SOS Beacon/Summer 2014

Stock photo courtesy of Microsoft

The Music of Bob Huff Bob Huff is the proud Father of PFC Sam Williams Huff. Sam was proudly serving in the U.S. Army during Operation Iraqi Freedom when on April 17th, 2005, an improvised explosive device (IED) was detonated next to her Humvee. Sam was 18 years old and served with the 170th Military Police Company, 504th Military Police Battalion, 42nd Military Police Brigade, deployed from Fort Lewis, Washington. She was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery. You can see and hear the CD on his website at: ww.bobhuffmusic.com. If anyone is interested in one of his CDs, please email him at: [email protected].

The Beacon 2014 Summer Edition

Dates for your diary Active Duty Grief Support Group (Active Duty Military only, feel free to

bring lunch) First Tuesday of each month 11:45 am – 12:45pm Suicide Support Group (for Survivors

who have lost someone to suicide) Second Wednesday of each month 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm Due to the sensitive nature of these

groups, please contact 253-967-7501 for meeting locations.

9th July Dine & Dial 5:00pm Comparison Shopping & Budgeting The topic this quarter will include

specific tips on how to Comparison Shop and will feature Greg Housel of the FDIC, who has been a well received presenter on past phone calls and Keith Miller of MyArmy Benefits who will review the interactive benefits report.

Phone: 626-677-3000 Access code: 7681905 Grab-N-Gab August 23rd – Lewis County, 1:00pm August 7nd – Clallam County, 7:00pm Contact Sandra Neuman for more

information: 360-403-2338 or [email protected] Camp Erin Dates August 22nd – 24th Camp Killoqua, Everett Contact Heather Sessions for more

information [email protected] September 12th – 14th Camp Korey, Seattle Contact Chris Olson for more

information [email protected]

Contents: Page 2: Upcoming events around the region Page 3: Upcoming events around the region cont… Page 4: Raising financially savvy kids. Page 5: Kids Corner – How to make your own kite. Page 6: Swim to Live Page 7: A Day at the Races Page 8: Wear blue: run to remember – Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Seattle 2014 Page9: Useful Resources and Tips

mailto:[email protected]




For more details and information: Contact Kim Cole at 509-991-7199 or Jenifer Dumaw Gorman at 509-869-2222. Wednesday, July 30th Seafair- Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation will be hosting a dinner at 6:00 pm at the Columbia Tower Club, 701 5th Ave # 7500, Seattle, WA 98104 All Gold Star Families are invited to be guests of the Marine Corps Scholarship Fund Events. This includes all Families from all Branches of the Military. Must R.S.V.P to attend. Please contact Monica McNeal at 206-852-4559 or Myra Rentimaki at 206-235-0348.

Thursday, July 31st, begins at 8:00 am. All Gold Star Families are invited to be guests of the Marine Corps Scholarship Fund Events. This includes All Families from All Branches of the Military.

Seafair- Family Day- Air and Space Museum; 9404 East Marginal Way S, Seattle, WA 98108

The Museum of Flight is a private non-profit air and space museum at King County International Airport (Boeing Field), south of downtown Seattle, Washington. It was established in 1965 and is fully accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. As the largest private air and space museum in the world, it also hosts the largest K-12 educational programs in the world.

Please contact Monica McNeal at 206-852-4559 or Myra Rentimaki at 206-235-0348.

AUGUST

Saturday, August 16th Golf Tournament at Horn Rapids Golf, 2800 Clubhouse Lane, Richland, WA Hosted by Post 4, American Legion, Kennewick, WA. Honoring our Fallen and Time of Remembrance There will be a meal and drinks included. For more information please go to post4.org. Or contact Bruce Rick, 12th District Commander, American Legion at [email protected].

JULY Friday July 25th 2014 Tribute to Fallen Soldiers Memorial Torch Motorcycle Ride, JBLM, WA The Torch Ride is organized to honor and pay tribute to America’s fallen soldiers over an elongated ride route of which Joint Base Lewis-McChord is one of their special visit stops. For more details and information contact Ryki Carlson at 253-967-3672 or [email protected] Saturday and Sunday, July 26th & 27th The Local Pipefitter Union 598, Pasco, WA. request your presence at the 49th Running of the Columbia Cup, Tri-Cities Water Follies Hydroplane Races. Join us Saturday and Sunday for family run, food and entertainment. Please RSVP: Shirley Schmunk at 253-376-1889 or [email protected] for more information. Saturday evening, July 26th 2014 Seafair Torchlight Parade, Seattle, WA. March with the Fallen Heroes Banners. Seattle ONLY, 80 Banners will be in the Parade.

