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closeYoung, old honor veterans
Fort Lewis soldiers visit Gig Harbor event
Lee Giles III
of the Gateway
Unlike years past, the Gig Harbor and Key peninsulas were spared the gloomy, rainy-day observance for Veterans Day last week. Hundreds of veterans, both active duty and retired men and women, came out to various locations with their families and friends on Wednesday.
The Gig Harbor detachment of the Washington State Patrol was represented by Sgt. Troy Tomaras and Trooper Pete Stock, who worked with Boy Scouts of America Troop 282 in their closed order drill presentation as they marched with their non-firing M-1 Girand rifles.
Tomaras’ son, Trenton, also was involved with the troop as an American Flag bearer during the opening ceremonies. The pride in the presentation was evident in the faces of those who participated and of the veterans who watched.
“We enjoy doing things,” Tomaras said of the patrol’s involvement. “The people come up and talk with us. Since being back (in the Gig Harbor area as a detachment), it’s nice to be re-engaged in the community,”
Boy Scout Troop 282 conducted a flag retirement ceremony during which scouts separated the colors of worn flags in a prescribed fashion and somberly burned them.
Scoutmaster George Ratcliffe said it was the sixth year Troop 282 has conducted the ceremony at Skansie Brothers Park in downtown Gig Harbor on Veterans Day. The troop also performed a 21-gun salute.
Young and old came out to honor the veterans of the past and present. One of those present was former active duty Marine Evan Richmond, 85, of Gig Harbor, who came in his Marine Corps dress blue uniform.
“He saved my life, Harry (Truman) did, when he dropped the bomb,” Richmond said of the president’s decision to drop the first of two atomic bombs on Japan in 1945.
Richmond was involved in action in Okinawa. He also was involved in training and the troop buildup of thousands of men slated to invade the Japanese mainland.
Richmond’s grandson, Troop 282 member Calvin Makfinsky, 15, was inspired by his grandfather.
Makfinsky has been preparing himself for military service, hoping to be accepted into the U.S. Naval Academy, with dreams of one day becoming a Marine Corps Naval Aviator.
“It’s good to honor our vets,” Makfinsky said. “This is one of my favorite days. I’m proud of what my grandpa did and his service in World War II.”
Also present at the Skansie Brothers Park event was the U.S. Army 201st Battalion Surveillance Brigade from Fort Lewis. The active duty soldiers are Gig Harbor’s community connector unit.
Command Sgt. Maj. Julie Guerra was at the event as the senior enlisted soldier.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity to bridge the gap between the post and the community on Veterans Day,” Guerra said. “It’s great to come together.”
During the ceremony, Gig Harbor Mayor Chuck Hunter thanked veterans and active duty men and women for their service to our county.
“Since I have been mayor, I have had the honor of working with the men and women of Fort Lewis through the community connector program,” he said. “You could not ask for a finer, more dedicated group of men and women; the defense of our country is in good hands.”
PHOTO GALLERY: View more photos from Gig Harbor's Veterans Day ceremony.