Department of Washington

Admin Updates from Barbara

Dear Fellow Veterans,

As a veteran myself, I want to take a moment to reflect on the journey we’ve all shared. Veterans Day is more than just a date on the calendar; its’s a profound reminder of our sacrifices, our resilience, and our unwavering commitment to our nation.

We’ve faced challenges that many will never understand, and we’ve formed bonds that last a lifetime. Whether we served in peacetime or war, each of us carries our own stories of courage, loss, and triumph. It’s important to acknowledge not only the battles we fought abroad but also the battles we often face when we return home.

Let us honor those who stood beside us, those who made the ultimate sacrifice, and those who continue to serve in various capacities. We are a community bound by shared experiences, and it’s crucial that we support one another, whether that means lending an ear, sharing resources, or simply standing together in solidarity.

As we gather with family and friends, let us also remember the importance of advocacy for veterans’ rights and well-being. There is still work to be done to ensure all veterans receive the support they need- be it mental health care, job opportunities, or housing. 

Thank you for your service, your sacrifice, and your strength. Together we can continue to foster a sense of pride and purpose in our lives and in the lives of those who follow in our footsteps.

With respect and gratitude, Be The One!,

Barbara Lombrano

Spotlight on Membership

Our next Legion membership milestone date is 65% by November 14th. The Legion is currently at 59.49% of goal and ranked at 48 of 55 departments with 1066 new/renewals needed to reach goal.

The next SAL membership milestone date is 35% by November 14th. The SAL is at 31.15% of their goal and ranked 42 of 55 departments with 147 new/renewals needed to reach goal.

There are many members in the Post 110 holding Post that should be contacted asking them to become a local post member. District 5 has been working this and having great success. Post Commanders and Adjutants, District Commanders, 1^st Vice Commanders and Adjutants all have the access now to pull those reports for the zip codes in your surrounding areas. I am also always willing to help pull the reports or show how to do so for those who have access.

Department Mid-Winter Conference

Department Mid-Winter conference is set for February 1, 2025, at the Lacey Community Center in Lacey, WA.

Several training sessions will be offered including (but not limited to) Parliamentary MythBusters, Conflict Resolution, and Suicide Prevention.

See the registration form more more information about registration, meals and hotels. There is no registration fee; however, all attendees must register to attend.

Registration Deadline is January 3, 2025

Note: training offerings are subject to change as the dates grow closer!

Interim Administrator Barbara Lombrano

Phone: 360-491-4373

Email: blombrano@legion.org

Service Division Contacts

Department Service Officer

Easter Iuli

Email: dso@walegion.org

Telephone: 253-583-1432

American Lake Service Office

Telephone: 253-583-1300 

Chehalis Service Office

Telephone: 360-209-3836

JBLM Service Office

Telephone: 253-477-4810

Seattle Service Office (JFB)

Telephone: 206-341-8262 

Seattle Service Office (VAMC)

Telephone: 206-768-5359 

Spokane Service Office

Telephone: 509-434-7750

Yakima Service Office

Telephone: 509-895-7532

Upcoming Dates

Nov 10 - US Marine Corps Birthday

Nov 10 - American Legion Auxiliary Birthday

Nov 11 - Veterans Day (Dept HQ closed)

Nov 14 - 65% Membership Goal (TAL)

Nov 14 - 35% Membership Goal (SAL)

Nov 28-29 - Thanksgiving (Dept HQ closed)

Dec 1 - Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Birthday

Dec 7 - Pearl Harbor Day

Dec 13 - US Army National Guard Birthday

Dec 14 - Wreaths Across America Day

Dec 15 - Bill of Rights Day

Dec 17 - Wright Brothers Day

Dec 20 - US Space Force Birthday

Dec 25 - Christmas (Dept HQ closed)

Dec 28 - Army Chaplain Assistant Anniversary

Jan 1 - New Years Day (Dept HQ closed)

Legislative Matters

Congratulations to Rafael Munoz-Cintron who was selected as the Legislative Legionnaire of the Week for this past week!

Don't forget to visit the Legislative Action Center frequently and urge your congressional representative to support the pending bills.

Department Events Calendar

You may add your upcoming local events to the Department Website Calendar at this link: Submit Event.

(please contact us at tal.wa.web@gmail.com if you need assistance with this)

Department Program Contacts

Our programs require volunteers to successfully carry them out. Please consider volunteering to help us! Please reach out to the chairperson below to take the first step in getting involved!

