Community members, business leaders and dignitaries gathered on Aug. 10 for Airport Appreciation Day at Diamond Point Airport 2WA1 and commemorated the completion of the new helipad led by community members and Eagle Scout candidate Ben Wright of Troop 1498.

Wright — with support from community members, the Olympic Peninsula Salmon Derby, the Olympic Medical Center Foundation, Sequim Dungeness Hospital Guild, Rainbow Sweepers, Lakeside Industries and Joyce Murphy (and friends of Daniel Murphy, the first man flown from the new helipad) — worked to finish the concrete pad with provisions for future lighting. Previously it was a section of mowed grass for landings.

The helipad will be used for evacuating patients and serving the Disaster Airlift Response Team (D.A.R.T.) and Clallam County first responders.

Attending the ceremony were Wright, Clallam County Sheriff Bill Benedict, Fire District 3 Chief Ben Andrews, Joyce Murphy and other supporters.

For more information about Diamond Point Airport 2WA1, visit www.2wa1.com.