In Their Own Words: Veterans Conservation Corps

Former cavalry scout Michael Farnum pulls up invasive plants. (Photo: George Cavallo)

NISQUALLY, Wash. – Across the nation, states and non-profits are stepping up to fill gaps in care for returning soldiers and sailors. One program under the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs uses nature to help heal the wounds of war. The Veterans Conservation Corps attempts to unite two different public goals. One is to help returning vets with PTSD and other issues. The other, to help the environment. Correspondent Tom Banse caught up with a group of recently discharged soldiers and sailors. They were hacking away at a hillside choked with brambles near Nisqually, Washington. On this Earth Day, here they are in their own words.

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20th annual Spring Rebuilding Day

On Saturday, April 24th, Rebuilding Together Seattle and its supporters will celebrate 20 years of Spring Rebuilding Day, also known as National Rebuilding Day. RTS volunteers will join 64,000 other volunteers from 200 affiliates throughout the nation, completing approximately 3,000 projects in one day.
In 2009, RTS completed 25 projects with the support of over 800 volunteers. In April 2010, volunteers will complete roughly 30 projects with the help of 1,000 volunteers.
RTS welcomes several new sponsor groups to our event, including top sponsors Greenpoint Technologies (Kirkland, WA), Howard S. Wright (Seattle), and returning sponsor, Perkins Coie, LLP (Seattle). “Perkins Coie is happy to support RTS,” said Perkins Coie representative, John Edwards. “We always make someone's house more livable, and leave with a deep sense of accomplishment.”
Most notably, The Center for Spiritual Living (CSL) will celebrate its 14th year of partnership with RTS. In 2009, 70 volunteers from the CSL helped repair St. Francis House in the International District.
RTS looks forward to a very successful 2010 event! For more information on our 20th Annual Spring Rebuilding Day, please contact the RTS Office at 206.682.1231.