Beacon 2014 ● Summer Edition ● WA State Survivor Outreach Services ● (253) 967-7501

Upcoming Events around the region.




Each participant will receive a T-shirt and a commemorative "dog tag" for the event. More information contact Mike J. Stutzke, founder, www.marchforthefallen.com September 27th and 28th Join us for the Eighth Anniversary of TIME OF REMEMBRANCE. A statewide event is being planned to honor the families and comrades of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Hawaii and Alaska's Fallen during this Global War on Terrorism. This tribute, being held in the cities of Pasco, Richland, Kennewick and West Richland, Washington, honor those who have died for their country and the families left behind. The 2014 "Time of Remembrance" committee is leading this effort. For more information please email [email protected] Attention: TOR Sunday, September 28th The RACE FOR A SOLDIER – Gig Harbor Half Marathon is more than a run through the scenic Pacific Northwest. This is a race run for hope, for support and a better future for the men and women that serve our country. For more information, contact Leslie Mayne, founder, at http://www.ontherunevents.com/raceforasoldier

Camp Corral is a place where kids are free to be kids, apart from the day-to-day challenges they may face as children of fallen, wounded or disabled Military Families. Camp Corral is a special experience that will create lifetime memories – a full week with friends who can relate, packed with non-stop fun and all the camping can-do’s they love: Swimming ~ hiking ~ target sports ~ ropes course ~ arts and crafts ~ dancing ~ kayaking ~ camp fire stories ~ dormitory life ~ water sports ~ meeting new friends. Thanks to the generosity of Golden Corral guests, Camp Corral is available at no cost other than transportation to and from camp.

The week of a lifetime! Summer camp for children fallen, wounded or disabled Military Families. YMCA Camp Seymour; August 3rd – 8th 2014 Register at: www.campcorral.org


Upcoming Events around the region (cont.)...

Monday, August 25th Swim to Live, in Honor of Joshua Fueston and those military that struggle with PTSD. Please see the article on page 6 for more information not only about the Swim to Live event, but why they swim. SEPTEMBER Saturday, September 13th A 14.9 KM (9.25 mile) march/walk/run to honor all of Washington's Fallen Military. The event will be along centennial trail, Camp 7 Mile, in Spokane WA. It is an "out and back" course. Opening ceremonies will start at 8:00 am. The main event will be a non-competitive march/walk to honor the fallen that will be open to everyone.

http://www.marchforthefallen.com/


http://www.ontherunevents.com/raceforasoldier

http://www.campcorral.org/


Teaching your kids to be financially savvy could help them to be financially confident and successful in the future. As credit card debt and low retirement savings continue to frustrate many Americans, you can help your kids steer clear of these and other financial pitfalls by talking to them early on about the value of money. In fact people who have had financial education participate more often in retirement programs, make larger contributions to the programs and have a much higher savings rate than others, according to research from the U.S. Department of the Treasury. “Managing money effectively is one of the keys to gaining wealth, but many of us forget to talk to our kids about it, or avoid the subject, all together,” says Michael Fanning, an executive vice president at Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company. . The company heads the FutureSmart Challenge that teaches middle school students’ smart money management skills for the future, including how to save, spend, invest, donate and use credit wisely. “As much as we teach our kids about math, science and history, children also need to learn about money and how to use it properly, so they can succeed in the future,” adds Fanning. “If we give them tools for financial success now, they’ll make smarter decisions down the road.” Seventy-two percent of parents say it is important to educate children about finances, but only about half are actively teaching their kids about saving, spending and investing, according to a 2013 State of the American Family Study. Here are five tips to get the conversation started:

1. Household finances: Expose your kids to age-appropriate information about your household budget and show them what it costs to keep your home running. Electricity, gas or oil, food and even cable bills are great ways to talk about budgets, explaining that setting aside money to pay for various items is one of the reasons you are able to maintain your lifestyle.

2. College is key: Studies show that people with college degrees earn significantly more money in their lifetime than those without one. Have your kids research various job titles, both those requiring a degree and those that do not, along with their corresponding salary ranges, so they can see first-hand the impact a higher education can have on their income. This is also a good time to talk about different career paths and your children’s future aspirations.

3. Needs versus wants: Helping your kids understand that a need is something you have to have like food versus something that would be nice to have - a want, like the latest video game, will encourage them to think about how they are spending money. If they really want that video game, encourage them to save for it.

