Full lineup set for 2024 Unity of Effort

By Michael Dashiell • July 31, 2024 1:30 am
Photo by Jeff Rasco / A bird's eye view from an aerial drone photo shows a flurry of activities at the 2022 Unity of Effort event.

For all the soldiers and workers and others on the front lines striving to keep Americans safe, there often isn’t time to stop and hear “thanks.”

That’s where the Unity of Effort, Sequim’s annual community celebration recognizing and honoring military, law enforcement, first responders and security personnel, comes in.

“I think that people really feel our first responders are underappreciated,” says Joe D’Amico, Security Services Northwest (SSN) president and host of the free event now set the second weekend in August each year at the SSN property near downtown Sequim.

“They have this job of 24-7, they’re out and about, totally scrutinized. This is an opportunity to recognize them for their hard work,” D’Amico says.

Sequim Gazette file photo by Emily Matthiessen A member of the United States Marine Corps Security Forces keeps watch while the Buck Ellard Band performs during the Unity of Effort event in 2023. The annual event is billed as a chance for the community to “thank first responders and military professionals that keep communities and the nation safe” and hosted by Security Services Northwest Inc. and Fort Discovery, Inc.

Sequim Gazette file photo by Emily Matthiessen A member of the United States Marine Corps Security Forces keeps watch while the Buck Ellard Band performs during the Unity of Effort event in 2023. The annual event is billed as a chance for the community to “thank first responders and military professionals that keep communities and the nation safe” and hosted by Security Services Northwest Inc. and Fort Discovery, Inc.

“The majority of people feel that way. I certainly feel that — that’s why we do it.”

This year’s Unity of Effort, scheduled for 10 a.m.-8 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 10, at 250 Center Park Way, brings back a number of activities, displays, exhibitions and live music as in year’s past, plus a number of additions that D’Amico notes will sure be crowd favorites.

This yea’rs lineup includes visits from nine helicopters and their crews — the most in the 20-plus years of the Unity of Effort — from the Washington Army National Guard and U.S. Navy to Department of Natural Resources’ fire protection aircraft, King County Sheriff’s Office, LifeFlight and others. Gates open at 10 a.m. with helicopters landing soon after.

“That’s big draw,” D’Amico said. “I enjoy the helicopter landing part because it’s so energetic. Close behind is the K-9 demonstration.”

Sequim Gazette file photo by Emily Matthiessen / A United States Army Night Stalkers helicopter, a War Bird 3789, part of the Evil Empire company, is open for public viewing at the Unity of Effort event in 2023. The annual event is billed as a chance for the community to “thank first responders and military professionals that keep communities and the nation safe” and hosted by Security Services Northwest Inc. and Fort Discovery, Inc.

Sequim Gazette file photo by Emily Matthiessen / A United States Army Night Stalkers helicopter, a War Bird 3789, part of the Evil Empire company, is open for public viewing at the Unity of Effort event in 2023. The annual event is billed as a chance for the community to “thank first responders and military professionals that keep communities and the nation safe” and hosted by Security Services Northwest Inc. and Fort Discovery, Inc.

Sgt. Kevin Miller from the Port Angeles Police Department will lead this year’s demonstration, with Sequim and Kitsap County units also on hand.

Also new this year is the Bloodworks Northwest mobile unit, where attendees can give blood donations, along with representatives from Olympic Medical Center, the Seattle Police Department and Permission to Start Dreaming, an organization providing veterans with “strength-based programs for mental, emotional, and spiritual growth.”

The Unity of Effort this year also with feature Port Townsend authors Bill Collier and Michael Jacobson, active members of VFW Post 4760 in Sequim with backgrounds in aviation and security.

“[The event] grows every year,” D’Amico says.

The family-fun event also has children’s activities, including bounce houses, face painting, a ball pit and more.

Attendees are encouraged to bring a hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, a lawn chair and cooler.

Live music includes the National Anthem (Pearle Peterson) followed by U.S. Army Rock Band performance at noon, the Buck Ellard Band at 2 p.m., Hairstorm at 4 p.m. and War Hippies at 6 p.m.

Sequim Gazette photo by Emily Matthiessen The Buck Ellard Band, pictured here performing during the Unity of Effort event in 2023, is back for the 2024 event on Aug. 10.

Sequim Gazette photo by Emily Matthiessen The Buck Ellard Band, pictured here performing during the Unity of Effort event in 2023, is back for the 2024 event on Aug. 10.

Rally to Unity bikers arrive at about 10:45 a.m.

Food vendors open at 11 a.m. and include VFW Post 4760, 7 Cedars Resort, Southern Nibble and Boobadoo’s Kitchen. The 7 Cedars beer garden opens at 2 p.m.

Other military, law enforcement and other emergency response entities also taking part include: Clallam County and King County sheriff offices, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Washington State Patrol, U.S Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Marine Corps, LifeFlight, Airlift NW, Washington Army National Guard, Lower Elwha Police Department, Department of Natural Resources, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Port Townsend Police Department.

Other community booths and vendors featured include Piedmont Ridge LLC, Palmskirts Entertainment and the Burned Children Recovery Foundation.

See unityofeffort.org and facebook.com/unityofeffort for more information.