Vet Life 12-28-2012

Veterans Life A Sound Publishing Monthly Magazine

101-year-old vet recalls life of adventure page 10

www.kitsapveteranslife.com

January 2013

VA prepares for more veterans

By CHRIS CHANCELLOR

With the War on Terror scheduled to end in the near future, Kitsap County could experience an increase in veterans living in the area — and requiring services.

The result is the need for more benefits, some projections suggest Veterans Administration services might double, as the volume of mentally and physically wounded veterans increase.

Employment Security economist Elizabeth Court said the most recent data, which comes from 2011, shows that Kitsap County saw a decline in veterans from the previous year.

According to her data from the census bureau, there were an estimated 34,674

veterans living in Kitsap County. That represented a decline of 2,687 veterans from 2010. Among those, post 9/11 veterans represent the third largest segment in the county at 21.7 percent behind the Vietnam era (35.3 percent) and Gulf War (30 percent).

Whether that trend continues is unknown. Heidi Audette, communications director for the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs, said trends for the growth or decline of veterans locally often do not follow national trends. She said the VA also does not maintain statistical data for which branch of the military veterans come from. When someone leaves the military, Audette said the governor

sends them a letter and the veteran has an option to have paperwork forwarded to the state VA. Douglas Stutz, who is a public affairs officer at Naval Hospital Bremerton, said the majority of veterans he comes across are from the Army and Navy in Kitsap.

In April, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced that it would add about 1,900 to its staff of mental health workers to its staff of roughly 20,590 in anticipation of the needs of veterans returning from war.

“As the tide of war recedes, we have the opportunity, and the responsibility, to anticipate the needs of returning veterans,” VA Secretary Eric Shinseki said in a news release. “History

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shows that the costs of war will continue to grow for a decade or more after the operational missions in Iraq and Afghanistan have ended. As more veterans return home, we must ensure that all veterans have access to quality mentalhealth care.”

The additions come amid years of reports of veterans standing in long lines seeking treatment. The VA released a study last fall that surveyed 272 mental health providers. Nearly 40 percent of those reported they could not schedule a new patient for an appointment within the VA-mandated 14-day window in their clinic, and 70 percent indicated they lacked sufficient space and staff. An inspector general’s investigation released in April found that veterans seeking mental health care waited about 50 days the first time before receiving a full evaluation.

Rep. Jeff Miller, chairman of the House committee with jurisdiction over veterans’ issues, criticized the plan to add staffing during an oversight hearing.

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“If VA doesn’t even have a complete picture of the problem, how confident can we be that access will be increased and care enhanced by the VA’s knee-jerk reaction,” he said. “This is not the first time we have been here.”

But others say size — not just staffing — is an issue.

Stutz said the local hospital is too small and “we have done our feasibility study of having a joint facility with the VA” in January. He said there are 50 shared facilities throughout the country.

But there are ways to beat the lines. Lorin Smith, public affairs specialist for the VA’s Puget Sound Health Care System, said social networking has become the newest fad in connecting with veterans. He said the VA joined Facebook two years ago and it has more followers and “likes” than any other federal agency.

Locally, it is www.facebook. com/vapugetsound. Smith said it is popular with just younger veterans, either.

“Surprisingly, the data shows the majority of our fans are 55 years and older,” Smith said. “The old thoughts about digital divide are going by the wayside.”

There also is a www. twitter.com/vapugetsound account.

“We invite comments and questions,” said Smith, referring to both Facebook and Twitter. “It’s just another tool to reach out to all of our veterans.”

Smith said one area where the VA has not reached is text messaging. He said that will be available “in the near future,” but did not have a specific timeline.

In lieu of text messaging, Smith said the VA offers “My HealtheVet.” According to www.myhealth.va.gov/ index.html, this system is designed for veterans, active-duty service members, their dependents and caregivers the opportunity the secure information they enter. According to the website, the most popular feature is online prescription refills. There also is an option to send “a non-urgent secure message to participating members of your VA health care team.”

The website states that these messages are safe and secure the ones that are sent and received are stored within My HealtheVet. “We need to go where our veterans are,” Smith said.

“They need to go out and jump on the bandwagon.”

Marcus Grandjean, director of data and analytics for the VA’s Puget Sound Health Care System, said My HealtheVet is most popular

among veterans who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Afghanistan.

“They’re much more likely to use email,” he said.

Grandjean said another service offered through the VA is “Telehealth.” He said that program allows veterans to go onto a teleconference with doctors to seek answers for medical problems. The service can be beneficial to disabled veterans.

According to the VA website, Kenneth Winn suffered a head injury while deployed in Operation Desert Storm.

Under different circumstances, Winn would have to drive more than 150 miles from his home in Crescent City, Calif., to Roseburg, Ore. But because of Telehealth, he only has to drive to the VA clinic in town, where he is connected with his counselor at VA Roseburg.

“Crescent City is No Man’s Land,” Winn told the VA. “With Telehealth, it makes it where I can talk to my doctor without having to travel very far. It helps to talk to her when I’m down. She’s keeping tabs on my medications and stuff like that. She makes sure I receive what I need to receive.”

But Grandjean said the program entails much more than that.

“Our Telehealth medicine program is anything from dermatology to primary care for people in rural communities,” he said. “If someone cannot make it to a primary care facility that might be a good option.”

Patricia Ryan, associate chief consultant for the VA Office of Telehealth, said on the VA’s website that there is another important benefit to that function.

“This is important because a large percentage of our rural veterans are advancing in age,” she said.

“They have chronic health conditions that require constant monitoring. If it wasn’t for Telehealth, we’d be hard pressed to deliver the kind of day-to-day observation they require.”

Earlier this month, the VA stopped charging veterans a copayment when they receive care in their homes via video conferencing from VA health professionals.

Eliminating the copayment for this service will remove an unnecessary financial burden for veterans,” Shinseki said in a news release. “We will continue to do everything we can to ensure that veterans have access to the first-class care they have earned with their service to our nation.”

On the inside

Well, it’s press time for this edition of Veterans Life and it’s still December 21 (about 3pm). So, if you’re reading this I guess the world didn’t actually come to an end after all. I guess it’s a good thing we went ahead and put together the January edition of Veterans Life, so Happy New Year.

We’ve got a lot of stories to tell this month including a veteran profile by Jessica Ginet featuring Jason Spurgers, a 20 year Navy veteran, and his transition into civilian life. Dennis Box tells us the story of Ed DeLong who recently turned 101 years old and served as a Merchant Marine through three wars, WWII, the Korean War and Viet Nam. Wes Morrow writes about the various legislative issues that Congress passed in the second half of this year, see page 8, including a major new bill sponsored by Senator Patty Murray that ends a ban on In Vitro Fertilization services to veterans and their families, page 9.

BECAUSE YOU’VE ALREADY BEEN THROUGH BOOT CAMP.

Chris Chancellor has a story about how the VA is preparing for an increase in the number of veterans in Kitsap County as the War on Terror continues to wind down, page 2.

