2015 Veterans Day Tab

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2015

HONORING ALL WHO SERVED

Tractor Supply Co. donates a safe to the VFW for storage of its ceremonial rifles. ........................... page C4

The Lynden Safeway store designates two parking spaces for veterans only. ....................................... page C10

A supplement of the Lynden Tribune & Ferndale Record

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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, November 4, 2015 | Ferndale Record

Veterans

Veterans

Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, November 4, 2015 | Ferndale Record

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Murray calls VA to account on veterans' mental health services Bill to preserve homeless benefits passed in U.S. Senate WASHINGTON, DC — On Oct. 28, U.S. Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, spoke at a committee hearing on the state of the veterans’ mental health care system at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

A report released by the Government Accountability Office outlines ongoing issues that veterans have with long wait times and confusion over where they can find care. Citing the multiple stresses of being deployed and returning home, Murray emphasized the need for the VA to recruit more health care professionals who can diagnose and treat veterans, and to maintain this crucial workforce.

“The invisible wounds of war can be with veterans for many years, but we also have treatments that help, and can get veterans back into their lives. The VA has a duty to provide the services and foster a culture that actually serves our veterans.

“I am deeply concerned that despite all of our efforts over several years to address gaps in access to mental health care services, the VA is not making the changes that are needed — and that they have been required to make. As far as I’m concerned, that equates to failing our veterans,” Murray said. “Things need to change."

Murray said she will be looking for answers on exactly how the VA is addressing two problems identified years ago: 1) making sure there are enough mental health professionals to quickly and accurately diagnose and treat veterans; 2) maintaining this crucial workforce.

“Mental health is just as much of a priority as physical health. Veterans must have access to see these professionals, without the fear of confusion over where they can go, or lengthy wait times for initial appointments,”the senator said.

A day later, Murray was back on the Senate floor urging her colleagues to stand with the nation’s home-

less veterans.

She led a successful push for unanimous passage of her bill, the Homeless Veterans Services Protection Act, that prevents a VA policy from taking effect that would overturn the way homeless veterans have been helped for more than 20 years. The pending policy change would bar homeless services for veterans who served fewer than two years continuously, or certain veterans who had less than an honorable discharge.

After a change in VA’s legal opinion that would cause veterans who fell into those categories to lose eligibility for homeless assistance programs, Sen. Murray intro-

duced her bill to ensure that these veterans would not be kicked out onto the street if the policy was enacted.

The Homeless Veterans Services Protection Act that passed the Senate ensures that veterans will not be turned away from homeless programs because they don’t meet certain length of service or discharge requirements.

The next step is for the bill to go to the U.S. House of Representatives for consideration.

The bill also included an amendment by Republican Sen. Dean Heller to increase access to homeless services to veterans with children and families.

National VFW auxiliary now admits men into membership of formerly women's group The VFW Auxiliary is no longer just a women’s organization.

At the 116th annual national convention in Pittsburgh in July 2015, delegates of Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) of the United States passed a resolution to amend national bylaws to allow male family members to join the Ladies Auxiliary VFW effective Aug. 21, 2015. As a result, the organization’s name was changed to VFW Auxiliary.

“It’s an exciting time to be a member of the Auxiliary,” said national president Francisca Guilford. “Women comprise nearly 20 percent of our nation’s military, and this change allows all spouses, fathers, grandfathers, sons, grandsons and brothers to serve others in honor of their veteran.”

“It not only expands the eligibility of the organization’s members, but it provides us a wonderful opportunity to serve more veterans and promote patriotism in

communities across our great nation,” she said.

If you are a male or female relative of someone who served in overseas combat, you may be eligible to join the VFW Auxiliary. If you are interested in serving veterans, active-duty military, their families and your community in honor of the sacrifices and commitment of every man and woman who has served in uniform, you are invited to visit www.vfwauxiliary.org to learn more, or contact Lonnie Rose locally at 220-5676.

Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, November 4, 2015 | Ferndale Record

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Veterans

Tractor Supply donates a new safe to VFW post Need existed, and VFW helps to maintain U.S. flag on the premises

By Calvin Bratt editor@lyndentribune.com

LYNDEN ­— Growing out of an earlier relationship, the Tractor Supply Co. store here has donated a new fire-rated safe to Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9301 of Lynden.

The safe will hold the seven ceremonial rifles used by the VFW post honor guard in its 21-gun salutes locally.

Delivery of the safe, worth several hundred dollars, to the VFW’s Hannegan Road building occurred Friday, Oct. 30.

