A multitude of Veterans Day observances are planned today on the North Olympic Peninsula — with the largest a regional ceremony at Coast Guard Air Station/Sector Port Angeles.
The annual Veterans Day ceremony on Ediz Hook will be at 10:30 a.m. today.
The public ceremony will be held at the hangar.
“We’re setting up 1,100 chairs, so we’re anticipating at least a thousand,” said Lt. Keidi Niemann, Coast Guard spokeswoman.
This year’s main speaker is U.S. Army Maj. Jennifer Willis.
Willis was promoted to major in 2006.
After a transition into public affairs, she was selected for a third command with the 5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in October 2007.
She deployed the unit to Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom in January 2009, where she served with the 101st Airborne Division and later the 82nd Airborne Division as a deputy public affairs officer.
Since 2010, Willis has served with the 4th Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, as the brigade public affairs officer.
Willis earned the Combat Action Badge for her wartime service in Afghanistan.
The Port Angeles Coast Guard base has hosted a Veterans Day ceremony in each of the past 15 years.
It was designated as the regional Veterans Day observance site by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
“We’ve gotten a lot positive feedback from past years’ ceremonies,” Niemann said.
Patriotic music will be provided by the Port Angeles High School band, the Sequim High School Select Choir, the Olympic Peninsula Men’s Choir, Grand Olympics Chorus of Sweet Adelines International and other groups.
“There’s a lot of local involvement, from high schools up to veterans groups,” Niemann said.
The event, which is sponsored by the Clallam County Veterans Association, will include a color guard, an honor guard and a 21-gun salute.
Coast Guard Capt. Tony Hahn, commanding officer of Air Station/Sector Port Angeles, is among the scheduled speakers.
Photo identification is required for the public to get past the security gate. Attendees can begin arriving at 9:30 a.m.
Parking space has been reserved for the ceremony.
A drop-off area will be available in front of the hangar, Niemann said.
Here are additional Veterans Day ceremonies, listed by community:
GARDINER
Medal recipient honored
An annual remembrance of Navy Seabee and Medal of Honor recipient Marvin G. Shields will begin at 11 a.m. today at the Gardiner Cemetery.
Members of Shields’ family are expected to be present at the memorial sponsored by the Navy Seabee Veterans of America.
Eric Davis of the local chapter will conduct the ceremony, which draws Seabees from throughout the Northwest.
Because of limited parking, the public is encouraged to park at Gardiner Community Church at 1040 Old Gardiner Road, where a bus will transport attendees to the cemetery beginning at 10:15 a.m.
Capt. Pat Rios, commanding officer of Naval Facilities Engineering Command Northwest and Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit 303, will participate in the memorial services.
Also attending will be Naval Facilities Engineering Command Force Master Chief Ray Dickey from the Washington Navy Yard in Washington, D.C., and Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Atlantic Master Chief Petty Officer Dale Dehler from Norfolk, Va.
Construction Mechanic 3rd Class Shields died in 1965 and was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor in 1966 by President Lyndon B. Johnson for gallantry during combat in Vietnam.
Shields was a graduate of Port Townsend High School and lived in Discovery Bay.
He is buried at the Gardiner Cemetery.
The annual memorial service at Gardiner Cemetery “is intended to recognize the contributions and sacrifices of those who have served in our armed services and in particular the historic actions of one of our nation’s heroes of the Vietnam War,” said Jerry Landcastle, Northwest District commander of the Seabee veterans organization.
PORT TOWNSEND
Guest speaker
Also this morning, Navy Cmdr. Gary D. Martin, the commanding officer of Naval Magazine Indian Island, will be the guest speaker in Port Townsend.
Martin will speak at an 11 a.m. ceremony at the Marvin G. Shields Memorial American Legion Post 26 at the corner of Water and Monroe streets.
The Port Townsend Summer Band will begin a concert at 10:30 a.m. before the ceremony offering marches and other patriotic music.
