Edmonds is a city that has proven many times over the value it places on our servicemen and servicewomen.

My Edmonds News surveyed a number of businesses as Veterans Day 2015 approached and learned that the following programs are being undertaken to honor, assist and acknowledge our service personnel’s sacrifices and service:

Tuesday, Nov. 10
9 a.m.
Edmonds Woodway High School
Gymnasium
7600 212th St. SW

Edmonds Woodway High School extends an invitation to Edmonds-area veterans at their school assembly commemorating Veteran’s Day on Tuesday, Nov. 10. Veterans planning to attend the assembly should arrive the school between 8:30-8:45 a.m.

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McDonald McGarry Insurance
630 Main St.

Have an old cell phone you need to get rid of? McDonald McGarry Insurance will hold a cell phone recycle until Nov. 16^th in recognition of Veterans Day.

McDonald McGarry Insurance is partnering with Cell Phones for Soldiers https://www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com to collect and recycle your gently used cell phones.

Each phone donation represents two hours of free talk-time for the troops.

Cell Phones for Soldiers has provided over 114 million minutes of free talk time to troops overseas since the program began in 2004. Collected phones will be sent to ReCellular, which pays Cell Phones for Soldiers for the donations.

With those funds from ReCellular, Cell Phones for Soldiers purchases pre-paid calling cards that are sent to the troops.

My Edmonds News was able to speak with Meagan McDonald of McDonald McGarry Insurance who had this to say about the Veteran’s Day event that they have been involved in for many years:

“Our involvement with Cell Phones for Soldiers has been going on for a few years now, and it was an organization that John and Sandy McDonald had learned about. In looking more into their work and how much impact the organization has, our office decided to get involved and host a drive a number of years ago. We choose to do this during the holidays because a lot of new cell phones and electronics are given as gifts. After our first drive and we realized just how many phones were donated, we decided to make this an annual event for our community.

“The response from those donating their phones has been very nice. Many people who donate their phones are glad that they can, in some small way, make a difference with their old phones, rather than just tossing them.

“It seems that everyone can empathize with being in a situation where they just want to hear a familiar voice, and to be able to help service members who could be anywhere in the world do that is a pretty neat opportunity.

“We haven’t had any specific thank-yous from service members, but the response from those donating their phones has been very nice. Most people that stop by are glad that they can, in some small way, make a difference with their old phones, rather than just tossing them.

“It seems that everyone has been in a situation where they just want to hear a familiar voice, and to be able to help service members who could be anywhere in the world do that is a pretty neat opportunity.”

The McDonald McGarry office will be open and collecting phones from 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays and 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Fridays through Nov. 16.

For more information, call 425-774-3200 or email their office at info@mcdonaldmcgarry.com

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Operation Military Family (OMF)
155 3rd Ave. S. Ste #2

OMF established itself in Edmonds in 2007. Operation Military Family is a recognized and trusted veteran-owned small business, offering both products and services to veterans and their families which comply with Department of Defense, Veterans Administration, and General Services Administration guidelines.

The company offers resources and advocacy to military families including event planning services, workshops on topics of interest to service families such as job fair information, updates on shell shock and PTSD medical treatment advances. Their services to returning service personnel include higher education support, transition counseling and direct training.

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Edmonds Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8870 and Ladies Auxillary is led by Commander James Blossey — email Commander@vfw8870.org.

The Post provides scholarships, and Teacher of The Year awards as well as military funeral honors.

Most notably, however, the Post was instrumental in designing and raising funds for the Edmonds Veterans Plaza. The Veterans Plaza project is sponsored by the Edmonds VFW Post 8870, Post 66 of the American Legion, the City of Edmonds and local historical groups. It is chaired by Marine Corps Vietnam veteran Ron Clyborne.

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Edmonds’ Fallen Heroes Project was established by Michael Reagan, who explains:

“Our mission is to honor the American Fallen Heroes for their ultimate sacrifice during the war against terrorism.” The foundation provides a hand-drawn portrait of their Fallen Hero, created by artist Michael G. Reagan, free of charge. Each portrait is intended to show our love and respect for these heroes and their families.”

— Compiled by Emily Hill