Veterans Day “belongs” neither to a single veteran, nor to multiple veterans which is what that pesky apostrophe implies. Veterans Day honors all veterans, so no apostrophe if you please.

Veterans Day differs from Memorial Day. While Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for those who died serving in the Armed Forces, Veterans Day is largely intended to thank living veterans for their sacrifices during times of war or times of peace.

Jefferson County and Clallam County is home to 108,466 residents. Over 13,136 (12%) are veterans. Chances are you know one. So here’s a no-cost, big-reward way you can thank a veteran on November 11, or any other day for that matter; remind veterans about the many free services offered locally by the national organization Disabled American Veterans (DAV).

DAV Provides veterans and their families with free, professional assistance to obtain benefits and services that they earned through military service and provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs and other agencies of government.

DAV has offices across the peninsula. Chapter Service Officers at each location help veterans find their way through the Veterans Affairs bureaucracy. Since the beginning of 2019, the DAV Service Officer in Port Townsend has helped 350 veterans and their families prepare claims for VA compensation and pensions. DAV service officers in Sequim and Port Angeles have been just as busy.

For those who have served, offer the gratitude they deserve. Tell a veteran about DAV and the services it provides: DAV Port Townsend Community Center 620 Tyler Street. (360) 385-9007 Wednesdays, 9 a.m. -2 p.m.

All visits are on a first-come first-served basis.

Paul Cahill
DAV Service Officer, Port Townsend