This month’s Bond column is back with a farewell letter from one of our biggest supporters and more importantly one of Kitsap’s MVP’s when it comes to helping veterans — Leif Bentson. Leif will be retired from his position as the head of Kitsap’s Veterans Assistance Program and he has written a terrific piece that talks about his experiences during his time on the job. Leif, we certainly wish you well and we’ll expect to see and hear from you every now and then. Best wishes to you in your next adventure.

As always, we’d love to hear your feedback and/or thoughts for future editions of Veterans Life. Please call or write to us here at Veterans Life and enjoy the new year.

ON THE COVER: April 20th, 1944, 30 miles off the coast of Algiers (Cape Bengut) the largest loss of life on a WWII Liberty ship took place when the ammunition ship, the SS Paul Hamilton, was sunk with all merchant seaman, U.S. Navy Armed Guard and U.S. Air Force personnel aboard. German Junkers torpedo bombers sank the ship.

Photo courtesy of AJ Wichita.

INSIDE

5

VETERAN PROFILE: JASON SPURGERS HM1 Spurgers recently retired after serving 20 years in the U.S. Navy. After enlisting at the age of 17 in Humble, Texas, Spurgers went on to serve in Japan, Guam and the United States.

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“I managed to live through them all.”

To live a century is an impressive accomplishment. To live 101 years as Ed DeLong Sr. is the story of life lived to the fullest.

THE BOND

Back in 2006, my department director walked in to my office and figuratively threw the county’s veterans program at me and said run with it.

Life

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Bill also includes provisions to improve veterans’ benefits, including transportation assistance and the creation of a burn pit registry U.S. Senator Patty Murray, Chairman of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, applauded Senate passage Dec. 20 of the Dignified Burial and Veterans’ Benefits Improvement Act of 2012. This House and Senate-negotiated package contains proposals from Democrats and Republicans in both Chambers.

The legislation includes provisions from Chairman Murray’s original bill to authorize the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to furnish a casket or urn to a deceased veteran when VA is unable to identify the veteran’s next-of-kin and determines that sufficient resources are not otherwise available to furnish a casket or urn for burial in a national cemetery. Under current law, VA is not authorized to purchase a casket or urn for veterans who do not have a next-of-kin to provide one, or the resources to be buried in an appropriate manner. Earlier this year, Chairman Murray and Ranking Member Burr, joined by U.S. Senators Bill Nelson (D-FL) and Marco Rubio (R-FL), introduced this legislation after a veteran, with no known next-of-kin, was buried in a cardboard container at a VA National Cemetery in Florida. The exposed remains were discovered

during a project to raise and realign headstones at the cemetery.

The Dignified Burial and Veterans’ Benefits Improvement Act of 2012 would also establish a registry for those veterans exposed to open burn pits while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan and commissions an independent scientific report on the health effects of such exposures. The legislation would expand and protect access to VA services by furnishing eligible veterans with transportation to and from VA facilities and provide transition assistance to eligible veterans and their spouses outside of military installations.

“When America’s heroes make a commitment to serve their country, we make a promise to care for them,” said Chairman Murray, following passage of the bill. “That includes helping them access VA facilities and providing them with a burial befitting their service.”

The House and Senatenegotiated package also includes authority for restoration of the Clark Veterans Cemetery in the Philippines and renames several VA facilities across the country, including the Spokane VA Medical Center, in honor of veterans and individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to veterans, to their communities and to their country.

The bill will now move on to the House of Representatives.

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VETERAN PROFILE

Jason Spurgers

By Jessica Ginet HM1 Jason Spurgers recently retired after serving 20 years in the U.S. Navy. After enlisting at the age of 17 in Humble, Texas, Spurgers went on to serve in Japan, Guam and the United States. His last duty station was Puget Sound Naval Station Bangor, where he served and lived with his wife, Yukie, and their blended family: Mari, age 15; Kei, 14; Jacob, 13; and Leon, 10.

“The Navy took care of me and my family,” he said.

“That is a big factor.”

Spurgers was prompted to enlist in 1992 for several reasons: his grandfather was a Korean War veteran and several members of his family served in Vietnam.

“I knew that I wanted to serve in the Navy,” Spurgers said. “And also get away from my parents.” At that age, he says, he harbored a lot of resentment toward his mom and dad. His initial objective upon enlistment, he noted, was to be a Navy Seal. His Navy career dictated otherwise: “Well, that (becoming a Navy Seal) did not happen and I didn’t think I would stay in the Navy very long.” However, 20 years passed between enlistment and retirement

and Spurgers would do it all over again if granted the opportunity.

One of the reasons Spurgers remained in the Navy for 20 years was the structure it provided.

“The Navy offered me (both) guidance and a way of life,” he said. “There are endless opportunities in the Navy that you can take advantage of.”

For Spurgers, that meant the opportunity to travel and experience the world.

“Japan was my favorite place,” he said. “Japan was a whole new world that amazed me.”

Because of these experiences, he said, “I had to change my view of the world.”

Being from the south, he noted, there is a tendency (regardless of whether or not it is a stereotype) to be, as he says, “Close minded – not racist, but biased. Living in Japan taught me to adapt and to overcome (resistance to) change.”

For those that pursue their Navy career for at least 20 years, once they leave the military, they will continue to receive retirement pay, medical benefits and onbase shopping privileges.

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These savings and benefits can add up, especially if one retires near an active base. The Department of Veteran’s Affairs can assist retirees in finding employment or schooling postretirement.

“I was ready to retire but not prepared to,” Spurgers noted. “I wasn’t financially ready and not ready for the lack of jobs available.” Look at it this way: For the last c o ntinue d

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VETERANS LIFE | 5

20 years he’s been pretty much told how to run his life. Now Spurgers not only has a chance to change the rules, but he can even throw the rule book away. “I don’t feel like a veteran,” Spurgers said. “But I’m not sure it’s a disconnect.” There is, however, a mutual respect and common bond he has found with other veterans, from WWII and Vietnam to those that have served in the present conflicts.

Retiring from the military is a huge change – not just for the service member but also for the family. It is advised that even before retirement a service member should start writing the resume for the post-military job search early. It can take patience and careful consideration to translate military job descriptions into something that civilian employers can understand and appreciate. You have to

be able to take out all the military jargon and also “translate” what you did in the military into functional skills that a civilian employer will understand and value.

There have been recent posts in the news about WWII and Vietnam veterans voicing an opinion that the new batch of veterans have it easier than they did.

Some might distinguish it as being “soft” or “pam-

pered.” A search for the top questions asked by those interested in serving in the military brought up the following questions: Which branch of the military is the safest?

Which branch will I be least likely to be deployed in?

What is the chance that I will be killed?

Many critics, and even veterans, say the military of today is soft because society is soft. Spurgers is careful with his comment, stating, “I’m not sure if soft is the right word – maybe we’re off course or going in the wrong direction.”