4. Credit cards versus dollars: How you pay for things matters, especially when it comes to credit card debt. Talk to your kids about the pros and cons of credit cards, the importance of paying a balance off every month and how interest rates can make you pay more money, in the end.

5. The importance of saving: If you don’t already, consider paying your kids an allowance and encourage them to set aside three different funds: money to save, share and spend. Take them to open a bank account, and show them how they can build their wealth by contributing regularly and earning interest.

Whether you drive to the bank to open up an account, show your kids the family budget or simply buy a piggy bank and add your daily change accumulation to it, the steps you take today to teach your children about money and how to manage it can help set them on the right path to a financially confident and successful future.

Raising financially savvy kids: 5 tips to get started.


Make Your Own Kite Materials Needed:

1 yard of 60-64” wide nylon String

2 – ¼’ wooden dowels Thread

Fine tooth saw (adult supervision is needed) A quarter

Optional – nylon fabric scraps for appliqué and also for tail

Directions

Refer to Cutting diagram at end of newsletter for measurements and cutting instructions, using two yard sticks

laid at right angles to each other to maintain the diamond shape. If nylon fabric is 64" wide, you will be able to cut two out at one time. If it is only 60" wide they will have to be cut out one at a time by reversing the direction for the second

kite. Press all edges under 1/2". Be careful not to use too hot an iron on the nylon. It will melt.

Measure in 1" from each corner. Use a quarter to cut a semi circle into each corner, by lining the quarter up with the one

inch mark. Holding a long tail on your string, insert string into folded under edge, starting at the bottom corner. Stitch down the Nylon, being sure not to stitch the string and

leaving an exposed loop of string at each corner. Use a zigzag stitch to stitch down these edges and around the semi circled

corners.

Fold Kite in half lengthwise and make a mark on the fold 7" from the top curved edge and 13" from the bottom curved edge, for the guide string to be inserted through. Refer to

diagram B on the Cutting Diagram. Unfold the kites and using sewing machine make an eyelet (round hole with stitched

edges) or a very small button hole.

Leave a long tail of string when your stitching is complete for adjustments.

Cut one dowel to measure 30" and cut the other to measure 34 1/4" long. Make a perpendicular cut into the ends of each dowel, 1/4" deep. Insert the 30" dowel into the cross area

and the 34 1/4" dowel from top to bottom and snug the string to fit into the slots on the dowels. Working from the front of the kite, insert a string into your top eyelet hole, around

the dowel and back out to the front of the kite. Use the other end of the string and repeat for the other eyelet.

Secure well. Use 1" wide strips of scrap nylon fabric for the tail, this make take some experimentation to get right

depending on the weight of nylon fabric used.

Random Summer Facts A queen Bee lays 1,500 eggs a day. The ‘dog days’ of summer, which are the hot, sticky days, get their name from the rising of the Sirius, the Dog Star. The Sirius rises around the hottest time of the year. 80% of the vanilla beans used to make vanilla ice cream come from Madagascar. The Eiffel Tower, in Paris France, grows in summer. This historic structure is made of iron, and therefore expands with the heat. It can grow more than 6 inches in hot weather. It takes 8.3 minutes for light from the sun to reach the Earth.

http://sewing.about.com/library/weekly/nkitepat.htm

http://sewing.about.com/library/weekly/nkitepat.htm


Swim to Live 2014

Swim to Live is an annual event hosted by the Josh Fueston Memorial Foundation in

Bellingham, Washington committed to raising awareness of military Post-Traumatic Stress and honoring U.S. and Canadian service members

who lost their lives to it.

The day’s events consist of a relay swim in Bellingham Bay and a memorial banquet at the Best Western Lakeway Inn in Bellingham later in

the day.

