Veterans Life April 2012

Veterans Life A Sound Publishing Monthly Magazine

In your name Veterans legislation z pg. 11

April 2012

Port Orchard

LOOKING FOR A NEW FORD? We offer many great buying programs!

• Kitsap County’s Authorized Costco Ford Dealer • Rebates up to $6,500** • USAA Auto Programs

BRUCE TITUS FORD The only ford factory authorized dealer for certified pre-owned Ford Cars & Trucks in Kitsap County

• Ford X-Z A-D Plans

• 7 Year, 100,000 Mile Factory Warranty

• ZAG True Cars Buying Solution

• Free Roadside Assistance

LOOKING FOR GREAT FINANCING?

0%

*

• SNAAC Military • Navy Federal Credit Union • Miles Finance • USAA Members Welcome

for

60 Months Through Ford Motor Credit

100’s of Credit Unions & Banks to choose from!

• Rental Car Reimbursement • 172 Multi Point Inspection • Free Vehicle History Report • Near New Cars & Trucks at Used Car Prices!

WE Have Hundreds of Used Cars & Trucks to Choose From!

15% Discount For All Military & Their Families!

In our service department, 6 days a week Saturday service hours: 8:00am to 5:00pm FREE Shuttle ~ WiFi ~ Popcorn ~ Coffee SERVICE SPECIAL FREE* BRAKE INSPECTION

• Pull the wheels & visually inspect brake pad lining, caliper operation, rotors, drums, hoses and connections • Inspect parking brake for proper operation • offer valid on most vehicles Exp. 4/21/2012 *Coupon must be presented at time of Drop-off. No other offers apply. No cash value. Offer does not include tax.

SERVICE SPECIAL

149.95* AUTO TRANSMISSION FLUSH

• • • •

Extend transmission Life Revitalize Seals & O Rings Avoid Costly Repairs Reduce Hard Shifting & Slippage Exp. 4/21/2012

*Ford, Lincoln-Mercury light trucks and cars only. Coupon must be presented at time of Drop-off. No other offers apply. No cash value. Offer does not include tax.

SERVICE SPECIAL

89.95* COOLING SYSTEM FLUSH

• State of the Art flushing equipment, cleans entire cooling system • Protects against rust and corrosion • Helps Prevent engine overheating • Includes up to 1 gal. antifreeze as needed • Perform leak inspection

PARTS SPECIAL

10% OFF* PERSONALIZE YOUR VEHICLE With 10% OFF all Genuine Manufacture’s Accessories. This discount includes Accessories and installation - or just purchase the accessory and install it yourself

Exp. 4/21/2012

*Ford, Lincoln-Mercury light trucks and cars only. Coupon must be presented at time of Drop-off. No other offers apply. No cash value. Offer does not include tax.

Exp. 4/21/2012 *Maximum discount $200.00

Get Connected

1215 Bay Street • Port Orchard

360-876-4484 •1-888-719-3117

*On Select Modles through FMCC. ** On 2011 Super Duty. To ensure your complete satisfaction, please verify accuracy prior to purchase. Offers Expire 4/21/2012.

brucetitus.com

Thanks for opening Veterans Life Over the course of the last year, as we worked to build Kitsap Navy News, we saw Osama bin Laden shot dead, the war in Iraq come to an official end and the War in Afghanistan deteriorate during its own conclusion. Next year nearly 1 million men and women will join 22 million others already living under veteran status.

Hundreds more will join the club in Kitsap County where

engineer will bring more perspective to our pages in a monthly column.

Consequently, we found the veteran coverage in KNN naturally spurred a conversation with local leaders in the veteran community that ended with a clear recognition that a confluence of time, place and need justified serving veterans with a newsmagazine of their own. We proudly decided to move coverage to Veterans Life.

What you'll find in the center of each month's copy is themed content written to inform and explain in greater detail. This month we detail some of the state-level legislation regarding veteran issues. As this session ended, nearly every piece of substantial legislation died on the vine. However, you'll learn from a graph on page 13 that Legislators were able to keep forward a state raffle that nets millions on the backs of veterans and even create a way to sell more tickets.

38,000 veterans already live.

Written for veterans and edited by a veteran, our mission is to give you a monthly newsmagazine that you can count on for needed information on benefits and veterans rights as well as the trends in local veteran issues and the general goings on in the community.

Veterans Life is also a place to read about others, like you, who have important and interesting tales to tell from their time in service. In that vein, we're proud to introduce Army veteran David Hartmann who wrote “the infidels bible” on page page 26. David's story of a bond formed during his Afghanistan deployment kicks off a feature we hope to populate with stories from veterans in our readership and the region. In the coming months the former Army

The Veteran profile on page 7 is our own monthly installment of a history project that will span the five generations of veterans living in the county and region. With no finer place to start than with World War II, we offer you 88-year-old Tudor Davis' account of the loss of the USS Halibut in the Pacific Theater.

The Rant and Rave columns on page 8 is space for veterans to voice, with passion, his or her issues and concerns whether they are positive or negative. This inaugural issue holds two rants rather than one or two of each. I suspect the backlog of complaint sis as long as the VA claim process, which now approaches 1 million delayed claims. Locally, 23,000 compensation and pension claims are past due – the highest ratio on the West Coast.

I want to invite everyone in the veteran community to contribute to Veterans Life in the coming months. Please join us by contributing letters, news and story ideas, columns, editorials and photographs.

Sincerely, Greg Skinner Editor, veteran

INSIDE VETERANS LEGISLATION On the day that the Washington state Legislature held a well photographed ceremony honoring the United States Navy, legislation, with the potential to change the lives of the poorest veterans in the state, was quietly tossed into the trash.

21

TRAVEL

11

Good road trips are like the lessons learned by Dorothy in “The Wizard of Oz.” To paraphrase, some of the best road trips you’ll ever take are right here in our own backyard in the North Puget Sound region - and if the Emerald City is still your favored destination, there’s always Seattle.

THE BOND

It’s really not derogatory at its basest meaning, infidel. One of my favorite quotes from my Wahid, one of my regular interpreters during my Afghan tour, came at the end of a particulary long day.

“You know, you guys are good infidels, I like you,” he said.

26

Answer to brain teaser on page 9: $11,000 -- Marcie -- Hypnotherapy -- Their roommate’s Wonder Bread, $12,500 -- Mike -- Culinary Arts -- Three Ding Dongs and some Twizzlers, $15,000 -- Fred -- Tribal Studies -- A half-pack of hot dogs, $19,250 -- Larry -- Journalism -- A half-rack of Milwaukee’s Best, $24,000 –- Timm -- Phlebotomy -- leftover Jack In The Box

Veterans Life 3888 NW Randall Way, Suite 100, Silverdale, WA 98383 Administration

(360) 308-9161

Classified Ads

(360) 394-8700

Display Advertising

(360) 308-9161

Fax

(360) 308-9363

Newsroom

(360) 308-9161

ADMINISTRATION

NEWSROOM

PUBLISHER Sean McDonald smcdonald@soundpublishing.com

EDITOR Greg Skinner gskinner@soundpublishing.com

ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR JESSICA GINET

SENIOR REPORTER Kristin Okinaka kokinaka@soundpublishing.com

ADVERTISING MARKETING REPRESENTATIVES RITA NICHOLSON rnicholson@soundpublishing.com WAYNE NELSON wnelson@soundpublishing.com

CIRCULATION CIRCULATION COORDINATOR Jim Johnson jjohnson@soundpublishing.com

CREATIVE CONSULTANTS Bryon Kempf, KELSIE DAMM creative@centralkitsapreporter.com

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

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. Shane McGraw

Loan officer Lic # MLo-90072 The Legacy group SiLverdaLe

360.698.6471 Shane.McGraw@legacyg.com www.legacyg.com/ShaneM

HOW A BELOVED SEATTLE MARKET HELPS TO FEED THE NEEDS OF

AN ENTIRE COMMUNITY.

When the owners of Uwajimaya Market wanted to relocate and enlarge an existing store in downtown Seattle, they turned to Bank of America. Since the 1950s, they’ve relied on us for financing to expand their operations, open new locations and grow their business. As a result, they’ve been able to better serve their customers, provide more jobs and strengthen their role as a focal point for the region’s diverse Asian community.

Uwajimaya Market is another example of how we’re working to help small businesses grow and hire in the Puget Sound — and across the country. In 2011, we provided $222.5 million in new credit to small businesses in Washington — an increase of 28% from 2010.

To learn more about what we’re doing to help strengthen the local economy, visit bankofamerica.com/Seattle

© 2012 Bank of America Corporation. Member FDIC. ARZ503Q1

Chatter

Talk about veterans from around the web Raising awareness Two Iraq war veterans are riding their bikes 4,163 miles from the Wall of Valor in Bakersfield Calif., to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. to increase awareness on veterans issues, such as suicide and the importance of VA healthcare.

According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Army veteran and double amputee Wesley Barrientos is riding the long route with with Marine Veteran and former NLF player Jeremy Staat and plans to pass through 15 states and 10 military bases before ending the ride.

Lt. Dan supports wounded vet In the last week of February, Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band performed a show on the steps of City Hall in Temecula, Calif. to raise money for U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Juan Dominguez, who lost both legs and one arm while on patrol in Afghanistan in October 2010.

According to the North County Times, Sinise hopes that the concert will give Dominguez the chance to begin the full life that a hero deserves.

VA employee kills vet According to NBC12 in Richmond, a McGuire VA Medical Center employee Cornelius Hayes, 55, allegedly shot patient James Stephenson Lee in the head while as stood

in the volunteer parking lot. Hayes had a previous conviction for assaulting a cop and shooting a gun in an occupied building.

Still hard A former Marine sniper, wearing a light pullover jacket, shorts and hiking sandals, ran into the woods, through several feet of snow, after a minor traffic accident near Roseburg Ore. Jason D. Cooper, 37, of Temecula, Calif., reportedly suffered panic attacks during stressful situations.

According to the Associated Press, Cooper was found by police two days later lying on a bed of fir branches. Asked if he was scared being illdressed and alone in the woods for two days, Cooper asked, “Of what?”

Acupuncture for Gulf War Syndrome An instructor from Harvard Medical School reported to a group of USC students that anecdotal evidence from her research indicates that acupuncture may provide relief for the multiple symptoms associated with Gulf War Syndrome. The ongoing study is located

in Massachusetts and is funded in part by the Department of Defense and includes 85 Gulf War veterans.

Clinical researcher Lisa Conboy told KPCC, “It would be fantastic if there could be some relief for these veterans.

It’s been more than 20 years that they’ve been in discomfort.”

Iraq vets grand marshal Chicago’s Irish Parade Following a two-year ban for drunkenness, Chicago’s South Side Irish Parade returned wit a patriotic theme as Iraq and Afghanistan veterans from Chicago’s Beverly neighborhood served as grand marshals and a tribute was held for Marine Cpl. Conner Lowry, killed in Afghanistan March 1.

According to WLS in Chicago, Lowry’s brother said, “He’s looking down on us now. We’re going to have a good time, celebrate the way he would have wanted.”

Speculation on Ft. Lewis shooter Speculation ran wild

across the internet on the role a TBI played when an Army Staff Sergeant, from Joint Base Lewis McChord, shot to death 16 Afghan men women and children and then turned himself in to Army authorities.

According to Discovery. com, there is a link between brain injury and violence.

More than 30,000 cases of TBI were diagnosed in 2011, according to the Department of Defense.

Payments delayed The Veterans Affairs Department said it missed payments to 21,000 Post 9/11 GI Bill Claims last month and could be up to seven weeks behind on those payments.

Shady practice Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., the father of the wellfunded Post 9/11 GI Bill, introduced the The Military and Veterans Educational Reform Act of 2012 last month in hopes of stemming the alleged deceptive recruiting practices by for-profit colleges and universities. The move comes as questions arise about the value of some of the courses the schools

Carpet • Upholstery • Leather Tile & Grout • Area Rugs • Hardwood Floors

teach.

According to military. com, $6.2 billion of the total $17 billion spent so far has gone to for-profit schools since the new GI Bill began more than three years ago.

The father of video games turns 90

in Chicago with his GI Bill following American service in World War II. According to IGN.com, Baer’s new game, that was later named Pong, was based on the movement of aircraft on a 1940s era radar screen.

Ralph H. Baer, the German born, naturalized citizen and former U.S. Army intelligence officer, turned 90 years old last month. Baer, widely credited as the father of video games, earned his degree in television engineering from the American Television Institute of Technology

Drive Carefully.

It’s not only cars that can be recalled by their maker.

This ad is placed in this newspaper as a courtesy for M.A.D.D.

IMAGINE A FIRE IN EVERY ROOM

Serving Our Community Since 1979 www.customhearth.biz HWY 16 • Port Orchard

360.373.1332

HWY 305 • Poulsbo

360.779.1331

Stanley Steemer Spot Remover, Odor-Out Kit, Tile & Grout, Hardwood Floor Cleaners, Carpet Rake & Door Mats Available in Store

BAY Call 1-800-STEEMER (783-3637) or 360-626-9012 schedule online at www.stanleysteemer.com

On Base - Off Base!

WE Always DELIVER! 30% OFF for Silverdale

9800 Silverdale Way NW #101

360-662-1300

Armed Forces Men and Women w/Military I.D.*

Order Online at PapaJohns.com

Thank You for Serving Our Country!