Despite his own choice to enlist, Spurgers would prefer that his own children not enlist.

“I would only ask my kids to join after getting a college degree,” he said.

Spurgers, who once again resides in Texas, plans on using his GI Bill benefits beginning next month in the civilian chapter of his life.

Some currently serving in the military argue that the focus is less on job performance and more on extraneous activities and

“I may rant, but I will still proudly stand up and say I served in the United States Navy.”

Jason Spurger

service on committees.

According to the Navy Enlisted Evaluation System on Military.com, “Navy FITREPS and EVALS focus on performance. This reflects the fact that how well you do your job, and the qualities you bring to the job, are of paramount importance to the Navy.

Performance is most important for successful mission accomplishment. It is also important for development of skills and leadership abilities and in determining who will be selected for advancement through assignments, promotions, and so on.”

Spurgers disputes this.

“If I were in charge I would refocus the evaluation system to focus more on work skill and performance.” He sees more emphasis in evaluations placed on serving on committees and public service outside the realm of what the enlisted personnel were trained to do. “You can have the best worker with the most knowledge – but if [they are not] a part of this committee of that organization then they are scored lower.”

“I may rant,” Spurgers said. “But I will still proudly stand up and say I served in the United States Navy.”

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Ways to Simulate Navy Life at Home 1. Lock all friends and family outside. Your only means of communication should be with letters that your neighbors have held for at least three weeks, discarding two of five.

3. Unplug all radios and TVs to completely cut yourself off from the outside world. Have a neighbor bring you a Time, Newsweek, or proceedings from five years ago to keep you abreast of current events.

4. Monitor all home appliances hourly, recording all vital information (ie: plugged in, lights come on when doors open, etc. ) 5. Do not flush the toilet for five days to simulate the smell of 40 people using the same commode.

6. Lock the bathroom twice a day for a fourhour period.

7. Wear only military uniforms. Even though nobody cares, clean and press one dress uniform and wear it for 20 minutes.

8. Cut your hair weekly, making it shorter each time, until you look bald or look like you lost a fight with a demented sheep.

9. Work in 19-hour cycles, sleeping only four hours at a time, to ensure that your body does not know or even care if it is day or night.

10. Listen to your favorite CD six times a day for two weeks, then play music that causes acute nausea until you are glad to get back to your favorite CD. 11. Cut a twin mattress in half and enclose three sides of your bed. Add a roof that prevents you from sitting up (about ten inches is a good distance) then place it on a platform that is four feet off the

a rocking table so you are tossed around the remaining three hours.

Make use of a custom clock that randomly simulates fire alarms, police sirens, helicopter crash alarms, and a

12. Set your alarm to go off at ten-minute intervals for the first hour of sleep to simulate the various times the watch standers and night crew bump around and wake you up. Place your bed on

all power at the main circuit breaker and run around shouting “Fire! Fire! Fire!” and then restore power.

new-wave rock band.

13. Have week old fruit and vegetables delivered to your garage and wait two weeks before eating them.

16. At least once a month, force the commode to overflow to simulate a “black water system” boo-boo.

14. Prepare all meals blindfolded using all the spices you can grope for, or none at all. Remove the blindfold and eat everything in three minutes.

17. Buy a gas mask and smear it with rancid animal fat. Scrub the face shield with steel

15. Periodically, shut off

Greg Peterman USN Retired

Reprinted with permission of MMCM(SS) Greg Peterman USN Retired Webmaster of the Goat Locker www.goatlocker.org

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VETERANS LIFE | 7

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Congress looks to help veterans

By WES MORROW

Despite the Legislative Branch’s seemingly constant focus on the fiscal cliff toward the end of 2012, Congress was able to turn their focus toward veterans for at least part of their legislative sessions this year.

H.R. 112-191 became law in October, appropriating, among other things, up to $222,000,000 to construct a mental health building at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Seattle.

The legislation also appropriated up to $155,200,000 for a spinal cord injury center in Dallas, Texas, as well as $41,000,000 for a medical facility in Miami, Fla. In November, the Veteran’s Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act (H.R. 112-486) became law.

The act directed the Secretary of VA to increase veterans’ disability compensation, additional compensation for dependents, clothing allowance for certain disabled veterans and dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children.

Most recently, the Senate unanimously passed the “Improving Transparency of Education Opportunities for Veterans Act of 2012,” (H.R. 112-646) on Dec. 19.

That’s the short title, humorously.

The bill had previously been passed in the House of Representatives and referred to the Senate in September.

The purpose of the bill is to improve outreach and transparency to veterans regarding information on higher education. The bill would help provide veterans seeking or planning to seek degrees at colleges or universities with accurate and unbiased information about schools and programs.

H.R. 112-646 requires accreditation information and available federal aid programs to be visible for veterans on the VA website.

That way, veterans looking to attend a school could go the VA website and see if that school or degree program is accredited as well as whether certain federal aid would be available to them if

they chose to attend that school.

“This bipartisan legislation will provide much needed tools for student veterans to make better informed decisions on how to use their educational benefits, such as the post-9/11 GI Bill,” said Rep. Jeff Miller, committee chairman for the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.

The bill would have the Secretary of Veterans Affairs look into the possibility of providing an online tool for veterans to determine if they are academically easy to “engage in postsecondary education and training opportunities,” stated the bill’s summary.

Also attached to the bill is a direction to establish an open pit burn registry for veterans from Iraq or Afghanistan who might have been exposed to toxic chemicals and fumes as a byproduct of disposing waste.

The registry would help those veterans affected by toxic byproducts to receive information and treatment.

Lastly, tacked on at the end of the bill is a stipulation disallowing the VA Secretary from providing more than $1 million in bonuses to senior executives through 2017.

This stipulation was likely a response to VA’s almost $4 million yearly executive bonuses.

Veterans Affairs Performance The House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs held a hearing to review VA’s performance and accountability on Sept.

20. In his opening statement, Rep. Miller criticized Veterans Affairs for its “lavish” and unprecedented bonuses.

“VA’s Senior Executive Service (SES) bonus program continues to average nearly $4 million in annual payouts, with no apparent correlation between these bonuses and agency performance,” Miller said.

Miller went on to address other fiscal concerns with VA, such as its $100 million expenditures on conferences in 2011.

“Despite promises of better fiscal stewardship from the administrac o ntinue d

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A pair of local heroes honored Spokane VA hospital named Mann-Grandstaff Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center

By WES MORROW The House of Representatives passed legislation on Dec. 20 to name the Spokane VA hospital the “Mann-Grandstaff Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center.” The final vote was 421 in favor and one against.

The bill was introduced in the House by Washington Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers from the state’s 5th District, based in Spokane. The House bill was cosponsored by every Representative from Washington state except the newly sworn-in Suzan Delbene of the 1st District.

At the same time, Washington Sen. Patty Murray introduced an identical bill in the Senate cosponsored by Sen. Maria Cantwell of Washington.

