VA Puget Sound celebrates National Veterans and Military Families Month 2018 - VA Puget Sound Health Care System
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VA Puget Sound Health Care System

 

VA Puget Sound celebrates National Veterans and Military Families Month 2018

November 2, 2018

SEATTLE — Yesterday President Donald Trump declared November 2018 the second annual National Veterans and Military Families Month to “salute the brave and dedicated patriots who have worn the uniform of the United States, and…celebrate the extraordinary military families whose selfless service and sacrifice make our military the finest in the world.”

Beginning in 2017, President Trump proclaimed November Veterans and Military Families Month, marking the first time America celebrated Veterans and military families for the entire month and not just on Veterans Day, in keeping with the President’s strong focus on improving care and benefits to our nation’s heroes.

That tradition continues again this year, with more than 300 events at VA hospitals, benefits offices and cemeteries across the country, including:

  • Senior leader visits to VA facilities
  • Open houses
  • Town halls
  • Benefits claims clinics
  • Volunteer recognitions
  • Homeless Veteran initiative events
  • Suicide prevention events
  • Faith-based community events
  • Flag planting tributes at national cemeteries
To celebrate Veterans and Military Families Month locally, VA Puget Sound Health Care System will hold the following events honoring Veterans and their families throughout the month of November:

  • Women’s Health Clinic Diabetes Fair (Nov. 6 at American Lake). Free diabetes health care services and education will be offered at this event.
  • VA Puget Sound Veterans Day Wall of Heroes ceremony (Nov. 8 at Seattle). Ninety-eight-year-old World War II Veteran Frances Harman, who served as a nurse in New Guinea, will be the 14th inductee to the VA Puget Sound Wall of Heroes.
  • Family Caregiver Resource Fair (Nov. 7 at Seattle & Nov. 8 at American Lake). At these fairs, find out how the VA is supporting caregivers, register for education and self-care classes, and learn about local resources and services.
  • VA Police Department at City of Auburn Veterans Day Parade (Nov. 10). We are proud to partner with the community of Auburn by sending a delegation from the VA Police to honor local Veterans during the Veterans Day Parade.
  • Caring for the Caregiver Classes (Nov. 14 and 29 – part of a series of four at both campuses). As part of the iHI-FIVES program, these classes will provide caregivers with new skills, resources for positive self-care, and connections with other caregivers.
  • Our VA Puget Sound Veteran Canteen Services (all locations) will be providing Veterans with free meals, beverages, cake and ice cream in our main restaurants in Seattle as well as at our American Lake campus.  We’ll also be handing out certificates of appreciation to visiting Veterans in recognition of their service to our nation, and they can register to win a 49” smart TV as part of a national drawing.
  • Warm up to Winter Holiday Drive/Giving Day (Drive is Nov. 5-16; Giving Day is Nov. 29 at American Lake). VA Puget Sound employees will come together to donate warm winter clothing to Veterans in need, including homeless Veterans.

This year’s celebration of Veterans and Military Families Month caps an unprecedented period of improvement for VA, as the department has made groundbreaking progress over the last two years in the areas of accountability, transparency and efficiency across the department while enjoying an important series of legislative successes.

“At VA, Veterans and their families are at the center of everything we do. Veterans and Military Families Month is an opportunity for us to honor the service of these patriots while educating communities about VA benefits and services and our commitment to customer service improvement,” VA Secretary Robert Wilkie said.

“Now and always, our Veterans and their families come first,” said Simon Kim, acting director of VA Puget Sound. “We’re here to recognize their contributions not just during the month of November, but all throughout the year.”

The full list of national events for Veterans and Military Families month is available at this link.

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