Lunch Menu ~ Dinner Menu ~ Kids Menu Gluten Free Menu Options Voted Best Steak & Best Seafood Large Wine Selection ~ Northwest MicroBrews in South Kitsap Full Bar And Lounge Area ~ Patio Seating 4 Consecutive Years

Open 7 days a week for lunch & dinner 11:00am to close ~ Happy Hour Daily

100 Harrison Avenue ~ Port Orchard ~ 360.876.1445 www.amysonthebay.com

2013 VA healthcare budget

by the numbers 55,000,000,000

The number of dollars in the 2013 Veterans Administration healthcare budget

6,300,000

The number of patients expected to seek healthcare services from the VA in 2013

610,000

The number of new Iraq and Afghan veterans expected to enter into the VA system in 2013

800,000

The number of compensation and pension claims in the current VA claims backlog

23,000

The number of compensation and pension claims in the Seattle regioin VA claims backlog

1,700,000,000

The number of dollars the VA expects to spend on Agent Orange exposures in 2013

6,100,000,000

The dollar amount the VA expects to spend on mental health in 2013

18

The number of veterans who commit sucide each day

20,184

The number of Iraq and Afghan veterans who are now homeless

1,300,000,000

The number of dollars in the zero homelessness initiative for 2013

481,000,000

The dollar amount reduced in long-term care spenduing in the 2013 budget from the 2011 budget.

Tudor Davis

By JJ Swanson Tudor Davis, 88, is one of the last six, living crew members who served aboard the USS Halibut SS-232, the Gato-class submarine which was damaged beyond repair during its 10th patrol off the coast of the Philippines, Nov. 14, 1944.

The Halibut became the 52nd U.S. submarine lost in World War II though it was not sunk. The early morning attacks were described as “one of the most devastating” against a submarine during the war by Clay Blair, Jr. World War II historian and author of “Silent Victory,” a chronicle of submarine combat during the war.

Five explosions from Japanese anti-submarine aircraft decimated the submarine’s conning tower, control room, forward battery compartment, torpedo room and main air bank. Davis said it was later determined that at least 40 detonations rained down on the boat that day, which dented the hull “like mom’s old washboard on both sides.”

Dents were two feet wide and 8 feet high, according to Blair. The Halibut dove to 600 feet, double her crush depth in evasive maneuvers and stayed there for four hours until the onslaught was over.

“It is an experience I can never forget,” Davis said. “It shook the hell out of us to be blunt. We weren’t thinking then, just acting, going on automatic reaction because you couldn’t think.”

“Today’s Navy has technology that is far superior to the old submarines,” said Fred Davis, Tudor’s son, “But those sailors haven’t been tested by the horror of depth charges like dad.”

Davis enlisted in the Navy in 1941 as a young torpedo man. His father, Tudor Davis, Sr., was a coal miner who served in the Navy during World War I, and raised the family of five in Potsville,

VETERAN PROFILE

seal off that section and try to equalize pressure with the rest of the ship. The Halibut lost all radio, compass, depth gauge and main instruments.

Penn with Louis Davis, a homemaker.

“The depth gauge was frozen at 480 feet so we knew we were in trouble,” Davis said.

“How much, we didn’t know until we tried to surface four hours later.”

“We were a very poor family. There was no work available in town,” Davis said. “I had a job in the small steel mill, but there was no future, and the Navy looked like the place to be.”

Davis explained that he was put on a wait list when he tried to join in October 1941. But the 17-year-old was immediately called in when the attack on Pearl Harbor happened two months later.

The newly keeled USS Halibut was launched from Portsmouth Naval Shipyard of Kittery, Maine on Dec. 3 of that same year, and sailed to the Aleutians for her first patrol. She displaced 1,525 tons surfaced, carried 24 torpedoes and sailed at 21 knots.

Davis came aboard Halibut for her fourth patrol in 1943, sinking freighters off the coast of Japan.

He described the Halibut crew as a close-knit and lively bunch.

“Submariners know they’re in that iron coffin together, with only each other, and they depend on each other very much. That dependency leads to forever friendships,” Davis said.

The crew also had a mascot named Skeeter, a mutt picked up at Lefty’s bar in San Francisco in 1944 during ship overhaul. Skeeter was sent to captain’s mast twice, once for being “surly and belligerent” in the battery compartment and the second time for relieving himself on a chief petty officer’s leg.

But it was Skeeter’s canine senses that alerted the crew that something wasn’t right on the morning of Nov. 14.

Davis recalled that the Halibut had just finished torpedoing four Japanese freighters in the Bashi Channel and were changing course to go deep and rig for depth charge. At 200 feet, Skeeter began barking at the port aft corner of the sonar operator’s station and would

not stop until the crew paid attention.

“I reported Skeeter’s behavior to conn, and so did the sonar operator who added, ‘but I have nothing on my screen.’ But luckily, because of Skeeter, we were at our battle stations when it hit the fan,” Davis said.

As the explosions hit the Halibut, rocking the submarine violently, deck plates fell out from under the crew and a few crewmen fell into the bilges, according to Davis.

The lights also went out leaving the crew to endure the attack in relative darkness.

Davis said that his only thought during the attack was securing the ship’s torpedoes since it had been in the reload position when it was hit, and the skid could have caused torpedoes to roll loose. He called several crewmen to scramble for torpedo straps while the Halibut continued to take a beating.

Air pressure in the forward torpedo room rose to 52 psi as number one air bank ruptured and the crew had to

Unit Commendation for her performance. She was decommissioned on July 18, 1945 and sold as scrap.

Davis went on to meet his wife Betty during a shore tour in Portland, Oreg., and have three children, Kathi Lee Garrison, Mary Louise Williams and Frederick Tudor Davis. He also served on the USS Pomodon, USS Capitaine, USS Chopper, USS Pickerel, USS Cubera, USS Rock, USS Pargo, USS Greenfish, and the USS George Washington, retiring in 1961.

Bassler added that Davis has worked tirelessly for the last 30 years to keep an active submarine veterans association, even though “many have lost interest over the years.”

The story of the Halibut, which he has heard many times, “does not change.”

We can do more “UNITED” Than we can alone

When the Halibut surfaced four hours later, the crew was battle-weary and unsure of the total damage. With complete loss of hydraulic control, every part of the ship, from steering to opening vents, had to be hand-operated. The ship was able to radio to Pearl Harbor, but not re-submerge.

The Pintado (SS-387) arrived to tow it to Guam.

The Halibut crew was flown back to Portsmouth, N.H. and dispersed. The USS Halibut received the Navy

Davis founded the United States Submarine Bremerton branch in 1981.

“I consider Tudor as one of my later year mentors,” said Don “Red” Bassler, USSVI historian and webmaster. “He is the typical torpedoman of his era, rough and tough.”

Davis said that he continues to send out Christmas cards to the six remaining crew members of the USS Halibut and their families.

He visited Norma Thomas, a widow of Norman “Tom” Thomas, the Halibut’s cook who adopted Skeeter after the war.

“The list gets smaller with the years,” Davis said. “But you have remember each other and the history. It’s your nation, and you’re the one that is going to suffer or enjoy the future through the actions you take now.”

Relaxed Waterfront Dining!

Local Fresh From Scratch

www.spiros.pizza.com

Corner of Bucklin Hill Rd. And Silverdale Way

SILVERDALE

698-4800

You Can Serve

During this Holiday Season please Our Nation’s Heros are assets to remem communities. There are many who have been our less fortunate during this opportunities to use your skills, talents, and experience to continuein the Together we can make a difference to serve in your community.

Lend a hand You canclose serve. to home a hero in your community!

Give to Be United Way of Kitsap Cou www.unitedwaykitsap.org

ESPRESSO • COFFEE • FRAPPE TEA • JUICES • PASTRIES • PANINI SALADS • SANDWICHES We proudly serve Pura Vida Coffees. Fair Trade, Shade Grown & Organic. Buy our coffee & create good.

Locally Owned and Operated

Veteran Owned

360-377-1180

105 Washington Ave.Bremerton Straight across from the ferry terminal

www.volunteerkitsap.org

rant & rave letters with passion Delay deny until we die

By Mike Ferrin Navy supply

I served my country for more than 20 years in the U.S. Navy supply department. I gave more than 10 years active, more than 10 years in the active reserve. I retired honestly.

Over the years I developed back problems and vertigo from years of moving heavy supplies. Today, my problems are disabling.

I cannot sit very long. With dizzy spells and numbness in my legs and arms, no one would hire me so I opened an espresso shop.

Quickly, I learned that I was unable to work for my own business.

I requested service-connected compensation from the Veterans Administration because I am unable to work. The VA said that 20 years of handling heavy supplies on steel or concrete flooring for the Navy did not cause the damage to my back and that the headaches aren’t debilitating enough.

I need to inform all military personnel in supply to complain, complain, complain or get discarded. I complained back in 1986.

“Buck up. Be a man,” I was told. “Get it done. Get the supplies moved.” I told the Navy about my back problems but nothing was ever done.

They spend countless lives and billions of dollars on wars but only care about the votes of veterans and not the problems we

have gained by serving our country. They give out plenty of drugs at the VA hospital and that’s good for the drug companies, but the VA has not hired more people to handle the backlog of claims. They just delay it and deny it until the veteran just gives up or dies.

That is how our country serves its veterans.

Dope em’ up with drugs and put them in the corner to die.

If Congress truly cared, we would not have to wait until we die to get benefits. I have written to Sen. Patty Murray.

After serving my country and helping to create jobs, my country has thrown me under the bus. What Congress has done to our country and the veteran amounts to treason. Tax breaks and offshore accounts for companies with government contracts. I thought war profiteering was illegal.

By now, I have waited for two years and I will be dammed if I will wait another two years for something that I damn-well earned.

I served our country.

Murray said she has to fight just to help veterans. But, for the most part they give lip -service and take our votes.

I wake up dizzy. I go to bed dizzy and my back is always killing me. I am pissed off! If I did not have savings to live off, I would be homeless. At 53, I don’t get a pension until I am 60 – if I’m not dead. The Navy did not have to wait for two years for me to move their supplies. I took care of the Navy and served my country, it left me unable to care for my own home.

What benefit?

fighting for our country and defending our “freedoms.”

I think about my experiences seeking benefits through the regional Veterans Affairs medical center where it seems to me that they care to not care for anyone.

After gaining my courage to finally go into a VA clinic and “get things started” probably 3-4 years after I returned to stateside from my Army enlistment that took me to Europe and the Middle East for the first Gulf War, my experience came to a halt after my physical. The road to opening a claim seemed endless and full of many hoops I couldn’t understand. It pissed me off. We are not pieces of equipment that fall into a warehouse that gets filed and refiled every fiscal year!

“Thanks for coming in,” they say. “Now what is your problem?” they ask. Whatever ails the veteran had better be pharmacologically treatable or they’ll sure to hear, “Sorry, we can’t help you.”

The slogan “support our troops” goes into a deep place with a lot of active duty military. It’s harder for veterans, they just went through it and their needs detract support for the next.

Slow to care or too slow to care, if they care at all, Veterans Affairs workers seem to always ask, “why we come in?” I tell them that I was told this is “the place.” Then, do they care?

The people who tried to help me were only there for a paycheck. Could they have tried harder if they wanted to?

By Clayton McCrary Army infantry veteran, Persian Gulf War

The system. Do I get it? Do you get it? Do we veterans get it at all?

It’s my benefit, but I care to come here why? Why do I seek care in an uncaring place? How do the government drones work?

“Do you still want to come here,” they ask?

What?

The doctors and most of the nurses have the ability to recommend federally approved drugs and it seems that they might not know exactly what the drug will do to me. Do we really need to be guinea pigs anymore?

I thought we did that in the service by

I think a solution is well overdue especially now that the feds are cutting troops and we will start to see more veterans come home with the need for some assistance transitioning back into society. What’s the plan for them? Maybe some of our less affected troops coming home can transfer into a government type job that actually helps people transitioning from military life to being a good honest citizen who has support and meaning.

I hear that the computer systems are actually talking to each other and sharing medical files at the VA. Maybe that will improve something, but I suspect it won’t change the drones.

LOOKING TO REMOVE THAT OLD CAR FROM YOUR GARAGE?

POULSBO LIONS CLUB

• Live “Ocean Fresh” Dungeness Crab • Live Louisiana Crawfish to order • Live Maine Lobster 2LB+

From the Boat to the Shack!

4810 HYW. 303 e

Liv s!

Clam

Claud Crawfie’s sh Sale!

(Near the intersection of Riddell and Wheaton Way.)

“Call Claude Now” • 360.551.6366

Custom

Liv Oystee rs!

will come get your old or unused, running or non-running car or truck

FREE!

Call Kevin Hogan

360-621-8548

MINIMUM $500 TAX BENEFIT

Imprinting & Embroidery Sportswear and promotional products We specialize in Military Emblematics

Need a lift?

Kingston/Poulsbo/Silverdale..(360) 698-7660 Bainbridge Island .................(206) 842-7660 Bremerton ...................(306) 377-9393 Port Orchard ...........(306) 876-9393 Doctors appointments, grocery store runs, ferry commuters-

Let us do the driving!

Serving Kitsap County since 1998

TAXIS & Tours

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS! · Personal Injury · Auto Accidents · Slip & Fall • Injury Due to Negligence HELP AVAILABLE CALL NOW

FREE ATTORNEY CONSULTATION Attorney Steve C. Franklin Navy JAG Reservist

Locally owned and operated • SSAC Listed

360-881-0543 or Fax 360-824-6464 www.emblematicsco.com

360-876-5005 800-273-5005

www.glpattorneys.com

brain teaser

Whats for dinner?

DEGREE

DINNER

DEGREE

DINNER

LOANS

FRED LARRY MIKE MARCIE TIMM CULINARY ARTS HYPNOTHERAPY JOURNALISM PHLEBOTOMY TRIBAL STUDIES HALF-PACK HOT DOGS HALF-RACK MILW BEST JACK IN THE BOX WONDER BREAD DING DONGS-TWIZZLERS

VETERAN

$11,000 $12,500 $15,000 $19,250 $24,000 HALF-PACK HOT DOGS HALF-RACK MILW BEST JACK IN THE BOX WONDER BREAD DING DONGS-TWIZZLERS CULINARY ARTS HYPNOTHERAPY JOURNALISM PHLEBOTOMY TRIBAL STUDIES

It’s soft-cheese-and-white-wine time in the president’s office at the local for-profit college, where administrators are toasting the public relations benefit – not to mention the federal cash influx – from recruiting 200 incoming veteran students for the 2012-2013 school year.

