Veterans' Service office: Closure will affect veterans

October 14 will become another sad day in Poulsbo history. It will be on that date that the American Legion, Post 245, Veteran’s Service Office will close its doors forever.

The VSO provides a vital and necessary service for our military veterans and their spouses/widows. In the past eight or nine years, this office has been responsible in assisting veterans to obtain well in excess of $2 million of extra needed income. This not only benefits the veteran but helps to invigorate the economy of the Poulsbo/North Kitsap area.

What brought this dire event to fruition? First, the armory was closed down by the governor and we were lucky enough to find the basement of the old Poulsbo City Hall to set up operations temporarily. With the inability of the post and the new owners of the armory to come to an agreement on rent, we will have no place to move once the new City Hall opens and the old one closes. Yes, we have investigated the new City Hall and none of the available spaces would work for our needs.

With that all being said, we will bid the Veteran’s Service Office a fond farewell with cake and coffee (and probably some other snacks) and the telling of old sea tales (barracks tales for you landlubber veterans) from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 14 in the basement of the old Poulsbo City Hall. We invite our past clients to visit and any other well wishers that care to attend.

Of course, we always hold out hope that there is somewhere out there in Poulsbo that may have space available that will serve, with the needed privacy, size and will be economically suitable for the post.

Thank you for allowing me to serve the veterans of this area,

Terry Inman, MKCS,

U.S. Coast Guard, Retired Field Service Officer

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.