Honoring Service, Strengthening Belonging
By Amiran White
On this Veterans Day, we pause to honor those who have worn the uniform, served our country, and returned home to build their lives among us.
At Pacific County Voices Uniting (PCVU), we believe belonging doesn’t begin and end with a parade or a speech. It means making sure every veteran has access to support, opportunity, and community, and that gratitude is matched with action.
Here in Pacific County, veterans are part of the daily heartbeat of our towns: running businesses, mentoring young people, volunteering in schools and food banks, showing up when their neighbors need help. Their strength continues to shape our shared life long after their service ends.
But we also know that not every battle ends overseas. Many veterans live with invisible wounds such as PTSD, depression, anxiety, or moral injury that deserve care, understanding, and time. Healing is not a solitary act; it takes a community willing to listen, reach out, and walk beside those who have carried so much.
So today, as we honor service, let’s also strengthen belonging. Let’s make sure every veteran in Pacific County knows that they are seen, valued, and not alone. The resources below are one way we can help carry that promise forward together.
Honrando el servicio, fortaleciendo el sentido de pertenencia
En este Día de los Veteranos, hacemos una pausa para honrar a quienes han vestido el uniforme, servido a nuestro país y regresado a casa para construir sus vidas entre nosotros.
En Pacific County Voices Uniting (PCVU), creemos que el sentido de pertenencia no comienza ni termina con un desfile o un discurso. Significa asegurar que cada veterano tenga acceso a apoyo, oportunidades y comunidad, y que nuestra gratitud se acompañe de acción.
Aquí en el condado de Pacific, los veteranos son parte del pulso diario de nuestros pueblos: dirigen negocios, orientan a la juventud, son voluntarios en escuelas y bancos de alimentos, y se presentan cuando sus vecinos necesitan ayuda. Su fortaleza sigue dando forma a nuestra vida compartida mucho después de que termina su servicio.
También sabemos que no todas las batallas terminan en el extranjero. Muchos veteranos viven con heridas invisibles como el trastorno de estrés postraumático (TEPT), la depresión, la ansiedad o el daño moral, que merecen cuidado, comprensión y tiempo. Sanar no es un acto solitario; requiere una comunidad dispuesta a escuchar, tender la mano y acompañar a quienes han cargado con tanto.
Hoy, al honrar el servicio, también fortalecemos el sentido de pertenencia. Asegurémonos de que cada veterano en el condado de Pacific sepa que es visto, valorado y que no está solo. Los recursos que compartimos a continuación son una forma en que podemos mantener viva esa promesa, juntos.
Resources for Veterans
County Level
Pacific County Veterans Services
1216 W Robert Bush Dr, South Bend, WA 98586
📞 360-214-6011
If you’re a veteran in Pacific County and need help, call and ask for the Veterans Service Officer. They can assist with federal benefits, emergency financial aid, counseling referrals, clothing, and food assistance.
Catholic Community Services
📞 (360) 637-8563 or (888) 415-4015
Transportation Assistance: rides to VA or other medical appointments.
📞 (253) 383-3697 or (888) 415-4015Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF): connects veterans and families who are homeless or at risk of losing housing with rapid-rehousing and case-management support.
Pacific County Health & Human Services
Provides referrals to local mental-health counselors and trauma-informed support for veterans coping with PTSD, depression, or anxiety.
State Level
Washington 211
📞 Dial 211
Connects you with an operator who can help you find food, shelter, utility aid, and veteran-specific programs in your area.
Disabled American Veterans (DAV)
Seattle (206) 341-8267 | Portland (503) 412-4750
Helps veterans access VA benefits, transportation, and healthcare services.
🌐 www.dav.org
Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA)
🌐 dva.wa.gov| 📞 1-800-562-2308
Offers assistance with housing, mental health, employment training, women-veteran programs, and more.
National Lines & Peer Support
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (Veterans Line)
📞 Dial or text 988 → press 1
Chat online at 988lifeline.org
Free, confidential 24/7 help for veterans experiencing mental-health, emotional, or substance-use crises.
Vets4Warriors
📞 855-838-8255 | 🌐 vets4warriors.com
A 24/7 peer-support network connecting veterans directly with trained peers for emotional and practical support.
VA Homeless & At-Risk Veterans Call Center
📞 1-877-4AID VET (1-877-424-3838)
Connects veterans to housing programs, employment assistance, and supportive services nationwide.
More ways to connect:
Veterans can also explore regional resources like the American Legion Post 150 in Raymond, VFW Post 968 in Long Beach, and the VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic in Chehalis for medical and counseling support.
Together We Belong / Juntos Pertenecemos
To our veterans: thank you for your service, your courage, and your continued presence in this community. You make Pacific County stronger. And to everyone reading, let’s make gratitude more than a single day. Let’s make it something we live through care, connection, and community.
When one veteran stands alone, our county stands weaker. When our veterans stand supported, our community stands stronger.
Together We Belong. / Juntos Pertenecemos.
A nuestros veteranos: gracias por su servicio, su valentía y su presencia constante en esta comunidad. Ustedes hacen que el condado de Pacific sea más fuerte.
Y a todas las personas que nos leen, hagamos que la gratitud sea más que un solo día. Vivámosla a través del cuidado, la conexión y la comunidad.
Cuando un veterano está solo, nuestro condado se debilita. Cuando nuestros veteranos están acompañados y apoyados, nuestra comunidad se fortalece.
Juntos Pertenecemos. / Together We Belong.