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Curious about what WDVA is working on this legislative session? Stay up-to-date with the status of Veteran-related legislative bills—sign up for our legislative updates email distribution list on our website dva.wa.gov & visit app.leg.wa.gov/billinfo for more detailed bill info.

The Wall That Heals is coming to Lacey, WA!

We are proud to announce that The Wall That Heals will be in Lacey, WA on June 25–28, 2026. It will be open to the public 24 hours a day and free to all visitors.

The Wall That Heals is a three-quarter-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. It stands 7.5 feet high at its tallest point and 375 feet long. Established by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund in 1996, this replica and its 53-foot Education Center have traveled to more than 800 cities, honoring the more than three million Americans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces during the Vietnam War. The Wall bears the names of the 58,281 men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam.

The Education Center contains artifacts and digital displays that tell the story of the Vietnam War, the establishment of The Wall, and how Vietnam transformed the way our nation treats its Veterans and service members. It will also display photographs of those whose names are on the Wall and feature the “In Memory” program, honoring local Veterans who returned home from Vietnam and later passed away.

To submit the name and photograph of a loved one for the “In Memory” program, learn more, sign up for tours, volunteer, or make a donation, visit www.thewallthathealslaceywa.org or email Jorge Castillon at thewallthathealslaceywa@gmail.com

Today WDVA suicide prevention staff attended the NAS Whidbey Summer Safety Fair to hand out pistol lockboxes and rifle cases for securely storing firearms. Our table was extremely popular — thanks to everyone who came by! We gave out 85 lockboxes and 12 rifle cases to active duty and transitioning service members.

Thank you all for practicing safe firearm storage and learning about our suicide prevention program!

#servingthosewhoserved #transitioningservicemembers #firearmsafety #suicide prevention #wdva

WANTED: Creators + influencers!!!

Do you create content for Veterans, military families, caregivers, or community support? We want to collaborate with you to help share a FREE resource your audience can actually use.

Serving Those Who Served Conference
August 20-21, 2026 | Wenatchee, WA
https://dva.wa.gov/stws

This two-day conference connects Veterans and families with programs, services, and support networks across Washington.

Why partner?
You’ll be sharing something meaningful with your community and helping your followers find real resources, connections, and support!

Free ways to collaborate:
- Tag us and we’ll repost your content
- Share the event link + registration info
- Repost speaker and conference updates
- Use our graphics and ready-to-post captions

Interested? DM us or comment below and we’ll send materials.

#ServingThoseWhoServed #WashingtonVeterans #VeteranSupport #WenatcheeWA

We’re reflecting on a meaningful celebration honoring 75 years of service at the Seattle VA Medical Center. The courtyard in front of Building 101 came alive with connection, resources, and community as VA Puget Sound programs hosted informational tables and workshops.

The celebration featured a special outdoor performance by the Navy Band Northwest, along with remarks from VA leadership recognizing the decades of service, partnership, and commitment to Veterans and their families.

We were proud to be joined by community partners and organizations including the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Seattle Aquarium, DAV, and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).

Thank you to everyone who helped mark this milestone and continues to support Veterans across our region.

We’re reflecting on a meaningful celebration honoring 75 years of service at the Seattle VA Medical Center. The courtyard in front of Building 101 came alive with connection, resources, and community as VA Puget Sound programs hosted informational tables and workshops.

The celebration featured a special outdoor performance by the Navy Band Northwest, along with remarks from VA leadership recognizing the decades of service, partnership, and commitment to Veterans and their families.

We were proud to be joined by community partners and organizations including the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Seattle Aquarium, DAV, and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).

Thank you to everyone who helped mark this milestone and continues to support Veterans across our region.

We’re reflecting on a meaningful celebration honoring 75 years of service at the Seattle VA Medical Center. The courtyard in front of Building 101 came alive with connection, resources, and community as VA Puget Sound programs hosted informational tables and workshops.

The celebration featured a special outdoor performance by the Navy Band Northwest, along with remarks from VA leadership recognizing the decades of service, partnership, and commitment to Veterans and their families.

We were proud to be joined by community partners and organizations including the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Seattle Aquarium, DAV, and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).

Thank you to everyone who helped mark this milestone and continues to support Veterans across our region.

This Memorial Day, we pause to honor the service members who gave their lives in defense of our nation.

Across Washington State, communities are gathering for ceremonies and observances. A few highlights for Monday, May 25:
• Memorial Day Event – Capitol Campus (Olympia)
• Memorial Day Ceremony – State Veterans Cemetery (Medical Lake)
• LGBTQ+ Veterans Memorial Gathering (Seattle)
• Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremony (Vancouver)

You can find the full statewide list of events and observances on the WDVA website: https://loom.ly/t-QWyUY

We also invite you to join the National Moment of Remembrance at 3:00 p.m. local time.

#MemorialDay #MemorialDayWA #HonorTheFallen #WashingtonState #Veterans

Recently your WDVA suicide prevention team supported the Farmers Safety Fair at Skamokawa Grange in Wahkiakum County alongside partners at the Washington State University Skagit Extension.

The focus was clear: training and prevention that saves lives in rural communities with Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) Suicide Prevention Training and a session on Combating Stigma—helping participants recognize barriers that can prevent Veterans and farmers from seeking behavioral health support.

