By Kristine Lowder
Bill Sisco has made service a career. A “100% Service Connected Viet Nam Veteran,” Sisco serves as the Commander of the All-American Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 8956 in North Beach. He’s also spearheading a November Stand Down event for Harbor veterans designed to serve those who’ve served.
On active duty “in country” (Viet Nam) from 1965-1966, Sisco served with the United States Air Force from 1960 until 1969, when he was medically retired from active duty. That hasn’t slowed down the ebullient vet or diminished his enthusiasm and appreciation for fellow vets. He beams, “I am first of all proud of my country. I am proud to have had the opportunity to serve my country in the manner I was trained to serve.”
Sisco brings that same pride and energy to the North Beach VFW post, where he became Commander about four years ago. The post was teetering on the verge of bankruptcy. Attendance was down. The post’s charter was in danger of being yanked. Sisco, who was also the Exalted Ruler of the local Elks Lodge at the time, initiated changes in the meeting time and location, public relations efforts and community involvement. “Attendance soared,” he says.
The efforts earned the post All American status and All State in 2014-2015. Sisco explains, “There are approximately 7,400 VFW Posts worldwide and this past year only 130 of those Posts achieved All American. VFW All-American status is a badge of achievement that states simply, ‘Here is one of the best of the best.’ It took a great deal of effort form all members to achieve the honors.”
This year’s Stand Down event for veterans also promises to be “one of the best.” The theme is “We Have Your Back.” The November 9 event will be held at the South Shore Mall in Aberdeen from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. It’s “a huge cooperative effort among so many in Grays Harbor as well as many state agencies,” says Sisco.
To those unfamiliar with the term, Sisco explains: “In combat, a ‘Stand Down’ is an opportunity to get off the lines and get some rest, hot food, a change of clothes and medical care away from the intensity of combat. The civilian term has the same sort of desired outcomes, just not in combat – at least war combat.”
“There are levels of being in combat that are also significant,” says the former USAF electronic repairman, who is also a retired school superintendent. “The military aviator who may be all alone getting shot at while attempting to complete a gun run; the ‘grunt’ infantryman in the field, living in mud and the blood of hand to hand war, and some of the others who though ‘shot at’ did not suffer nearly as much as others.”
Sisco continues, “I am always in awe when I hear some of the stories about the heroes of our country. The Audie Murphys’ and Sergeant Yorks’ and John Basilones of the world that we all grew up watching on the movie screen were real people, and we have many more of them today that need to be honored.”
Honoring and serving veterans is what every Stand Down is about. The annual events offer a “supermarket of services for veterans” says Sisco. “We have approximately 40 service providers from the public and private sector. It’s very heart-warming.”
Services offered include:
- Communication with elected officials at the Local, County, State, and National Level
- Legal advice from the Northwest Justice Project
- Financial and housing information
- Counseling and finance information providers including NeighborWorks of Grays Harbor and the Grays Harbor PUD
- Welfare assistance from a number of entities will also be available, including the state’s Mobile Community Services Office.
- Medical services from the American Lake Mobile Medical Unit , the Medical Teams International, Mobile Dental Unit, and the VA Mobile Mental Health Unit.
Service officers from the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Viet Nam Veterans of America and the Veterans Administration will be on hand at this year’s event. Clothing, survival gear, back packs and personal hygiene products will be available. Veterans Outreach Programs will include the Union Gospel Mission and Sarge’s Place from Forks.
The VFW has local posts in Hoquiam, Aberdeen, Montesano, Westport, and Elma. A veteran is eligible for VFW membership “If you have received a campaign medal for overseas service; have served 30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive days in Korea; or have ever received hostile fire or imminent danger pay.”
Sisco affirms, “I will always have a special appreciation for the men and women who have also been ‘Boots on the Ground’ and also have a special comfort in being with them.” He smiles and adds softly, “I believe we have each other’s backs.”
This year’s Stand Down event takes place on Monday, November 9 at the Community Room and adjoining hallway of the South Shore Mall, 1017 South Boone Street in Aberdeen, from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
For more information, contact Bill Sisco, Commander of North Beach VFW Post 8956 at 360-580-0486 or 360-591-7595.
