In Uniform (Nov. 25, 2016)

USS Sampson helps with New Zealand relief

Sailors with the USS Sampson (DDG 102) assisted New Zealand Defence Forces Nov. 17-19 as they provided aid to residents of Kaikoura, New Zealand. The coastal city has remained cut off from the rest of South Island by land following a magnitude-7.8 earthquake on Nov. 14. Many still lack power and running water.

“It feels good to be here, to be able to help, to be able to assist — to feel like we’re making a difference,” said Chief Petty Officer Phillip Pickle in a Navy-provided video.

Teams of sailors visited residents to identify needs, set up food and water distribution centers, and delivered toilets with self-contained sewage systems to homes with damaged plumbing.

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer was originally scheduled to pull into Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour, but diverted course at the request of the New Zealand government to render assistance. Ships from New Zealand, Australia and Canada also took part in the international relief effort.

The USS Sampson later came into Wellington Harbour in formation with the other ships. The Nov. 20 entry marked the U.S. Navy’s first visit to a New Zealand port in more than 30 years.

The USS Sampson is homeported at Naval Station Everett and is currently under the control of San Diego-based U.S. Third Fleet.

EVENTS

Santa Breakfast: The American Legion Auxiliary of S. Al Wilcox Unit 234 and the Mountlake Terrace Community Senior Center hold the annual Santa Breakfast to benefit local children, 9 a.m.-noon Dec. 4 (first Sunday in December) at the Senior Center, 23000 Lakeview Drive. Ham, eggs, pancakes, fruit, drinks and Santa. Cost is $6, $4 ages 3-10, free for kids under age 3. There also will be a raffle. Donations will be accepted for Holly House (teen-size pajamas, and footballs, basketballs and soccer balls). More info: 425-776-5490.

VETERAN NEWS

Bricks fundraiser: The Stanwood Area Historical Society plans a Community Veterans Memorial for a courtyard adjacent to the Floyd Norgaard Cultural Center. A brick remembrance wall is part of the design. The names of veterans can be etched in a brick for a $150 donation to help fund the memorial’s construction. More info: SAHSRH2@aol.com.

Suits for Soldiers: Work attire can be donated to any local Farmers Insurance office through Nov. 30 as part of an effort to help veterans transition to the civilian workforce. More info: www.farmers.com/ careers/veterans-resources.

RESOURCES

Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society: The nonprofit provides interest-free loans and grants for emergency and unexpected financial needs for active duty, retired military and their family members. Programs include budget counseling, financial education, nurse home visits, and more. NMCRS Everett is based at the Smokey Point Navy Complex in Marysville. More info: 425-304-3203, www.nmcrs.org.

Employers Support of the Guard and Reserves: ESGR supports the men and women of the Guard and Reserves, including employer and supervisor awards programs, under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act. More info: 800-336-4590 option 1, esgr.mil.

Resource workshop: A free Veteran’s Services Resource Workshop is offered 2-3 p.m. first Mondays at Everett Community Justice Center, 8625 Evergreen Way, Suite 108. Housing assistance, employment resources, resume help, health care answers, skills lab, PTSD counseling and more. Bus vouchers available. More info: 425-356-2800.

Job help: Homeless, unemployed veterans can get help through Workforce Snohomish. Employment assistance, support services, help with VA benefits and housing. More info: Gordon Meade, 425-921-3478 or gordon.meade@workforcesnohomish.org.

VETERANS GROUPS

Coast Guard Auxiliary: 7 p.m. second Tuesdays, Port of Everett Conference Center, 404 14th St. More info: Melin Ford, 360-794-1723 or melinford25@gmail.com.

Fleet Reserve Association and Ladies Fleet Reserve Association Unit and Branch 18: Lunch noon, meeting 1 p.m. second Saturdays, 23003 56th Ave. W., Mountlake Terrace. More info: 425-771-2774.

Fleet Reserve Association Branch 170: 5 p.m. second Wednesdays, 6802 Beverly Blvd., Everett. More info: 425-353-2600.

Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 12: 7 p.m. fourth Tuesdays, Lynnwood Elks Club, 6620 196th St. SW. More info: 360-333-3163.

Snohomish County Disabled American Veterans Chapter 13: 7 p.m. first Tuesdays, dinner at 6, at the Lynnwood Eagles, 19223 Highway 99. More info: 425-299-3373, davsnohomish13@gmail.com.

Submariners: The U.S. Submarine Veterans Seattle chapter meets 6 p.m. third Wednesdays at VFW Lake Washington Post 4330 in Redmond. More info: www.ussvi.org/base/Seattle.asp.

Veterans: An unaffiliated group of veterans of wars in foreign lands meets at 1 p.m. second Wednesdays, Carl Gipson Senior Center, 3025 Lombard Ave., Everett. More info: 425-257-8780.

AMERICAN LEGION

Arlington: Legion Post 76 and Auxiliary meetings, 7 p.m. second Tuesdays. SAL meetings 6 p.m. first Thursdays. All meetings are downstairs at 115 N. Olympic Ave. Breakfast is served from 8 to 10:30 a.m. the first Saturday of each month for $6 a plate. More info: 360-435-2492.

