Honoring the military
Last year, just a few weeks after stepping into her role as elementary principal, Kathy Page organized an assembly to honor veterans in the community.
“It’s extremely important to recognize those that serve our country,” said Page.
Now in its second year, the Orcas Island Elementary Veteran Appreciation Ceremony and Breakfast is on Friday, Nov. 7, 8:30 a.m. at the cafeteria. Once again the Community Band will lend their talents to the event. Page requests that military personnel and veterans come in uniform or wear something that signifies the branch of service.
“We have some fabulous role models and it’s a great opportunity to interact with students,” said Page, whose husband served in the Army.
Last year, Major General Bill Anders attended the event. Anders was one of the first three persons to have left Earth’s orbit and traveled to the moon. Page told the audience last year that his famous quote was, “We came all this way to explore the moon, and the most important thing is that we discovered the Earth.” He helped to shoot the first pictures taken of the Earth from the moon, which inspired environmentalists worldwide.
This year, members from the American Legion and the Ladies Auxiliary will be attending the ceremony. Tom Ritter will be the special guest speaker and James Scheib will be reading a poem he wrote reflecting on his experiences as a marine. Page said it’s also an opportunity for community members to come to the school and show appreciation for those who serve our country.
“I still have people come up to me at the grocery store and tell me how much last year’s event meant to them,” said Page.
‘Give an Hour’
Marriage and family therapist and certified trauma specialist Michael Elder is volunteering his services through the nonprofit Give an Hour.
Give an Hour, founded in 2005, has created a network of volunteer mental health professionals pledging an hour a week of their services, free of charge, to members of the military – including active duty, reserve, and guard – veterans of Afghanistan and Iraq, their families and their communities. There is no limit to the number of sessions one can receive; help is available for as long as it is needed.
Some of the men and women returning from service in Iraq and Afghanistan have visible wounds, but more commonly those directly affected endure invisible injuries, including traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic stress. There has been an alarming increase in suicide, domestic violence, divorce and behavioral difficulties among military children over the last decade of war. Give an Hour provides service to assist in the treatment and care of those affected. While the program mainly serves active duty military members of the National Guard and Reserves, veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan and their loved ones, some providers are willing to see clients affected by their service during other wars.
To contact Elder call 376-3255 ext. 2 or visit www.michaeleldermft.com
Advisory board
Locally, there is help for the 2,500 veterans who live in the islands.
The San Juan County Veterans’ Advisory Board is an outreach program that provides emergency services to veterans in need, their children, widows, widowers and/or orphans. A small portion of county tax funds are set aside for this purpose, and the board has helped several San Juan County veterans with rent, medical, dental, food and transportation costs and counseling services.
Applications for assistance are available through the county website (http://sanjuanco.com/committees/veterans), from senior centers, sheriffs’ stations, libraries and county legislative offices, or at 370-7632.
If you know of a veteran who is struggling, tell him/her about the advisory board. If you are related to a veteran who is in need of counseling, there is help. And if you are a veteran yourself, don’t hesitate to pick up the phone and get a little back from the country for whom you gave so much.
Veterans’ Day Service at Legion
On Tuesday Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. there will be a Veteran’s Day Service at the American Legion Post 93 on 793 Crescent Beach Drive.
