By Mary Stevens Decker

mdecker@redmond-reporter.com

Each day in Redmond’s Overlake neighborhood, thousands of people drive past a sometimes untapped resource for military veterans, their families and the general public.

VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) Post 2995, at 4330 148th Ave. NE, is reaching out to recruit new members and raise awareness of the opportunities that exist for the “25,000 to 50,000 veterans here on the Eastside,” said longtime member Bob Michalak and relative newcomer Jake Bond.

“Any vet with an honorable discharge can be a VFW or American Legion member,” said Michalak. “It doesn’t matter whether you served 20 years or six months. A lot of people don’t know that.”

People at the post are also “in the know” about nearby, affordable facilities like a Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic at 13033 Bel-Red Rd., as well as how to obtain a free burial in Tahoma National Cemetery or how to file claims for war injuries. In fact, a VFW Service Officer is on site at Post 2995 each Monday (except holidays) at 11 a.m.

“When vets think of VA benefits, they go to Seattle or Tacoma,” said Bond. “Yet we are one of the biggest posts, with services for both older and younger vets.”

The post also offers both Men’s and Women’s Auxiliaries for family members of veterans, a thriving Troop Support program which sends comfort packages to active soldiers to Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as an Honor Guard to appear at parades, football games or other community events.

Even those with no ties to the military can rent the hall at VFW Post 2995 or visit the building’s restaurant and bar for lunch, dinner and music.

“You won’t find a cheaper meal in a down economy,” said Bond, who served four years in the United States Marines Corps and is now a financial advisor working in Redmond. “We’re always open to suggestions for entertainment,” he added. “You’ll find a different kind of atmosphere right off the bat. In the daytime, it’s a nice place for a meeting or brunch but we’re also trying to have younger vets know that in the evenings, it’s a safe, fun place to come with their friends and families.”

Bond continued, “You’ll see that we really are a community organization. We have scholarship programs, we rent the hall out for weddings as well as having troop support. We want to extend our reach throughout the Eastside.”

The post’s location, in such a high-traffic area, should be a boon for the organization.

However, Bond explained, “We’re in the shadow of Microsoft. A lot of people stroll by here and don’t know us. Anything you can do to shine a star on us, to let people know we’re here to help and support local vets is good.”

To learn more about VFW Post 2995 in Redmond, visit www.vfwpost-2995.org or call 425-883-2995.

The post will also hold an open house from noon-9 p.m. Saturday, March 6, for all veterans and the general public.