Sometimes there is sad news on the campaign trail.

 

As a LIFE MEMBER of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (I'm a member of Chewelah VFW Post 2047 and American Legion Post 54) I was really sad to find out that VFW Post 992 in Walla Walla closed it's doors in November and the building is up for sale.

 

Post 992 is still active and meeting, but their facility has proven too much to keep.

 

Veterans don't have a union. The VFW and American Legion and the Disabled American Veterans are chartered by the US government and help veterans officially through the VA and state veterans administrations - but it's all veteran run and we're volunteers at the local level.

 

Years back, the nearby Waitsburg American Legion Post 35 closed and sold its building. It opened as a restaurant and they kept the name in honor of the veterans... But the restaurant wasn't open when I was in town and is listed as "temporarily closed" online.

 

If you are a veteran, I urge you to join the DAV, VFW and/or the American Legion. The work we do in our communities is worth a few bucks - and the advocating for veterans is critical to our future as veterans benefits have NEVER been under attack like they are right now. Over 130 staff were eliminated from the Spokane VA alone in the last few months as VA Secretary Doug Collins continues to take an axe to our earned benefits and care.