During election day on Tuesday, November 5, the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) proclaimed Monday, November 11, as Veterans Day in Thurston County.
Brett Buckle, a veteran and the current Presiding Judge at Thurston County District Court, thanked the board for announcing the proclamation on the same day as the national elections.
“What a wonderful, serendipitous moment that you're having your proclamation on Election Day," Buckley said. "Veterans, we sign up for this to protect the country, to protect the constitution, and it's an acknowledgment of one of the very basic principles of everything we do, which is every citizen has voice and they express that voice to the vote.”
Thurston County Public Health and Social Services (PHSS) Social Services Program Manager Mark Moffett thanked Commissioners Gary Edwards and Emily Clouse for their military service and the entire board for its commitment to the 30,000-plus veterans who reside in the county.
Quilts of Valor Foundation (QoV), an organization aiming to cover Service Members and Veterans touched by war with “comforting and healing Quilts of Valor,” sent representatives to the meeting.
QoV National President Lauri Leirdahl, who is also a Thurston County resident, addressed the veterans at the meeting and said the quilts are meant for comfort and gratitude from a very grateful nation for their service.
“The cost of freedom is paid by those of you who served our country who fought for our freedoms we enjoy today,” Leirdahl said.
Leirdahl awarded Edwards a certificate and quilt for his service in Korea from 1965 -1968 and as an army reservist in Wisconsin in the 1970s.
“The Quilts of Valor Foundation wishes to recognize you for your service to our nation. We consider it a privilege to do so, and we may never know the extent of sacrifice required to protect and defend the United States of America. We award you this cultivar as an expression of gratitude from a grateful nation,” Leirdahl read as she awarded the quilt to Edwards.
Commissioner Emily Clouse was also awarded the same certificate and quilt; her family received it on her behalf.
Clouse is a Private First-Class who served in the army from 2012 to 2014, with duty stations in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
QoV has given around 400,000 quilts from its 11,000 members since its inception in 2003.
Moffett said the recently concluded Thurston County Veteran Resource Fair last week saw twice the number of attendees since the pandemic.
The free event, held on October 30 at the Lacey Community Center, provided veterans with information on community resources in the area, available services, and workforce development.
Moffett also promoted the county's veteran-serving programs, the Veterans Assistance Program and the Lacey Veterans Service Hub.
“The veteran assistance program helps indigent veterans with…emergency financial services. So whether it's mortgage, rent, or utilities, we can help you out,” said Moffett.
Erin Birklid, PHSS Disease Control and Prevention Division Director and a veteran, expressed her gratitude for the proclamation and discussed the stigma against female veterans.
“This proclamation serves not only as dedication but also as a profound reminder of the sacrifices and services of those who have worn the uniform," Birklid said. "As we acknowledge their courage and dedication we must pause and reflect on an often overlooked treatment of our veteran community—our female veterans.”
Birklid alluded to experiencing hesitancy in applying for benefits and identifying as a veteran, citing instances of her being dismissed by people assuming she is independent and that her experiences are “not as deserving as fellow service members who have faced greater challenges and sacrifices.”
“Female veterans frequently encounter unique challenges in accessing benefits they have earned…I encourage all my female veterans in the community to take proactive steps to accessing the resources available to them through their supportive services,” Birklid added.
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