David Puente Jr.

I was honored to accept an invitation to speak with COL(R) Felix Vargas, Representative Stephanie Barnard, Vietnam Veterans of America State President Francisco Ivarra, and around twenty community leaders and Veteran advocates.

We had a positive conversation about bringing a State Veterans Cemetery to the Tri-Cities and a question and answer session to address some of the questions community members have.

There were many questions about the timeframe for the Cemetery and we discussed that our first step remains locating and acquiring around 100 acres of land.

WDVA is currently looking at two parcels of land; however, we are also interested in hearing other ideas and suggestions, particularly if there is land that could be donated rather than purchased.

We also discussed WDVA’s plan to ask the State Legislature for funding to purchase land during the 2025 Legislative Session.

As we move forward, we will continue sharing information on our website at: https://www.dva.wa.gov/tri-cities-cemetery

You can also ask questions about the proposed Tri-Cities Cemetery at: [email protected].

Thank you for your continued support!

This week, I had an opportunity to speak at the 104th Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Washington State Convention. It was an honor and privilege to address the VFW, Department of Washington.

The VFW is an amazing partner that assists our service members, veterans, and their families.

I provided an update on what your WDVA is doing to partner with VFW and how our efforts intersect within Washington State.

Thank you to State Commander Craig Dougherty and State Senior Vice Commander Perry Taylor for this opportunity.

Veterans of Foreign Wars VFW

I am excited to share your WDVA’s Inaugural Su***de Prevention Community Based Service Grant Awardee.

This past Friday, June 14, ,2024 we held a presentation to award the recipient, Alatheia Therapeutic Riding Center, located in Chelan County, WA.

This organization provides su***de prevention and PTSD services to Washington’s Service Members, Veterans, and their Families.

They utilize the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA) model. This program aims to provide a unique and impactful therapeutic experience for participants.

The grant totaled $11,000, which will be used to support nine Service Members, Veterans, and their Families to complete the Warrior & Horses program.

Alatheia Riding Center
Tina Orwall
Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs

On May 29, 2024, Steve Gill, Interim Assistant Director Veteran Services & Counseling and Wellness and I had the honor and privilege of meeting with The Confederate Tribe of Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR). Board of Trustees (BOT) and Sam Spino, Veterans Coordinator. The CTUIR is a union of three tribes: Cayuse, Umatilla, and Walla Walla. The purpose of our visit was to discuss the potential of building a new State Veteran Cemetery in the Tri Cities (Richland, Pasco, and Kennewick, WA) area. We had a very productive and meaningful conversation with the BOT. We agreed to continue our community conversation as the process moves forward.

A special thank you to Sam Spino, Veteran Coordinator, CTUIR and Raymond Huesties for their kindness and hospitality. Sam provided a tour of their facilities and Raymond joined us for lunch at the Wildhorse Resort & Casino Golf Course Restaurant

Photograph L to R
Sam Spino; Gary Burke; Aaron Ashley; Steven Hart; Alan Crawford, General Council Chair; David Puente,WDVA; Steve Gill, WDVA; Corinne Sams; Raymond Huesties; Roberta Wilson; Toby Patrick

What a great afternoon and evening with The College of Education and Professional Studies, Central Washington University (CWU). I had the opportunity to participate in an Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging Alumni Panel discussion with the student body. Our facilitator/moderator was Dr. Alberta Jones, CWU Assistant Professor of Curriculum, Supervision, and Educational Leadership.

Panelists were Viri Magana Cruz, HR Manager, Calaway Trading Inc; Myself; Alex Castro-Wilson, fifth grade teacher, Renton School District; and Erykah Weems, senior research associate, Justice + Joy National Collaborative.

We shared our insights with the audience about EDIB initiatives and how we pursue this work in our organizations. The audience had a great discussion and asked good questions.

I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Sathy Rajendran, Dean, College of Education and Professional Studies, and Xiaoyin Zhong (Yin), Alumni Relations, CWU, for their warm hospitality and for making this event possible. Your efforts are truly appreciated.

Our Washington Soldiers Home residents and volunteers recently participated in a Fishing Derby. It was a great day!

Residents enjoyed fishing. We had great community participation from the Tacoma, Washington Chapter of H.O.G #5380 and Carpenters Union Local 360. Our residents had fun fishing and sharing stories with our community partners. You won’t believe the fish that got away!

This week your WDVA had the opportunity to meet with Stevens County Commissioners, Mark Burrows, Greg Young, and Wes McCart and the County Veterans Service Officers, Tom Hicks and Elizabeth Snell. It was a great opportunity to hear how the CVSO grant program is working in the County and ideas for improvement.

We also met with several members of the Veterans Advisory Board including Phil Rose and Steven Cross. They shared some of the incredibly unique ways that the CVSOs, Veterans Assistance Fund, and other partners such as the WA Department of Fish and Wildlife, Supportive Services for Veterans & Families (SSVF), Rural Resources, and others are serving Veterans and families in the community.