Band - Myrna Lee Hilmo

(myrnaleemontana@gmail.com)

Baseball - Don Hays

(donhays@comcast.net)

Boy Scouts - Jim Davidson

(jadavidson46@gmail.com)

Evergreen Boys State - Tony Morea

(amorea@hotmail.com)

Junior Shooting Sports - Bud Sperry

(budsperry@msn.com)

Oratorical Contest - Carol Reed

(cmreed98058@hotmail.com)

Special Olympics - Darrel Maddux

(darrelm@earthlink.net)

Color Guard - Ken Koplin

(kkoplin@nctv.com)

Evergreen Boys State: Empowering Future Leaders

Evergreen Boys State is set to take place from June 15-22, 2025, at the Warm Beach Conference Center in Stanwood, WA. This premier summer program is designed for high school juniors (class of 2026) and aims to inspire and empower future leaders through civic education, teamwork, and leadership training.

Calling All Contestants: 2025 Constitutional Speech Contest

The contest is scheduled for March 28-29, 2025, at Big Bend Community College in Moses Lake. This program for all high school age students aims to arm them with knowledge about the US Constitution and improve their public speaking skills as they compete for scholarships.

Heroes Walked Among Us: A Tribute to Courage and Sacrifice

During World War II, many young American patriots, including James Robeson from Chewelah, WA, enlisted in military service. On his 17th birthday in 1943, Robeson joined the Marines alongside Louis Adrian, a fellow recruit and Native American from Wellpinit, WA. Both were trained as riflemen and assigned to the Fifth Marine Division, Easy Company. In February 1945, at the age of 18, they prepared for the invasion of Iwo Jima, an island fiercely defended by Japanese forces led by Lieutenant General Tadamichi Kuribayashi.

The Japanese had fortified Iwo Jima with extensive underground tunnels and hidden defenses, making the island a deadly trap. Initial intelligence underestimated their numbers, and heavy pre-invasion bombardment did little to weaken their fortifications. When the invasion began, the Marines faced fierce resistance and harsh terrain, with volcanic ash impeding movement. On the first day alone, 2,500 Marines died.

Despite overwhelming odds, the Marines pressed on. Robeson’s friend, Louis Adrian, was killed in action while heroically firing at a Japanese pillbox. Robeson and his platoon fought inch by inch and, on the fourth day, helped raise the first American flag atop Mount Suribachi, a symbol of hope and determination. Though the iconic image captured later of a larger flag became famous, the first flag-raising moment inspired American forces and angered Japanese defenders.

The battle continued for weeks, costing 6,800 American lives and wounding many more. Only a small fraction of the Japanese forces survived, as they fought with the resolve to die defending their homeland. Robeson, severely injured, returned to the U.S., where he recovered, completed high school, and went on to serve his community. He later revisited Iwo Jima, reflecting on the harsh conditions and enduring bonds of combat. Robeson passed away in 2004, leaving behind a legacy of bravery and sacrifice.

The sacrifices made by Robeson, Adrian, and their fellow Marines exemplify the courage and resilience of all who served. Their legacy reminds us to honor and reflect on the freedoms we enjoy due to their sacrifices. On Veterans’ Day, let us express our gratitude and remember the heroes who walked among us.

[Above is a summary of an article submitted by Commander Nick Nikkila of Post 111. You can read the full article here: https://www.waheagle.com/story/2024/11/07/news/heroes-walked-among-us/23826.html]

What's Going on in Your Neighborhood?

The items we share here are frequently what we find in your Facebook Posts. Want your District, Post, Unit, Squadron or Riders Chapter to be featured here and on the Department Facebook page? Please tag Department on Facebook (@WALEGION) so we see your posts. You may also submit emails with information and pictures of your activities to TAL.WA.WEB@gmail.com and blombrano@legion.org.

You can now add your local events to the Department Website Calendar at this link: Submit Event. (please contact us at tal.wa.web@gmail.com if you need assistance with this)

Chaplain Corner & Prayer Requests

Do not miss any opportunity to tell friends and loved ones how much they mean you and that they are important to you. To “BEtheONE”, can mean more than you’ll ever know to that ONE. An opportunity missed is an opportunity LOST.

If there are prayer requests you wish to have added to the webpage, please submit them on the website at: https://walegion.org/chaplain/submit-prayer-request/. In order to prevent spam, they will go into a queue to be approved before appearing on the page.

Your Questions Answered

If you have any pressing questions about Department of Washington, the Department Reorganization or other Legion matters you may still ask them here and we will address in a future Weekly email..

Please share this message with the members of your Post, Unit, SAL and Riders and encourage them to subscribe to our emails. Members can subscribe to our mailing list by clicking the button.

Note, If you forward this email to others, please remember to remove the footer of this message. Failure to do so could inadvertently result in someone else unsubscribing you from our updates.

Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our Legion Family informed and engaged. Together, we can continue to strengthen our community and support our shared mission.