Navy squadron home from deployment

Electronic Attack Squadron 135, the Black Ravens, have returned home after completing a six-month deployment in the Middle East.

The sailors were based at an airfield in Afghanistan from April through September. This was the first EA-18G Growler expeditionary deployment in Afghanistan. The EA-6B Prowlers have had a constant presence in the operation since its opening days in 2001.

The Whidbey Island Naval Air Station-based squadron was last deployed in 2009, when the aircrew flew their missions in Prowlers launched from the USS Nimitz, now based in Everett. The squadron transitioned from the Prowler to the Growler in 2010 and 2011.

Lynnwood VFW hosts student essay contest

Lynnwood VFW Post 1040 has announced its annual student essay contest, which is open for students in the Edmonds School District as well as private school or home-schooled students who live within the boundaries of the district.

Students in grades 3, 4 and 5 are asked to write an essay of 250 words or less on the topic, “How I Show My Love For My Country.” Students in Grades 6, 7 and 8 are asked to write a 300-400 word essay on the topic, “What I Would Tell America’s Founding Fathers.” High school students can participate in the “Voice of Democracy” audio essay contest. The 3- to 5-minute recording should addresses the topic, “Is Our Constitution Still Relevant?”

Cash prizes are to be awarded to the top three in each category. Detailed instructions and an entry form are at http://vfw1040.org. Deadline is Nov. 1.

For more information, call 425-314-5280.

Active Duty

Navy Seaman Apprentice David Laplante, son of Gail and Douglas Laplante of Granite Falls, was promoted to his current rank upon graduation from Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill. Laplante received the early promotion for outstanding performance during all phases of the training cycle. Laplante is a 2012 graduate of Granite Falls High School.

Air Force Airman Gershom Angeles graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. Angeles is the son of Gregorio and Rowena Angeles of Oak Harbor. He is a 2009 graduate of Oak Harbor High School.

Air Force Airman Joshua Durden graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. Durden is the son of Lora and Jeff Durden of Bothell. He is a 2010 graduate of Bothell High School.

Marine Corps Pvt. Garrett Patterson, son of Teresa Montoya and Jason Brower, both of Marysville, recently graduated from the Marine Corps Basic Combat Engineer Course at Marine Corps Engineer School, Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune, N. C. Patterson is a 2011 graduate of Marysville Getchell High School. He joined the Marine Corps Reserve in January 2012.

Navy Seaman Apprentice Thomas Curry, a 2012 graduate of Meadowdale High School, recently completed basic training at U.S. Navy Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.

Veterans calendar

Fleet Reserve Association and Ladies Fleet Reserve Association unit and branch 18: Lunch noon, meeting 1 p.m. second Saturdays, 23003 56th Ave. W., Mountlake Terrace. 425-771-2774.

A group of veterans of wars in foreign lands (not associated with VFW) meets at 1 p.m., second Wednesdays, Carl Gipson Senior Center, 3025 Lombard, Everett. Call Ernie at 425-512-9786 or the senior center at 257-8780.

Military Order of the Purple Heart, Chapter 12: 7 p.m. fourth Tuesdays, Lynnwood Elks Club, 6620 196th St. SW. All veterans who were awarded the Purple Heart are welcome and encouraged to attend. Call Keith Reyes, 360-631-4467, or Phil Sacks, 425-741-7311.

American Legion

Legion Post 76: Arlington American Legion Auxiliary breakfast, 8 to 11 a.m., first Saturdays, 115 N. Olympic Ave. Cost is $5. Proceeds benefit veterans. Call 360-435-2492.

Legion Post 92: Stanwood offers prime rib dinner, 4:30 p.m., third Fridays. Legion and auxiliary meeting, 7 p.m., second Mondays, 26921 88th Ave. NW, Stanwood. Service office, 360-629-8021, open 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays to help veterans.

Legion Post 66: 6 p.m. third Mondays, Edmonds Senior Center, 220 Railroad Ave., Edmonds. Call John, 425-743-7430

Legion Post 96: 7 p.m. second Tuesdays, Legion Hall, 1201 First St., Snohomish. Call 360-568-5340. Post 96 is raising funds for a large mural created by David Hose.

Legion Post 58: 7 p.m. third Tuesdays, Odd Fellows Building, 610 Lewis St., Monroe. Call Bob at 360-863-3544 or go to www.americanlegionmonroe.org.

Legion Post 6: 7 p.m. second Thursdays, the Fleet Reserve Association Club, 6802 Beverly Blvd. Everett. Call Marvin at 425-224-4137.

Legion Post 181: 7 p.m. second and fourth Thursdays, Lake Stevens Community Center, 1812 124th Ave NE. Call Tom at 425-314-5865, Tony at 360-631-3242, or Vern at 425-343-9637; email info@post181.org; or go to [URL]www.post181.org;http://www.post181.org[URL].

Legion Post 178: 7 p.m. third Thursdays, Legion Hall, 2nd Street and Cedar Avenue NE, Marysville. Social hour at 6 p.m. Call Jeremiah at 253-405-8175 or Lett at 425-220-4940.

Veterans of Foreign Wars

Sultan VFW Post 2554 and Ladies Auxiliary: 7:30 p.m., second Thursdays, United Methodist Church, 211 Birch Ave., Sultan. Call 360-793-1879 or 360-793-3296.

Monroe VFW Post 7511: Noon, second Thursdays, IOOF Hall, 610 Lewis St., Monroe. Call Ken, 425-315-3509.

Edmonds VFW Post 8870 and Ladies Auxiliary: Lunch at 11:45 a.m., meeting at 12:30 p.m. second Fridays, Edmonds Senior Center, 220 Railroad Ave., Edmonds. Call Fred at 206-940-7502, go to [/URL]www.vfw8870.org ;http://www.vfw8870.org [URL]or email quartermaster@vfw8870.org.

Arlington Boyer-Daniel VFW Post 1561: 7 p.m. first Tuesdays. For meeting location, call 425-232-8453, 360-435-6677 or go to [/URL]vfw1561.org;http://vfw1561.org[URL]. All veterans who have served honorably and received a combat or campaign medal are eligible to join.

Snohomish Gay Jones VFW Post 921 and Auxiliary: 1 p.m. third Saturdays, Boys &Girls Club, 402 Second St., Snohomish. Most overseas veterans are eligible. Help for all veterans who need a hand-up. Call 425-397-7111.

Everett VFW Post 2100: 6:30 p.m. fourth Thursdays, 2711 Oaks Ave., Everett. Ladies Auxiliary 2100: 6:30 p.m. second Monday. Call 425-337-1559 or go to [/URL]www.vfwpost2100.org;http://www.vfwpost2100.org[URL].

Lynnwood VFW Post 1040: first Thursdays, Alderwood Youth Club, 19619 24th Ave. W., Lynnwood. Call Martin, 425-774-7416, or Frank, 425-697-4102.

Old Guard VFW Post 2100: 6:30 p.m. last Thursdays, 2711 Oakes Ave., Everett. Call 425-252-2100.

Gold Bar VFW Post 9417: 6 p.m. first Thursdays. Call “Sarge” Watkins at 425-931-1638. Ladies Auxiliary: 4 p.m. first Wednesdays. Call Arden King at 360-793-2786.

Whitehead-Muzzall VFW Post 7392: 360-675-4048 or go to [/URL]vfwpost7392.org;http://vfwpost7392.org.

To submit news for this column, contact reporter Gale Fiege: 425-339-3427