It so happens around Veterans Day that the honor guard will have six engagements this week and next, said commander Lonnie Rose.

On Thursday, Nov. 5, Lynden Middle School has its annual assembly organized by teacher Jeff Seaholm in honor of veterans. It is at the beginning of the school day in the Judson Hall auditorium.

Then follow visits to Bellingham Technical College, Bellingham Christian School, the Lynden Community Center and the Bellingham VFW post right on Veterans Day, and a final appearance at the Lynden Lions Club dinner and program honoring veterans on Nov. 12.

The 21-gun salute is not done at all places — schools in particular — and instead the VFW honor guard presents the American flag, salutes it and stands at attention for the playing of taps, Rose said.

“This time of year we’re busy,” he said.

Add in that the local VFW post is “short-handed.”

“We’re really working hard to get the younger veterans in (VFW) and try to get them in honor guard as well,” the commander said, himself a Vietnam War Navy

FERNDALE Ready Mix & Gravel Inc.

Tractor Supply Co. of Lynden has donated a fire-rated safe to Lynden VFW Post 9301 for storing the seven ceremonial rifles used locally by the VFW honor guard in 21-gun salutes. Delivery was taken on Oct. 30. From left are Lonnie Rose, post commander; Amy Decker, store manager; Walt DeKraai, vice-commander; and Calvin Deem, store receiver and a VFW auxiliary member. (Calvin Bratt/Lynden Tribune) veteran.

Two among the eight that constitute the honor guard detail right now are in their 80s, and doing any marching on their feet, as in a parade, is getting to be too difficult, Rose said.

Even before Tractor Supply moved into the vacant space at 1898 Front St. in August, the Lynden VFW post had attend-

“Thank You for your service to us... and for maintaining the freedoms we have!”

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ed to the flag pole and big American flag flying on the premises for years. That was a commitment to the property going back to when the CostCutter grocery store was located there.

Word filtered to Tractor Supply store manager Amy Decker that the post could use a new gun safe, and the wish gradually became reality. Calvin Deem, hired as

a receiver for the store, is a member of the VFW 9301 auxiliary (a separate organization from the post) and could help shepherd the donation through as well.

Two other places where the post sees to it that a U.S. flag is maintained are the Lynden Community Center and the nearby Centennial Park at Fourth and Grover streets.

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Veterans

Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, November 4, 2015 | Ferndale Record

Pakawalups in Pearl Harbor Day event at Lairmont BELLINGHAM — Do you know someone who is 90 years-plus?

Then you should save the date — Pearl Harbor Day (the 74th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor) — for a celebration at the Lairmont Manor, 405 Fieldston Rd., on Dec. 7, 2015.

The Lairmont Manor and the Pakawalups, providing 1940s Andrews Sisters look-alike and sound, are the primary sponsors.

At this event from 1 to 3 p.m., expect holiday fare of sandwiches and snack foods, with 40’s music, carols and wartime songs.

There is no charge for celebrants having at least 90 birthdays. There will be a small charge for guests. RSVP is needed. Please call or email to the Lairmont for reservations at 647-1444 or info@lairmontmanor.com.

“This is our first year trying this out,” said Joel Douglas, of Lairmont-based Harbor Lands Co. in an email.

It may be necessary to limit this year’s attendance, depending on the qualifications made by Lairmont’s events coordinator, he said.

The Pakawalups also performed at an August event honoring World War II veterans.

The Pakawalups are three sisters: Cathie Ledray-Senff, Sue Ledray Murray and Vicki Ledray Grabicki. Their dad, Vince Ledray, was a B-17 pilot assigned to the 401st Bomb Group in Deenethorpe, England during World War II. He flew and survived 33 missions in 1943 and 1944. “Because Pakawalup was the name of his favorite plane and since we’re the kind of girls who like to ‘Pakawalup’ we decided that’s the name for us — that’s our story and we’re ‘stickin’ to it!”

The Pakawalups perform a patriotic show including songs made famous by the beloved and talented Andrews Sisters and also songs by other great artists.

They are all about “keeping memories alive and hearts and spirits dancing!”

The Pakawalups have performed in England, Nashville, Washington, D.C., around the Northwest and plenty of other places, including for the 401st Bomb Group Association.

Contact the Pakawalups at cledray@fidalgo.net or 733-7063 and on Facebook too.

