Vets Café Brings Veterans Together as Parade Plans Take Shape

This article is part of The Highline Journal’s America at 250: Northwest Stories.

Veterans Step Up Again as America Nears 250th Birthday!

Burien veterans from Post 134 American Legion launch Vets Café, preview their Fourth of July plans, and spotlight local service efforts.

At the center of that effort is the commander of American Legion Post 134. He is helping lead a new outreach called Vets Café while also organizing a major presence in Burien’s Fourth of July parade.

“We’re not just sitting around swapping war stories,” the post leader said. “We are active and civically minded as we continue to serve our local community.”

A Cup of Coffee and a Connection

The new Vets Café launched Thursday, April 9, as a simple idea with a clear goal. Local American Legion members are inviting veterans who are not part of the post to meet up, have a free cup of coffee, and connect.

The purpose is practical and personal:

• Help veterans meet others in the area
• Connect them to support services if needed
• Invite them into local service projects

Look for blue Vets Café signs around Burien. Each one lists a phone number for times and locations.

Upcoming meetups include:

• Burien: Saturday, April 11 at 1 p.m. at the Ambaum Starbucks
• Normandy Park: April 16 and April 18
• Des Moines: April 23 and April 25

Call 206-243-3968 for details, including locations.

The goal is simple. No veteran should feel alone after service.

Service That Continues at Home

The café is just one part of what Post 134 is doing.

Members are active in several local efforts:

• Supporting PACwest Burien Little League
• Hosting lunches to thank Burien police and first responders
• Sponsoring youth sports through American Legion baseball

Post 134 members have coached and managed Legion baseball and they know cost can keep teens from playing. The post already has a field and funding. Now they are looking for volunteer coaches and a manager to help run a summer team for players under 18.

The post also plans to offer a $5,000 local scholarship tied to the American Legion’s National Oratorical Contest. Starting in January each year, high school students write and present speeches about the U.S. Constitution. Leaders hope to grow local participation and continue strong results from the Puget Sound area.

For veterans who need help, King County offers support with rent, groceries, and more. Locally, American Legion service officer Peter Arends can help connect veterans to resources.

A Parade to Mark 250 Years

Another major focus is the Fourth of July.

This year, American Legion Post 134 is planning a large tribute for Burien’s parade to honor the nation’s 250th birthday. The goal is to celebrate the nation's birthday, while reminding the community that "freedom is not free."

Parade plans include:

• Veterans in uniforms from the Revolutionary War to today
• Participation from groups like Paralyzed Veterans of America, Eagles, and VFW
• 5,000 small American flags to be handed out by Scout Troop 375

Last year, they ran out of flags. This year, they say that will not happen again.

Post 134 sees it this way. You do not stop serving. You just find new ways to do it. And in Burien, that service is showing up in simple, steady ways that bring people together.

For those who served and now call South King County home, the invitation is open.

Come have a cup of coffee. Meet your neighbors. And find a new way to serve.

We invite readers to be part of this series!
America at 250: Northwest Stories

Have you visited a Pacific Northwest site that deepened your understanding of our nation’s past? Do you have a personal story connected to a local landmark? Do you have recommendations?

As we approach America’s 250th birthday, we hope to tell the story of our country through the voices of our community — one place at a time.

Send your story to idea to us at info@TheHighlineJournal.com