By Liv Stecker

Legion Member Bob West presents Dan Litzenberger with a donation for Freedom Has a Face

American Legion Post 146 in Kettle Falls, Washington make up in might what they lack in numbers. The small collection of dedicated veterans who provide a place for service members from all generations to congregate has stepped up to the plate one more time to make a donation to the Freedom Has A Face Foundation (FHAF).

Freedom Has A Face was recently the focus of a fundraising Historical Shootout at Bull Hill Training Ranch outside of Kettle Falls that involved veterans, active duty service members and civilians from all over the area. Kettle Falls American Legion heard about the fundraising effort and voted to contribute to the cause. Legion member Bob West visited Bull Hill Training Ranch to present former Army Ranger Dan Litzenberger with a check for the donation. Litzenberger started the ranch and historical shootouts as a way to not only provide a recreational outlet for veterans but also to raise funds for causes like FHAF.

The Freedom Has A Face foundation is dedicated to the financial and emotional support of family members of service members killed in action. Based in California, the foundation provides resources for families of fallen soldiers all over the United States. Extended family of the founders of FHAF live outside of Northport, Washington, and were on hand at the shootout to help feed the competitors.

Because of generous contributions from dedicated individuals and groups like American Legion Post 146, Bull Hill Training Ranch was able to support FHAF in their mission to care for military families. The Kettle Falls American Legion Post 146 is committed to the well-being of veterans from all generations and welcome all to their monthly meetings and the many social events they have scheduled throughout the year.

Traditional veterans organizations like the American Legion and the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) have seen a steady decline in membership since they burgeoned after the first World War. Changes in social trends and technology have removed the younger generation of veterans from the face-to-face gathering that was so crucial to the veterans of World War 2, Korea and Vietnam. Younger veterans find themselves absorbed in a less personal network of online socialization and often miss the connection that sitting down in a Legion Post or VFW Hall with veterans from other generations can provide. If you are a vet, check into what your local veterans organizations have to offer you, or maybe more importantly, what you can offer them. (Many of them have Facebook pages!)

Kettle Falls American Legion Post 146

amlpost146kettlefallswa@hotmail.com

https://www.legion.org/

Chewelah V.F.W. #2047

PO Box 913, Chewelah, WA 99109

Frank Starr American Legion #47

103 E. 6th Ave, Colville, WA 99114

509 684-8480 or 509 685-9680

J F Folsom Chewelah American Legion #54

111 W. South Ave, Chewelah, WA 99109

509 935-8464

Kelley O’Keefe V.F.W. #6963

135 Highway 20 E., Colville, WA 99114

509 684-8795

Kettle Falls American Legion#146

1057 Highway 395 N., Kettle Falls, WA 99141

509 738-6999

Northport American Legion #158

PO Box 96, Northport, WA 99157

Wellpinit V.F.W. #10711

PO Box 180, Wellpinit, WA 99040

509 258-7331