Both bills seek to honor Pvt. Mann from Reardon, Wash., and Sgt. Grandstaff from Spokane, Wash.

Sen. Murray spoke on the heroics of the two men when introducing the bill Oct. 13, 2011: “Private Mann was born in Reardan, Washington, and served in the 101st Airborne Division during World War II. While attempting to seize the bridge across the Wilhelmina Canal, his platoon was isolated, surrounded, and outnumbered by enemy forces. Despite heavy enemy fire, he bravely advanced to within rocket-launching range of the enemy as the lead scout. Private Mann was wounded four separate times while destroying an enemy artillery position near Best, Holland. Despite his wounds, he volunteered to stay on sentry duty that night with both his arms bandaged to his body.

The following day when the final assault came, an enemy grenade was thrown in his vicinity. Unable to throw it to safety due to his wounds and bandages, Private Mann threw himself on the grenade, sacrificing his life to save the lives of his fellow soldiers.

“Sergeant Grandstaff was born in Spokane, Washington, and served in the 4th Infantry Division. While leading a recon-

CONGRESS CONTINUED FROM A8

tion, these are glaring examples of serious shortcomings that need to be fixed,” Miller said.

Rep. Miller went on to raise concerns for VA’s handling of disability claims.

When the 112th Congress began, there were 764,476 pending claims, 39.4 percent of which were pending for more than 125 days. As of September, the number had climbed to 897,767, of which 66.4 percent were pending for more than

naissance mission near the Cambodian border, Sergeant Grandstaff’s platoon was ambushed by heavy automatic weapons and small arms fire from three directions. He ran through enemy fire to rescue his wounded men, but was only able to save one. Twice he crawled outside the safety of his unit’s position to mark their location with smoke grenades for aerial fire support, and twice he was wounded. His second marker successfully notified the helicopter gunships of his location, but drew even more enemy fire.

Seeing the enemy assault about to overrun his position, Sergeant Grandstaff inspired his remaining men to continue the fight against enemy forces. He called in an artillery barrage on himself to thwart the enemy forces, and continued to fight until he was finally and mortally wounded by an enemy rocket.

Although every man in his unit was a casualty, survivors testified that his spirit and courage inspired the unit to inflict heavy casualties on the assaulting enemy even though the odds were stacked against them.

“I am especially proud to introduce this bill. Its purpose is to honor not just one American hero, but two native sons of Washington who gave their lives fighting on behalf of our nation. Also, both of these men now rest in peace approximately 10 minutes away from the Spokane VA Medical Center, which serves veterans of all generations, from World War II to Vietnam to our newest generation of American heroes.

“Above all else, this bill is intended to honor both Private Mann and Sergeant Grandstaff for their ``conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty.’’ By renaming the Spokane VA Medical Center as the MannGrandstaff VA Medical Center, we will honor the service and ultimate sacrifice provided by these two local heroes. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation and thank them for their continued support of our dedicated men and women in uniform.”

125 days.

Miller raised concerns with the handling of mental health assistance provided by Veterans Affairs as one of the agency’s biggest shortcomings, specifically stating that “access to mental health care is in crisis.”

The Inspector General of Veterans Affairs released a report which showed more than half of the veterans who sought mental health care through VA waited at least 50 days to receive an evaluation.

“These are men and women who have taken the brave an difficult step of seeking help — and

they are waiting too long to receive it,” Miller said.

Veterans Affairs announced it would add 1,900 mental health staff in April; however, Miller stated, there are nearly 1,500 mental health vacancies within VA so 1,900 new professionals would only increase ranks by 400.

“Finally, although VA has been more fortunate than other agencies in the resources it has received in this tight economic climate,” Miller closed, “the bureaucracy has helped itself to those resources rather than channeling them to direct services for veterans.”

In Vitro for Vets

By WES MORROW Washington state Senator Patty Murray introduced legislation to end the ban on providing In Vitro Fertilization services to Veterans and their families.

The bill passed in the Senate by unanimous consent on Dec. 13. It was sent to the house on Dec. 17 and referred to the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.

“This bill will give veterans that have suffered catastrophic reproductive injuries the ability to access In Vitro Fertilization without having to pay tens of thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket costs,” Murray said after the bill passed in the Senate.

Between 2003 and 2011, U.S. Army data show that nearly 2,000 service members suffered reproductive or urinary tract trauma injuries, according to Murray.

Murray addressed the Senate on Dec. 13, calling for unanimous approval. In her address she told the story of Staff Sgt. Matt Keil, who was became quadriplegic after being shot in Ramadi, Iraq in 2007.

After returning home, He and his wife, Tracy, wanted to start a family, but Staff Sgt. Keil’s injury prevented them from doing so naturally.

They were told by VA there was no program in place to help them. TRICARE wouldn’t cover IVF treatment because Tracy didn’t have reproductive issues other than her husband’s condition.

The Keil’s payed for In Vitro fertilization treatments out of their own pocket, costing them nearly $32,000 per round of treatment.

Luckily, the couple only needed one round, and in November, 2010 had twins, Matthew and Faith.

Murray closed her Senate Address by stating the importance of the bill, that Congress owed the catastrophically wounded this benefit.

Murray said, “This is about giving veterans who have sacrificed everything -- every option we have to help them fulfill the simple dream of starting a family.”

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VETERANS LIFE | 9

“I managed to live through them all.”

At 101, Ed Delong Sr. recalls a life filled with adventure

By DENNIS BOX To live a century is an impressive accomplishment. To live 101 years as Ed DeLong Sr. is the story of life lived to the fullest.

DeLong, a Tukwila resident who will be 101 Oct. 7, was a merchant marine who spent five decades sailing the seas of the world. From dodging subs in the North Atlantic to surviving a torpedo attack in the Indian Ocean, DeLong experienced the thrill and danger of battle during three wars – World War II, the Korean and Vietnam wars.

“I managed to live through them all,” DeLong said at his Tukwila home.

Along the road he found the secret of family life in a marriage of 59 years to his wife, Mary.

DeLong said he and his wife moved to Tukwila from Portland in 1955. The couple raised their family of four children, three daughters, Rae, Rolfanne and Renee and a son Eddie in the same home he lives in today.

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DeLong was born in 1911 in Grafton, N.Y. “We lived six miles from the Albany on the Hudson River,” DeLong said. “When I was 10 years old, my folks moved to Florida. Mother had trouble with the cold.”

In 1930 Delong joined the United States Merchant Marine. The nation was in the grip of the Great Depression.

“There were no good jobs,” he said.

His decision to join the Merchant Marine at 20 years old gave him much more than a good job. The merchant service opened up a seafarer’s world of adventure until he retired as a chief mate nearly 50 years later in October 1979.

DeLong was on the seas during a number of harrowing military supply voyages in the North Atlantic during World War II. One voyage he recalled in the early 1940s during the President Franklin Roosevelt-era lend-lease program brought DeLong face-to-face with Nazi submarines.