Bothell: Legion Post 127 meets 7 p.m. second Wednesdays, 21920 Highway 9. Service officer available to help with veterans issues. More info: Commander Burt Marsh, 206-999-3254.

Edmonds: Frank Freese Legion Post 66 meets 6 p.m. third Mondays, Post Hall, 117 S. Sixth St. Light meal served at 5:15 p.m. More info: Les, 206-546-6831.

Everett: Sen. Henry M. Jackson Legion Post 6 meets 6 p.m. second Thursdays, Fleet Reserve Association Club, 6802 Beverly Blvd. More info: Marvin, 425-923-8172.

Lake Stevens: Memorial Legion Post 181 meets 7 p.m. second and fourth Thursdays, Lake Stevens Community Center, 1812 124th Ave. NE. More info: Tony at 360-631-3242, or Vern at 425-343-9637; info@post181.org; www.facebook.com/lakestevens.legion.

Lynnwood: Legion Post 37 meets 7 p.m. third Thursdays, Lynnwood Elks Club, 6620 196th St. SW. More info: 425-585-0279.

Marysville: Legion Post 178 meets 7 p.m. third Thursdays, Post Hall, 119 Cedar Ave. Social hour at 6 p.m. Service officer hours by appointment only (360-659-5808). More info: 360-653-0155, legionpost178wa@gmail.com, americanlegion178wa.cfsites.org.

Monroe: Arthur Kincaid Legion Post 58 meets 7 p.m. third Tuesdays, Brookdale Senior Living, 15465 179th Ave. More info: Russell Dean at 425-359-7071.

Mountlake Terrace: S. Al Wilcox Legion Post 234 meets 7 p.m. second Mondays, with 6 p.m. social hour, Legion Hall, 22909 56th Ave. W. More info: americanlegionpost234.org, americanlegionpost234@gmail.com, 425-776-5490.

Snohomish: Earl Winehart Legion Post 96 meets 7 p.m. second Tuesdays, Legion Hall, 1201 First St. More info: 360-568-5340.

Stanwood: Frank H. Hancock Legion Post 92 and Auxiliary meet 7 p.m. second Mondays, 26921 88th Ave. NW, Stanwood. Prime rib dinner, 4:30 p.m. third Saturdays, except July and August. Service office open 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays. More info: 360-629-8021.

VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS

New members: The Veterans of Foreign Wars posts and auxiliaries of Snohomish County seek new members. VFW needs your last separation certification or other proof of eligibility. Auxiliary members are relatives, both female and male, of eligible veterans. For more information, call 425-337-1559.

Arlington: Boyer-Daniel VFW Post 1561 meets 7 p.m. first Tuesdays. More info: 425-232-8453, 360-435-6677 or vfw1561.org.

Edmonds: VFW Post 8870 meets 6 p.m. second Tuesdays, with a light supper at 5:15 p.m., Edmonds American Legion Hall, 117 Sixth Ave. S. More info: 425-245-8545, dennisvfw8870@gmail.com, www.vfw8870.org. Auxiliary: Noon second Fridays at the Edmonds Senior Center, 220 Railroad Ave.

Everett: Old Guard VFW Post 2100 meets 6:30 p.m. third Tuesdays, 2711 Oakes Ave. More info: Don Wischmann, 425-760-9031, www.vfwpost2100.org. Auxiliary: 6:30 p.m. second Mondays. More info: 425-337-1559.

Gold Bar: Martin-Osterholtz VFW Post 9417 meets 6 p.m. first Thursdays, 301 Third St. More info: Doug White, 425-870-7298. Auxiliary: 3 p.m. first Thursdays. More info: Arden King, 360-793-2786.

Lynnwood: Walter A. Deebach VFW Post 1040 and Auxiliary meet 7 p.m. first Thursdays, Alderwood Boys and Girls Club, 19619 24th Ave. W. More info: Frank, 425-697-4102 (Post); Myra Rintamaki, 206-235-0348 (Auxiliary).

Monroe: VFW Post 7511 meets 7 p.m. second Thursdays, IOOF Hall, 610 Lewis St. More info: Ken, 425-315-3509.

Oak Harbor: Whitehead-Muzzall VFW Post 7392 and Auxiliary meet 7 p.m. first Mondays, VFW Riders at 6:30 p.m. second Fridays, 3037 N Goldie Road. More info: 360-675-4048, vfwpost7392.org.

Snohomish: Gay Jones VFW Post 921 and Auxiliary meet 1 p.m. second Saturdays, Boys &Girls Club, 402 Second St. More info: 425-397-7111.

Sultan: VFW Post 2554 and Auxiliary meet 7 p.m. second Thursdays, Volunteers of America Community Center, 605 First St. More info: 425-870-0235.

To submit news for this column, contact reporter Melissa Slager: mslager@heraldnet.com.