75 years ago
June 10, 1944
Invasions — four of them!
That is the record of Earl “Bill” Cullen, machinist’s mate second class, home on leave after 23 months on an amphibious transport.
The first invasion was in North Africa.
Following the Sicilian invasion Cullen’s ship left the Atlantic and took part in the invasion of the Gilbert Islands last November.
After the Gilberts came the invasion of the Marshalls. “We never got used to having so many fine healthy men leave the ship and soon be brought back in need of medical care,” Cullen said. “(One) 19-year-old Marine was brought aboard ship for medical treatment. He died and we buried him at sea. He had been in the Marine corps just seven weeks.”
Cullen is home visiting his wife in Aberdeen. Prior to entering the Navy in May 1942, he was employed by the Ice Delivery company.
June 11, 1944
Sunday, no newspaper published.
June 12, 1944
Joe Erak, seaman first class, is preparing to enter Navy V-12 officer’s training — after seven and a half months of active duty aboard a light cruiser in the South Pacific.
His most thrilling experience was when his craft was attacked by (enemy) dive bombers. He was assigned to the station of first loader for an anti-aircraft gun. He said the cruiser came out of the fight without damage and was credited with downing four of the enemy planes. he told of seeing one dive-bomber get hit. When the plan exploded in the water, the responsible gunners on board yelled as if their high school football team had just scored a winning touchdown.
Erak graduated from Aberdeen high school in May 1943. He played first and second base on the high school baseball team for three years and was football manager during his junior and senior years.
50 years ago
June 10, 1969
Officers of Albertsons Inc., the large grocery-clothing store chain with outlets in 10 Western states, will visit Hoquiam next week to inspect the Urban Renewal property.
“Albertsons has been evaluating our Urban Renewal package for the past three to four months,” said UR Director Ted Walden, “and (developer) David Morgan says they are very interested in the property. … It may seem as if nothing is happening on the project, but plans are progressing.”
June 11, 1969
“Pomp” and “Circumstance” will put the finishing touches on a dedication ceremony that began last fall.
Hoquiam High School Class of 1969 will be the 78th in the history of HHS — and the first to graduate from the beautiful new campus that sprawls along the Evergreen hillside overlooking Grays Harbor.
“Climb Every Mountain” will be the theme of the commencement presentations to be offered by five of the faculty honor students.
Miss Pamela Edlund, valedictorian of the class with a flawless 4.0 grade point average, will offer the initial address. “Ford Every Stream” will be Stephen Huhta’s topic, while “Kay Norkool carries out the theme with a speech called “Follow Every Rainbow.”
Richard Messer’s presentation will be called “Find Your Dream,” and Nancy Dobosz will summarize the hopes and aspirations of the graduating seniors.
There are 204 graduates in the Class of 1969 — 120 girls and 84 boys.
June 12, 1969
Grays Harbor PUD officials are seeking public endorsement of their plans to build a nuclear power plant at Roosevelt Beach by asking for a special zoning provision for the 300- or 400-acre site.
Jack Stein, PUD manager, outlined the economic benefits of the plant to the county. He continued, “The fishermen, clam-diggers and sports people must be assured that scientifically collected data will show that no harm to sea life will occur.”
The PUD is proceeding with negotiations to buy the site, which consists of land owned by Weyerhaeuser, Rayonier, the county and private owners.
25 years ago
June 10, 1994
Aberdeen High School senior Trista Charlton has been selected as a Washington Scholar. That means the Class of 1994 salutatorian will receive a four-year scholarship as she attends the University of Washington.
Trista, who plans to pursue a career in a math-related field such as accounting, economic or engineering, is the daughter of Linda and Jerry Charlton.
“She is just absolutely marvelous,” said Elaine Olson, AHS college counselor. “She does so many things well and she has the grace, the poise, the integrity and the humanity to make her outstanding.”
June 11, 1994
Piped-in soft music, large rooms painted in pastel colors, plants surrounding large windows.
All that’s needed to complete a perfect picture of relaxation is a massage therapist to soothe away the cares of the day.
Enter Mary Pat Marshall and her staff of six licensed therapists at Harbor Massage Associates’ new digs at 313 South I Street. Marshall has recently remodeled the former Grays Harbor Seaman’s Center … and it’s all handicapped accessible.
“The extended facilities make it easier for couples or friends to schedule massages at the same time,” says Marshall, a therapist in practice since 1978
June 12, 1994
Signs on Highway 105 still welcome visitors to Westport’s wonderful world of salmon fishing, but it’s no secret that salmon are off-limits this season and Westport is on the verge of its greatest economic crisis in years.
At the prompting of the U.S. Department of Commerce, more than 125 people gathered in yesterday mornings to determine how best to overcome what some estimate could be a $5 million decrease in local income this year.
Hoquiam High School honored senior Karina Moller as its Class Sweetheart during the school’s awards program last week. She was also in the Homecoming court, a four-year letter winner in track and cheerleading and a three-time volleyball letter winner.
Compiled from the archives of The Daily World by Karen Barkstrom.
