POULSBO — When her husband unexpectedly died leaving her with a house payment on top of everything else, Tahuya resident Lucinda Evans needed a big helping hand.
That’s when American Legion Post No. 245 of Poulsbo’s veterans service officers Birger Sather and Ken Nyberg stepped in.
Because of her husband, Chan Evans’ military service, Lucinda was able to receive help from the American Legion that goes beyond normal death benefits, Sather said.
“It can be used for anything,†he said. “It can be used for families that are behind in rent or need some assistance.â€
The only requirement is that the family member be a veteran. The assistance is available to any veteran and their families, Sather said.
“It feels really good to know that someone is here to help,†Evans said as she held her 4-year-old daughter, Rhiana.
Evans’ situation is becoming increasingly common as the American Legion is starting to see many veterans’ families, who are in their late 50s and early 60s, Sather said.
“There aren’t too many World War II veterans around anymore,†said Dick Schiavone, who helps with the program.
After World War II ended, there were 16 million veterans, now that number is down to about 4 million, Schiavone said.
“We’re starting to see more Korean War and Vietnam War veterans,†Sather said.
However, the assistance offered by the American Legion isn’t just for families of deceased veterans, he said.
The organization helps all veterans during times of need, including those who have just returned from Afghanistan and Iraq, he said.
“We had a soldier from Iraq who was having trouble finding a job,†Sather said. “He finally went back into the service.â€
During the period between his discharge and subsequent reenlistment, the American Legion helped pay some of his family’s bills, he said.
While veterans assistance is available from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Thursday at the Poulsbo Armory, it isn’t just for Poulsbo-area veterans, he said.
“We do the entire Kitsap Peninsula plus parts of Mason and Jefferson counties,†Sather said.
