Come join us for the 19th anniversary celebrating Veterans Day 11 a.m. Nov. 11 at Tahoma National Cemetery. The ceremony is held to honor our veterans past, present and those in harm’s way.
World War II veterans please come join us in a ceremony saluting you and all veterans. Let’s take a small trip down memory lane remembering on this special Veterans Day. For me my memory was of my brother who flew many missions in the B-25. This plane is also on display at the Museum of Flight in Seattle when it is not flying for events.
Remember when we had black outs? I would stand outside in the yard and watch the squadrons fly over. I knew when by brother was going over as he tilted the wings of his plane. We didn’t know where he was going until he wrote us when he was able. My brother flew out Sampson Air Force Base in Seneca Falls, New York. Two brother’s-in-law and two cousins also where all gone at the same time fighting in the same war in some foreign countries such as Italy, France and Germany to mention a few. Our troops also were in the Pacific in places like Guam, Hawaii and the Philippines. This was before Hawaii became a state. Remember Rosie, the riveter and all the gals that worked in factories making parts for cars, tanks and guns while the men were fighting a war in some faraway place for freedom. Parts for the P-80 known as the Shooting Star made by Lockheed flew in 1945 and P-38 also made by Lockheed known as Lighting Star flew in 1941.
One even better I bet you men remember when we had the all ladies baseball teams. They sure where pretty good player and pretty to look at, also taking the place of athletes while they were fighting that same war. Freedom is not free it came at a cost of many lives and many injured. We didn’t food stamps in those days then they were ration stamps for items like sugar, flour and candy. Yes even for gas at 17 to 20 cents a gallon. We helped mom can all summer so he had fruit and vegetables, soup and many other items for the winter. Some of us have not forgotten, I am hoping you enjoyed the short trip down Memory Lane.
God bless you all and thank you for your service
The flyover this Veterans Day will be by provided King County Sheriff’s Department. Piloting Guardian One will be Deputy Keith A. Potter, U.S. Army Veteran, who has been flying for 22 years with the sheriff’s department and a total of 30 years all together. The co-pilot will be Deputy Guy Herndon, a Navy veteran who has been with the sheriff’s department for 18 years. The Special Ops Air Unit just celebrated their 25th year of service to the citizens of King County and the region. They also assist officers on the ground catch the bad guys, and perform search and rescue operations. So Huey (HU-1) and its crew are kept very busy. Many thanks for your continued service.
Speakers are as follows:
Keynote Speaker: Milt Till WW II Navy veteran serving aboard the destroyer the USS Theodore E. Chandler
Guest Speaker: Arlene Murray Gold Star Wives Tahoma Chapter
This is a great experience for children and young adults to see and meet the men and women who have served their country. The people who have made it possible for you and me to have the freedom that we have today.
Tahoma National Cemetery is a reverent and sacred place to honor your loved one, a family member or friend. To say thank you for your service you are in our thoughts and prayers. You are loved and missed
Special thanks go to Director Thomas L. Yokes and his staff of Tahoma National Cemetery for the great job they do in maintaining the cemetery grounds as well as the compassionate and caring way they serve our Veterans and their families. Many thanks go to chairman of the Cemetery Support Committee, Chief Warrant Officer Joe LaVoie and the 200 plus volunteers that help at the cemetery on a daily bases. The time they give is greatly appreciated. We can always use more help. Time is free and it comes from the heart. As for myself if I can help just one person in their time of need that is all the thanks I need. It is a privilege to be a Volunteer at the Cemetery and a very rewarding experience.
Carolyn M. McKinley,
Navy veteran’s wife
Administrative Assistant Volunteer, TNC