These conversations matter. In rural communities—where many are both farmers and Veterans—stigma, stress, and limited access to care can create real challenges. Training helps open doors to support, connection, and early intervention.

WSU Skagit Extension and WDVA continue to offer suicide prevention trainings tailored for agricultural communities, Veterans, and rural partners.

Upcoming opportunity:
U.S. Department of Agriculture Faith & Farmer Veteran Coalition QPR Training (free)
📅 May 21, 2026 | ⏰ 11:30am–1:30pm
Register: https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/YIvW93I2QqygXcO1UTPwDw#/registration

If you or someone you know is in crisis, help is available 24/7:
📞 Call/Text 988 (Press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line)
🌾 Agristress Helpline: 833-897-2474
🚜 Farmer Hotline: 1-800-327-6243

Recently your WDVA suicide prevention team supported the Farmers Safety Fair at Skamokawa Grange in Wahkiakum County alongside partners at the Washington State University Skagit Extension.

The focus was clear: training and prevention that saves lives in rural communities with Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) Suicide Prevention Training and a session on Combating Stigma—helping participants recognize barriers that can prevent Veterans and farmers from seeking behavioral health support.

These conversations matter. In rural communities—where many are both farmers and Veterans—stigma, stress, and limited access to care can create real challenges. Training helps open doors to support, connection, and early intervention.

WSU Skagit Extension and WDVA continue to offer suicide prevention trainings tailored for agricultural communities, Veterans, and rural partners.

Upcoming opportunity:
U.S. Department of Agriculture Faith & Farmer Veteran Coalition QPR Training (free)
📅 May 21, 2026 | ⏰ 11:30am–1:30pm
Register: https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/YIvW93I2QqygXcO1UTPwDw#/registration

If you or someone you know is in crisis, help is available 24/7:
📞 Call/Text 988 (Press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line)
🌾 Agristress Helpline: 833-897-2474
🚜 Farmer Hotline: 1-800-327-6243

Recently your WDVA suicide prevention team supported the Farmers Safety Fair at Skamokawa Grange in Wahkiakum County alongside partners at the Washington State University Skagit Extension.

The focus was clear: training and prevention that saves lives in rural communities with Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) Suicide Prevention Training and a session on Combating Stigma—helping participants recognize barriers that can prevent Veterans and farmers from seeking behavioral health support.

These conversations matter. In rural communities—where many are both farmers and Veterans—stigma, stress, and limited access to care can create real challenges. Training helps open doors to support, connection, and early intervention.

WSU Skagit Extension and WDVA continue to offer suicide prevention trainings tailored for agricultural communities, Veterans, and rural partners.

Upcoming opportunity:
U.S. Department of Agriculture Faith & Farmer Veteran Coalition QPR Training (free)
📅 May 21, 2026 | ⏰ 11:30am–1:30pm
Register: https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/YIvW93I2QqygXcO1UTPwDw#/registration

If you or someone you know is in crisis, help is available 24/7:
📞 Call/Text 988 (Press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line)
🌾 Agristress Helpline: 833-897-2474
🚜 Farmer Hotline: 1-800-327-6243

bestie...is your firearm secure? 🔒💯

trigger locks + safes = actual main character safety behavior. secure storage is giving alive and well.

learn more about suicide prevention resources: dva.wa.gov/sp

need support now? Call or text 988 (Veterans Press 1).

Thank you to United Indians of All Nations for hosting the Joint American Indian Veterans Advisory Council (JAIVAC) Meeting on May 6, 2026. Your Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs' team (Steve Gill, Terry Westoff, Tucker Flood, and Nicole Vreeland) joined tribal leaders and and federal, state, and community partners convened to provide updates on services and supports available to our Native Veterans and their families across the state and beyond.

The JAIVAC consists of tribal Veteran representatives who collaborate to strengthen support services for tribal Veterans. Their work includes expanding access to employment assistance, helping individuals navigate unemployment claims, creating more job opportunities for Native American/Alaska Native Veterans, and assisting members with enrollment in Federal Veterans Affairs Healthcare programs and benefits.

We are grateful to serve our state's 6,000 Native Veterans and families across our state (and bordering states too!), and remain committed to honoring and serving those who served.

Happy Armed Forces Day! 🇺🇸

Your WDVA was proud to support our active duty military and Veterans at the Armed Forces Day parade in Bremerton, WA this morning with Deputy Director Solomon Gilbert riding in the parade and WDVA outreach staff at the festival providing information about transitional housing services and Veterans benefits. Bremerton is home to the third largest US Naval base with nearly 16,000 active duty personnel.

Thank you to our servicemen and women for your service to our state and nation. 🫡

#armedforcesday #servingthosewhoserved #military #veterans #usnavy

Join us for a free Intro to CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) workshop on May 22!

This training is designed to build practical skills you can use to support Veterans and their families.

Register here: dva.wa.gov/counseling#training-registration

Feeling on edge? Having trouble sleeping? Drinking more than you want? Feeling disconnected from your family and friends?

You are not alone.

This Mental Health Month, hear other Veterans describe symptoms that made them realize they could benefit from mental health care.

https://www.maketheconnection.net/MHM/

#MTCoutreach