East County honored veterans in both Montesano and Elma last week with ceremonies in both towns. A highlight of the day was the well-attended parade in Elma with about 26 different entries.
Prior to the activities on Veterans Day, Montesano and Elma schools held assemblies on Thursday, Nov. 10 to honor vets and Montesano High School students whipped up a pancake breakfast for vets.
Montesano’s VFW held a simple ceremony at their post, due to the chilly weather, at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11. A speech given by Jim Daly, a Vietnam veteran, touched on patriotism and the simple act of signing along with the National Anthem, loudly and proudly, wherever and whenever one hears it played.
In his speech, Daly said he was resigned to signing alone at sporting events until he was joined by about 50 Aberdeen students at the last home football game this year. He said it was a proud moment.
After the ceremony, veterans, friends and family joined together in a potluck luncheon.
In Elma, a larger ceremony took place at Veterans’ Memorial Park where the Elma VFW displayed their new red, white and blue tents, which sheltered attendees from the weather. The tents were purchased with grant funds, said BO Brown of the Elma VFW. Brown also said the Elma High School choir performed the “Star Spangled Banner” and they did a great job. After the ceremony, the parade began just after 1 p.m.
About 26 entries marched and drove down Main Street, which was lined with spectators who came from across the state. David Agner, with his dog Cody, drove in from Ocean Shores. Agner, a Navy veteran, said he came to Elma because Ocean Shores doesn’t have a Veterans’ Day parade.
The entries included bagpiper corps, people dressed in historical military uniforms, classic cars, a UHI “Huey” helicopter, motorcycles, horses, goats, a chicken mascot, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, an honor guard, police, fire and EMS vehicles along with the Elma High School marching band, cheerleaders and dance squad.
JBLM’s soldier of the year, Sergeant Jordan Lambert, helped to lead the parade, riding in a jeep with Bill Wickwire of the Elma VFW. Ellsworth Curran, a 100-year-old veteran of World War II who was in the 75th Fighter Squadron as a part of the famed Flying Tigers, served as grand marshal. Curran said it was a great honor to be a representative of veterans.
“World War II was a long time ago. Ancient history. But to see the people lined up on the streets, it shows that they care about the veterans,” Curran said after the parade. “There is nothing in the world more precious to a veteran than to be recognized for their service.”
Curran recounted that 9 million soldiers fought on different fronts during WWII and that it took each service member to make a winning team.
”It was tough, tougher than any war ever fought,” Curran said. He added, “Bless this country and all the people in it.”
Willow Cooper, 12, of Elma, marched with the Elma Youth Cheer group in the parade and said it made her feel good to do something for veterans.
“Thank you for your service,” Cooper said. “We appreciate you.”
Jack Combs, of Olympia, a Vietnam veteran and a member of the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association said his group brought the Huey helicopter to several different towns and cities in western Washington for various parades.
“This was our third year in Elma. It’s small but friendly and the people really come out to support the veterans,” Combs said. Combs explained that the Huey was the aircraft of the Vietnam War and just about everybody in the conflict rode in one.
Rosalyn Fleming, of Lacey, who accompanied her husband James Fleming, also with the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association, said the helicopter was a show-stopper and even just driving down the freeway with a military helicopter on the back of their trailer was like being in a parade. She also said many people were moved by the sight of it.
“You don’t realize the impact that you have but people are moved to see it,” Fleming said with tears welling in her eyes. “Their family members rode in one and shared stories about them, and to see one in person has an effect.”
After the parade, a luncheon was served at the Elma Grange where red, white and blue honor quilts were on display.
Parade organizers said the Olympia bagpiper corps, Elma’s “Outlaw Firetruck,” the Hawk Rod of Yakima, Rolling Thunder’s POW float and a replica of the 9-11 memorial by the Bremerton VFW all received special recognition for their entries.