Those visits were followed by a Veterans Town Hall at the Mistequa Hotel in Chewelah. We greatly appreciate the Spokane Tribe of Indians and the entire staff at Mistequa for their hospitality and sharing in our mission of Serving Those Who Served!

Residents at Washington Soldiers Home recently had the opportunity to participate in an exciting and educational Eldergrow.

The program, which is always highly anticipated by the residents, provided a delightful experience centered around the cocoa tree and various types of chocolate.

During the Eldergrow program, residents had the chance to learn about the fascinating cocoa tree and its significance in the world of chocolate production. They were able to sample different types of chocolate, immersing themselves in the rich flavors and textures that this beloved treat has to offer. The joy and excitement were palpable as residents indulged in this delectable experience.

In addition to the chocolate-themed activities, the Eldergrow program also offered residents the opportunity to enhance their gardening skills. The activity room at Washington Soldiers Home saw the addition of new mint plants and geraniums to the garden beds, thanks to the residents' hard work and dedication. This hands-on gardening experience not only brought a sense of fulfillment but also contributed to the overall beauty of the facility.

We want to thank Ann, our Eldergrow educator for such a wonderful program!

Funding for this program was made possible by the Washington State Arts Commission

Solomon Gilbert, Deputy Director, WDVA and I had an opportunity to visit Spokane County last week. We visited our Washington State Veterans Cemetery, Medical Lake and identified a few operational needs.

We had a great visit with Mark Mattke, CEO, Spokane Workforce Council and discussed opportunities to better connect and ensuring we are focused on transitioning service members and employment needs within WDVA.

We visited with Col. Garret J. Bilbo, Deputy Commander, and Command Chief William Arcuri, both of 92 Air Refueling Wing, Air Mobility Command, Fairchild AFB, WA. Rudy Lopez, WDVA Cemetery Director accompanied us during our visit to Fairchild AFB. They are doing amazing work and reduced the number of families waiting for childcare on the installation.

We caught up with Brigadier General (retired) Dan Dent, CEO, United Way Spokane and discussed how best BG Dent can continue to Serve Those Who Served and his new journey as CEO.

We also had an amazing visit with our partners, Spokane County Veteran Services. We met with Cat Nichols, Senior Director, Spokane County Community Affairs and Christopher Dorcheus, Operations Manager, Veteran Services. They provided an update on the services being provided and shared data on how many veterans are being served in Spokane County and surrounding counties as well. The Spokane County team is doing amazing work!

Pictured are the Spokane County Veteran Services Team; and Fairchild AFB Command Staff.

Spokane County Veterans Service
Spokane County United Way
92nd Air Refueling Wing
Washington State Veterans Cemetery
Fairchild Air Force Base

Last week, I visited our Washington Veterans Home (WVH) (Retsil) in Port Orchard, WA. I had the privilege of attending their Resident Council meeting. Barbara Robinson, Chair of the Resident Council lead the meeting and discussion. The council shared what they have been working on at their home. They provide new residents with a welcome packet sharing their tips on what to expect; and on birthdays a resident will receive a flower and card. Residents continue to serve as volunteers at the front desk welcoming visitors between 9 am to 4 pm. They have a cadre of resident volunteers performing this service. Our residents at WVH continue to Serve Those Who Served…Way to go!

A special thank you to Tami Reuter, Recreation Manager, WVH who does an outstanding job of ensuring the residents are actively engaged and involved in daily activities.

I visited our Washington Soldiers Home (WSH) in Orting, WA. As the Director of your Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA), I participate quarterly in the Resident Council meetings at our four State Veteran Homes. An opportunity to not only visit our residents and WDVA team provides an ongoing connection with our Veterans, family, and advocates. I listened, and we discussed their ideas and opportunities. They discussed their monthly outings. Terry Nesbit, Activities Director, shared with the Resident Council their upcoming planned outings; bowling, catching a Tacoma Rainiers baseball game, and stocking the campus pond with trout for opening day.

Other opportunities were discussed to improve the quality of living and experiences at our WSH. These interactions keep me engaged; it is always great to hear their amazing stories.

I want to send a big shout out to VFW 969 Auxiliary, District 3, Chaplain Dolores Lopez and Eileen Alvert McKee for their wonderful donation of $853.56 to purchase wet/dry shavers for our residents. Greatly appreciated!

Pictured are Eileen, who presented Daniel Smith, Administrator, WSH, with the donation; Resident Council; and Dolores, Eileen, and Terry Nisbet.

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 969

I had the honor or attending and speaking at the 100-Year American Lake Anniversary hosted by VA Puget Sound Healthcare system on March 15. I was an incredible heartwarming event celebrating nine centenarian WWII Veterans!