“We started out from Scotland and went to Reykjavik (Iceland),” DeLong said. “There were 30 ships in the convoy from Iceland.”

After one day sailing north, the convoy turned back.

“Some of those wolf packs (German submarines) were

out there waiting for us,” he said. “They (the submarines) were picking them off pretty good. That was true all over the North Atlantic.”

Murmansk The first time DeLong was on a ship that was hit he was part of a convoy heading to Murmansk, Russia, around North Cape, Norway.

“It was darn cold off the Norwegian coast,” he said.

“We saw it get 55 below.”

He said once it got up to 25 or 30 below, “it warmed up a bit.”

During the Murmansk run his ship was bombed off North Cape. DeLong said about half the crew went to the convoy command ship and they asked for volunteers to stand by the disabled ship. DeLong was one of those who stayed with the bombed ship.

“They took the last lifeboat we had,” DeLong said. “There we were with nothing but the ship floating. We were about three days out of Murmansk off the Norwegian coast. The next day the command ship was torpedoed. They had the tough time. They were picked up two days after they were torpedoed.”

DeLong went to visit his shipmates who went with the command ship that was torpedoed.

“Two of them lost both feet, one lost both hands and feet from frostbite in the lifeboat,” DeLong said. “Others just died in the lifeboat. The ones that made it into the hospital in Murmansk were in bad shape. Mostly lost feet and hands. It was pretty bad.”

Delong and the crew who stayed with the ship were able to repair the vessel well enough to get it into Murmansk harbor, and there he saw a sight he would never forget.

“We got into Murmansk and the whole harbor was ships sitting on the bottom,” he said. “The harbor was only about 30 feet of water, just the superstructure (bridge and upper deck of the ships) were showing.

The ships were hit by German Luftwaffe bombers.

“We finally got docked and a British ship right ahead of us was hit by a bomb and sunk at the dock,” DeLong said.

The Russian government gave the crew one month pay for all the ships that made the Murmansk port with supplies intact, DeLong said. c o ntinue d

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the ice fields and the submarines couldn’t maneuver in there,” he said.

After about 20 days the convoy made it safely back to New York.

Troubled waters

He said after unloading the war supplies for the British, the merchant ships headed back to New York, but trouble was still waiting.

“Getting out of Murmansk was quite a problem,” DeLong said. “A brand new British destroyer was escorting our convoy.

We got around North Cape and that new destroyer was torpedoed. Two submarines attacked it. It took three torpedoes to sink it. We finally

scuttled it. It had $100 million of gold on board. It was finally retrieved and Britain got the gold. It was for the American payment the Russians were sending to America‚it was British gold.

It was dug out it 10 or 20 years later.”

The convoy was finally able to dodge the submarines by sailing next to the ice fields.

“We could gallop up into

He also ran into trouble with enemy submarines in the Indian Ocean during World War II. This time his ship was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine.

“I was on watch on the bridge,” DeLong said. “All I heard was boom, boom. One hit the stern and the other right in the engine room.

That ship went down so fast.

It took about two minutes and it was gone.”

DeLong said he ran down the flying bridge onto the boat deck.

“I started unhooking a lashing they had on the lifeboat,” he said. “The sea came over and hit me and I went down with the ship and I came back up. All I remember was a bunch of bubbles all around me. It was pitch dark.”

He and some of the crew found a plank that was used to paint the ship.

At daylight 32 members of the crew found three lifeboats. About 31 other crew members were lost in the sinking.

“We were just floating around for three days out in the Indian Ocean off the coast of India,” DeLong said.

“We were picked up by an old British Liberty ship.”

He said the one thing he was thankful for was the water was warmer. He said the hottest weather he ran into was in the Indian Ocean sailing to the Red Sea on course to the Mediterranean.

DeLong said he liked the Pacific best.

“The weather is much better,” he said. “Usually I was on a jungle run with the mail line. It was three months trip from Seattle to India. Calcutta was our station there. That was just three months so we always had a good paycheck.”

He sailed throughout the South Pacific including Hong Kong, Singapore, almost every port in Japan and Philippines.

“We used to make almost all the little islands in the Philippines,” DeLong said.

“Some we didn’t have charts for. If there was some kind of pier where we could anchor we’d pick up copra.”

Copra is the dried kernel of the coconut used for extracting coconut oil and animal feed.

Fond memory One of his favorite memories is the day he met his wife in 1943. He was attending a shipmate’s wedding in New York.

“At the reception I happen to be sitting next to this little short gal,” DeLong said. “When it was all over everyone got up to leave. She was just about the leave and I said, ‘Stick around Shorty.’

Come across the street with us.’ ” They went to a cocktail lounge and DeLong said, “I talked her into a date the

next day.”

They married in “a little church around the corner,” and it lasted nearly 60 years.

Mary DeLong died in 2003.

The secret?

Today DeLong still enjoys shopping and working in the yard, although he said he doesn’t “mow the lawn anymore.”

About reaching 100 he said, “It kind of surprised me when I woke up and I had to say, ‘Wow, a hundred.’ How anyone lives that long I don’t know.”

So what’s the secret?

“Maybe it’s the good bourbon,” DeLong said. Or maybe it is a loving family, friends and a life well lived.

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2 BEDROOM, 2 full bath, second floor unit in small complex. 1,058 SF, fireplace, washer Drawing is 12/31/12 and dryer, kitchen appliHunt 1/1/13- 2/1/13 ances including microBy mail: P.O. Box 11 wave. Sit on back balcoTroy, Idaho. 83871. ny and enjoy duck pond Order online at and quiet. Includes 2 reserved parking spaces. www.buffalo E a s y wa l k t o s t o r e s, raffle.com pool, library, downtown.

208-835-TROY Available immediately! $1300. 360-271-2436 You’ll ďŹ nd everything you need in one WA Misc. Rentals Duplexes/Multiplexes website 24 hours a day 7 days a week: PORT ORCHARD nw-ads.com. www.buffaloraffle.com

2 BEDROOM DUPLEX with washer/ dryer hookups, garage & yard.

Quiet central location in town! Water, garbage, appliances included. $775 month, $775 deposit. 360-509-0376.

ADOPT ~ A loving family longs to provide everything for 1st baby. Expenses paid. 1-800-8315931. Matt & Serafina

Get the ball rolling...

Call 800-388-2527 today.

WA Misc. Rentals General Rentals

V E T E R A N S WA N T E D for homes. If you are homeless, or in danger of loosing your home; have an income, dependents, & DD214; we may have a home for you!

