Kitsap to host Stand Down
The fall 2013 Stand Down for Veterans will be Oct. 5 at the Sheridan Park Community Center, 680 Lebo Blvd., in east Bremerton.
The Kitsap County Veterans Program will sponsor the event along with the city of Bremerton and the Kitsap Area Veterans Alliance.
The event is for veterans and their families and will offer hot meals, hygiene items, clothing, groceries, haircuts, sleeping bags and camping gear, and information about programs helping veterans.
Veterans can learn more about legal assistance, employment, housing options, enrollment in federal programs, getting drivers licenses, getting free voicemail and help with VA claims. Participants should bring copies of their DD214 discharge papers, military or retired military identification.
The event will begin at 9 a.m. and end at 2 p.m.
Green Crew helps Trail
Have you heard of the BLUE CREW, or the GOLD CREW? Well, this is the GREEN CREW.
On August 8, Submarine Operations Detachments Bravo and Kilo, from NOSC KITSAP, teamed together with local community members from the Clear Creek Task Force (CCTF) to perform maintenance, and cleaning of the trail in Silverdale. The “GREEN CREW” provided 40 man-hours of support, with potential support activities planned for next Spring.
The CCTF is an alliance of Kitsap County citizens, businesses, groups and service organizations. It’s mission is to create and maintain a community wide network to mobilize support, educate and focus actions to preserve, protect and restore the Clear Creek ecosystem. Members and supporters envision a future with Clear Creek as a healthy stream ecosystem with clean water, a healthy salmon run, native plants and animal habitat, providing quiet enjoyment and evoking sensitivity and respect for the stream, a part of our natural heritage.
Military friendly school nearby
Western Washington University has been selected as a “Military Friendly School” for 2014, placing Western in the top 20 percent of all higher education institutions nationwide. This is the fourth year in a row for the honor.
Based on a survey of more than 10,000 colleges and universities, Western is one of the schools to receive recognition for doing the most to assist America’s military service members and veterans as students.
“We feel it is very important to welcome and to help veterans transition as much as possible to university life, providing as much support as we can,” said Western Registrar David Brunnemer.
Western offers a range of Veterans Services through the Registrar’s Office. The Associated Students have a very active Veterans Outreach Center.
The Military Friendly Schools® website, found at www.militaryfriendlyschools.com, features the list, interactive tools and search functionality to help military students find the best school to suit their unique needs and preferences. The 1,868 schools on this year’s list exhibit leading practices in the recruitment and retention of students with military experience.
Veterans Job Fair Sept. 28
More than 50 agencies will be present at the Sept. 28 job fair at Jackson Park Community Center. The event is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and offers veterans a chance to meet with federal human resources, defense contractors, recruiters and other national and international businesses. Veterans are encouraged to bring their resume as resume review workshops will be available in half hour sessions from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on site. The event will be at 90 Olding Road in Bremerton.
Briefly…
…The Veterans Administration plans on spending billions to increase the availability of health care for veterans.
The new initiative, Patient Centered Community Care (PC3), will be implemented in phases across the county over the next six months.
…Small Business Association lenders have pledged to provide veterans with reduced fees on SBA loans and offer lower interest rates to veteran owned businesses.

screening financial advisers who want access to their resident military veterans and their savings under the implication of applying for enhanced VA pensions…
The Department of Veteran Affairs is working on a test program over the next year to see how iPads can help more than 1,000 family caregivers tending to injured post-9/11 veterans. They are also developing mobile apps to aid veterans in managing their care. The apps include a journal that tracks vital signs, patient generated data and a summary of care information that allows veterans and their caregivers to view lab results, medications, allergies and information on past and future appointments…
Michigan: The Custer VFW Gold Bar Post & Custer VFW Auxiliary donated and delivered US flags to a school district in Michigan to teach students more about the flag. A new Michigan State law requires every classroom to display an American flag and to recite the Pledge of Allegiance…
Guam, acknowledging a lack of veteran services, has announced a plan to focus on enhancing the veteran’s clinic…