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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, November 4, 2015 | Ferndale Record

Veterans

Lions dinner and program honoring veterans planned for Nov. 12 Well-traveled Navy chaplain Kenyon Kaehr is featured speaker at event LYNDEN ­— Veterans are honored at the annual Veterans Day dinner and program of the Lynden Lions Club at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, in the Lynden Community Center, 401 Grover St. If you plan to attend, you must reserve a spot. Call Barbara or Gordon Sund at 318-8155 by Nov. 5 to book your reservation. The number of seats available is limited.

Veterans get in for free. The cost for all others is $8.

The program speaker will be Kenyon Kaehr, brother of Lions club president Jason Kaehr. Kenyon is on active duty in the U.S. Navy, a lieutenant commander in the chaplain corps. He has done tours in the Middle East and has many interesting stories to tell, according to his brother.

Reached by phone at the Navy base in Ventura County, California, Kenyon Kaehr said he will talk about some of his experiences in the military, particularly in the chaplaincy, which he considers to be a vital support to the active forces for the United States.

He sees the U.S. Constitution itself as providing the basis for a ministry to the spiritual needs of soldiers, sailors and fliers — and whether that be Protestant and Catholic Christian, Jewish, Muslim or Buddhist.

Kaehr said he is not aware of any real restrictions upon the abil-

Two veterans talk at one of the Lynden Lions Club-sponsored Veterans Day events of the past. (File Photo/Lynden Tribune)

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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, November 4, 2015 | Ferndale Record

Veterans

Kaehr to speak on service, life

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Continued from C6 ity of military chaplains to attest to their faith openly, although “you’ve got to use common sense sometimes” in the choice of words in public settings in a way that is considerate and respectful of all in an audience. “A lot of people don’t understand that,” he added.

Before Ventura, Kaehr was on ships “all over the world” for two years. “You get the opportunity to see the world on the Navy’s dime.”

Earlier, he had been at the Great Lakes Medical Center in Illinois and on the island Diego Garcia 800 miles from anything else in the middle of the Indian Ocean, he said.

On a remote assignment like that and while on ship, his wife Donna is not along. But for the most part in 20-plus years of military life, he has been able to make family life — raising three kids earlier ­— work out in harmony.

Kaehr was first an enlistee in the Air Force for 12 years. His life took a turn through college and seminary in the Midwest and even into youth and senior pastor roles with a Protestant denomination before “God put on my heart, and opened the doors” for him to go into military chaplaincy.

It’s been a life on the move for Kenyon and Donna across 29 years of marriage, in which time they have moved 20 times.

“We’ve got moving down to a science. We can pack up and be going on a moment’s notice,” he said.

But now, as a lieutenant commander, he is starting to look toward retiring.

He has done his best to stay away from the hottest spots of military action, although cycling into far outposts and then to a stateside base is the military’s way of keeping its chaplains fresh and renewed for their duty, Kaehr said.

As the military keeps trying to be fiscally prudent, it’s possible the Navy could look to curtail bayside chaplains, but Kaehr doesn’t want chaplains to be burned out, either.

“We take turns going on those operational assignments versus shore. That their way of giving us down time,” he said.

Kaehr has two brothers, a sister and his mother up in the Northwest, so he was already planning a trip here when his brother tabbed him for the Lions dinner, he said.

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FERNDALE — ­ Ferndale High School will again host its annual salute to veterans on Tuesday, Nov. 10. Two assemblies are planned, the first taking place from 9:05 to 10:10 a.m. and the second scheduled from

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10:20 to 11:30 a.m. in the FHS auditorium.

There will be a meet-and-greet with veterans at 8 a.m. This is a community event, and everyone is welcome to attend.

Coffee and treats will be provided.

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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, November 4, 2015 | Ferndale Record

Veterans

Riding historically

An attention-getting and well-decorated old Ford truck was in the Second Chance store parking lot in Lynden on Thursday, Oct. 29. It had markings that identified it as belonging to a veteran, but some checking around could not disclose a local owner. If you have more information on the truck to share, feel free to email it to editor@lyndentribune.com. (Calvin Bratt/Lynden Tribune)

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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, November 4, 2015 | Ferndale Record

Veterans

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WWU presentation is on veterans' lives after their service Sociology professor has done extensive research of the years BELLINGHAM — Jay Teachman, professor of sociology at Western Washington University, will give a talk titled “The Lives of Veterans after Military Service: A Portrait of the Last 75 Years” from 11:25 a.m. to 12:25 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 9.

The free, public talk is an installment of the Dean’s Lecture Series of the WWU College of Humanities and Social Sciences and is a part of Western’s Veterans Day ceremony in the Viking Union Multipurpose Room, 516 High St. The university’s ceremony starts at 11 a.m. with opening remarks by WWU President Bruce Shepard. A reception following Professor Teachman’s talk will be from 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m.

