OLYMPIA, WA — The Washington Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) is proud to announce that Chris Coolbaugh has joined the agency as the new Director of Veteran Services Counseling & Wellness. Chris is a 29-year Veteran of the U.S. Army and senior …
WDVA bids a final farewell to a WDVA Counselor who served Veterans and families for 36 years Navy Veteran Clark Ashworth began working with veterans while he completed his supervised hours for licensure as a psychologist in 1984. He soon began a private …
Flag Lowering - December 7, 2025 (National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day) I hereby direct that Washington State and United States flags at all state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff on Sunday, December 7, 2025, for National Pearl Harbor …
WHEREAS, 84 years ago, Imperial Japan launched an unprovoked attack on the United States Naval Base at Pearl Harbor, resulting in the deaths of more than 2,400 American service members and civilians and the destruction of much of our nation's Pacific …
Securing Hope: How Lock Boxes Are Helping Veterans Stay Safe It wasn’t just a box. It gave an Airman time to think, and that saved his life. In Washington State, a quiet but powerful shift is happening in suicide prevention, one lock box at a time. In …
WHEREAS, our state is home to more than 494,383 veterans, 56,000 active-duty military personnel, 16,000 National Guard and Reserves members, and their families; and WHEREAS, those who have served in the Armed Forces have continuously made vital …
This November, we honor Native American Heritage Month (Indigenous Heritage Month) a time established in 1990 to recognize the enduring contributions of Indigenous peoples to the rich and diverse fabric of the United States. In 1915, the annual congress of …
Washington State Outstanding Award For Service to Veterans You know who they are volunteers, service officers, community members, Tribal Veterans programs and advocates, National Guard members or others who day in and day out go above and beyond the call …
WDVA Manager Melissa Weitzel Honored with Governor’s Outstanding Leadership Award Olympia - “Melissa Weitzel’s work has changed lives across Washington,” said WDVA Director David Puente Jr. “Her vision and steady leadership turned a program into a …
Hello Tri-Cities Veterans and Cemetery Supporters! Your WDVA is working on the next steps to bring a State Veterans Cemetery to Southeast Washington State! As shared in the May 2025 update, the legislature and Governor provided funding allowing us to move …
Washington State POW/MIA Recognition Event Date: September 19, 2025 Time: 10:00 a.m. Location: POW/MIA Monument, Capitol Campus, Olympia, WA Contact: Rich Angeli Email: RIchangeli@hotmail.com Honoring Their Sacrifice Olympia, WA – The Washington State …
The Washington Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) and the Washington State Arts Commission (ArtsWA) celebrate the Wellness, Arts, and the Military (WAM) Grant program’s receipt of the 2025 Abraham Lincoln Pillars of Excellence Award, honoring its …
Real Veterans, Real Voices: 988 Awareness for 988 Day September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month (SPAM) and many feelings come to mind as summer begins to fade and sweater weather is on its way-pumpkin spice everything, children back in school (school …
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month (SPAM) - Available resources and SPAM Toolkit from Washington Department of Veterans Affairs OLYMPIA, Wash. - September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Your Washington State Department of Veterans …
August is National Wellness Month! The Suicide Prevention Team at your Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs is supporting overall health and wellness among our Service Members, Veterans, and their Families (SMVF) by highlighting the importance …
8th Annual Serving Those Who Served Conference in Yakima - REGISTRATION FULL Get ready for this year's 8th Annual Serving Those Who Served Conference! Once again, this year we're partnering with Washington Employment Security Department and …
PROCLAMATION - Purple Heart Recipient Recognition Day WHEREAS, our nation and its principles have been defended throughout history by brave and patriotic people who willingly sacrificed their own well-being for the cause of freedom and democracy; and …
Celebrating the Legacy of the Orting Veterans Farm As we bid farewell to the Orting Veterans Farm, which ceased operations on July 1 due to completion of funding from a VA Rural Farms Grant, we reflect on the immense impact it has had on the community, …
Real Veterans, Real Voices- Suffering in Silence: A Roll Call for Community Inclusion Your Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) Suicide Prevention Team would like to recognize the importance of not only mental health wellness but also …
The State Veterans Cemetery, Medical Lake will hold a Forgotten Heroes interment on August 7 at 1:00pm. Spokane County – The State Veterans Cemetery, Medical Lake will hold a Forgotten Heroes interment on August 7 at 1:00pm. WDVA works closely with …