But it’s desperation time across town at the employment office, where a never-ending line of veterans are wondering how the hell they’re going to find a job, pay off their student loans and buy groceries after wasting most of their Post 9/11 GI Bill money on an erroneous degree.

CLUES: 1. The veteran who studied hypnotherapy owes less in loans than Mike.

2. Either the veteran who drank a half-rack of Milwaukee’s Best last night or the veteran who ate leftover Jack In The Box studied journalism.

3. The 5 people are the veteran who studied phlebotomy, the person who owes $11,000, Larry, the veteran who ate a half-pack of hot dogs last night, and the veteran who studied culinary arts.

Occupational Hearing Loss PSNS BANGOR KEYPORT

by K.S. Keeker

From the clues listed below, can you determine the first names of five Post 9/11 veterans (Fred, Larry, Mike, Marcie or Timm), the degree they spent their GI Bill on (culinary arts, journalism hypnotherapy, phlebotomy or tribal studies), the amount they owe in student loans ($11,000, $12,500, $15,000, $19,250 or $24,000), and what they were reduced to eating for dinner last night (a half-pack of hot dogs, a half-rack of Milwaukee’s Best, leftover Jack In The Box, their roommate’s Wonder Bread or three Ding Dongs and some Twizzlers)?

Answer provided on page 3

4. The veteran who took classes in tribal studies is not Marcie.

5. The veteran who owes $12,500 studied culinary arts.

6. The veteran who ate their roommate’s Wonder Bread is not Mike.

7. Of Mike and Timm, one owes $24,000 and the other studied culinary arts.

8. The veteran who studied culinary arts owes less than Timm.

9. The veteran who owes $24,000 ate leftover Jack In The Box last night.

10. The veteran who studied culinary arts owes more than the person who studied hypnotherapy.

11. The veteran who owes $15,000 did not study journalism.

Pandora’s Box Relax Massage & Spa Permanent Cosmetics

No contracts No membership fees

Hearing Loss caused by exposure to loud noise is an injury. Let us help you navigate the paperwork and receive the benefits you deserve.

Before

No Cost to the Injured Worker Convenient Locations Bremerton and Port Orchard Call 1-800-422-8942

After

PROVIDER FOR ALL CLAIMS USE YOUR BENEFITS

10% Military discount

Upgrade Your System Today!

$50 off eyelash extensions

Have an Existing claim Providing Services for Existing Claims. for Hearing Loss?

Call Today to Upgrade Your Hearing!

Integrated t 4UBUF PG UIF "SU )FBSJOH 4ZTUFNT Latest Generation Hearing t "TTJTUJWF 57 -JTUFOJOH 4ZTUFNT Aids with Wireless - TV, Cell Phone, Compatibility t #MVFUPPUI $PNQBUJCMF )FBSJOH Computer, Voice IQ t $VTUPN )FBSJOH 1SPUFDUJPO

ALWAYS NO COST TO THE INJURED WORKER

OWCP Hearing Loss Claims

always

Waxing & Threading

FREE

Consultation $25 Towards Permanent Cosmetics Expires 4/20/12

Bremerton (360) 373-5883 Port Orchard (360) 876-1252 Toll Free 1-800-422-8942

FULL 60 Min Hands on Massage not in & out in 1 hr.

$10 OFF 1 full hour massage

Swedish, Hotstone, Deep Tissue, Couples, Pregnancy Expires 4/20/12

Anti aging Facials Microderm Abrasion Facials

10% Military discount always

2849 Kitsap Place

11871 Silverdale Way (suite 103)

360.908.5274

360.692.5577

ognize and honor veterans from all walks of the armed services; from over seas military deployment to athome reserves.

popular summer festival, Fathoms O’ Fun.

When finished, the wall will hold around 1,200 bricks bearing the names of veterans from all over the world, he said.

The wall was originally planned to be built further north near the torpedo across from city hall, The Port of Bremerton Commissioner Larry Stokes said. The Port suggested the wall be constructed in Marina Park instead.

Veterans, family members and friends have already purchased about 400 bricks, leaving plenty of space for others who want to see the name of a loved one shining out over the Sinclair Inlet.

The wall was designed a little more than three years ago by VFW member Joseph Hovey and his brother.

Hovey recently passed away at the age of 66, Weatherill said, making the wall Friday’s groundbreaking ceremony a tad bittersweet.

“Joseph started the idea almost four years ago,” he said.

By Brett Cihon

A large brick wall under construction on the waterfront at Marina Park in Port Orchard has been a long time coming.

But area veterans who will soon see their own names carved in brick say the Veterans Wall of Honor is definitely worth the wait.

“We’ve worked about three years for this,” said John B. Weatherill,

the Post Commander the Veterans of Foreign Wars post 2669 in Port Orchard. “We’re really excited about it.”

Weatherill, a Vietnam War veteran, will be one of many living area veterans who will soon their name, type of service and rank carved into the wall.

Differing from memorial walls, Weatherill said the Veterans Wall adjacent to the large gazebo and stage

will honor all veterans, both living and dead.

“This isn’t a memorial wall,” said Weatherill, a veteran of the Vietnam War. “It’s a veterans wall. It’s for anyone who served.”

1,200 bricks The wall will be 28-feet long and about six feet high.

Bricks are available for $30 from the VFW, and serve as a way to rec-

After the groundbreaking, as many as 40 VFW members and other individuals came out to help dig, scrub and prepare the initial part of the wall.

Weatherill said construction of the wall will take place in three phases, including building a retaining wall and constructing a foundation before the bricks will be put in place.

Weatherill said a dedication of the completed wall is scheduled for July 4th, coinciding with Port Orchard’s

“We’re taking our time so it’s done right,” he said.

“You put it down there we have more exposure and space for people to sit and enjoy the wall,” he said.

Stokes has been down to Marina Park to look at the progress of the wall, he said. Stokes, a 20-year U.S. Navy veteran, was so impressed by the design and thought put into the wall, that he plans to buy a brick for himself and a longtime friend who recently passed away.

“The wall is preserving history,” he said.

The VFW Hall is not the first non-profit group to use Port land for a structure, he said.

The Port Orchard Soroptmists group put a playground on Port property. Stokes hopes more non-profit groups come forward with ideas of improvement, especially as a Marina Park expansion is on the docket for this summer.

“This is helping the expansion of the park,” he said.

SUBSCRIBE TO VETERANS LIFE Receive the ONLY publication in the market designed for Veterans of Kitsap County, delivered to your door!

$24.00 per year!

Name Address Phone Veterans Life

To pay by credit card

Visa Number

Mastercard Expiration Date

Signature Send To: 3888 NW Randall Way, Suite 100, Silverdale, WA 98383 360.308.9161

Sound Publishing 3888 NW Randall Way, Suite 100 • Silverdale, WA 98383 • 360.308.9161

In your name

Lawmakers slow to change with veteran need

Homeless veterans at the Bunk House before it closed last year. It was an attempt to find temp housing for veterans.

By Greg Skinner On the day that the Washington state Legislature held a well photographed ceremony honoring the United States Navy, legislation, with the potential to change the lives of the poorest veterans in the state, was quietly tossed into the trash.

That day, Feb 22, Senate Bill 6452 went into the Rules Committee “X” file – in this case, a trash bin – ending all conversation or possibility of action on the attempt to make the county-level tax fund for indigent veteran services, mandated by the state constitution, more flexible and responsive to the needs of each county’s veteran population.

What happened to SB6452 is generally emblematic of the path of state legislation that could help better the lives of the last five generations of men and women who served the nation. The current hearing process allows legislators to say publicly they support veterans and their needs while, at the same time, taking no action. Bills such as 6452 die on the vine.

Of 29 veteran related bills up for action by the 2012 Legislature, four moved forward.

Washington state senator Christine Rolfes (D Bainbridge) said that something like 6452, which she cosponsored, takes years to work its way through the system. With the bill now effectively dead, she said its too early to tell if next year will see the introduction of a similar bill.

It’s a cycle veterans have pressed into their souls during military service –

hurry up and wait.

The so-called indigent veteran fund has been on the books since the days of the territorial legislature and the days when veterans were first beginning to ask for pensions and medical compensation for their service and sacrifice.

Today, in Kitsap County, the fund has about $335,000 In 2007, the reserves hovered near $1.1 million.

In 2009, while preparing the 2010 general operations budget, county commissioners diverted hundreds of thousands of veteran tax collections into the county general fund to reach a balance.

The move was legal because the veteran fund held a balance of more than $1 million. The draw down affected today’s available aid money.

The county expects to end this year with less than $200,000 in the veteran’s aid fund reserve.

Senate Bill 6452 sought to remove the veteran levy from the general fund and allow it to grow with inflation or 1 percent annually. One additional effect of the law would have kept the veteran levy collections from being moved into a county’s general fund to balance the overall budget, as done locally in 2010.

Outwardly, 6452 had popularity in the Legislature. Both the majority and minority supported its passage at the committee level. There was not a single comment offered against.

According to the Deputy Director of Washington state Association of Counties Scott Merrimann, his coalition across the state was in support of the legislation.

“We need your help,” he told the

Senate Ways and Means Committee in February. “The bill will provide us with additional resources to meet those growing veterans responsibilities across the state.”

Rolfes said the state operated with the idea that veteran benefits and needs are largely a federal responsibility.

Of 29 veteran related bills up for action by the 2012 Legislature, four moved forward.

Starting this year the Veterans Affairs budget includes a $1.4 billion federal initiative, over two years, with a goal of ending homelessness among veterans.

Nationally, about 24,000 Iraq and Afghan veterans are homeless.

Rolfes signed on with the legislation because it was the right thing to do overall for the district and its veterans.

“Without a doubt the Legislature is supportive of veterans issues,” she said.

The advantage to 6452 was that it would have kept the commissioners honest. The money would not have been

available to balance the county general fund as in the past.

Mostly, the money goes to veterans for rent assistance, heating bills, food or transportation emergencies. Any honorably discharged veteran living in the county, who meets the defining qualification of living near the poverty line, can apply for the aid, About $30,000 a month has been spent to support needs during the first three months of 2012.

Last month, Kitsap County Commissioners, acting on advice of the Veterans Advisory Committee, cut the annual maximum for a veteran from $1,200 to $900.

Kitsap County Veterans Assistance Program administrator Leif Bentsen said that without the cuts, the assistance fund would have been empty of money by the end of summer.

“We’re hoping to have money to give to a veteran on Chirstmas,” Bentsen said.

Helpful legislation Camano Island Senator Mary Margaret Haugen offered up 6452 during the 2011 legislative session at the request of an Island County Commissioner. Island County is home to about 13,000 veterans.

“Right now were doing well,” said Island County Veteran Assistance Fund administrator Gerald “Jerry” Pfannenstiel.

His office on Caminao Island sees about 100 vets per year, up from 40 per year in 2008 and five or 10 in decades before the formation of their Veteran

Advisory Board.

“Our commissioner was looking into the future because a time will come when need will outstrip revenue,” Pfannenstiel said.

The future of need As counties look forward they see increased numbers of returning veterans as the wars wind down.

With the continued down economy, the future is not looking much better. The collection cap will hinder veteran aid for Island County in the future, Pfannenstiel said.

Rolfes said the state wasn’t ready to give counties the power to freely adjust taxes.

Kitsap County projects the local veteran population, in the county in the coming years, to decrease but also expects the overall need for emergency relief to increase. Of the 38,000 veterans that call Kitsap County home, estimates hold the population of post 9/11 veterans to about 4,000. The bulk of the rest served in Vietnam and Korea. Lesser numbers are from the ranks of World War II and the Gulf War. “[Mostly], we are getting old and dying,” Bentsen said.

Under 6452, counties would have had the ability to move the levy up and down without a need for an election every time. The legally allowable range for the aid levy is between the 1.1/8 cent minimum and the 27 cents per $1,000 maximum – current collections are at the minimum.

Any increase would be specifically outlined and in most cases justification made to the Board of County Commissioners for final approval.

“We couldn’t do it just because we wanted to,” Bentsen said.

Port Orchard resident and Army veteran Glover “Leon” Ashlock leans against a few tons of wood pellets stored in his garage. The stove fuel was bought with aid funds from the Kitsap County Veterans Assistance Program.

Kitsap County Commissioner Josh Brown noted that the community recently voiced its opinions on

Transitioning Out of the Military?

The Port of Seattle Can Help!

Veterans Fellowship Program The Port of Seattle’s Veterans Fellowship Program assists veterans in transition from active duty to the civilian work environment. The program supports you through exposure and experience in the civilian workplace while refining skills and abilities necessary for successful integration into civilian organizations.

Through career guidance from the Port of Seattle, backed by the dedication and work ethic reflective of your service in the armed forces, you will have the opportunity to successfully transfer your military experience into the civilian workplace in a six-month fellowship.

WHAT AWAITS YOU AT THE PORT OF SEATTLE While gaining invaluable on-the-job experience and training during your fellowship with the Port of Seattle, you receive individualized career assistance through: • Exposure to the civilian work environment and to corporate business practices • Identification of your transferable skills • Resume writing guidance and interviewing practice • Planned and informal networking opportunities with other organizations and civilian employees As a fellow you receive appropriate compensation for your work. Basic health care benefits are provided for you and your dependents.

Our program is recognized as a best practice by Hire America’s Heroes, a Seattle-based consortium dedicated to helping men and women leaving active duty to refine their skills and focus on the abilities necessary for the current business environment.