This year we are commemorating the 5th Annual Swim to Live on

Monday, August 25, 2014

4 Mile Relay Swim 8:00 am

United States Coast Guard Station 1110 Bellwether Way

Bellingham, Washington

Memorial Banquet 6:00 pm

Best Western Lakeway Inn 714 Lakeway Drive

Bellingham, Washington

Why They Swim. As a young teenager, Josh Fueston was an avid swimmer who became concerned about the thousands of children who die each year from drowning and decided to do something about it. In August of 2004, at the age of 14, Josh sought to complete an eight mile swim in Bellingham Bay to increase awareness about childhood drowning and to raise funds for children whose families couldn’t afford swim lessons. Josh swam long and hard but due to concerns for his health, was forced to stop before he reached his destination. When he was pulled from the water, his core body temperature had dropped to 93 degrees and he was suffering from hypothermia. Having completed well over four miles of his eight-mile goal, Josh vowed to one day finish his swim. Sadly, he would not. On September 13, 2009, Josh, a Private First Class in the United States Army who had served his country in Operation Iraqi Freedom, lost his life to Post-Traumatic Stress. On August 23, 2010 --- six years to the date of Josh’s original swim --- seven swimmers, consisting of Fort Lewis Service Members, veterans and civilians, swam those last four miles in Bellingham Bay crossing the finish line in honor of Josh. Inspired by her son’s desire to give of himself and make a difference in his community, Josh’s mother established the Josh Fueston Memorial Foundation to continue his legacy. Through hosting the annual Swim to Live relay swim in Bellingham Bay and the Memorial Banquet in Bellingham, Washington, the Foundation strives to educate communities about the causes and effects of Post-Traumatic Stress in the military and most importantly to put a name and a face to the number of our service Members who have lost their lives to this devastating injury. In the years since the first relay swim in honor of Josh, the annual Swim to Live event continues to be emboldened by all Service Members who have lost their lives to military Post-Traumatic Stress. They are the reason why each year Service Members, veterans, civilians, family members and friends from both the United States and Canada enter the chilly waters of Bellingham Bay. They do it to carry the honor of thousands of service members who served their nation with courage and fought their final battle.

http://www.joshfuestonmemorialfoundation.org/


Thanks to some excellent planning skills on the part of Shirley Schmunk and Valerie Marks, Emerald Downs Race Track in Auburn opened their

gates and their hearts to our Gold Star Families on June 21st and, with the amount of sun to be had, it is quite possible they planned the weather

too.

Families attending were provided admission, a programme and free snack by Emerald Downs to get them through the day.

Emerald Downs – A Day at the Races.

We were also given the use of a gazebo with a wonderful view of the track, and allowed to hang banners to our Fallen, not only around and in the gazebo, but outside the track on

the fence. The gazebo was a great place to eat our picnic lunches, and escape the heat

of the day.

For anyone of betting age that was not familiar with how the system worked or how to read the programme, Emerald Downs provided two opportunities to learn; one was a short class in the main grandstand building, the other was a

one on one lesson from Doug of Customer Service. Both were very informative and more than one of our group decided to have a flutter on the horses,

especially in the 7th race, The Gold Star Surviving Family Day at the Races purse.

Members of the Chaplains Corps also joined in the fun, chatting with Families and lending a much

needed hand with the clean up and break down at the end of the day. Thank you all for coming.

Picnic baskets were the order of the day, and everyone packed their favorite foods for lunch.

Afterwards Shirley and Valerie cut into the Gold Star cake, handing out slices to all who wanted it. There

were also chocolate and vanilla cupcakes to be eaten for those with an extra sweet tooth.

Everyone had a wonderful day, meeting old friends,

making new and finally putting faces to voices or names that they only knew from the telephone or through email. Shirley and Valerie are hoping to

make this an annual event, so if you couldn’t make it this year they hope to see you next time.

The Marysville and JBLM Survivor Outreach Service teams were bright -eyed and bushy tailed at 5:00am on Saturday June 21st in preparation for running a water table at the Blue Mile during the Seattle Rock-N-Roll Marathon. For those not familiar with either Wear blue: run to remember or the Blue Mile, read on: “Wear blue: run to remember is not a memorial with carved names that you just walk away from. We get up and we put on the blue and run these miles as a continuing memorial,” explained Rachel Elizalde-Powell, who serves as co-president of the Joint Base Lewis-McChord wear blue: run to remember chapter beside Curtis Brake.

The JBLM chapter of wear blue, which meets in DuPont, was the first branch of what is now a national movement and has not only morphed into a part of the city’s fabric, but also become an unofficial support network for those who have lost a loved one. The chapter runs take place at Powderworks Park, located off of Bob’s Hollow Lane in DuPont, at 9 a.m. every Saturday.”

