Veterans honored on their national holiday

Red Brenner, a Vietnam-era veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard, stood solemnly at the front entrance of the Hoquiam VFW Friday, reading a tale of a woman’s sacrifice – the loss of a father, uncle, husband and two sons, all Marines, all killed in action – to a full house that included grizzled veterans, fresh-faced Cub and Boy Scouts, and young families. He concluded with, “A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to the United States of America for the amount of up to and including my life.”

Post Commander Nick Alviar, who has held the position for four years, introduced 95-year old Larry Abbott, a WWII veteran who, according to Brenner, served in the Army and was among the 15,000 U.S. troops who constructed the Ledo Road, which served as a conduit to supply Chinese troops fighting the Japanese and was a critical piece of the Allied Forces’ victory in the Pacific. Alviar later sat at the bar, observing the crowd. He spoke softly about his time with the Army 18th Infantry, 1st Division Infantry, in Vietnam, where he “spent some time in the jungle.”

Members of Post-sponsored Boy Scout Troop 100 were there, one an Eagle Scout who spearheaded a project to supply bins for collection of decommissioned American flags to be properly disposed of by the Troop at a ceremony twice a year. Another Eagle Scout candidate made his project one of placing flags around the city to honor the area’s veterans. Cut Scout Troop 100 leader Leland Wilson of Hoquiam reminded all in attendance with children the Troop meets “pretty much every Monday” at the Hoquiam Elks, and all are invited. The celebration included lunch and was a prelude to another celebration at The Elks to honor veterans Saturday from 5-7 p.m., “prime rib, free for veterans and $10 for guests, spouses, whatever,” said Brenner.

Before the recognition and prayers for the nation’s veterans commenced at the VFW Post in Aberdeen, Staff Sgt. Shane Pettit sat with his wife, Trish, and their two children at a table with patriotic decorations similar to those red, white and blue decorations adorning the room. The room itself wasn’t full but there were people of all ages in attendance.

Their son Ethan, age 4, didn’t like where the flag was on the table and kept moving it to his favorite spot. Trish kept patiently returning it to the center of the table. The Pettits also have a daughter named Maddison, age 2. Shane was holding her and keeping her occupied before the ceremony, which included a moving flag presentation to the loved ones of a deceased member of the organization. The Army reservist served in Iraq in 2006-07 but doesn’t like to talk much about his time in deployment.

“It’s because he’s kind of humble,” Trish said. “It’s hard for him to be thanked for his service.”

He’s been thinking more about what it means to him, what military service means to the nation and what so many other people who have served sacrificed and accomplished over the decades. Pettit said he has been a VFW member in the past but found daily life leaves him with too little time to participate in the organization.

“Being deployed opens your eyes to a lot more,” Shane said. “The veterans of yesterday and the veterans of today have similarities. But we need to keep looking for ways to bridge the differences.”

The commemoration in Aberdeen was traditional and positive. A member of the Post’s Color Guard who died earlier this year was remembered through a flag-folding ceremony.

“True heroes of this world are the brave men and women who stood for something bigger than themselves,” said Anthony Magri, Commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 224 in Aberdeen. “They temporarily put aside personal goals to answer our great nation’s call.”

He urged military members — past and present — to accept gratitude that might come their way.

“It’s our day,” Magri said. “Stand a little taller and be appreciated by a grateful nation.”

The Pettits’ son and daughter are young. They don’t really understand the concept of this particular national holiday. But they have been taken to the cemetery on Memorial Day and helped lay flowers on the graves of those who lost their lives for their country, Trish said.

Shane would like to try to find time to be involved in the VFW because of what they provide for veterans and to teach other Americans why it is so important. Many of the members are older veterans, and younger veterans need to start joining the organization, he said.

The VFW helps spread awareness about their services and advocacy efforts for veterans. It also provides youth education programs meant to encourage patriotism.

“To keep the organization going will be rough, but it’s important,” he added.

The Hoquiam VFW club on 7th.

Mike Barkstrom, left, and Bill Sipila, members of Aberdeen’s Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 224 Color Guard, conduct a flag-folding ceremony Friday morning during a Veterans Day commemoration event at the local post. (Terri Harber|The Daily World)