For more info or to apply today visit http://www.portseattle.org/Jobs/Students-and-Veterans/Pages/Veterans.aspx

You Served Our Country, Now Let Us Serve You.

2012 legislative session results SHB 1073 Disposition of remains HB 1429 Veterans Programs and benefits HB 1514 In God We Trust License Plates HB 1605 Disabled veterans/housing SHB 1615 Service member civil relief HB 1786 Veterans & human services HB 1863 Students veterans/ higher ed HB 2138 Korean War vet armistice day HB 2161 Disabled veterans/rec. lands HB 2208 Honor and remember flag HB 2248 Gold star license plates HB 2287 Veterans and child support SHB 2312 Military serv. award emblems

HB 2345 Veterans & National Guard HB 2378 Veteran designation HB 2379 Disabled vet/adapted vehicle HB 2503 Veterans & national guard HB 2547 Veterans courts HB 2719 Walla Walla veterans' home HJM 4006 I-5 Purple Heart Trail SSB 5190 Disposition of remains SB 5608 Student veterans/ higher education SB 5861 Veteran scoring criteria SSB 5970 Veteran's preference SB 6059 Veterans' raffle

SB 6288 Veterans & national guard SB 6404 Veterans' courts SB 6452 Veterans' assistance levies SB 6457 DOT marine division/ veterans

Passed Dead Dead Dead Dead Dead Dead Passed Dead Dead Dead Dead Delivered to governor Dead Dead Dead Dead Dead Dead Dead Dead Dead Dead Dead Delivered to governor Dead Dead Dead Dead

higher taxes for veteran aid by a strong majority vote against. As a result, the BOCC wouldn’t nessicarily have allowed an increase in property taxes to fund programs for indigent veterans.

The opposition to the proposed levy increase to fund veteran aid was led by local Republican party chair and veteran Jack Hamilton. The primary problem with the levy from his point of view was lack of trust that the county commissioners would do right by the money levied and spend it on veterans rather than use it in the general fund.

“It’s a valid criticism, they [the BOCC] did use the veterans assistance fund to balance the budget recently,” Rolfes said.

a veteran in need Army veteran Glover “Leon” Ashlock, 73, served in the West German-Czechoslovakian border town of Fulda during the heady and tense days during the Cuban Missile Crisis – the height of the Cold War. After service, Ashlock worked until he was 71 – first construction then 30-years in the shipyard. After retirment in 1994, he worked on a local Christmas tree farm until last year.

Ashlock, a Port Orchard resident, is the

kind of guy others have always gone to for help of any kind. It was hard on his strongman persona to find himself in need at the age of 72. After covering his share of the medical costs brought by three heart attacks, he and his wife Sandra’s savings were gone.

“Twenty percent of three heart attacks is a lot of money,” Sandra Ashlock said. “Checks went out one after another after another.”

The aging Cold Warrior sometimes sees himself as somehow less deserving than the men and women who fought the era’s hot war in Vietnam. Only with prodding will he allow that his duty as the “speed bump” to slow a Soviet attack through the famed Fulda approach was equally important to the United States.

Low on money and no longer able to cut his own heating wood after decades of willing manual labor, Leon Ashlock finally needed help keeping his home warm for his 71-year-old wife.

“I hate to ask for help, it goes against what I stand for,” he said.

“I’ve worked all my life, and we don’t have the resources to hire anyone to come and help us.”

Love for his wife pushed Ashlock to start asking for help, first, with

the heat. Through the aid program Ashlock found help in the form of several tons of wood pellets.

Someone else donated the stove to burn them.

In the balance of service and reward, Ashlock says the veterans assistance levy is nothing short of a “good deal,” a form of repayment for service by the few that benefits the many.

“If it weren’t for the veteran, we wouldn’t be a country,” he said.”They deserve everything they get.”

360.698.4111 3261 NW Mount Vintage Way (Behind Target) Free Meeting Rooms

Free Wi-Fi Espresso Breakfast Burritos Croissants Paninis Scones

Now is the time to buy or refinance...

RATES ARE AT AN ALL TIME LOW. DON’T MISS OUT! MORTGAGES WITHOUT OBSTACLES.

SIZE MATTERS.

Michelle S. Garcia, NMLS: 196669 Branch Manager/Senior Loan Officer

360.551.1816

www.mygarciateam.com

9330 NW Silverdale Way Suite 101 • Silverdale, WA 98383

All diamond jewelry 20% OFF during April!

BLUE HERON JEWELRY

CO.

Voted #1 Best Jeweler in North Kitsap 2009, 2010, 2011

18946 Front Street • Downtown Poulsbo 360-779-3322 • www.blueheronjewelry.com

© 2012 PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company. Trade/service marks are the property of PlainsCapital Corporation, PlainsCapital Bank, or their respective affiliates and/or subsidiaries. Some products may not be available in all states. This is not a commitment to lend. Restrictions apply. All rights reserved.

PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company (NMLS no: 13649) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of a state-chartered bank and is an exempt lender in the following states: AK, AR, CO, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IA, KS, KY, LA, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NY, NC, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WV, WI, WY. Licensed by: WA Dept. of Financial Institutions-consumer lender lic no. 520-CL-49075.

Veteradn!

Owne

By JJ Swanson

The Washington State Legislature passed an act in 2010 to help veteran-owned small businesses gain a foothold in the open market and a leg up when competing for state contracts. It was a “thank you” for military service.

Kitsap County veterans that own businesses said the online business registry is helping overall, but that red tape obstructs their path toward the 3 percent of state contracts as outlined by the bill.

Francis Smith, owner of American Property Maintenance in Bremerton, served for 14 years as a Navy Seabee. He estimated that 85 to 90 percent of his business comes from veterans in the area or other veteran-owned businesses. In his world, the legislation that created the online registry has helped the veteran community find and support each other.

Smith said that the registry, which is hosted by the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs, has also helped civilian clients find him.

The veteran decal given to registry members to display has given him access to the tens of thousands of veterans that live in Kitsap that have turned into new business right off the street.

“The veteran decal attached to my vehicle has had many looks,” Smith said. “One customer said he will only deal with small veteran-owned business for his repairs.”

Good legislation Veteran-owned businesses registry: Owners report boost to individual sales but complain that they are not seeing the county and state contracts they expected.

Ron House, owner of West Sound Electric in Bremerton and a former Marine who served in Vietnam, agreed that the registry has had a positive impact on his business.

Because veterans and their families support fellow veterans the large Navy population in the county creates a good environment for veteran businesses.

“We have performed work for some customers who contacted us because we are veteran-owned,” House said.

“How cool is that?”

House Bill 5041 was sponsored by State Sen. Derek Kilmer and requested by the Joint Committee on Veterans’ and Military Affairs. Bill supporters wanted

us 12 g 0 n oti nd 2 v or Sou f u yo est k an of W h T est B #1

Your Trusted Pre-Owned Auto Dealer for more than 20 Years For 3 generations we’ve offered a culture of customer service to our clients; that’s why they refer their friends and families to us over and over.

Thank you for your vote of confidence in us.

20201 Front Street NE, Poulsbo, WA 98370

360-697-4066 • 360-624-5553 • www.libertybayauto.com

veteran-owned businesses to become more visible to the public and ensure an edge in procuring state and government contracts.

“The additional visibility helps to offset those years that the veteran was defending our nation in his or her military service. It’s a very small thing we do to honor their service,” said Heidi Audette, spokeswoman for the state DVA. The legislation encourages state agencies to award 3 percent of all procurement contracts to veteran-owned businesses. It gives them a preference on state and private contracts while still adhering to competitive bidding requirements under the state law.

Sheldon Hooker, owner of Go 2 Designs in Poulsbo who served as a Navy mechanic for 10 years, said that it was the promise of federal contracts, the real “money-makers,” that drew him to register.

and business exchange did not go quite the way he expected. Federal budget delays ruled the process and when the contract did finally come through, the business was in the end worth $250,000 to his company.

“The additional visibility helps to offset those years that the veteran was defending our nation in his or her military service. It’s a very small thing we do to honor their service” Heidi Audette, spokeswoman for Washington State DVA.

“I registered with the VA with the hopes of capturing local, state and federal government contracts,” Hooker said.

Hooker’s company won a $1.3 million contract after getting involved with the registry. However, the contract

“One would assume that living near several federal installations, Kitsap County would be a great place for veteran-owned businesses,” Hooker said. “But I’ve found it takes a team of contracting specialists to know and navigate all the pitfalls of even bidding on a small project.”

L. Dennis Smith, owner of LD Smith & Associates in Silverdale, and an Army Infantryman in Vietnam, said that his business specializes in helping those bidding on government or federal contracts which are notorious for being “complex and full of electronic red tape.”

“In Kitsap County, veteranowned small businesses can benefit, so long as they are good at what they do, and if they market themselves to large government contractors or federal agencies,” Smith said. “However, it has not been my experience that business with [Kitsap] County or the state is very good at all.”

Smith still encourages all his clients to register through the DVA so that they maintain eligibility for

Washington’s only state-endorsed, online, nonprofit university is a great fit for military veterans and their families.

For 10 years, Jim Craft struggled to make college fit around the demands of family, his military work schedule, volunteer activities, and limited class availability.

Then he found WGU Washington’s flexible, competency-based online programs, and it took just 2½ years to earn his bachelor’s degree in Information Technology.

“It cost less than what I was getting from the GI Bill,” says Jim, a retired Air Force avionics systems technician in Spokane.

WGU Washington was named one of the nation’s Top Military-Friendly Colleges and Universities by Military Advanced Education.

And rather than earning his degree based on logging hours sitting in class, Jim advanced through courses quickly by demonstrating competency and moving on.

“The was along whole

curriculum was relevant. I getting industry certifications with my degree,” Jim says. “The atmosphere was just fantastic.”

WGU Washington is eligible for VA & GI Bill benefits and offers scholarships to those who qualify.

washington.wgu.edu/kitsap WGUW-np_4833x65_NOV2011.indd 1

1-877-214-7004 12/13/11 11:16 AM

certain contracts.

Eric Anderson, owner of Art Anderson Associates in Bremerton, who served in the Navy during Vietnam and took over the marine engineering and architectural design company from his father, who served for 23 years, said that he has found that being a veteran means more “within the DC beltway” than at home in the state. But he finds that Kitsap County “isn’t well connected to regional and national opportunities.”

Kitsap County is supposed to give preference to veteran businesses for county work under Ordinance 400-2007.

The contracts could include everything from

equipment to engineering and architectural services to all of the road work, according to R’Lene Orr, manager of Kitsap County Purchasing Department.

The ordinance gives preference to veteran business owners from certain wars in bidding for contracts as long as they meet eligibility requirements. However, Orr reported that no one has ever come forward to claim this preference.

“I couldn’t say why,” Orr said. “We have a huge roster with emails that go out and all jobs are posted on our website, so if there were veterans eligible under the ordinance, we would expect them to come forward.”

James Woolford and wife, both Navy veterans, run Silverdale’s Comfort Keepers.

House said that West Sound Electric has bid on several county projects over the years, but he encountered heavy competition and “marginal” profits. In addition, he called the language of the ordinance “challenging” and believes that this confusing language is why it has never been utilized.

in Bremerton, who served for four years in the Marine Corps, agreed that your “average Joe” on the street does not know about the veterans registry. Though someone might be interested in patronizing a veteran-owned business, they won’t find it unless they go looking for it specifically.

“I have received no advantages of any kind from the county for my veteran-owned status,” House said.

James Woolford, owner of Comfort Keepers in Bremerton, who served in the Navy during the Gulf War, said that the program needs to include space for a more detailed description of services and more specialized search categories.

Frank Clark, owner of A+ Onsite in Silverdale, a retired Navy chief, said that he has contacted large companies bidding for contracts randomly and is surprised that the federal government is not doing more to provide information to these companies of the existence of the business registry.

Clark said that two large companies are considering him for part of a larger Naval Base Kitsap maintenance contract that involves septic maintenance and pumping. They were “very pleased” to learn that the company was owned by a disabled veteran, but did not know about the registry.

Veteran business owners such as Clark are hoping for more advertising of the registry.

“Advertise it, put flyers up in all federal and government buildings that talk about it, put out Internet advertising links to it in email or on other pages, so that even the public knows about it,” Clark said.

$300 Off Your Appraisal

When you apply before May 15, 2012

John Ramsdell, owner of West Coast Elite Exteriors

To access a full list of veteranowned businesses in Kitsap County, visit www.dva.wa.gov and click “veterans businesses” in the left-hand menu.

Darrel Bowman, an advocate of the legislation who originally helped it pass in 2010, said that a quick Google search of “veteran-owned businesses Washington” brings up the list.

He described the system as “quick and the information is everything a consumer needs to find the service or product they are seeking.”

However, Bowman agreed that there is plenty of room for improvement with the legislation. Audette added that the DVA is working on publicizing the list more this year with press releases, Facebook, Twitter, listserv and veteran service organization partners in each county.

“With millions of advertisements and marketing campaigns, there is a need to keep at the task to get the message out,” Bowman said. “It’s not a one-and-done solution.”

Financing Your Home Dreams VA Home Loans

When you are ready to purchase a home we’re here to help.

We have the knowledge and expertise in VA loans to successfully guide you through the process. And our VA-approved underwriting staff is in-house. So your loan decisions are made locally, by people you can meet with face-to-face.

KCU VA Loan Benefits 0% Down Payment No Mortgage Insurance

The Silver City Difference!

Lower Rates Seller May Pay More Closing Costs Disabled Veterans Save Money On VA Fees

• 99 Point Vehicle Inspection • 2 Year, 100,000 Mile Warranty

Stop by to see us, apply online for a 15 minute pre-approval, or give us a call at (360) 662-2266.

The• 1Silver City Automotive Difference!