Call 206-849-2583. www.themadf.org/ Homes-For-Heroes.html

ADOPTION: Local, happily-marr ied, & stable couple, eager for baby (0-2yrs). Loving home f i l l e d w i t h a f fe c t i o n , strong family values & financial security for your baby. Joshua & Vanessa Homes are in Burlington, 4 2 5 - 7 8 0 - 7 5 2 6 Oak Habor, Arlington, http://bit.ly/joshandvaBremerton, Tacoma. nessa www.themadf.org/Homes-For-Heroes.html

Lost

Employment Marketing

Employment Transportation/Drivers

LOST: RING. Multi generational ring. Diamonds with gold band. Very distinctive. Last seen in Silverdale on December 8th. Approx. 1 mile radius of Kitsap Mall. Please call with information. Reward! (360) 692-2782

Drivers…

MARKETING Open Road – REPRESENTATIVE Great Scenery!

Kitsap County A r e y o u g o o d a t o r - Western States Carrier Needs SOLOS & ganization and customer TEAMS service? Do you enjoy Family Atmosphere wor king with people?

Quality Home Time This position requires Steady Freight both telephone and in Excellent Pay Package Classifieds. We’ve got you p e r s o n s a l e s. I f yo u w/Great Bonus Potential have a dynamic personcovered. 800-388-2527 ality and enjoy working CDL-A, HazMat, 1 yr exp with people then this is 2EACHåTHOUSANDSåOFå Call Andrus TODAY! t h e p e r fe c t p o s i t i o n .

888-860-4895 READERSåWITHåONEåCALLå Salary plus commission. å Drivers…

Please send resume to REGIONAL DRIVERS hr@soundpublishing.com Solos & Teams or mail to: Run 11 Western States HR/MRNK, Open Road – Great Sound Publishing, Inc., Scenery! Great Bonus 19351 8th Ave NE, Potential. CDL-A, Suite 106, HazMat, 1 Yr. Exp. Poulsbo, WA 98370 Call TODAY! 888-860-4895 Employment

jobs Employment General

Carriers The North Kitsap Herald has openings for Carrier Routes. No collecting, no selling. Friday mornings. If interested call Christy 360-779-4464 INCOME OPPORTUNITY! 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 MARKETING ASSISTANT Bainbridge Island Are you good at organization and customer service? Do you enjoy wor king with people?

We are looking for someone with a dynamic personality to be part of our team. Must be able to work independently yet be par t of a team.

Computer skills word & excel. Hours are negotiable. Please send resume to hr@soundpublishing.com or mail to: HR/MABI, Sound Publishing, Inc., 19351 8th Ave NE, Suite 106, Poulsbo, WA 98370

MARKETING/OFFICE ASSISTANT -

The Bainbridge Island Review has a great oppor tunity for the right person. The mar keting/office assistant will answer phones, handle petty cash, make deposits and assist the sales depar tment with outbound sales calls. Must possess strong customer service skills, excellent phone skills, excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills; must be team-or iented and computer literate. This is a full-time position. We offer a great work envir o n m e n t , c o m p e t i t i ve wages, excellent health benefits, 401k with company match, paid vacations and holidays. EOE Please e-mail resume with cover letter to: hr@soundpublishing.com or mail to: BIR/HR Department Sound Publishing, Inc. 19351 8th Ave NE Suite 106 Poulsbo, WA 98370

Media

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.

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 Home Services leaders. This is a generHauling & Cleanup al assignment reporting position in our Port AnGOT CLUTTER? geles office in which beWE TAKE IT ALL! ing a self-starter must be Junk, Appliances, demonstrated through professional experience.

Yard Debris, etc.

Port Angeles-based PeServing Kitsap Co. ninsula Daily News, cirSince 1997 culation 16,000 daily and 360-377-7990 15,000 Sunday (plus a 206-842-2924 website getting up to one million hits a Home Services month), publishes separate editions for Clallam House/Cleaning Service 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 - Residential & Commercial Cleaning news.com and the beauty and recreational op- Serving Kitsap & Mason County Since 1997 por tunities at http://www.peninsuladai- YOU KNOW WHO TO CALL! lynews.com/secDIRTBUSTERS tion/pdntabs#vizguide.

360-308-8089 In-person visit and tryout Licensed and Insured are required, so Wash- www.dirtbusterskitsap.com ington/Northwest applicants given preference. MARIE-SO-CLEAN Send cover letter, reExperienced~Timley sume 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 My supplies or leah.leach@peninsuladailynews.com. yours! Move in/out,

home services

DIRTBUSTERS

Employment Transportation/Drivers

Drivers…

MBM Foodservice is growing in Sumner!

Needs 5 Class-A Delivery Drivers IMMEDIATELY!! $60-65K Avg. 1st Year!

Plus Generous Benefits!

1-3 Day Regional Routes. Join the MBM S u m n e r Te a m a s a Route Deliver y Driver CDL-A, 2yrs exp. req.

Good driving/work history

weekly, monthly etc

360-337-2929

LICENSED~INSURED

Home Services

House/Cleaning Service

The Science & Art of Clean & Organized

• Deep Cleaning • Organizing • Home Transition Services

Creating serene spaces for satisfied clients.

360.779.0000 LIC./BONDED/INSURED Home Services Lawn/Garden Service

SILVER BAY GROUNDS CARE Are You Ready?

Clean-Up, Pruning, Full Maint., Hedge, Haul, Bark/Rock, Roof/Gutter

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360-698-7222 Home Services Roofing/Siding

Home is Where the Heart is!

Leaking Roofs Can Break it!

Dangerous, Rotted, Leaning Trees?? Safe Removal Avail.

360.297.7524

www.scottshomeandroof.com SCOTTHR933QG Bonded ~ Insured

stuff Appliances

MATCHING Washer and Dryer set, $355. Guaranteed! 360-405-1925

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

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

Electronics

KLIPSCH SPEAKER System with Denon Rec e i ve r. R e a l C i n e m a Sound! Beautiful Music to Your Ears! Numbered speakers include 4 floorstanding speakers and 1 subwoofer. Certificates o f A u t h e n t i c i t y, t o o !

Huge deal at just $2,000 obo. Serious inquiries o n l y. R e t a i l s fo r ove r $ 6 , 0 0 0 . C a l l a ny t i m e 360-279-1053.

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Applications accepted Reach readers the online only! daily newspapers miss MBMcareers.com when you advertise Find your perfect pet in the Classifieds. in the Classifieds.

1-800-388-2527 or www.nw-ads.com www.nw-ads.com

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flea market Flea Market

DOG Grooming Supplies: 1 Set of Clippers, 1 Nail Grinder and 3 Furminators; 3 sizes: small, medium, large. Like new. $30 OBO for all.

(360)598-3443 DOUBLE BED, like new, $75. Electric Lawn Mower, $35. 360-850-7431.

3ELLĂĽITĂĽFORĂĽFREEĂĽINĂĽTHEĂĽ&,%!

THEFLEA SOUNDPUBLISHING COM

4REASUREĂĽ(UNTING #HECKĂĽOUTĂĽOURĂĽ2ECYCLERĂĽ ADSĂĽBEFOREĂĽSOMEONEĂĽ ELSEĂĽlNDSĂĽYOURĂĽRICHES LAST MINUTE Gifts.

