How many of you have met other members, readers, and/or fellow writers in real life?
The Pacific Northwest has a disproportionate number of writers residing here; in particular in the Puget Sound "Lesser" Seattle area. From posts on the Forums, to settings of stories, it seems that there are quite a few members in the vicinity of Seattle, and many more if you add in Tacoma, JBLM, Portland, and other areas of the PNW.
Some people who post here, and I have known each other for decades before I started posting here. Other people, fellow writers, or myself, have encouraged to be readers, or even contributors here.
The Saturday before Veterans Day, the city (large town) of Auburn, Washington, hosts one of the largest Veterans Day* parades in the USA. The largest west of the Mississippi River (San Diego, CA is close and might be larger some years.) Seattle and Tacoma both cancelled their Veterans Day parades several decades ago. Auburn is close to JBLM (Joint Base Lewis - McChord) for the US Army and USAF. Naval Station Everett (1 or 2 CVN {aircraft carrier}) and Puget Sound Naval Ship Yard, and Bangor Nuclear Submarine Base, provide US Navy and Marines. Seattle is the HQ for the USCG's 13th District. We only lack the Space Force (or maybe I didn't notice them amongst several hundred participating groups, bands, contingents, floats, etc.)
After the Parade VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) Post 1741, just a block west of the end of the parade route, hosts an open house for all veterans and their families. So, that Saturday, I got to spend time with several fellow writers, and more folks who are readers here. (That's just those who I know visit SoL.)
On Veterans Day itself, among the many restaurants and other places offering deals for Veterans; the best locally may be the Buffet at the Snohomish Casino, east on I-90, and near Snoqualmie Falls (and the small town of North Bend). Several of us who are veterans, and members of SoL met there for an excellent dinner and conversation.
Most of the people that I know "openly" read/write on SoL are focused on Military stories, or "action-adventure" Sci-Fi, or Westerns. Who knows what else, if anything the peruse here. Several are also frequent commenters in the Forums.
I won't mention any of the Nyms (is that too BBS?) of others who I met during the Veterans Day weekend. (They might be more embarrassed to admit they know me, rather than they visit SoL.)
In addition to a "Shout Out" to fellow veterans. I wonder if anyone else has met fellow members of SoL in real life. I have seen several posts in the forums, or Blogs.
Cheers!
"Thank you for your service, to my fellow veterans!"