Year of Roadside • 99 Point Vehicle Inspection Assistance

• 3 Month 3000 Mile Warranty

• 48-Hour Money Back • 1 Year Roadside Assistance Guarantee • 48 Hour Money Back Guarantee • AutoCheck • AutoCheck TitleTitle Report • Kelly Blue Book Pricing Report

• Kelly Blue Book Pricing 9549 Silverdale Way NW, Silverdale, WA 98383

360-337-1600

Equal Housing Lender

kitsapcu.org

www.silvercityautomotive.com info@silvercityautomotive.com

OC ahead of class in Veteran support as legislation fails to catch up

By KRISTIN OKINAKA kokinaka@soundpublishing.com

Jon Voelker's eyes started to water as he recalled the first time he went back to school after serving in Vietnam. The transition was rough. Others didn't understand what he was coming from. He didn't think there was any vet support then.

Today, Voelker, 59, is back at school, studying project management in engineering and architectural design at Olympic College in Bremerton. While going back to school a second time — he dropped out around 1975 — isn't necessarily a walk in the park, it's much different from his first go 'round.

"I remember when I first got out of the service, [college] was trying and didn't work," Voelker said. "I was really disappointed in the way I was treated. I didn't have anyone to help me. I felt lost.

I gave up."

“With the recession and a lack of jobs, many are trying to figure out how to better prepare themselves,”

Almost four decades later, the 2012 legislaWendy McFadden, program tive session saw House specialist in the student services Bill 1863 pass through department at OC. the Higher Education Committee at a time when state colleges are seeing a flood of veterans looking to gain a college education with the Post 9/11 GI Bill. Also competing for those same students' education dollars are the so-called for profit schools. The proposed legislation stood to increase the assistance for veteran students at colleges and universities around the state.

With the partnerships of Olympic College, Everett Community College, Skagit Valley College, Whatcom Community College, Bellingham Technical College and Northwest Indian College formed with Western Washington University, the bill would have allowed for the university to receive money to distribute to the partner community colleges based on the number of veterans they serve. Western Washington would assign a variety of duties related to identifying resources, developing policies, training faculty and staff in order to provide a program that leverages the leadership skills of returning veterans to the schools. Participating colleges would provide forums for veterans to connect with one another, promote programs that help in the transition to civilian life and provide targeted planning and counseling services.

EXCEPTIONAL SERVICES FOR EXCEPTIONAL SENIORS Assisted Living

Apartments Now Available!

• 24 Hour on-site Licensed Nursing Staff • Services available to meet your individual care needs • All utilities including expanded basic cable TV (except personal phone) • Delicious meals and complimentary tray service 5 times per month • Meal time reminders and security checks included • Scheduled transportation (medical and shopping) • Respite and Hospice Care • Studio, One and Two Bedroom Apartments • Pets Welcome!

Move in by April 30, 2012 and receive

1/2 OFF

Your First Months Rent!

It is a privilege to serve our Veterans who have sacrificed so much for us!

Call Today to Schedule Your Complimentary Lunch & Tour!

(360) 874-1212 • www.staffordsuites.com 1761 Pottery Ave. ~ Port Orchard, WA 98366

State representatives Larry Seaquist, Mike Sells, Marcie Maxwell, Fred Finn and Timm Ormsby sponsored the bill originally during the 2011 session. It froze in place Jan. 9, 2012 and never returned to the Higher Education Committee. They planned to spend $872,000 in 2012 and $1 million in 2013.

Ron Shade, vice president of student services at OC, said the school is already providing many of those services to its veteran students — especially with the new vet center.

Eileen Coughlin, senior vice president for the Vice President for Enrollment and Student Services at Western Washington, said in a February 2011 public testimony on the bill at a Higher Education Committee hearing that she understood that it is "extremely difficult times" in terms of money but that even without funding, the university and the community colleges have already come together.

"We believe this is a better business practice when you have a coalition serving," she said.

Then and now Voelker was in the Medical Corps of the U.S. Army from 1970 to 1973 serving in the Vietnam War while he was in his early 20s. He was unable to get a job in the medical field because he was not state-certified so he enrolled at Green River Community College in Auburn. Voelker wasn't "well-received" by classmates or teachers once they learned he had served in Vietnam. Even the guys he grew up with didn't want to associate with him. His wife at the time thought he had PostTraumatic Stress Disorder. Nightmares of the war would stay with him for 15 years.

A few years after dropping out of Green River, Voelker started working as a cook with a dual purpose of income and easy access to food. From about 1976 to 1977, he was a sous chef for a catering company in Seattle. Although he enjoyed cooking, he made the decision to go into construction — building was something he had grown up doing from a young age with his step-dad — and spent 20 years build-

Need A Lift?

DENTAL HEALTH TIPS! During a dental exam, the dentist will use their explorer to determine if dental fillings are sealed to the tooth, or if it is sufficiently worn and needs replacement. If the dentist finds a failing filling, don’t wait until the tooth hurts or a crack appears. Early detection and treatment can minimize the Dr. Dawn Divano need for extensive and costly procedures.

3520 Kitsap Way • Bremerton 360.377.5582 www.arnoldshomefurnishing.com

New Patients and Emergencies are Welcome.

MEADOWDALE DENTAL CENTER • 360-692-4705 7500 Old Military Road NE, Suite 201, in Bremerton

Come and Visit...

Featuring Over 200 Vendors Try our delicious Olympic Mountain Ice Cream!

1696 S.E. Mile Hill Drive, Suite 110 Port Orchard WA. 98366 360-876-0857 Mon-Sat 10am-7pm Sun 10am-5pm

Come explore

the great outdoors!

50 % OF

F Lodgin Active g For Duty o Secon n d Nigh t

Cowlitz River Lodge

Nisqually Lodge

ELK Country MT. Rainier • MT. ST. Helens Hike • Nature Tours Ski at White Pass

MT. Rainier National Park Snow Shoeing Santa Express MT. Rainier Scenic Railroad

888-305-2185 Packwood, WA

888-674-3554 Ashford, WA

www.Escapetothemountains.com

ing houses as a contractor in California. In 2003, he and his wife left California to live in Port Townsend, to be closer to his brother who lives there.

Last September, Voelker began taking classes at Olympic College because his body can no longer take the wear-and-tear of construction work. He is studying project management in addition to working toward a certificate in architectural design.

The feel of college for the aging Vietnam veteran is much different this time.

"It's basically more help than I have ever received," Voelker said in between classes on a Monday afternoon at the beginning of March. He was studying for finals at the Veteran and Military Service Center on campus.

center include referrals if a student has trouble getting started at the school, said Larry Cleman, a full-time center volunteer. Referrals are available for both services within OC as well as outside agencies in Kitsap County. There is also an AmeriCorps member who works at the center.

Cleman said it's understood that the veteran students are at OC "for school."

"They're on a mission.

They're here for school," he said, adding that many are returning to school to be retrained in a field, whether it be new or of the same area they worked in while in the military.

Voelker is grateful that the vet center on campus exists and said if there had been something like it when

Not even a year old, the center is a place for veteran and military students that provides resources as well as Internet-ready computers for checking email or completing coursework. It's also a place for students of similar backgrounds or experiences to come together and just hang out, or have alone time.

he was at Green River, maybe his schooling back then would have turned out differently.

While the vet center and the resources it provides for students is a positive contribution, there is always more that can be done to provide for the veteran student population.

Getting it done When veteran students first enroll at OC, they are placed in small group sessions to receive more information on items such as their benefits or part-time job opportunities. There is no specific counseling service for veterans but if they meet the needs for disabilities services, they are able to receive services from that department.

THANK YOU

FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY! Moving military & civilian families since 1923

The center, which opened in May 2011, is completely volunteer-operated and also hosts a potluck once a month for the students. Some of the resources available at the

FIESTA MEXICAN RESTAURANT

2 FOR 1 FREE ENTREE Receive 2nd Entree for Equal or Lesser Value FREE w/2 Beverage Purchase!

up to $500 Off Lunch $800 Off Dinner One Coupon per party please. Not valid with any other offer or Take out. Expires 4/22/12 6th and Callow 2665 6th Street Bremerton (360) 415-9328

Silverdale Village Shopping Center 9447 Silverdale Way NW (360) 698-1557

$15.99

LUNCH OR DINNER All YOU CAN EAT BBQ BEVERAGE PURCHASE REQUIRED PER PERSON

Enjoy the delight of cooking your own meat, or we can do it for you!

Mon-Thu: 11am - 9pm Fri-Sat: 11am-9:30pm Sun: 11am - 8:30pm www.seoulkoreanBBQ.net • in Ross Plaza

10408 Silverdale Way NW 360-698-7900

Agent for Allied Van Lines

Local, Long Distance & International Moving & Storage

SPAETH T R A N S F E R , I N C .

360-373-6101 • 1-800-244-5071

DOT# 076235

1231 Hollis St., Bremerton, WA • www.spaethtransfer.com

When Are You Eligible to Retire?

We’ll help you maximize your Federal Employee Benefits!

FERS, CSRS, FEGLI, TSP, VERA & Military buy-back time

The Fed Stop benefit specialists will bring you to a better understanding of your retirement options in assisting you to maximize your benefits as they relate to all of your retirement needs.

Call today for your FREE Federal Employee Benefits Analysis!

The Fed Stop • (360)779-4044

Linda Foster • lfoster@thefedstop.com 19168 Jensen Way NE, Poulsbo • www.TheFedStop.com

"Like any population, their needs vary," said Shade of vets.

Making advancements to education planning and advising, Shade said a new academic advising process has begun for all students, including veterans. After a student takes 15 credits, there is a first "check point" as well as after fulfilling 45 credits, the student is required to meet with an adviser. Winter quarter, which ended mid-March, saw 11 students participate in the new advising rhythm as a trial. About 250 students will participate in spring quarter with the move to have all students going through it in the future, said Shade.

For this year's winter quarter, 856 veterans enrolled at OC, which includes both those who do, and do not claim benefits, said Dianna Larsen, dean of enrollment services. This number is up 9 percent from the number of veteran students enrolled in winter quarter 2011.

There were also 177 family members of veterans and 306 military or active duty and their family members enrolled this winter quarter. The quarter had a total enrollment of about 8,288 students.

"A number of people come out of the military [and] are going to locations that they enjoyed. Bremerton is a big port, a lot of people that live in this area are because of the military," Larsen said.

"We're here to learn" In 2009, Washington state veterans received $119.5 million from the U.S. Veterans Administration for education and vocational rehabilitation training, which was a 25 percent increase from the year before.

"With the recession and a lack of jobs, many are trying to figure out how to better prepare themselves," said Wendy McFadden, program specialist in the student services department at OC. McFadden has been working at the school since 1998, as a veterans' certifying official. Her job is to certify student vets or their family members for VA benefits. The Post-9/11 GI Bill pays for the student's full tuition as long as the classes are going toward a graduation requirement, said McFadden. It also covers a basic housing stipend and some fees for books and supplies.

McFadden's office has 1.5 employees including herself, so help is therefore received

by VA work study members.

They are vet students who have gone through the benefits process and answer questions from new students or those seeking to start their education.

For many of the student vets, they went into the military right out of high school, so OC is their first time at a college, said McFadden.

Ryan Katula graduated from OC last summer with an associate's degree in science and is currently studying at the University of Washington in Seattle to receive a bachelor's degree in biochemistry. He's also a VA work study student, answering students' questions in McFadden's office.

Katula, 28, enrolled at OC in the fall of 2008 right after coming out of the military.

He had been a field technician for six years and was last stationed in Kitsap on

a submarine after being at a power plant in California.

"It was certainly different," said Katula. "It's definitely a culture shock.”

Added to the difference of taking and following orders in the military compared to a school setting where students must seek help if they want it, the age disparity was also something to get used to, Katula recalled. He was 25 when he started at OC, which seemed older than the "average" teenager who recently graduated high school. Although the firstyear transition was "rocky," Katula said that the advising was helpful. Many large public universities like UW expect students to know how to use the GI Bill, but at OC students are able to get their questions answered, he added. Katula currently receives benefits from both the original GI Bill and the post-9/11 one.

No matter where the veterans were stationed when they served or what they did in the military or if they went to war, they share a common culture and background.

"The hardest part for me was interacting with the civilian populace. That took time," said Mark Walsh, 60, who works as a custodian for the sports department at OC. Prior to starting work at OC in 2005, Walsh, a retired U.S. Coast Guardsman, attended the school as a student for several years until 2003. He retired from the Coast Guard in 1994 after serving for 22 years and wanted to study archeology and history.

Yank-A-Part

Auto Wrecking & Metal Recycle

$250. CASH!

META

L RE

CYCL

E

You Drive Your “Complete Vehicle” To Premise with Coupon or

$200. CASH!

We Pick-Up Your “Complete Vehicle” from Your Premise

• Self-help wrecking yard • Over 700 vehicles from which to select parts • Huge selection of both imports & domestic • local, friendly & environmentally conscious

360.779.3344

USED AUTO PARTS

order to get a degree or certificate in an area they may already be an expert in isn't uncommon. Legislation that would recognize veterans' training from the military to the classroom so they do not have to "start from the beginning," would be a good step forward, Cleman said.

"I'm used to military schools where if class starts at 8, you best be in your seat," he said. "We're here for a reason, we're here to learn. That's why I don't skip a day."

Sieman, 48, visits the vet center on campus every day. He said that not only does he like being around the people there, but there is a sense of security — he can leave his backpack unattended while he goes to a class and knows it will be there when he returns.

Although Sieman spent 23 years working on the exptremely complicated electronics on submarines in the Navy followed by eight years as an electronics installer at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, he was told over and over by potential employers that he needs a degree in order to be hired. Due to cuts in staff, he was laid off from the shipyard contractor last summer.

"Why not give them credit for that when they come to school rather than relearn it all?" Cleman added.

“I have the education and training. I just don’t have the piece of paper, Most military people have the knowledge but civilians don’t know that. It’s a stigmatism we have to overcome.”

