All are welcome to join us for the 19th Annual Veterans Day Ceremony at Tahoma National Cemetery, located at 18600 SE 240th St., Kent, WA – in the Maple Valley/Covington area. The Ceremony, which begins at 1100 Hours (11 a.m.), is held to honor our Veterans; Past, Present and Those in Harm’s Way. This year’s theme is “Saluting World War II Veterans” We would like as many WWII veterans as possible to attend so please come join us as we celebrate – the Greatest Generation – and all Veterans.
Let’s me take you on a small trip down Memory Lane. My most vivid memory is of my brother who flew many missions in the B-25. This plane is on display at the Museum of Flight in Seattle when it is not flying for events. Do you remember when we had black outs? I remember standing outside in the yard and watching 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 of Sampson Air Force Base in Seneca Falls, New York. Two brother’s-in-law and 2 cousins also were fighting in the same war and they all were gone at the same time, in foreign countries such as Italy, France and Germany. Our troops also were in the Pacific in places like Guam, Hawaii and the Philippines, this was a time before Hawaii became a State.
Do you remember Rosie, the riveter, and all the gals that worked in factories? They were making parts for cars, tanks and guns while our men were fighting a war in some faraway place for freedom. They made 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 players and pretty to look at, while they took the place of athletes fighting that same war.
Freedom is not free! It came at a cost of many lives and many injured. We didn’t have food stamps in those days, instead we had ration stamps for items like sugar, flour and candy. Yes, even for gas at 17 to 20 cents a gal. We helped Mom can all summer so we had fruit and vegetables, soup and many other items for the winter. Some of us have not forgotten. I hope 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, US Army Veteran. Keith 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. They both deserve many thanks for their continued service.
Keynote speaker for the ceremony will be Milt Till. Serving aboard the Destroyer Theodore E Chandler (DD 717)) at the end of WWII in the Pacific, Till spent his time as part of the Occupation Forces of Japan and China ports, during their Civil War. He also took part in patrolling the waters around Korea. Following his days of service to country, he became a member of several organizations including Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Enumclaw Post 1949, where he served as Post Commander for two terms, Honor Guard Chairman for 19 years, a District Commander for one term and two terms as State Chaplain. Other organizations he is a member of include Renton American Legion, Past President Buckley Eagles, Past Master Western Cascade Masonic Lodge, and Past President of Retired Public Employee Council of Washington, Chapter 1.
Till’s time with Tahoma National Cemetery began approximately one year before the opening of the cemetery in 1997. At that time, he began attending meetings where he learned about plans regarding the formation of a new national cemetery next to Tahoma High School. Once the cemetery opened, he became a VFW representative volunteer taking part in the first services held at the cemetery. Past Chairman of the Tahoma National Cemetery Support Group, Till spent many a day in not only beautiful bright sunshine weather, but also bitterly cold, driving rain weather paying respect to hundreds of service comrades during special services before they were finally laid to rest.
Guest Speaker for the ceremony will be Gold Star Wife Arlene Murry. Military widow at the age of 31 with 2 children, Murry returned to her home state of Washington where she enrolled in college. With two Associate degrees, she decided to take the path of her Paralegal schooling and obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Law in 2001. Working as a Paralegal as well as a Veterans Service Officer processing disability claims, once she joined The Gold Star Wives of America organization, her life shifted again.
Currently on the National Board of Directors as the Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service (VAVS) National Certifying Officer, she has written a handbook – Creative Steps to Success – as a surviving spouse. Murry has travelled throughout the state speaking in support of veterans and surviving spouses, including State Governor Jay Inslee, and may Veterans Service Organizations.
As Chairman for the Department of Defense Vietnam Commemorative program and with assistance of the Tahoma Chapter members, over 9,000 Washington State Vietnam Veterans have been recognized and thanked during pinning ceremonies. Murry also volunteers at the Orting Soldiers Home as well as is on the Board of Directors with Puget Sound Veterans Hope Center in Tacoma, which assists homeless veterans.
Attending the Veterans Day ceremony at Tahoma National Cemetery is a great experience for children and young adults. It provides them with an opportunity 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. It is also a place 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 the Staff at 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, Retired Navy Chief Warrant Officer Joe LaVoie and the 200 plus Volunteers that help at the cemetery. The time the volunteers give is greatly appreciated.
The cemetery volunteer group 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 Tahoma National Cemetery and a very rewarding experience.
