Jonathan M. Wainwright Memorial VA Medical Center

Don’t miss out on this year’s “Welcome Home” event; there will be plenty of information for everyone.

The Walla Walla VA Medical Center (WWVA) is hosting a “Welcome Home to Historic Walla Walla VA” event on Friday, September 22, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on WWVA’s Parade Grounds (77 Wainwright Drive, Walla Walla). This event serves as a Veteran information and public job fair event for all local Veterans, their families, and the community. Numerous VA services will be on hand to provide information about services available at the WWVA, and community agencies and businesses will also be available to provide resources and information. Numerous local businesses will have job opening information available for Veterans and others with instructions on how to apply for openings. 

There will be a short Opening Ceremony at 9 a.m. The Washington State Penitentiary Honor Guard will present the colors at the beginning of the event, and WWVA employee, Ms. Lidia Friederich, will sign the national anthem. WWVA’s Director, Brian W. Westfield, MSN, will provide opening remarks, as well as share WWVA’s commitment to suicide prevention and support to all local Veterans. The Director will be signing a public declaration on the VA’s commitment to work with the community in the national suicide prevention campaign - #BeThere. Suicide IS preventable!

Another highlight of this event is the public unveiling of five interpretive panels detailing the history of Fort Walla Walla and WWVA occupation of this historic campus. WWVA's archeologist, Ms. Katherine Ferguson, researched and designed these panels, and they have been installed around WWVA's campus. Each panel features a different aspect of Fort Walla Walla’s history. An additional three panels are in the research/design phase, one which will detail Native American use of the WWVA campus. Fort Walla Walla Museum will also have some historical information on display to complement the interpretive panel presentation.

Additionally, the Buffalo Soldiers of Seattle will be on hand and available to provide information about their extensive history. They will be in full uniform, and have with them other accoutrements that would have been used and worn by the 9th Cavalry when stationed at Fort Walla Walla.

Breakfast bagels are being are graciously donated by Hidden Valley Bakery, and the Elks National Veterans Service Commission is hosting and serving a bbq lunch. WWVA's Voluntary Service Department is providing a cake and water/drinks. Numerous local businesses are providing items for free raffle drawings.

To round out the event, there will be a vintage and classic car "show and shine" from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, courtesy of the Walla Walla Historical Auto Club and the Walla Walla Cruisers. You're encouraged to come check out the cars and get your picture taken!

Here's the link to WWVA's Facebook event announcement:  https://goo.gl/71ravx. For additional information about this event, contact Linda Wondra, Public Affairs Officer, Walla Walla VA Medical Center, at 509.525.5200, ext. 26520 or at linda.wondra@va.gov.