NEWS

VA IS ASKING FOR YOUR INPUT

By: Rich Carr January 7, 2010

The Governor’s Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee (VAAC) will hold a joint meeting with the State’s Veteran Service Organization Commanders from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 21, 2010, at Camp Murray, Tacoma in Building 34.

The meeting is open to the public and will include a strategic planning session and the opportunity for those in attendance to provide input into the future of services for veterans and their families in Washington State. Topics to be discussed include:

· Census and marketing strategies for the three State Veterans Homes
· Planning for the future at the Soldiers Home
· Capitalizing on new Federal VA resources to end homelessness among veterans
· Furthering outreach efforts to generate increased awareness among veterans and families

“The input of our Veterans and their families is one of the most valuable tools we have for continuing to improve the services we provide to more than 670,000 Washington Veterans,” said Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs director John E. Lee. “The more we know, the better we can plan for and serve those who have provided us the freedoms we embrace.”

Lunch will be available for $4.00 to those who RSVP their attendance to april@dva.wa.gov or 360-725-2167 no later than Tuesday, Jan 19, 2010.
Current automobile registration, proof of insurance and drivers license is required to access Camp Murray. Please allot time for possible gate control delays.

The VAAC – under the leadership of Chairman Phil Ruhmshottel – is composed of 17 members and advises the Governor and the director of the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) on issues and programs concerning veterans.

Visit the WDVA website at www.dva.wa.gov/ for agenda, minutes from previous VAAC meetings, and contact information for VAAC committee members or call 360-725-2167 for additional information.

Thursday, January 21, 2010
9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Camp Murray, Building 34, Tacoma, WA.

Directions South Bound I5
www.mapquest.com/maps?1c=Seattle&1s=WA&1y=US&1l=47.6064&1g=-122.330803&1v=CITY&2c=Camp+Murray&2s=WA&2z=98430&2y=US&2l=47.1167&2g=-122.5655&2v=ZIP

Directions North Bound I5
www.mapquest.com/maps?1c=Olympia&1s=WA&1y=US&1l=47.038101&1g=-122.899399&1v=CITY&2c=Camp+Murray&2s=WA&2z=98430&2y=US&2l=47.1167&2g=-122.5655&2v=ZIP