David Sieman, retired Navy electrician,

What veteran students can focus on for now — as they aways seem to do — is academics. And, through inclusion at the OC veteran center, supporting one another and finding help through resources available.

The center is always stocked with snacks and coffee, freeof-charge to the students, that volunteers provide.

Frequently it is the students themselves that bring in items.

Remembering the struggles he faced when he first attended school, Voelker said he donates food items to the center in hopes to help the younger students who may be going through difficult transitions of their own.

"Sometimes talking to counselors isn't enough. It just doesn't work. It's not how many times you talk to someone, but who you talk to," Voelker said.

"I have the education and training. I just don't have the piece of paper," Sieman said. "Most military people have the knowledge but civilians don't know that. It's a stigmatism we have to overcome."

His second time around, Voelker found the right people in the veteran center.

Vets like Sieman who go back to school in

Meat Market Now Open!

Marinated Chicken • Pork • Fajitas

DRIVE THRU • DINE IN

MON - SAT 11am to 6pm • 6721 Kitsap Way • 360-377-2595 • (Across from Red Apple)

”Dedicated to your Dental & Denture Needs.”

You'll love what we can do for your smile!

• Crowns & Bridges • Cosmetic & General Dentistry

• Extractions • Denture Repair • Relines (while you wait) • Emergency Care • Denturist & Dentist on Staff • Dentures / Partials

FREE*

New patient consultation and oral exam *X-Rays excluded.

Must present this ad to receive.

Most Insurances Accepted

Open 6 Days a Week Mon-Sat, 9-5

www.yankapart.net

23719 Stottlemeyer Rd NE, Poulsbo

ing late. David Sieman, a retired Navy electrician, is studying electronics at OC and said he doesn't let other students' behavior bother him, adding that it can be "shocking."

Many vet students describe the regimen of other students differently as they are the ones who may typically be seen texting during class or arriv-

✃

EMOVAL

VEHICLE R

Some claim the increase in veteran students to be because of the down economy and people in general that are going back to school.

Must Present Coupon. Expires 04/30/12

19410 8th Ave. N.E., Suite 102, Poulsbo • 360-779-1566 • 800-990-9116 • www.andersondenturedental.com

duty free

By Melanie Hammons

Good road trips are like the lessons learned by Dorothy in “The Wizard of Oz.” To paraphrase, some of the best road trips you’ll ever take are right here in our own backyard in the North Puget Sound region - and if the Emerald City is still your favored destination, there’s always Seattle.

But if your heart’s desire is actually “the road less traveled,” are you ever in luck, according to John Olson, former editor of the Puget Sound Navy News, and author of the 2011 book, “Down John’s Road.” The book chronicles Olson’s experience in recreating John Steinbeck’s 1960 road trip across America which inspired Steinbeck to write “Travels with Charley.”

Olson, a Wisconsin native, first fell in love with Washington’s snowcapped mountains back in 1978, when he visited Seattle as an enlisted Navy yeoman. And he says even their beauty pales in comparison to the Evergreen State’s beaches.

“I love those beaches,” he said in a recent telephone interview.

“From Forks to Long Beach, the ocean shores — their sunrises, and sunsets — are my favorites.”

One observation Olson makes in “Down John’s Road,” is that one of this state’s outstanding features is its great diversity of landscapes: “(It has) beaches, mountains, deserts, rain forests, grain fields, apple orchards, rivers, canyons, and occasionally, an erupting volcano.”

As it turns out, road trips around Washington take in not only diverse landscapes, but structural and cultural diversity as well, according to Olson.

“There’s a little something of everything here,” he said.

Coming from a man whose road trip interviews included Indiana Amish families as well as a van-dwelling Montana couple spending nights in a Wal-Mart parking lot, that might be putting it mildly.

But if you’re not a people person, fret not: There’s lots to see around here, and the best news yet, in these days of ever-escalating gasoline prices, is that you needn’t travel very far to see it.

Olson took time out during the interview to discuss some interesting side trip destinations within a few hours’ drive.

Olson said his time spent in the Navy not only gave him his first glimpse of Washington, it also stoked the travel bug in him.

“My first four years in the Navy were spent on a destroyer out of San Diego,” he said. “The next tour took me to Munich, Germany.”

In his book, he described subsequent destinations including Japan, New Zealand and Egypt. He visited Paris, where he kissed his future wife for the first time on the steps of the Louvre.

If far-ranging meanderings are not uncommon nowadays, due to the ease of airline travel and economic opportunity, it wasn’t

Computer on the fritz?

free DiAGnoStiCS! We’ll come to the rescue!

so for our forebears.

“It is beyond my comprehension that my great-grandparents never traveled fifty miles beyond their Wisconsin farm, except once, to the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair,” wrote Olson. “Was I from the same gene pool?”

Like Steinbeck, Olson began and ended his journey in a Wolverine camper. Unlike Steinbeck, whose dog, Charley, accompanied him, Olson elected not to take his own “high maintenance” pooch, Zorro, along for the ride. The 80-day trip he took in 2009 began and ended in Washington, and covered 12,673 miles.

Speaking of Steinbeck, Olson clearly admires the man and his writing.

“Steinbeck is just very readable; his works are multi-layered,” he said. “There’s something there for everyone in his books.”

Although Olson’s list of recommended day trips around Whidbey are nowhere near as lengthy as his own 2009 trip, they’re every bit as fascinating. You’ll find, for instance, that the bridges of Madison County have nothing on us.

Once you know what to see on the open road around North Puget Sound, what better way to relax after a long day’s drive than to curl up with a good book? What good reads can this author, editor, and former Navy yeoman clue us into?

“Well, first of all, I don’t read fiction, only non-fiction, because to me, non-fictional accounts represent some of the most unusual stories you will ever come across. “And as you may have already guessed, I particularly love books about road trips,” continued Olson, laughing a little.

Although Olson did not travel through all the states during his 2009 trip, he said he saw enough to give him a look at what he calls “an American subset.”

“I’ve visited all the states except for Arkansas and the Carolinas,” he says. “One day, I plan to see those as well.”

Dick VLIST

MOTORS, INC.

Quality Cars For Less! We Work For You

‘01 BMW X5

AWD, Leather, CD, Moonroof, Heated Seats

14,995

$

‘07 Ford Ranger Sport Ext Cab, Low Miles, CD, A/C, Factory Alloys

13,995

$

w/military I.D.. Expires 4/31/12

David Whitemarsh, OD

“Has anyone seen my readers?”

FREE

Standard Contact Lens Fitting with paid eye examination

Must mention this offer when making an appointment

Tricare, GEHA & Most Major Insurances Accepted

Call Today 1-888-207-6790 9990 Mickelberry Rd NW Silverdale • Located Inside Pearle Vision

‘07 Toyota Yaris

Running Slow?

Virus?

Call Us!

360.377.6389

5050 ST Hwy. 303 NE • Suite 117a E. Bremerton (In the Fred Meyer Shopping Center)

Model “S”, 5 Speed, 4 Cyl, CD, A/C, Great MPG!

11,995

$

‘01 Audi A-4

Wagon, All Wheel Drive, Moonroof, CD & Cass, Full Power

8,995

$

‘05 Toyota Matrix XR 1 Owner, PW, PDL, Cruise, CD, Alloys, A/C

8,995

$

‘97 Toyota Rav 4

“L” Model, 4 Cylinder, 5 Speed, 4x4, CD, A/C, Alloys

5,995

$

VIN numbers are posted at dealership

514 BAY STREET, PORT ORCHARD www.dickvlistmotors.com 876-4428 • 1-888-600-4428

PNW MarketPlace!

real estate for sale

real estate for rent - WA

home services

jobs

stuff

wheels

We make it easy to sell... right in your community

Local readers.

Local sellers.

Local buyers.

click! www.nw-ads.com email! classified@soundpublishing.com call toll free! 1.888.399.3999 or 1.800.388.2527 Real Estate for Sale Kitsap County POULSBO

real estate for sale - WA Real Estate for Sale Island County

FOR SALE BY OWNER: 1887 SqFt, 3 bedroom home on active 55 street across from golf course.

Vaulted ceilings, living room, dining area off of kitchen, den with gas fireplace. Carpet and tile floors. Two full baths.

Walk-in closets in master suite. Granite countertops, cherry cabinets.

Stainless steel appliances. Gas heating. Fenced backyard. Covered porches; attached twocar garage. Sprinkler System. HOA dues include yard care. $325,500. A must see.

Realtors Welcome!

360-679-2460.

Real Estate for Sale Kitsap County

BREMERTON

Office Hours: 8-5pm Monday to Friday

East Bremerton

Employment General

Real Estate for Rent Kitsap County POULSBO

INCOME OPPORTUNITY!

3

OAK HARBOR

print & online 24/7

Real Estate for Rent Kitsap County

3 0 ’ PA C I F I C Y U R T. Everything including the kitchen sink!! 1-1/8” floor, custom kitchen, loft and full bath. Excellent condition! Heavy duty top & sides. Tall walls.

R-22 insulation. 220 amp service. Wind/snow kit to 90 mph. Skirting, covered porch, queen size futon, range and plumbing. Move to your property. $15,000 360697-6172.

real estate for sale Real Estate for Sale Lots/Acreage Kingston

COUNTRY CORNERS, across from Albertsons.

3 tax parcels, (5 acres, 5 acres, and 7.5 acres) $24,000/obo per acre.

Call 360-790-7507 Real Estate for Rent Kitsap County Bainbridge Island

BEAUTIFULLY Remodeled 1940’s Charmer! 4 BR, 1.75 BA home.

Newer metal roof, energy efficient windows & completely rewired.

B ra n d n ew h o t wa t e r heater. 5 minute bike ride to PSNS. A commuters dream, near freeways & ferry! Large corner lot with fenced yard.

MLS# 309556. Offered fo r s a l e by ow n e r a t $141,000. Willing to pay 2.5% buyers agent commission, must incorporate into selling price.

For showing, call: 360830-4143 by appointment only.

A B E AU T I F U L C e d a r Cottage. 800 SF. Walk to ferry. 637 Lovell. Immaculate 1 bedroom, 1 bath. Fireplace, deck, yard, washer/ dryer. No smoking/ pets. 1 year lease. $900 month. 206842-6763

BEDROOM, 1.5 bath, fireplace, 2 car garage.

No dogs, no smoking.

Ava i l a bl e A p r i l 1 s t . $1000 month plus deposit. (360)649-6874 Hansville

CLIFFSIDE near Hansville. 750 SF, 2 bedroom cabin, high bluff Hood Canal. Views of Olympic Mountains, Point Gamble, Bridge. Deck, beach access. 2/3 acre, fenced with gate. All appliances.

Wood fireplace inser t. $985, last and $500 deposit. (360)297-4181

Can you use $100 in gas money?

Can you use $400 off your first month rent?

CALL US TODAY!!

BAYVIEW APARTMENTS 1, 2 & 3 Bedroom Apartments

Prices start at $695/month

360-373-9014

bayview@coastmgt.com 4IFSJEBO 3E t #SFNFSUPO

Apartments for Rent Kitsap County BAINBRIDGE ISLAND

Need more room for your growing family? pnwHomefinder.com For Sale or Rent by Owner Photo Special 2 inches of copy and a 1-inch photo in print and on the web for 5 weeks!

Go online 24 hours a day: www.nw-ads.com or call a sales representative at 1-800-388-2527 for more information.

BAINBRIDGE ISLAND

Hansville

BREMERTON

MUST SEE! Hood Canal View! 2 bedroom, 1 b a t h . Wa s h e r, d r y e r.

Beach access. $780, deposit, first and last. 360297-3152

POULSBO

KINGSTON

550 Madison Ave Apartments Now Accepting Applications for Wait List

Poulsbo

OFFICE & WAREHOUSE SPACE FOR RENT Twelve Trees Business Park

Varying sizes and configurations available.

North Poulsbo area.

Call Mark, Connie, or Christine at: 360-779-7266 POULSBO OFFICE Space, $350 month. Includes utilities and parking. With shared conference room, internet, kitchen, restroom, fax a n d c o p i e r. C l o s e t o Hwy 3 and 305. 360731-0888

206-842-8144 Rhododendron Apts 235 High School Road Taking Applications for waiting list for 1 & 2 BR units. Handicap and disablitiy eligible, rent 30% of income.

Income limits apply

206-842-8144 TDD: 711

600 SF, 1 BEDROOM, ve r y n i c e . O n G r e e n Mountain. Washer, dryer. Smoking and pets okay. $815 includes all utilities, DISH TV and Wi-Fi. 360-830-0337

FJORD MANOR

19581 1st Ave NE Very Nice 2 BR Apt Avail.

No Waiting List! Rent Is $559/Mo. Must Qualify As An Elderly/Disabled House -hold. Income Limits Apply TDD: 711

studio guest house, with sleeping loft, full kitchen, 3/4 bath. $700/ Month. $550/ security deposit.

360-297-6864.

Commercial Rentals Office/Commercial

1 & 2 BR, 1 BA Apts Income Limits Apply

360-779-6939

Place an advertisement or search for jobs, homes, merchandise, pets and more in the Classifieds 24 hours a 1 M I L E TO F E R RY day online at Char ming, remodeled www.nw-ads.com.

Rental Living

4 ACRE EQUESTRIAN Property with 3 BR, 2 BA home. Home has a large living/ family rooms, eatin kitchen, laundry room & spacious bedrooms.