Crystal bracelet and earrings, $25. Myster y game, $9. Lace table cloth, $14. Woven white bedspread, $8. Small pendulum clock, as new, $7. 360-377-2372 M A RY K AY P r o d u c t s.

Items: Body Lotions, Facial Creams, Age Fighting Creams and Lip Liners, $45 obo.

S n ow b o a r d b i n d i n g s, Switch, size large, new, $20. Snowboarding helmet, gir ls size small, Giro brand, like new, $15. Girls mountain bike, Roadmaster, 18 speed, like new, $15. (360)5983443

Flea Market

Home Furnishings

Snow Skiis; Atomic 190 (74�) ACS70C. Ceramic with Mar ker bindings.

Blue, yellow & black with red print. Good conditon! $35. Snow Skiis; Head TR12 (78�); traction control, with Salomon bindings, blue and red with yellow print, good condition, $35. 360-930-8103.

NEW QUEEN pillowtop mattress set w/warranty.

Sell $149. 253-537-3056 --------------------------------KING PILLOWTOP mattress set, 3 piece, brand new in wrap. $249. 253539-1600 --------------------------------NEW CHERRY Sleigh bedroom set. Includes dresser, mirror & nightstand. Still boxed. Will let go $599. 253-5373056 --------------------------------NEW Microfiber Sectional, Scotch Guarded, kid & pet friendly, $499.

253-539-1600 --------------------------------N E W A D J U S TA B L E b e d w / m e m o r y fo a m m a t t r e s s. L i s t $ 2 8 0 0 .

S a c r i f i c e, $ 9 5 0 . 2 5 3 537-3056 --------------------------------L E AT H E R S O F A & loveseat, factory sealed.

Delivery available. Must sell $699. 253-539-1600

Use our handy online ad 24 hours a day form by clicking the “Place an adâ€? link at www.nw-ads.com to put an ad in the ClassiďŹ eds online and in your local paper.

Home Furnishings

Must Sell! New NASA Memory foam matt. set.

Full $375, Qn $400, King $500. New. 20 yr warr.

Del. avail. 253-539-1600 --------------------------------Brand New Orthopedic matt. & box spring. Still in plastic. With warranty!

Twin $175, Full $200, Queen $230, King $350.

Call 253-537-3056 --------------------------------Factory Closeout BR set. Incl: bed, nightstand, dresser, mirror.

Full/ Queen, $395. King, $495. 253-539-1600 --------------------------------NEW Microfiber Sectional. Scotch Guarded, pet & kid friendly. Only $499. 253-537-3056 --------------------------------New Adjustable Bed w/ memory foam mattress.

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

Cats

Miscellaneous

Dogs

Dogs GREAT DANE

1/2 OFF Glass w/ Purchase of Garage Door 1-888-289-6945

A-1 Door Service (Mention this ad)

BENGAL KITTENS, Gorgeously Rosetted!

Consider a bit of the “Wild� for your home.

L i ke a d ve n t u r e ? T h i s may be the pet for you!

Advertise your www.seattlebengals.com upcoming garage then click on “Kittens� to see what’s available with sale in your local pricing starting at $900. community paper Championship Breeder, and online to reach TICA Outstanding Catthousands of households tery, TIBCS Breeder of Distinction. Shots, in your area.

Health Guarantee.

Call: 800-388-2527 Teresa, 206-422-4370.

Fax: 360-598-6800 Go online: nw-ads.com Musical Instruments

Jewelry & Fur

Dogs

AKC GOLDEN RETRIEVER Puppies.

Champion Stock, Good Hunters, Extremely Intelligent. Shots, Wormed, Vet Checked. Mother’s Hips, Elbows and Heart Certified. Born October 15th, ready by Christmas! $800 each. 360588-1346 Skagit Valley

P E T I T E B A B Y G ra n d Piano with Bench. Very good condition but a few flaws on top. Great Gift fo r t h e M u s i c L o ve r ! $2,500. (360)675-8688 Oak Harbor, Whidbey Island JUST IN TIME For Christmas! Adorable Bichon / Minature poodle cross. Super smar t Sell your stuff free crossbreed. Will be in the Super Flea!

10-15 lbs. mature. First Your items totalling shots, worm negative, 1 year genetic health guar$150 or less will run a n t e e. E x c e l l e n t w i t h for free one week in children, elderly and for your local community apartment living. Picture doesn’t do them justice! paper and online. $400. Call 360-697-9091 Call today to place sayheytj@comcast.net your ad 866-825-9001 Poulsbo I B U Y G O L D, S i l ve r, D i a m o n d s, W r i s t a n d 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

A K C YO R K I E / Yo r k shire Terr ier puppies.

Born October 14th, 2012.

Home raised . Will be small, approx. 3.5 lbs to 4 lbs. Very friendly and loving puppies, full of mischief. Mother and father onsite. Wormed and f i r s t s h o t s . Fe m a l e s : $1,000. Males: $800.

Call anytime: 360-6316256 or 425-330-9903.

pets/animals

BICHON FRISE. AKC Champion bred, 8 week old, male puppies. Conformation perfect for taking into the show ring, agility competition, or just perfect as your personal Winter’s lap warmer. Hypo-allergenic fur.

Ideal for pet sensitivities. $1,000 each. 360-8650829 or 360-627-7222 Shop for bargains in the ClassiďŹ eds. From tools and appliances to furniture and collectables. www.nw-ads.com Open 24 hours a day.

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AKC Great Dane Pups Health guarantee! Males / Females. Dreyrsdanes is Oregon state’s largest breeder of Great Danes and licensed since 2002.

Super sweet, intelligent, lovable, gentle giants.

Now offering Full-Euro’s, Half-Euro’s & Standard Great Danes. $500 & up (every color but Fawn).

Also available, Standard Po o d l e s . C a l l To d a y 503-556-4190. www.dreyersdanes.com

wheels

t5 Linest5 Weekst

Runs in ALL the Kitsap County papers

Advertise your Vehicle, Boat, RV, Camper or Motorcycle Reach thousands of homes with the

nw-ads.com or 800-388-2527

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VETERANS LIFE

| J A N U A R Y, 2 0 1 3 D E C E M B E R , @

Pickup Trucks Dodge

Tires & Wheels

4 STUDDED snow tires.

205/65-R15. Mounted on Ford wheels. Used only 20 days, sold car. Paid $850, will sell $600 cash. Call Charlie, (360)679-4873 Oak Harbor.

Tents & Travel Trailers

17’ DUTCHMEN Rainier Microlite Trailer, 2009. #1 Selling Ultra-Lite Floor Plan 716QB. Used only 3 times since 2009.

Looks Brand Spanking New! Can be towed by todays V-6s. Under 3000 LBS. Steering Stabilization Package with Dual Axle, Fur nace, Water Heater, Range Oven, Microwave, Refrigerator, Roll-Out Awning, Shower and Toilet. $10,999 OBO. 360-678-3905

Be the icing on their cake...