Attendees to name a few were Master of Ceremonies, Dr. Thomas Bundt, VA Puget Sound Healthcare System, Executive Director, Guest Speakers Lakewood Mayor Jason Whalen, Seahawks Legend and Ring of Honor Member Jim Zorn who gave out Seahawks coins to veterans and Seahawks dancers Miki and Ashley were a hit with the attendees, and Col Hope Williamson-Younce, Director, Madigan Army Medical Center.

It was truly inspiring to see so many incredible individuals come together to commemorate American Lake providing service to veterans for a century and also recognizing the heroes who served our country.

For more photos visit, https://lnkd.in/gNhWzZ5T

Great Visit with the Grays Harbor Veterans Advisory Board! I had an opportunity to provide an overview of your Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs. We had a robust discussion about topics impacting veterans and their families within Grays Harbor County.

The board was highly engaged with questions and our discussion. A special thank you to Mike Harris, Chair, Bill Wickwire, Vice Chair, Wilma Weber, Secretary/Fund Administrator, and Commissioner Jill Warne.

It is always great to see our counties working collaboratively and meaningfully with a common goal: Serving Those Who Served.

Grays Harbor County Local Government

Attention job seekers! 📢

We are hiring at the WDVA and are looking for passionate and talented individuals to join our team! Work that makes a real impact by serving those who served will test your skills and talents.

Visit https://ow.ly/3a8x50PUM2i or scan the QR Code below.

State of Washington Job Opportunities | Work that Matters Whether it's helping a vulnerable child, making highways safer or restoring salmon habitat, the work that we do matters to the people of Washington State.

I am sharing some news...Congratulations to WDVA Director David Puente for his selection as Far West District Vice President for the National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs (NASDVA). “I am honored to have been entrusted by my fellow Veterans Affairs Leaders to serve in this role,” said David Puente. “NASDVA provides an integral forum for states to share best practices, learn from each other, and ensure leaders in the Federal VA and Congress hear a unified voice from leaders across the Country.”

In this role, David will connect with leaders from Alaska, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, American Samoa, Guam, and Northern Mariana Islands to ensure issues facing our areas are brought forward for consideration by all association members. NASDVA has 56 members and 5 District VPs who take the opportunity to meet as groups and with the executive committee during both the midwinter and summer conferences. As an organization, NASDVA provides an opportunity for states to share ideas and information, facilitate reciprocal state services, and monitor veterans legislation.

WDVA was proud to invite Path with Art to present at the National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs (NASDVA) Conference to share how it is helping Veterans with alternative therapies. Emily Shallman, Path with Art Program Director and Rachel Androski, Vet Corps Navigator joined me, Deputy Director Solomon Gilbert, and several other WDVA Team Members at the annual NASDVA training conference.

Their presentation highlighted the ways various forms of art can help heal trauma and invited State Directors from across the country to collaborate with partners in the arts from their areas.

Path with Art also provided a presenter during last year’s Serving Those Who Served Conference. Luz Helena Thompson presented Unmasking Military Sexual Trauma: Art of Vulnerability.

It was a powerful and very moving experience for attendees. To view the presentation visit: https://youtu.be/1sf3VSuulJM

We invite you to learn more about Path with Art and ArtsWA opportunities near you! Visit https://www.pathwithart.org/ and https://www.arts.wa.gov/ to learn more.

Path with Art Washington State Arts Commission

On 2.13.24, I spent the day at the Skagit Vets Connect office. We met with Chris Diaz, County Veteran Service Officer, and Community Action of Skagit County. We discussed ongoing issues and needs within the county and how best to collaborate with them.

We also had an opportunity to attend the Skagit County Veterans Advisory Committee meeting. It was a great discussion with the county veteran advisory board. Your WDVA team was there to provide an overview of the agency and shared what we are doing with our SSG Fox program, focusing on reducing veteran su***de.

We had great questions and discussions. Skagit County is doing an amazing job with our veteran and family community. Definitely a great visit!

WDVA team members present were Eric Burns, Richard Lafrazier, Steve Gill, and Terrell (Tucker) Flood.

Your WDVA Team attended the National Association of State Veterans Homes Conference in Washington DC and had an opportunity to visit Governor Jay Inslee’s DC Office to meet with Morgan Wilson and Rose Minor on his team!

While at the NASVH Conference, we advocated for our four WA State Veterans Homes and visited with members of our Congressional Delegation to be sure they have an update on what’s happening in our state, and the issues our Homes, Transitional Housing Program, and agency are facing.

We had the opportunity to meet with Congresswoman Kim Schrier, , Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, and Congressman Derek Kilmer, as well as staff members from Senator Patty Murray and Senator Maria Cantwell, Representative Rick Larsen, and Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland.

We look forward to our continued partnership as we work to Serve Those Who Served in Washington State!