Posted: March 25, 2021 --- by Post Commander Christophersen

 

The agenda for the VFW Post 3348 meeting on April 7^th will include further nominations and the election of our 2021-2022 Post Officers. After the 1^stround on nominations, the nominees are:

 

·       Post Commander: Carl "Chris” Christophersen

·       Sr Vice Commander: James "Jim” Peterson

·       Jr Vice Commander: Thomas "Tom” Nasky

·       Quartermaster: Thomas "Tom” Fermstad

·       Chaplain: Tiffany "Tink” Bothell

·       3-Year Trustee: Eli Smith

 

We will bring up the VFW District #2 Fundraiser which is to occur on Sat, May 15^th@ the Rainier VFW Post in the late afternoon and early evening. It will be take-out because we cannot trust that the COVID-19 restrictions will be lifted by then. Tickets are $20 each, the Post will pay half.

 

The meal will be:

·       Chicken or Meat Loaf or both

·       Roasted Potato

·       Green Beans

·       Brownie

 

We will also elect 3 Delegates to the VFW Washington State convention in June 2021 --- and 1 Delegate to the National Convention.

 

We will discuss our Memorial Day Buddy Poppy event in May 28-29 (Fri-Sat).

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 February 18, 2021 --- by Post Commander Christophersen

I arrived at the VA Hospital, earlier today, about 9:30am. My appointment was not until 10:45am but I wanted to be sure I was not late. I pulled into the lower parking area where, in the past, I have found a spot about 50% of the time. All spots require a Disabled Pass but then all the veterans parking there have those. As I drove in, my first clue that there were no available spots was the steady stream of cars coming out --- said clue was soon confirmed.

 

I went back out to get on the normal path that spirals upwards for 4 levels to the top of the VA parking garage. I quickly realized that it was going to be a while before I found an available spot --- as there were 6 cars in front of me, traveling at 2 mph. After 3 levels of no joy, I was just hoping that there was room on the top.

 

I had seen a sign on the way in that overflow space was available at the South parking lot.  We were stalled a tad when some genius decided to do a U-turn. Finally, at the 4^th level, I found a spot. When I got to Bldg 101 and walked in, I was screened, given my yellow bracelet, and told to come back 5 minutes before my appointment. If I desired, I could wait on the 4^th floor.

 

I walked over to the main VA building to get a bite to eat in the canteen. Afterwards, I walked back to Bldg 101 to go wait on the 4^th floor. While there, I had to use the Men’s room. For the first time in my life, I found myself looking at a one-piece toilet. No lid. Not a joyous moment as my physical requirement demanded that I sit down. Yuk☹☹☹

 

When it was my turn, I went back downstairs and was told to fill out some paperwork. When that was done, I was guided to a table where some fellow gave me my COVID-19 vaccine shot. I did not even feel it. I was then taken to a large room, given a timer, which had been set for 15 minutes, and told to sit down.

 

When the timer went off, I was told. I was to turn it off, stand up, put the timer on my chair and wait to be called. I did all that, confirmed that I felt fine and was told that I could leave. I did notice a slight soreness in my left arm on the way home. Now I do not feel any soreness or any other sensation. It was 11:00am when I pulled out of the VA garage.

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 December 23, 2020--- Dr. Chris Vanderwalker, Medical Director, VA Puget Sound Health Care System

 

We plan to open 3 micro-clinics in Edmonds, Olympia, and Puyallup by the end of April 2021 --- and a new Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) in Everett in late 2021.

 

VA Puget Sound will be closing the Valor Healthcare clinics in Lake City, Federal Way and Bellevue on January 31, 2021. During the period from February 1^st to the opening of the micro-clinics, VA Puget Sound will have virtual teams with primary care, social work, pharmacy, nutrition, and mental health ready to go for Veterans who receive care at one of the 3 Valor Healthcare clinics.  

 

Veterans who receive care from Valor Healthcare will be transferred to new locations based on their zip code and proximity to the nearest VA Puget Sound care site. There is limited availability in the new Edmonds clinic, so some Veterans will be assigned care in Seattle. Our clinics do offer video care appointments, so it is not necessary to travel to Seattle to receive care.

 

You can find a full list of those options at https://www.va.gov/find-locations/.

 

Our new micro-clinics are:

·       Edmonds Clinic: 21616 76^th Ave, Edmonds, WA 98026

·       Puyallup: Sunrise Medical Center, 11102 Sunrise Blvd, Puyallup, WAS 98374

·       Olympia: Olympia Medical Center, 500Lilly Rd, Olympia, WA 98506 (pending)

 

Patients interested in seeking care at any of the VA Puget Sound sites, should call (253) 582-8440, Ext 71234.

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