Graduates honored
- Navy Seaman Wesley Kennedy, son of Mellicent and Edward Kennedy of Anacortes, recently completed eight weeks of U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill. The seaman is a 2000 graduate of Anacortes High School.
- Army Reserve Pvt. Donald Newman has graduated from nine weeks of basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C. Newman is the brother of Monty VanAntwerp of Sedro Woolley.
- Air Force Airman 1st Class Shawn Smith and Airman Rachel Beckworth have graduated from six weeks of basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. Smith earned distinction as an honor graduate. He is the son of Brian Smith of Sedro-Woolley, and a 2007 graduate of Sedro-Woolley High School. Beckworth is the daughter of Christina Taylor and Timothy Beckworth, both of Anacortes. She is a 2007 graduate of Anacortes High School. Airmen who complete basic training earn credits toward an associate degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
Autographs requested
Kyle Nappi, 17, of Ostrander, Ohio, would like to contact military veterans who served during WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Gulf War, and the present war in Iraq. Nappi is collecting autographs and other memorabilia as a way to help others remember our country’s history. A story about his endeavor can be viewed at http://www.dispatch.com/dispatch/contentbe/dispatch/2006/01/02/20060102-D1-04.html or http://vfwpost10227.org/Incoming.aspx. He can be reached at or 740-363-8095.
Assistance offered
Military veterans in Skagit County can utilize several local programs that offer assistance:
- Veterans can get help with all kinds of VA claims through Skagit County Community Action Agency. David Mitchell, a service officer with the Veterans of Foreign Wars, available Fridays at 330 Pacific Place, Mount Vernon; 360-421-0103, or call 360-416-7585 to schedule an appointment.
- The American Legion Post 43 Service Office at 701 Murdock St., Sedro-Woolley, assists veterans and their widows with benefit services, including health care enrollment, compensation and pension claims, counseling, death and burial benefits. Transportation is provided most weekdays to the Veterans Hospital in Seattle. 360-855-2225 or 360-855-1081.
- Veteran’s Counseling Program of Compass Health in Mount Vernon serves people with service-connected disabilities. Bill Johnson at 360-419-3604.
- The Disabled American Veterans office in Oak Harbor provides transportation for veterans to the Seattle VA Puget Sound Medical Center. Call 360-257-4801.