Large deck and detached 6 car open garage. The proper ty has been cross fenced into multiple pastures. Barn pasture also has a riding arena. No cats. 1 dog OK. No smoking. Call with questions. $1,600/ month. 360-692-6102.

real estate rentals

fjord.manor@ad-west.com

Apartments for Rent Mason County SHELTON

Saratoga Springs Apts 1100 N. 12th Street Rents start at $565/mo including Water, Sewer, Garbage & Electric.

announcements Announcements

_ A D O P T _ C a l i fo r n i a Music Executive, closek n i t fa m i l y, b e a c h e s, sports, playful pup, unconditional LOVE awaits first mir icle baby. Expenses paid. 1-800-5619323 PELVIC/ TRANSVAGINAL MESH? Did you undergo transvaginal placememnt of mesh for pelvic organ prolapse or stress urinary incontinence between 2005 and the present time? If the patch required removal due to complications, you may be entitled to compensation.

Call Johnson Law and speak with female staff members 1-800-535-5727

A No Smoking Community Elderly and/or Disabled

Income Limits Apply

(360)427-7033 or TDD 711

Sell your stuff free in the Super Flea!

Your items totalling $150 or less will run for free one week in your local community Employment paper and online.

General 2 B E D RO O M , 2 b a t h Call today to place rambler with 2 car garCarriers age, in the New Deer your ad 866-825-9001

jobs

Run Community. Centrally located next door to North Kitsap schools.

Close to the Bainbridge Island Ferry, bus route and Bangor Naval Base.

Includes washer, dryer.

Available April 1st with deposit. $1,100 month.

References & background check required.

360-509-7438

The Bainbridge Island Review newspaper seeking quality motor route carriers. Thursday night delivery. No collections. Must be at least 18 years of age. Reliable people with reliable vehicle please call Brian.

206-842-6613

Puget Sound Energy is accepting applications for future Pathway to Apprentice openings at locations throughout the Puget Sound area!

These are safety sensitive positions, subject to random DOT dr ug and/or alcohol testing and IBEW represented.

Successful candidates will become members of the Local Union. Applicants must be at least 1 8 ye a r s o l d , h ave a high school diploma or G E D, 1 ye a r o f h i g h school level algebra with a grade of C or better and have successfully completed a basic electricity course. Applications must be submitted by 4/27/2012. Gain the energy to do great things through a career with Puget Sound Energy!

PSE offers a highly competitive compensation and benefits package.

PSE is an Equal Opportunity employer. We encourage persons of diverse backgrounds to apply.

Read more about these opportunities and apply online to ad #500 at: PSE.com/careers

REPORTER Reporter sought for staff opening with the Peninsula Daily News, a sixday newspaper on Washington’s beautiful North Olympic Peninsula that includes the cities of Por t Angeles, Sequim, P o r t To w n s e n d a n d Forks (yes, the “Twilight” Forks, but no vampires or werewolves). Bring your experience from a weekly or small daily -from the first day, you’ll be able to show off the writing and photography skills you’ve already acquired while sharpening your talent with the help o f ve t e ra n n ew s r o o m leaders. This is a general assignment reporting position in our Port Angeles office in which being a self-starter must be demonstrated through professional experience.

Port Angeles-based Peninsula Daily News, circulation 16,000 daily and 15,000 Sunday (plus a website getting up to one million hits a month), publishes separate editions for Clallam and Jefferson counties.

Check out the PDN at w w w. p e n i n s u l a d a i l y news.com and the beauty and recreational oppor tunities at http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/section/pdntabs#vizguide.

In-person visit and tryout are required, so Washington/Northwest applicants given preference.

Send cover letter, resume and five best writi n g a n d p h o t o g r a p hy clips to Leah Leach, managing editor/news, P.O. Box 1330, 305 W. First St., Port Angeles, WA 9 8 3 6 2 , o r e m a i l leah.leach@peninsuladailynews.com.

Salesperson Needed to work in a fun, fast-paced environment!

Little Nickel, a division of Sound Publishing, Inc. is seeking an experienced Inside Advertising Sales Consultant. Position will be based out of our Eve r e t t o f f i c e. We a r e looking for candidates Home Services who are assertive, goaldriven, and who possess Carpentry/Woodworking strong interpersonal MESSERSMITH skills—both written and WOODWORKS verbal. Ideal candidates Furniture repair, will need to have an exstripping, refinishing, ceptional sales back- veneering, chair caning, ground; print media exmuch more. per ience is a definite If you can’t find it, asset. If you thrive on we can make it! calling on new, active or Phone: 360-394-6280 inactive accounts; are messersmithwoodworks.com self-motivated, well organized, and want to join Home Services a professional, highly Hauling & Cleanup energized and competitive sales team, we want to hear from you. Must be computer-proficient at Word, Excel, and utilizing the Internet. Compensation includes a $ WE BUY $ base wage plus commission and an excellent Junk Cars, Trucks, group benefits program.

Semis, Busses & Please email resume Heavy Equipment and cover letter to:

The North Kitsap Herald has openings for Carrier Routes. No collecting, no selling. Friday mornBREMERTON ings. If interested call 2 BEDROOM: large and Christy 360-779-4464 hreast@soundpublishing.com very clean! Washer/ dryor MAIL to: er hookups, dishwasher, Looking for your Sound Publishing, Inc. garage and fenced yard. dream house? Go to 19426 68th Avenue S. N o p e t s o r s m o k i n g . pnwHomeFinder.com Kent, WA 98032 $700/ Month plus $500 to find the perfect ATTN: HR/LNIS security deposit. 206EOE home for sale or rent.

463-2529.

WA Misc. Rentals Duplexes/Multiplexes

Employment Media

home services

Any Condition With or W/out Title

360-340-0032 Visit our web site for great deals nw-ads.com

Home Services

House/Cleaning Service

HOUSEKEEPER FOR HIRE I have been cleaning Port Madison Lutheran Church for 12 years and have several years experience cleaning homes on Bainbridge Island. $20 per hour.

Limited 3 hours work.

(360)649-7186 Home Services Landscape Services

Andy’s Landscape & Excavation WINTER CLEANUP

Appliances

Home Furnishings

24” RANGE, $250. 20” Range, $155. Chest Freezer, $195. Upright Freezer, $195.

(360)405-1925

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 set. Incl: bed, nightstand, dresser, mirror.

Full/ Queen, $395. King, $495. 253-539-1600 --------------------------------Overstuffed Microfiber sofa & loveseat, new, factory sealed, w/ Lifet i m e w a r r. o n f r a m e .

Scotch guarded. Only $695. 253-537-3056 --------------------------------New Adjustable Bed w/ memory foam mattress.

List: $2800. Sacrifice, $950. 253-537-3056

Firewood, Fuel & Stoves

FIRE LOGS; dump truck load $330 + gas. Split firewood $230/ cord + gas. Call Chuck 360732-4328.

Build up your business with our Service Guide Special: Four full weeks of advertising starting at $40. Call 800-388-2527 to place your ad today.

Shovel snow, remove debris, bark, prune, protect plants, etc.

Pre-plan for your lawn maintenance, decking, fencing, retaining walls, pathways, etc.

360-337-9669

FRIENDLY~PROMPT

Lic# ANDYSLE893JA, Bonded, Ins

Countryside Landscaping and MAINTENENCE Land Clearing! Prune, Pressure Wash, Bark, Retaining Walls, Plant, Fe n c i n g ! Fr e e E s t i mates! 360-265-7487 Lic# COUNTLM932JE.

Spring Cleanup Resonable!

Weeding ~ Trimming General Clean-Up Great Equip.!

4 hr min. Call John

360-471-8532

Serving Kitsap County

flea market

Mowing, Trimming, Pruning, Clean-Up and More!

Very Reasonable!

360-373-6475 Home Services Painting

~ LONESTAR

PAINTING & CONSTRUCTION Siding & Remodeling *Call for Free Estimate*

1963 BALDWIN PIANO; Acrosonic Spinet with bench. Smaller size, fits we l l i n s m a l l s p a c e s.

Perfect for beginner or advaced player. Medium color, solid wood. Great c o n d i t i o n ! $ 7 0 0 o b o.

Can email more information. Please contact Martha at 360-341-5158 or 425-418-0091. Clinton, Whidbey Island.

GRAND PIANO, K.Kawai GS-50 6’9”.

A p p r ox 2 5 ye a r s o l d .

One adult owner/pianist.

Glossy black, well maintained with regular tunings, voicings/regulation.

GS = Grand Supreme, the highend Kawai model of the time. And the GS-50 was a a favorite with beautiful bass and well balanced tone. $ 1 2 , 7 4 5 / o b o. S t e v e , (360)697-6453 or 206450-4581

Flea Market

ARCHITECTURAL/ Engineering Drafting Set. Consists of 18”x24” Board, with metal edges and T-Square, Triangles, Various Templates, Various French Curves, Protractor, Architectural and Engineering Scales and Bow Compass. 24 pieces in all. $65 (cash only) for all. Call: 360-4791307 Jewelry & Fur

I B U Y G O L D, S i l ve r, Home Services Lawn/Garden Service D i a m o n d s, W r i s t a n d

MIKE’S YARD SERVICE

SOLD IT? FOUND IT? Let us know by calling 1-800-388-2527 so we can cancel your ad.

Musical Instruments

“Divorce For GrownupsTM” www.CordialDivorce.com

206-842-8363

Pocket Watches, Gold and Silver Coins, Silverware, Gold and Platinum Antique Jewelry. Call Mic h a e l A n t h o ny ’s a t (206)254-2575

Find some sweet deals...

Whether your looking for cars, pets or anything in between, the sweetest place to find them is in the Classifieds.

Go online to nw-ads.com to find what you need.

For All Your Recruitment Needs

ASK THE EXPERT

360-895-5405 Lic#LONESPC927QC/Bonded/Insured

Home Services Remodeling

REMODEL & REPAIRS 360-509-7514 www.lewisandclarke construction.com Lic# LEWISCC925QL www.lewisandclarkeconstruction.com

Home Services Roofing/Siding

206-841-6246 pacifwc904ce

Tiffany Walker Recruitment Solutions Specialist 10 years print media experience 866-603-3213 twalker@soundpublishing.com With options ranging from one time advertising to annual campaigns, I have the products and the expertise to meet your needs.

stuff Appliances

MATCHING Washer and Dryer set, $340. Guaranteed! 360-405-1925

All you can say and more!

No word limit for just $37!

Advertise your upcoming garage sale in your local community newspaper and online to reach thousands of households in your area.

Law Offices of Lynda H. McMaken, P.S.

lonestarpaint@gmail.com

Re-Roof/Repair/New Roof Composition/Shakes/Metal etc.

15 yrs Experience Free Estimates

Bottomless Garage Sale Ads

Whether you need to target your local market or want to cover the Puget Sound area,

WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED!

Call: 800-388-2527 Fax: 360-598-6800 or log on: www.nw-ads.com

Yard and Garden

GREENHOUSE/ Sunroom Windows!

Perfect for deck enclosure! New, double insulated tempered. Cost was $2400; 12 only $690!

CAN DELIVER!

360-643-0356

pets/animals Dogs

ADORABLE BICH-APOO puppies. Super smar t crossbreed. Will be 9-12 pounds mature.

First shots, worm negative, 1 year genetic health guarantee. Excellent with children, elderly and for apartment living.

Picture doesn’t do them justice! $425. Call: 360697-9091 sayheytj@comcast.net Poulsbo

Dogs

Dogs

(2) AKC COCKER Spaniel boys offered by Prarie Colors Farm. One Buff, one Tough! Buff would be happiest in a cuddly home centered placement, Tough (looks like the pup in the old suntan ad - tan & white parti) will be your partner on all adventures! Exceptionally well raised, will h a ve a l l t h e i r p u p py s h o t s , c r a t e & Ko n g trained, good overnight and using the doggy door! $600. Health guarrantee. Free puppy play classes, ongoing support. Email for complete info and pictures: prariecolorsfarm@yahoo.com 360-672-8024

AKC POMERANIAN PUPPIES. Various colors. Ready March 10th to March 22nd. $350 males, $450 Females.

Now taking deposits.

Call 253-223-3506 or 253-223-8382.

Get the ball rolling...

Call 800-388-2527 today.

AKC German Shepherd DDR Puppies!! Excellent Schutzhund pedigrees.

Tracking, obedience and protection. Champions Bloodlines. Social with loving playful temperaments! Shots, wormed, vet checked. Health guarantee. Puppy book includes info on lines, health & more! 2 Males.

2 Females. $800 each.

Call Jodi 360-761-7273.

Dogs

GREAT DANE

garage sales - WA GERMAN SHORT Hair Puppies. 4 males, $400 each. 5 females, $450 each. A large yard is mandatory. hunters and great family dogs. Interested? Call 360-8291 2 3 2 fo r a n a p p o i n t ment. Ask for Mark or P a t t y. P u p p i e s a r e available March 24th but will be previewed beginning March 17th. Mother is also onsite. Bring your ow n c o l l a r a n d $ 1 0 0 non-refundable deposit.

Remainder will be due on day of pickup. Tails are cropped, de-clawed, wormed and first shots.

AKC REGISTERED Mini Pin. 10 week old female; champion bloodlines with paperwork, mirco chipped, first shots, ears and tail cliped. I paid over $1,000 asking only $600 with kennel, toys, fo o d a n d l e a s h . I a m simply not home enough. She needs more attention then I can provide. Please call AnReach thousands of drew 360-689-0244. Port readers 1-800-388-2527 Orchard.

Need extra cash? Place your classified ad today!

Call 1-800-388-2527 or Go online 24 hours a day www.nw-ads.com.

COLLIE PUPPIES AKC 10 wks. Beautiful Champion sired. Rough Collie Puppies. Lassie like, tric o l o r & s a bl e. Pe t & S h ow. B o r n 1 2 / 1 5 / 1 1 See pictures & info at: nailsbymary.com/collies.htm

Call: 425- 445-5277

Automobiles Volkswagen

Dogs

G I A N T S C H N AU Z E R puppies. Black, 16 weeks. Both parents onsite. Champion bloodlines. This athletic dog requires an active family.

Puppies will mature in the 80-100 pound range.

