They are the fabulous 10.
At a luncheon held in Auburn in early November, the Governor's Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee and the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) recognized seven individuals who have devoted time and energy to improving the lives of Washington's veterans. Three others also received the award.
Brothers Zachary and Christopher Taylor (Patriotic Service); Mark Melton (Outstanding Service Officer); Colleen Gilbert (Outstanding Employee: Thurston County); Dennis Primoli (Outstanding Veteran Volunteer: Pierce County); state senator Steve Conway (Outstanding Legislator); state representative Sherry Appleton (Outstanding Legislator); Doris Kent (Outstanding Volunteer Service Officer); Rabbi Chaim Levine (Male Non-Veteran); and Jane Jacobsen (Outstanding Female Non-Vet) all received 2011 Outstanding Service to Veterans Awards.
"These are wonderful and amazing individuals," said John Lee, WDVA director.  "Their efforts make a positive difference."
Four of the winners took time to talk with The Ranger newspaper.
The officer
Mark Melton calls himself a patriot.
"I've been to every continent in the world, and there is nothing as pretty as the red, white and blue," said the winner of the Outstanding Service Officer Award.
During his service in the Navy, Melton suffered a severe back injury.  At the urging of his father, he became a life member of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV). "I have my dad to thank for all of this," he said with a smile.
Since 1984, Melton has served the DAV as a chaplain, van driver, commander and director of transportation and services. Currently the commander of DAV Chapter 18 in Lakewood, Melton devotes his time to organizing activities for the Wounded Warriors Program, the Soldiers Home in Orting and the Veterans Administration Puget Sound Health Care Center at the Seattle and American Lake sites.
And if that were not enough, he volunteers as a service officer for the Veterans Administration. "There is so much to do for the number of veterans we are faced with," Melton said. "I work with vets on everything - from updating the proper forms to securing death benefits for spouses to finding medical records, educational benefits and housing for homeless vets," he said.
Today's veterans need to apply for VA hospital benefits and secure a copy of medical records before separating from the service, Melton said.  They should also join a veteran's organization. "These organizations can help veterans get what is owed (to) them. And we can certainly use the newer members to keep our organizations productive into the future."
For more information about the DAV, visit www.dav.org.
The scouts
High school students Zachary and Christopher Taylor personify selfless service to community.
In order to earn the coveted rank of Eagle Scout, they determined to make significant improvements to the Washington State Veterans Cemetery in Medical Lake. Their efforts earned them the Patriotic Service Award.
After meeting with the cemetery's director, the two Scouts quickly identified projects.
Chris decided to work on an Honor Guard Walkway; Zachary chose to work on a Scattering Garden Memorial Stone and Garden Development.
"The purpose of Chris' project was to create a safer, more honorable, faster and more formal route for the Honor Guard to walk along during the Honor Guard procession," wrote Zach in an email.
Linked with the concept of veterans receiving final honors was Zach's project of honoring some veterans' final resting places. While the cemetery allows for the scattering of ashes, the area in which to do so was not aesthetically pleasing. "There was no actual developed garden aspect to the area," Zach explained.  His plan was to "develop the previously barren area."
The plan worked.
"The final garden project included the engraved granite stone, a 400-foot gravel walkway, numerous planting beds and ten mature, 15 to 20-foot trees," Zach continued.
Both Scouts directly confronted the challenge of raising funds by actively soliciting businesses, civic organizations, veterans' groups and individuals.

From their efforts, they raised $5,500 for the Honor Guard Walkway and $6,000 for the Scattering Garden.

The two young men have received numerous letters from families expressing their gratefulness for the completion of the projects.
"America is a great country, and we both feel we owe a debt of gratitude to all our past, present and future military members who stand up every day to defend the principles our country is based on," Zach concluded.
The lady gambler
At a recent visit to a casino, Colleen Gilbert won $250.
"I went and immediately bought 25 $10 raffle tickets to support Hometown Heroes," Gilbert said. "I didn't win the raffle, but the money sure went to a good cause."
A WDVA employee for the past 16 years, Gilbert was recognized as the Outstanding Employee: Thurston County Award winner.
"I love to know why something works, what the details are," she said. "When it comes to veterans and their needs, I see the details in order to help them."
Her quest to help veterans began during her interview with Lee for her present job.
"He told me I had to write a letter as to why people should spend money on a World War II project," Gilbert related. "At first, I wasn't sure what to write.  Then I saw the mission statement on his office wall - we are here to help veterans - and the letter came together."
Gilbert volunteers countless hours conducting outreach at various events on her own time, particularly when the focus is on veterans' memorials and other public events honoring Washington State veterans. "I am a part of something great.  I still am."

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