Advertise in the Service Directory in The Classifieds.

Call us today at

800-388-2527 email:

classified@soundpublishing.com or on the web 24 hours a day at:

www.nw-ads.com

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13’ 1977 BOSTON Whaler with 2000 Caulkins Trailer and 35 HP Evinrude. Motor needs maintenance. Great for cruising from Island to Island! Stored in Deer Harbor, Orcas Isl. Good condition! $2,250 obo.

Photos available to email. Please call for more information 360376-1070.

2003 DODGE Dakota, White, comes with canopy. 4 . 7 L V- 8 e n g i n e .

Runs great, very clean, good tires. Front Wheel Drive. 95,903 miles. CD P l ay e r. C l o t h S e a t s . $7,800. 360-376-3016 (Eastsound, Orcas IsJ U S T I N T I M E F o r land) Christmas! Adorable Bichon / Miniature poodle cross. Super smar t crossbreed. Will be 10-15 lbs. mature. First shots, worm negative, 1 year genetic health guara n t e e. E x c e l l e n t w i t h children, elderly and for apartment living. Picture 2004 DODGE Dakota doesn’t do them justice! SLT Quad-Cab. 4.7L V-8 $400. Call 360-697-9091 Engine, 85,000 miles, sayheytj@comcast.net Automatic Transmission, Poulsbo Front Split Bench Seat with Power Drivers Seat, H e a v y D u t y To w i n g Package, ABS, Slider Windows on Truck and Matching Leer Canopy.

Immaculately Maint a i n e d , E ve r y O p t i o n Ava i l a bl e, R e c e n t l y Waxed and Detailed. A Must See! $9,999 OBO. 360-678-3905

Take 5 Special

Add a photo to your ad online and in print for just one low price

Marine Power

Call: (800) 388-2527 e-mail: classified@soundpublishing.com or go online: www.nw-ads.com to get your business in the

The Bond

Saying goodbye

County veterans assistance director retires

By Leif Bentsen

B

ack in 2006, my department director walked in to my office and figuratively threw the county’s veterans program at me and said run with it. “What is it?” I asked, not knowing a thing about it. Well, run with it we did. And now it’s time for me to turn the work over to someone else.

When I turn out the lights at 4:30 p.m. this Thursday, I’ll be retired.

It’s been a good run too.

We’ve had our ups and downs, but it really has been great. We have some wonderful service officers in our county working out of American Legion Post 245 in Poulsbo, VFW Post 239 in Bremerton, VFW 4992 in Silverdale, VFW 2669 in Port Orchard, and Bremerton’s DAV Chapter 5. American Legion Post 142 on Bainbridge delegated Helpline House to process their county applications so veterans could apply any time during normal business hours. The Suquamish

Tribe Veterans Office has been a part of our program, and the Suquamish Warriors Veterans Center has joined as well. And service officers will soon been available through the new American Legion Post 109 in Silverdale.

Since 2007, those service officers have collectively forwarded over 3,500 applications to the county assistance program. All those applications went through the hands of Garry Hughes at Kitsap Community Resources (KCR). Garry reviewed them for eligibility for not only the county program, but also local non-veteran benefits. He has handed out $1.5 million in direct services to Kitsap veterans. But there is even better news: Garry has also found them another $874,500 in non-veteran programs.

If you know a veteran in a tight spot, don’t hesitate to send him or her to one of the nearest posts or chapters to start their application.

The work of past and present members of the

Kitsap County Veterans Advisory Board has been truly remarkable. Besides overseeing temporary emergency assistance for veterans, we have also underwritten classes for veterans interested in starting their own business, hosted regional veteran meetings, and created a new tradition: The Unforgotten, Run to Tahoma ceremony on the Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend. As long as there is a deceased veteran with no family members and no estate to take care of him or her; we’ll take ‘em to Tahoma National Cemetery.

We also will take our

deceased brothers or sisters when requested by the surviving family.

Another accomplishment is coming April 27th when we will have our 11th county wide Stand Down since 2007. This would not have happened without the volunteer members of the Kitsap Area Veterans Alliance. This informal planning group, with representatives from several veteran and nonveteran organizations, gets together every six months to plan and execute a stand down. Let me know if you are interested in joining.

However, keep in mind it is hard work.

Another agency to thank is the Washington State Department of Veteran Affairs, especially Building 9, located on the veterans home campus

in Retsil. Their staff in the Transitional Housing Program and Veterans Service Center have never failed us when we needed an extra hand.

My position has always been part-time. County employee Jim McKenna will be taking over the majority of my responsibilities.

Jim is a Viet Nam veteran who spent time in Army Artillery. He currently is the One Stop manager at WorkSource Kitsap in east Bremerton and provides staff support to the Olympic Workforce Development Council, which serves Clallam and Jefferson counties as well as Kitsap. You can reach Jim at jmckenna@ co.kitsap.wa.us.

What am I going to do? What are you going to do? We are living in an extraordinary and com-

plex moment in history.

Veterans are unique. One of our weaknesses is that we like to complain, one of our strengths is we know how to work as a team. No one is going to take care of us, other than ourselves. If you’ve got the time, think about joining a veteran organization or work with a group that is focusing on making things better for veterans.

So what are my plans? Sit on my deck with a morning cup of coffee and watch the tide …and dig holes in the garden under the observing eyes of my significant other. In between tides and digging holes, you might see me helping out with The Unforgotten ceremony or one of the stand downs…

Peace, Leif

Veterans Resources BREMERTON American Legion Post 149 4922 Kitsap Way (360) 373-8983 DAV, Chapter 5 2315 Burwell Ave. (360) 373-2397 Fleet Reserve Association, Branch 29 521 S. National Ave. (360) 373-2296 Marine Corps League, Det. 531 (360) 695-7233 Navy League, Bremerton-Olympic Peninsula P.O. Box 5719 (360) 479-1233 NABVETS, Kitsap Chapter 865 Sixth St. (360) 434-7572 Veterans Services Office (Olympic

College) Humanities and Student Service Building, Room 104 (360) 475-7560 VFW Post 239 190 S. Dora Ave. (360) 377-6739 GORST DAV Chapter 22 4475 Birch Ave. W. (360) 275-0329 PORT ORCHARD American Legion Post 30 615 Kendall St. (360) 876-1158 VFW Post 2669 736 Bay St. (360) 876-2669 WDVA Building 9 Veterans Service Center 1141 Beach Dr. E., Retsil (360) 895-4346

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VETER ANS LIFE | 15

Pediatric Rehab Center

Annual Toy Run

Nursing Education

Women’s Health Screening Fund

THANK YOU In this season of thanks and giving, we want to take a moment to thank those who give to the Harrison Medical Center Foundation. With more than 1,000 donors and $1 million in giving each year, we know that no gift is too small. Every donor matters and each gift adds up to make healthcare better for us all.

To our community, we simply want to say thank you.

866-844-WELL harrisonmedical.org

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