By JAMES EIK
Staff Reporter
The Department of Washington Veterans of Foreign Wars is coming to Airway Heights for a special visit.
Northern Quest Resort and Casino was selected as the location for the organization's annual state convention, which will take place June 21 to 23.
Around 500 of the state's VFW members are expected to attend the event, helping to bring some tourism dollars to the West Plains along the way.
VFW Washington state commander Carlos Almeda said sites are selected largely based on the potential cost to members. Around three-quarters of the organizations resides west of the mountains, but venues change each year. The state headquarters are located in Tacoma, Wash.
“We pretty much go with what fits our members' needs,” Almeda said.
Most hotels on the west side of the state, he said tend to be fairly expensive. Venues are chosen five years in advance, and are chosen through a bidding process.
The local VFW chapter, Almeda said, has been extremely helpful throughout the process. Aside from having the event in the city, they have helped streamline communication, with the ultimate goal of pulling off a flawless convention.
“They're doing a lot of the footwork for us,” he said.
David Guinsler, commander of Post 3386 in Airway Heights, said the entirety of District 9 is hosting the event. The district encompasses Spokane, and other cities as far north as Colville and south as Rockford.
“It's a big thing for us to welcome people from the west side of the state into our area,” he said.
The last time a state convention was held in the area was 2002, when it was in downtown Spokane. Mirabeau Park was also the location for a midwinter conference in 2009.
“This is a time where people come together to really support each other,” Guinsler said.
The Airway Heights post will have some lunches for the event, as well as live music both Friday and Saturday.
Spanning three days, the convention will handle business matters for the first two. Even representatives from the national level will be in attendance, including VFW national representative Bill Thien.
With the recent economic downturn, Almeda said the VFW has a more important role to play today than ever in its history. Budget cuts threatening the military at the federal level have many in the state's department concerned, especially with the potential of losing some benefits provided for veterans' service.
At its core, Almeda said the VFW provides a voice for military members.
“We do live in a democracy, but those who are wearing a uniform cannot speak out,” he said. “We're the only people who can speak out on their behalf, the veterans organization. The VFW speaks as loud, if not louder, than any of them to make sure they retain their benefits and their health care and compensated fairly for their service.”
Also, those returning from conflicts overseas have a network who likely have similar experiences. The VFW provides an outlet to share those experiences and make connections from the local level to the national level.
Almeda said the saying “birds of a feather flock together,” fits the connectivity of the VFW very well.
“Those who serve in combat are the same way,” he said. “For them, it's therapy, because they've experienced some things not everyone has experienced. It helps to be able to talk to someone and understand what they've gone through.”
Almeda is no stranger to the West Plains, having visited Northern Quest when it first began operating. The difference from the facility's opening years, he said, has been vast.
The venue is set, and members will begin coming into the area next week.
“All VFW members are most welcome to attend, and their families,” Almeda said.
James Eik can be reached at [email protected].
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