Currently, more than 21 million veterans live in the United States, which equates to about 10 percent of the population age 17 and older. These veterans have served during times of peace and during times of war, but they have all dedicated a portion of their lives to the service of their country. A growing body of literature has begun to outline the consequences of military service for the lives of veterans, yet this knowledge remains fragmented. In particular, it is difficult to understand the scope of the effects of military service and how these effects may have changed over time.

In his talk, Teachman will provide a simple descriptive analysis of the consequences of military service across various life course domains and historical eras using data taken from the 2013 American Community Survey. The life course outcomes considered include: education, income, types of income, marital status, home ownership and health. The historical eras considered range from World War II to post-9/11.

Teachman has been a professor in sociology since 1998. He graduated from Western in 1974 and received his doctorate from the University of Chicago in 1978. He has a long-standing interest in families and how families change over time. He has published a number of articles on topics such as military service, divorce, remarriage, child support and cohabitation.

A story on Teachman and his research with Lucky Tedrow, director of Western’s Center for Social Science Instruction and the Demographic Research Laboratory, is featured in a Western Window magazine article titled “Service Legacy.”

Audience questions for the Nov. 9 talk will be welcomed.

For more information on this lecture, contact Kirsten Anderson, WWU College of Humanities & Social Sciences, at 650-3763 or Kirsten.Anderson@wwu.edu.

Veterans can get a free haircut at Great Clips MINNEAPOLIS — Across the nation, Great Clips salons and their customers are showing their appreciation to veterans and members of the military with the “You Can Thank a Veteran” promotion.

On Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2015, all customers who get a haircut at a U.S. Great Clips

Jay Teachman

salon get a free haircut card they can give as a thank-you to an active, inactive or retired military member of any branch, including the National Guard. The offer is one card per customer, while supplies last.

Veterans and active-service members who come in to a Great Clips salon on Nov. 11 can get either a free haircut or the free haircut card to redeem with proof of military service through Dec. 31, 2015, at any U.S. Great Clips salon.

This program is in its third consecutive year.

Thank You

To the many men & women in our community who have served and are currently serving our country as members of the Armed Forces. ~ Len Honcoop Vietnam 1969-1970

LYNDEN, WA

354-4763 8911 Guide Meridian www.honcoop.com

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Thank you veterans!

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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, November 4, 2015 | Ferndale Record

Veterans

Safeway creates parking for veterans only Designated spots expected to remain permanent

By Tim Newcomb tim@lyndentribune.com

LYNDEN — A new parking designation at the Lynden Safeway grocery store reserves two spots just for veterans.

“I believe we are the only Safeway to have done this so far,” said Derry Blankers, Lynden store manager. “It is a little bit of a test.”

The two spots, located adjacent to official handicapped parking spots, opened in late October, a few weeks ahead of Veterans Day, but the effort is intended to last much longer. “This is a permanent thing from my perspective,” Blankers said.

The idea arose from a customer request several months ago after the customer saw designated veterans’ parking spaces at Home Depot in Bellingham.

Blankers requested and received permission from Safeway’s parent company and then worked with the property owners to get the signs installed in the parking lot.

“We’ve had some nice customer comments about it, thanking us,” he said.

Blankers said he hopes the spots don’t cause any problems, as there is no legal recourse for enforcing the designation. “We are counting on people’s honor,” Blankers said. And honor of veterans is the very reason the spots were created in the first place.

The new veterans-only parking designation at the Lynden Safeway store is in time for Veterans Day. (Tim Newcomb/Lynden Tribune)

VFW auxiliaries cooperate on Veterans Day Bellingham event BELLINGHAM ­ — All veterans in Whatcom County are invited to a Veterans Day event on Wednesday, Nov. 11, at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1585 hall, 625 N. State St. The three auxiliaries in the county — Lynden, Custer and Bellingham — are joining forces on this special project.

It begins at 3 p.m. with a presentation of colors by the honor guard from

Lynden. It culminates with Bobby Lee of Bellingham leading a patriotic sing-along at 5 p.m. There will be a historical Buddy Poppy display and, of course, free food for all veterans.

This invitation also goes out to all widows and widowers of veterans.

For more details, contact Cindy Mellema, Post 1585 auxiliary president, at 7345520 or cindymellema@comcast.net.

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Veterans

Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, November 4, 2015 | Ferndale Record

Thank You Veterans!

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Meridian Equipment Metrie, Inc. Milt's Pizza Place

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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, November 4, 2015 | Ferndale Record

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