticInstrument Creation
& Repair
Ken Replogle, Luthier
Free VA Buyers SeminarSaturday April 27th
11am - 2pm11am - 2pm
Lunch Provided, Reservations Mandatory Call today - Space is Limited
Veteran U.S. ArmyNational Ri� e AssociationGirl Scouts USAKitsap Saddle Club
Port Orchard Chamber of CommerceDowntown Bay Street Association
Let’s talk about your needs
Call KT Arthur360-871-PAWS for an appointmentor email: [email protected]
Indigo Fountain Massage3888 NW Randall Way, Suite 102 • Silverdale
360.731.8665 • IndigoFountain.com
Indigo Fountain... Where an hour
massage is aFULL HOUR of being massaged!
Mon-Sat: 11am - 9pmSun: 11:30am - 8pm
In Ross Plaza • 10408 Silverdale Way NW360-698-7900
A Healthy Alternative to the Drive-Thru!
....You will experience a unique and enjoyable meal in grilling your favorite meats at your very own table. We
use the finest beef, chicken, pork, and shrimp, along with freshest vegetables you can select from.
Come in for your great cuisine experience!
FAST & FRIENDLY SERVICES
• Haircut ..................... $20• Military/Senior ..... $15• Buzzcut ................... $12• Neck ............................$5• Camo (Tint) ............ $30• Beard...........................$8• Kids Cut ................... $15
Fast, Friendly ServiceWalk-Ins or
Appointments Available
Downtown Bremerton517 4th Street
360-782-2263www.acmebarbershop.com
Mon-Sat9am-7pm
Sunday11am-5pm
Serving Washingtonfor over 8 years.
A weekend camping trip to the Olympic Mountains sleeping in a private cabin. An evening sitting around the campfire roasting marshmallows. Days spent playing softball and sitting in the sun.
This could be any summer weekend with the family. But for veterans and the families, it’s much more. It’s a chance to face the challenges of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in a safe environment.
It’s the Lions Club Project New Hope Northwest pro-gram.
“It’s a weekend retreat for combat veterans and their families,” said Ed Kane, Lions public relations direc-tor. “It’s a time for them to face their issues under the guidance of workshop lead-ers and professional coun-selors.”
Now in its third year, Project New Hope Northwest, is offered by the Lions Multiple District 19. For a weekend, veterans and their families come together for recreation and fellowship. The aim is to help veterans deal with PTSD.
An it does.Just ask Veteran Kevin
McMains, of Eatonville.“I fought going,” he said.
“My fiance wanted to go, but I was still stuck in the mode of not wanting to leave the
house. I didn’t want to be around people.”
But when his fiance, Jewel, said she was going with or without him, he got in the car.
“I ended up going and I’m so glad I did. It helped out a lot.”
McMains, 32, served in the Army for 11 years and was a sergeant stationed in Bagdad from October 2006 to November 2007 when he was hit by a 120mm rocket, injuring his spine. For a time, he was para-lyzed and spent more than a year recovering at Ft. Hood, Texas. Once he was able to, he and his fiance returned to his home state of Washington where they are raising their blended family of five children, ages 11, 9, 8, and two 6 year olds.
When in Iraq, McMains’ work included overseeing the helipad where helicopters landed with injured soldiers. He was often the first person to speak to them to get their identification and alert their families back home that they had been injured.
“Every day I was face-to-face with the injured, trying to get them to talk to me,” he said. “It took a toll.”
Besides his physical inju-ries that include a traumatic brain injury, McMains has been diagnosed with PTSD. His life since he was retired from the military in 2008,
has been difficult.And, because his fiance
was not part of his life until after his injuries, things have been even more stressed.
“She wasn’t a part of the typical military life,” he said. “She didn’t understand a lot of what I was going through. She only saw me on the recovery side.”
That was one reason why she pushed him to go to the Project New Hope weekend.
There, she was able to talk with other wives of veterans with PTSD, McMains said.
“She was able to learn ways to deal with my PTSD,” he said. “She bonded with other spouses and they helped her understand everything from the military acronyms to the warning signs that an episode (of PTSD) might be coming on.”
The sessions helped McMains too.
“I learned what to do when I felt myself getting out of control,” he said. “It was like getting tools for the tool box. It’s a way of learn-ing what to do when you feel yourself getting out of control.”
The weekend camp meant a lot to his children, too.
“Especially my 11-year-old daughter,” he said. “She’s old enough that she knows what war is. She was able to talk to other kids about what she saw happening in our family
and learn that she was not alone.”
Project New Hope is a service to veterans that the Lions are proud to be spon-soring.
“I think we are critically limited in our knowledge and awareness of PTSD and how it is affecting our service members and their families,” said Jack Ford, a member of the Lions board and a retired naval officer and combat veteran. “And it’s something that’s not going away.”
This summer there will be three sessions, July 19-21, Aug. 23-25, and Sept. 13 to 15.
Families are housed in lake-side rooms and can
attend several counseling sessions and participate in activities such as a zip line, horseback riding and crafts.
Workshops are offered with professional counselors who will meet with veterans. The sessions are designed to bring out comments and feelings about their transi-tion to ordinary life and address how to cope with the issues that come out. If intense feelings are drawn out, there are opportunities for veterans to meet indi-vidually with counselors in a private setting, Kane said.
Veterans, like McMains, who have participated have found they are regaining some control to their emo-tional responses. Some have returned for another week-
end and others have come back to help out.
All of the sessions are run by volunteers. Each weekend costs $4,500 to $5,500 for up to 10 families. Donations have come from the Nisqually Tribe and the Madigan Foundation and from individual Lions Clubs in the Multiple District 19.
Veterans wanting to register to attend can do so at www.lionsprojectne-whopenw.org. Donations can be made through the website and volunteers can register to help.
McMains is glad that he decided to attend a camp.
“I went in apprehensive and I came out with a smile on my face,” he said.
An opportunity to healBy Leslie Kelly
Contributed photo
Counseling sessions and opportunities to discuss symptoms of PTSD are offered to veterans and their family members while at Project New Hope camps.
1 6 | V E T E R A N S L I F E | M A R C H 2 0 1 3