Sequim’s Unity of Effort draws another big crowd [WITH VIDEOS]

By Sequim Gazette Staff • August 22, 2024 1:30 am

Sunny skies, smiles and plenty of patriotic tunes filled the air once again — along with several crowd-wowing helicopters — at the 2024 Unity of Effort on Aug. 10.

For more than 20 years, Security Services Northwest has hosted this annual community celebration to honor and recognize military, first responders, law enforcement and security personnel.

This year’s event saw live music from Evergreen Rock, the U.S. Army rock band, Buck Ellard, Hairstorm, War Hippies and the National Anthem by Pearle Peterson.

More than a dozen fire and police departments were represented as well.

Joe D’Amico, president and CEO of Security Services Northwest, Inc., said late in the day that turnout was hard to gauge but that it likely topped last year’s by a good margin.

For more about the Unity of Effort, visit unityofeffort.org.

Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell / Sequim teen Pearle Peterson sings the National Anthem at the Unity of Effort event in Aug. 10.

Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell / Madeline Patterson looks on as a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter leaves the Unity of Effort venue in Sequim on Aug. 10.

Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell / Evergreen Rock (U.S. Army) kicks off the live music at the Unity of Effort event in Sequim on Aug. 10.

Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell / Attendees of the Unity of Effort event in Sequim on Aug. 10 get a look inside an MH-47G Chinook, a U.S. Army twin-engined, tandem rotor helicopter.

Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell / An MH-47G Chinook, a U.S. Army twin-engined, tandem rotor helicopter, takes off from the Unity of Effort event in Sequim on Aug. 10.

Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell / Attendees of the Unity of Effort event in Sequim on Aug. 10 get a look at an MH-47G Chinook, a U.S. Army twin-engined, tandem rotor helicopter.

Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell / Miles Angelovic, 10, and Charlie Stewart, 11, both of Sequim learn about bomb disposing technology from Andre Gele, a U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal bomb technician, at the Unity of Effort event in Aug. 10.

Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell / Joe D’Amico, Unity of Effort organizer and president and CEO of Security Services Northwest, Inc., thanks military personnel, first responders and other key service providers at the 2024 event on Aug. 10.

Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell / Daniel Derevianchuk, 5, of Port Angeles, looks for a growth spurt for his junior deputy role at the Unity of Effort event in Sequim on Aug. 10.

Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell / George Washington (Very Frykholm of Sequim) speaks with youths attending the Unity of Effort event in Aug. 10.

Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell / Walker Miller, 2, of Port Angeles, enjoys some time behind the wheel of a Clallam County Fire District 3 truck at the Unity of Effort event in Aug. 10.4col