If you are firm, positive, active and disciplined, this dog is a joy to own!

2 females, 5 males. 3 show quality, $2000. 4 pet quality, $1500. 206851-6308, 360-649-4713

A K C G R E AT D A N E Puppies. Now offering Full-Euro’s, Half-Euro’s & Standard Great Danes. Males & females. Every color but Faw n s , $ 5 0 0 & u p.

Health guarantee. Licensed since 2002.

Dreyersdanes is Oregon state’s largest breeder of Great Danes. Also; selling Standard Poodles. www.dreyersdanes.com Call 503-556-4190.

NEW PRICE! AKC Australian Shepherd puppies, pure bred. Bor n 1 2 / 2 8 / 1 1 . Pa r e n t s o n site. Shots, worming & vet checked. Happy go lucky temper ments!

Black Tri Colors: one girl and two boys. $300 each. San Juan Island.

Call Bruce 360-3789451 or please leave message.

Bazaars/Craft Fairs

SPRING BAZAAR

Pickup Trucks Toyota

Mar 23-24, 10am-6pm Mar 25, 10am-4pm

Parkwood Community Club

3045 SE Madrona Port Orchard Admission: Free!

Gifts For All Occasions!

Accepting nonparishable items for South Kitsap Helpline

S TA N DA R D Po o d l e s , purebred, black and cream. $350 for males, $450 for females. 9 weeks old, home raised, shots and wormed. Located in Por t Ludlow.

Call: (360)774-0375

Find your perfect pet Search the Classifieds in your local paper to find a pet to fit your family’s lifestyle.

Go online to www.nw-ads.com or look in The Classifieds today.

C A R R AC K w i t h b i ke tracks: Thule 50” square locking bars (1 p a i r ) a n d 4 o f R o ck y Mount’s “Nomad Long Tray ” b i ke ra ck s. P u t bikes on top of your car, making it easy to get into and out of the trunk. $520 bougt new. In good cond! $250 for the lot.

Eastsound, San Juan Islands. 360-376-4490. stripes@rockisland.com

wheels

2 0 0 7 TOYOTA Tu n d ra Crew Max. Only 23,900 m i l e s ! V- 8 , 5 . 7 L , 6 Speed Automatic. 4WD, TRD Off-Road Package, Stability Control, ABS, A/C, Power Everything, Cruise Control, Tilt Wheel, MP3 Multi Disc Premium Sound Package, Bluetooth Wireless, Parking Sensors, Backu p C a m e ra , D u a l A i r B a g s, D u a l Powe r Seats, Sliding/Tilt Sun Roof, Running Boards, H a r d To n n e a u C ove r, Bed Liner, Towing Package, Alloy Wheels, Upgraded Exhaust and Air Breather. Kelley Blue Book Value: $37,940.

Asking $35,000. 360632-4385

Auto Service/Parts/ Accessories

SEATS: 1999 Astro van bench seats. Grey cloth, good condition, $100.

Call Jeff, (360)297-2061

Reach thousands of readers with just one phone call.

LOOKING FOR OUR LATEST ISSUE? FIND IT at one of these newsstand locations: (more locations to follow)

ALLYN

Market Place Grocery Ben's Deli Mart

BAINBRIDGE ISLAND American Legion Post 172 Bainbridge Ferry BELFAIR

Jimmy D's Timberland Regional Library Sandy's Deli/Shell Short Stop Deli Belfair QFC

SILVERDALE

Cafe Noir Silverdale Beach Hotel Christa Shores Albertsons Silverdale Grocery Outlet Aloha Kitchen Los Cabos Central Kitsap Reporter/Bremerton Patriot United States Submarine Veterans Bremerton Base VFW 4992

BREMERTON Chevron, Wheaton Way Walgreens YMCA Kitsap Regional Library Family Pancake House, Wheaton Way Harrison Medical Center Tracyton Market Fairgrounds 76 Hank's Grocery Yak's Disabled American Veterans Fleet Reserve Center Ralph's Red Apple Family Pancake House, Kitsap Way West Hills 76 Rob's Quick Stop American Legion Post 149 DAV, Chapter 5 2315 Burwell Avenue Fleet Reserve Association, Branch 29 Marine Corps League, Det. 531 Navy League, Bremerton-Olympic Peninsula

NABVETS, Kitsap Chapter VFW Post 239 US VA Benefits Administration West Sound/Bremerton Pre-Separation Office US VA Health Administration Community-Based Outpatient Clinic Chevron, Kitsap Way La Poblanita Bremerton Ferry Terminal Puget Sound Naval Museum Turner Joy Gift Shop Bremerton Convention Center Midtown Market Fraiche Cup CJ's Evergreen Store

PORT ORCHARD

Washington Veteran's Home Port Orchard Foot Ferry Marina Mart Annapolis Ferry Dock Southworth Ferry Dock PJ's Market Sav-A-Lot Grocery Shari's Restaurant Gorst Gas Mini Mart Airport Diner American Legion Post 30 VFW Post 2669 WDVA Building 9 Veterans Service Center

Veterans Life A Sound Publishing Monthly Magazin e

April 2012

In your name

Veterans legislation â?š pg. 11

KINGSTON

Kingston Ferry Terminal Albertsons Thriftway Port Gamble General Store VFW 2463

POULSBO 76 Gas (Central Market) Wilson Shell/Subway Les Schwab Albertsons Bayside Engravers North Kitsap Herald JC's Grocery Suquamish Shell American Legion Post 245 GORST DAV Chapter 22 SUQUAMISH Suquamish Tribe Veterans Office Suquamish Warriors

Veterans Life

Or drop by our office: 3888 NW Randall Way, Suite 100, Silverdale, WA 98383 360-308-9161

The Bond

[in-fi-dl, -del]’s Bible infidel — in – fi- del [in-fi-dl, -del] —-(in Muslim use) a person who does not accept the Islamic faith

By David Hartmann, Afghan veteran It’s really not derogatory at its basest meaning, infidel. One of my favorite quotes from my Wahid, one of my regular interpreters during my Afghan tour, came at the end of a particulary long day. “You know, you guys are good infidels, I like you,” he said.

I have a box of things I brought home from Afghanistan. There is nothing too dramatic in there, some trinkets, patches and other memorabilia. When held, some items crack open a short story that plays out in my head. One of those the treasures inside is a Bible. It’s not large or decorative. It’s green.

Softbound, it's a pocket-sized version. I did not take it to Afghanistan, but rather, I brought it home. It was a gift that came with some lessons.

I deployed to Afghanistan in 2003 as an Army engineer officer. For several months I was the facility engineer for a new Afghan Army base. The job was akin to acting as manager to a large campground that was being transformed into a permanent 8,000man fortified compound. At that time, our third-world Persian combat zone played a logistical distant second to the "other war" going on in Iraq.

I worked some on the new construction and some training the Afghan Army. But 80 percent of my role was the operation of the new facility – its barracks, dining facility, equipment maintenance buildings, roads, gates, towers, ranges, power plant and water supply. There were several teams of foreign civilian contractors with wildly varying levels of competence and experience. They were my crisis management team as various areas of the new base broke, leaked, collapsed, plugged, fell off or caught fire. For a couple months, we worked long days and nights with them only seeing my fellow American troops when I cleaned up or took time to exercise.

One contractor crew superintendent was an Egyptian gentleman named Mahdi. He was a civil engineer, like me, and was put in charge of a crew of local Afghani laborers. Mahdi also seemed to grasp the daunting level of his charge and realized how haphazardly the base camp was being constructed, how its schedule was dreadfully out of sync with any realistic schedule that might allow real quality control. I did facility triage providing a prioritized lists of breaks, leaks or flames and Mahdi did his best to assign

crews to the crises.

I pitied Mahdi because I knew that he knew what a proper new facility should look like. He understood the plans and specs that showed the base everyone started to build. We both knew the place would never get there during our time on watch, if ever. Take away a master mechanic’s tool set, give him a Leatherman and a hammer, tell him to rebuild your engine and you’ll see the look Mahdi wore daily.

On the other hand, Mahdi's Afghan laborers were usually as happy as clams. They had hope, paying jobs, and nobody threatening to cut off their heads. Most of them had never even turned a door handle so anything with four walls and a roof was a palace. Initially, they could care less that the power was off more than on, that doors fell apart and that the equipment supplied to kitchen staff burst into flames. Mahdi and I each played our role. I passed along the chewings given by the brass and Mahdi promising repair schedules we both knew were pure fantasy.

I grew to consider Mahdi my friend, as I believe he did likewise. One day over lunch, Mahdi turned quite serious and began looking around, shifting in his seat. I was waiting for him come clean with some horrible scheduling setback or grand excuse. Instead, he asked, “Can I ask you something?”

I replied, “Sure, I’ll answer if I can.”

Friend or no friend, this guy was a thirdcountry-national and we both knew there were some types of information I simply couldn’t give.

“Are you a Christian?” he asked.

I blinked and before I could think about why he might be asking me this, out came the answer, “Yes, I am , my whole family is.”

Mahdi relaxed a notch or two and then said “I am, too." He had something he wanted to give me. Holding a bible in his hand he said, "Please take this, I found it in a hotel room in downtown Kabul.” It must have been left there by the previous person and he said "I cannot keep it; it is not safe for me to have this." Mahdi did not want to hide it or throw it away. He wanted to give it to someone who would take care of it, another Christian.

"Most of the guys I work with, are not and, well, it’s just not safe,” Mahdi said.

I understood.

Taliban or no Taliban, even with Afghans smiling and waving at our convoys in the streets, I knew that many of the locals did not appreciate foreigners crawling all over their country. We were still deep in Muslim territory. They put their best foot forward to the Americans and did truly appreciate us booting out the Taliban and Al Qaeda.

Though, left to their own vices and their own sense of time, it could still be ugly.

Like with many countries, there are fanatics, many of whom use a twisted interpretation of one religion or another to justify their actions. Combat zones attract the worst of the worst; carpetbaggers with Kalashnikovs. I had the luxury of being backed up by the American military. Mahdi was an unarmed civilian working for infidels and spending his evenings in the rough part of one of the world’s roughest places. I told Mahdi, “Absolutely, I’ll take it and take care of it. I have my Bible with me already but will gladly take another. Maybe I can find someone else I can give it to." Thanking him, I tucked it away in a pocket.

We didn’t speak any more and I didn’t think much more about it at the time. I was mainly relieved to be able to take a little stress off a friend. We finished our lunches and went back to the daily grind.

Later that night I checked the book thoroughly to ensure it wasn’t a bomb or bug. It is what war does to a person.

Not much later Mahdi moved on and I moved south to the Kandahar Provincial Reconstruction Team. Since, I have occasionally paused at the gravity of that gift. I realized its significance to me both as a Christian and an American.

Many soldiers who worked regularly with the Afghans had a second set of nametapes, in the local Dari language in backwards, swooping Arabic print, sewn onto our hats and uniforms. Most were the informal version of what most the interpreters called us, “Captain Mike,” “Sergeant Chris,” and so on. I was known as “Engineer Hartmann.”

I’m proud of my rank, my name “David” and family heritage. But, I thought it prudent to not wander around the former hub of fanatic Islamic extremism with the name of a great Jewish king sewn to my chest. The fact that King David had pretty much the same role in Islamic history as he did in Christian history might be lost in a fanatic’s eyes and trigger finger. Call me paranoid.

Mahdi was smart, he understood that “coming out” as a Christian in his setting, even to his colleagues, would likely not do him any good and could even jeopardize his safety. Like me, I think Mahdi understood that part of being Christian is about not hiding your faith and was a little ashamed.

But he also understood that coming home safely to his family to continue being a father and husband would be in everyone’s best interest. In that short conversation that day, I sensed that Mahdi felt that giving me that Bible was a compromise between his faith and his security. But it has proven a lesson to me that I cherish inside my box with other memories. I’m somewhat ashamed that I have not yet given that Bible to anyone else. I like to dig it out every so often, touch it, smell it, and remember one of the good stories of that year as the bad ones fade.

It’s hard to describe, but I think the best adjective for that gift is refreshing. At that point in my 12-month stint, I had faced more trials than I had expected and prepared for. Most soldiers leaned on each other as much as we could while still projecting and protecting the Superman persona expected of officers. Getting that Bible unexpectedly from Mahdi gave a little boost of energy I used to help cope with the surrealism that my tour had become.

Separately, the event showed how good we have it in America and how drastically different most of the world is compared to our safe and secure backyard. I was in a country liberated by the full might of the U.S. Military.

At the time, it was considered the “safer” war to those who even understood there were two wars ongoing. A U.S.-installed president sat in a palace less than two miles from Mahdi’s hotel. Kabul’s streets were patrolled by American-trained Afghan police and Afghan Army. The U.S. State Department was mentoring the fledgling government on how to be a democracy.

Here, in America, most people think nothing of proclaiming our faith freely. It's likely that most Americans have never seen nor heard a firsthand account of violence against another person based purely on religion. Even fewer would even dream of participating in violence somehow intertwined with religion. In many parts of the world, that is not the case.

David Hartmann served as an engineer officer in the Army and Army Reserve from 1994 to 2006.

check us out online www.usadiscounters.net huge selection of furniture, electronics jewelrY, tires and rims and more!

hd & plasma tvs

The LaTesT In afTer-MarkeT CusToM WheeLs, rIMs and hI-PerforManCe TIres!

state of the art desktops & laptops huge selection of jewelrY and furniture

rIM sIZe 17” To 26”

• IMMedIaTe deLIVerY • aLLoTMenTs WeLCoMe!

Your incredible credit store® You are automatically approved for credit if you are military or civil service.

LAKEWOOD, WA 6010 Main Street SW

253-582-9228 / 877-839-5193 Credit approved in minutes!

Apply online or by phone.

or visit us online at

www.usadiscounters.net