During the ceremony, the American Legion will not only honor all veterans, but also recognize 47 longtime Legion members.
Afterward, the Post 26 Auxiliary will serve a buffet luncheon to the public.
For more information, phone Post Cmdr. Joe Carey at the Legion Hall at 360-385-3454.
Seaport Landing
Martin also will speak later today at a Veterans Day assembly at Seaport Landing Retirement and Assisted Living Community.
The assembly will begin at 2 p.m. at the facility at 1201 Hancock St., Port Townsend.
The public is invited.
PORT LUDLOW
Sharing memories
Memories of wars will be shared at a Veterans Day observance at the Port Ludlow Beach Club today.
Veterans, their families and Port Ludlow residents are invited to attend at 4 p.m. at the club at 121 Marina View Drive.
The program will include reminiscences of World War II and the conflicts in Korea, Vietnam, Grenada, Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan.
A slide show also is planned.
PORT HADLOCK
Open house
Breakfast will be served from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. — along with hamburgers and hot dogs — at an open house at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Bruce F. Matheson Post 7498.
The public is invited to today’s open house at the post at 31 Matheson St., Port Hadlock.
SEQUIM
Wartime memories
The Museum & Arts Center in the Sequim-Dungeness Valley will observe Veterans Day by revisiting Sequim’s military past in a 10 a.m. program today at the Dungeness Schoolhouse.
The presence of Army soldiers in the Sequim-Dungeness Valley during World War II will be discussed during “Sequim Wartime Memories,” a panel discussion at the schoolhouse, 2781 Towne Road.
Scheduled panelists include Helen Bucher, Charles Nelson, Velma Good, Larry McHone, Mayme Faulk, Bob Clark and Wilma Johnson.
Author and historian Terry Buchanan, who wrote The History of Fort Casey and the Defense of the Pacific Northwest, will serve as moderator.
Admission at the door will be $1 for students 17 or younger, $10 for MAC members and $12 for nonmembers per session.
For more information, visit www.macsequim.org or phone the MAC Exhibit Center at 360-683-8110.
Luncheon in Sequim
The Prairie Springs assisted living facility is hosting a free Veterans Day luncheon today.
The noon luncheon will be preceded by a flag ceremony conducted by Boy Scouts Troop 90 at 11:30 a.m. at the facility at 680 W. Prairie St.
Advanced reservations were required for the meal.
PORT ANGELES
Patriot Guard film
A new documentary about “Patriot Guard Riders,” will be screened at Olympic Cellars, 255410 U.S. Highway 101, at 7 p.m. today.
The film will be seen at the winery at 255410 U.S. Highway 101 after a no-host bar and light refreshments begin at 6 p.m.
The documentary’s director, Ellen Frick, will take part in a question-and-answer session conducted by film critic Rebecca Redshaw following the screening.
Donations are $25.
“Patriot Guard Riders” tells of the formation of a motorcycle group that bereaved families nationwide invite to escort fallen soldiers from the airport to the burial grounds, where they stand in flag lines.
The fundraising event is co-sponsored by Peninsula Community Mental Health Center and Olympic Cellars.
Profits will be directed to unfunded veterans services.
Tickets are available at Port Book and News, 104 E. First St.; online at www.olympiccellars.com; or by phoning 360-452-0160.
Open house slated
Also today will be an open house at Mount Angeles Memorial Park.
The public is invited to come into the office at 45 Monroe Road beginning at 9 a.m. for coffee, doughnuts and free flags to adorn the grave of a loved one they wish to honor.
For more information, phone 360-452-6255.
FORKS
Veterans dinner set
FORKS — The Forks Elks Lodge will host a veterans appreciation dinner Sunday.
The meal will be at 4 p.m. at the lodge on Merchant Road.
All military members, active and retired, as well as widows of deceased military veterans, are invited to attend.
The meal includes spaghetti, salad, bread, dessert and tea and coffee.
A $5 donation is requested for nonveterans.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
