At 1 p.m. on the last Friday of every month, a Bell Ringing Ceremony to honor veterans who have passed the previous month is held at Veterans Park next to the Clallam County Courthouse in Port Angeles.
In recent months, the replica of the Liberty Bell has been damaged and trash and debris left around it. The veterans of the community view this as desecration of this community treasure and symbol of our respect for those veterans who have passed on.
There will be a meeting of the Port Angeles City Parks and Recreation Board at 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 18, in the city council chambers at Port Angeles City Hall, where parks director Corey Delikat will present a plan to protect the bell and Veterans Memorial Park. All veterans are encouraged to attend this meeting so the board understands the importance of the park to veterans, and that we will not stand for its continued desecration.
If you have questions, contact Gary at gvelie@olypen.com.
Meet and greet
The Mount Olympus Detachment 897 of the Marine Corps League is hosting a meet and greet from 2-4 p.m. Saturday, April 13, at Castaways, 1213 Marine Drive, Port Angeles. They will be talking about the programs the detachment supports: Toys For Tots, Honor Guard, NJROTC, scholarships, etc.
Any Marine who is serving or served with at least 90 days of honorable service on active duty can be a member. Anyone also can be an associate member. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, call Kathy at 360-460-2431.
The detachment is constructing a replica of a World War II amphibious tractor to use as a float in local parades. They are taking a 2001 Ford Explorer and chopping it down and building a plywood replica. The group hopes to have it finished for the Forks Fourth of July Parade.
As a result of the project, there are many Ford Explorer parts available at a very good price. Wheels, doors, windows, seats, air bag system and accessories all were carefully removed and are in working order. If you are interested in the parts, call Eric Miner at 360-681-5016.
Local food, local veterans
In the summertime, Sarge’s Farmstand out in Forks sells produce from its gardens and from local farmers to help feed the homeless veterans residing at Sarge’s Place.
The farmstand needs a new under-sink ice maker. The ice maker allows the produce to remain fresh as long as possible. The current ice maker does not produce enough ice and last summer they had to purchase ice. About 100 pounds of ice per day are needed and the ice maker costs $600.
If you can help, please mail a check to: Sarge’s Place, 250 Ash Ave., Forks WA 98331, and write “Ice Maker” on it. Thank you for helping the veterans become more independent.
Building the monument
VFW Post and Auxiliary 9106 are seeking donations for a Gold Star Family Memorial Monument that will be placed at the Transit Center in Forks. This is a “tribute to Gold Star Families and Relatives who sacrificed a Loved One for our Freedom.” A silhouette of a saluting service member represents the fallen hero who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
This is a nationwide project. As of Oct. 1, 2018, there were 47 monuments dedicated, 48 in progress, with 40 states represented.
For more information, call 360-640-2581, or to make a donation by mail: VFW, PO Box 1116, Forks, WA 98331. Donations of $25 receive a pin; donations of $100 or more, a collectors coin. See www.hw wmohf.org.
Contributors: American Legion, Carl Bradshaw, thbkdragon@yahoo.com; MOAA, DAR and Voices For Veterans, Lorri Gilchrist, cdrlgilchrist@gmail.com; Marine Corps League, Mark Schildknecht, marana-s@outlook.com; Korean War Veterans, Jerry Rettela, eletteor@msn.com; Fleet Reserve Association, Marty Arnold, martinarnold2001@yahoo.com.