All the 'Blue Mile' water tables are manned by volunteers (all wearing blue) who are mostly Survivors, Military Members, Families and Veterans; it is lined with Banners of the Fallen as well as Family Members and friends of the Fallen holding American Flags. The Flags have a banner of the name of their deceased Service Member. Wear blue: run to remember also encourages Survivors who are runners/participants in the Marathon to wear blue with a picture or name on their back of their Deceased Service Member that they are running to honor. For more information on a phenomenal organization started right here in Washington State go to: http://www.wearblueruntoremember.org/ Pictures featuring the ‘Wear Blue’ logo are used with the permission of © Ingrid Barrentine, photographer. Excerpt used with permission from ©South Puget Sound News February 7th, 2014


http://www.wearblueruntoremember.org/


Financial Literacy Resources

Federal Student Aid (www.FederalStudentAid.ed.gov) – U.S. Department of Education’s office of Federal Student Aid’s website that serves as the source for free information, guidance, and tools for federal student assistance. MyMoney.gov (www.mymoney.gov) – The U.S. Financial Literacy and Education Commission’s website dedicated to teaching the basics about financial education. The site offers valuable information on budgeting, credit management, saving and investing, financial planning, financial aid, and loan obligations. Federal Trade Commission (www.ftc.gov) – The Federal Trade Commission’s website to prevent fraud, deception, and unfair business practices. This site gives examples of key questions to ask when considering a credit counselor and collects complaints about consumer fraud and identity theft. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (www.fdic.gov) – U.S. government website that has articles on how to become a smarter, safer user of financial services that will protect and stretch your earnings. The Bad Credit Hotel (www.controlyourcredit.gov) – U.S. Department of the Treasury’s website that offers the basics to maintaining good credit.

Potential Legal Resources for Survivors JAG resources for children: Legal services can be provided to children on behalf of a Service Member and the PNOK in a limited capacity. The Legal Assistance regulation, AR 27-3 paragraph 2-5 persons eligible to receive legal assistance (8) (a): (8) PNOK (as defined in AR 600-8-1, para 4-1a (20 Oct 94)), executors, personal representatives, administrators, and legally recognized estate representatives for matters relating to the settlement of estates of- (a) Active Army or RC service members who die while in a military duty status. Services are available for a child of a deceased member if the child has an ID card for entitlements; (this would include legal services. A guardian of a child can always come on behalf of the child for benefits, with the child's military ID. ) Note: JAG cannot probate estates and are limited to providing general legal advice on the probate process and giving the client a referral list. The ABA Military Pro Bono Project (MPBP): "MPBP will connect eligible, active-duty Service Members with pro bono attorneys to assist with the resolution of civil legal issues. Referrals are made only by military legal assistance (i.e., JAG) attorneys. If you need a referral from the MPBP, this referral must come from a legal assistance office. Individuals cannot contact the MPBP directly for a referral. If someone needs legal help, they should contact their legal assistance attorney, and he or she will determine whether they should be referred to the MPBP. Many referrals are based on a "needs" test. For example one must be financially need based) eligible for an MPBP referral. The JAG attorney may also consider other financial resources available to determining financial eligibility. For more information: http://www.militaryprobono.org/about/ Public Legal Resources http://www.americanbar.org/portals/public_resources/aba_home_front/directory_programs.html For more information on Potential Legal Resources for Survivors contact WA State Survivor Outreach Services

Useful Resources and Tips

http://www.federalstudentaid.ed.gov/

http://www.mymoney.gov/

http://www.ftc.gov/

http://www.fdic.gov/

http://www.controlyourcredit.gov/

http://www.militaryprobono.org/about/

http://www.americanbar.org/portals/public_resources/aba_home_front/directory_programs.html

Stress Less Tip Corner

WA Survivor Outreach Services (SOS)

Joint Base Lewis-McChord

AFCS Annex Bldg. 2166, Liggett Ave & 12th S. St.

253-967-7501 Ryki Carlson

Army Reserve SOS Marysville

13613 N 40th Ave. 360-403-2338

Sandra Neuman

National Guard SOS Western WA

253-512-1353 Jared Lathrop-Weber

Eastern WA 509-734-7052

Shirley Schmunk

South West Washington 503-584-2574 Darrell Beck

Joint Base Lewis-McChord Casualty Assistance Office

Waller Hall 2140 Liggett Ave.

253-966-5890

Joint Base Lewis-McChord Retirement Services Office

Waller Hall 2140 Liggett Ave.

253-966-5881

www.facebook.com/SOSWASTATE

“Enter every activity without giving mental recognition to the

possibility of defeat. Concentrate on your strengths, instead of your weaknesses… on your powers,

instead of your problems.” ~ Paul J. Meyer

Cutting Diagram Diagram B

Diagram C (optional appliqué)

Kite Cutting Diagram

SOS Beacon/Summer 2014

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Transcript of SOS Beacon/Summer 2014