Wednesday, November 8, 2017
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2017
HONORING ALL WHO SERVED
A supplement of the Lynden Tribune & Ferndale Record
Meet Lowell Higley, a World War II veteran who embarked on his “last mission” ....................................... C3
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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, November 8, 2017 | Ferndale Record
Veterans
Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, November 8, 2017 | Ferndale Record
Veterans
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The ‘last mission’ for Ferndale man World War II veteran Lowell Higley honored with flight to D.C. war memorials By Ashley Hiruko ashley@lyndentribune.com
FERNDALE — Ferndale resident Lowell Higley has taken plenty of trips during his 99 years on earth. As a young boy, he was heavily involved with the Boy Scouts and traveled to Washington, D.C., for a jamboree in 1935. However, the gathering was canceled (cut short) due to a polio outbreak and made for just a “quick trip.” Just recently, Higley was able to rectify the nixed 2,600-mile venture to the other side of the country. Only this time, when he returned to the U.S. capital 82 years later, he was no longer the same young man skilled in the fundamentals of outdoor preparedness — he was a military veteran. Puget Sound Honor Flight is an organization that transports veterans, free of charge, from the west side of Washington to the East Coast of the country to visit war memorials dedicated to service in the military. The western Washington branch of Honor Flight is just one of many throughout the nation. It was a goal to get as many World War II veterans — a dwindling lot — as possible on the October trip. Higley was one of 18 from the Puget Sound area on this Honor Flight excursion. The 36 oth-
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From left, Lani Davis poses with grandfather and veteran Lowell Higley and mother Rosalie Knutson during an honor flight trip to Washington, D.C., in October. (Courtesy photo)
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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, November 8, 2017 | Ferndale Record
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Members of the congregation at United Church of Ferndale hold a welcome home sign for church member veteran Lowell Higley the night of his return from his honor flight. (Ashley Hiruko/Lynden Tribune) ers were veterans of the Korean War. “I thought the fact that I was able to be one of the participants on this trip has been the highlight of maybe all of my life,” Higley said. “It was something great I never would have expected.”
On Saturday, Oct. 14, Higley, along with his daughter Rosalie Knutson and granddaughter Lani Davis, took the flight to visit almost all the military memorials, most of which didn’t even exist when Higley was in Washington, D.C., as
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a teen. The only one they didn’t see was Iwo Jima, the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial, which had limited public access due to a current revamping of the site. In the airport, those on the Honor Flight were visible in large swarms being
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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, November 8, 2017 | Ferndale Record
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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, November 8, 2017 | Ferndale Record
A group of veterans gather for a group photo during the trip to Washington, D.C., in October. Airlines flight. And on their heads they wore baseball caps declaring their service to their country. Higley spent four years in the Army and Air Force.
When the war began, Higley entered the Army as a corporal. A year later he was transferred into the Air Force and as a lieutenant was stationed overseas at a
Veterans
(Courtesy photo)
message center in India, where he was involved in coding and decoding communications. “We were open 24/7 and never
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Lowell Higley in World War II messages. It was a restricted area.” When he returned home after the war, he relocated to Ferndale where he spent years working for his father-inlaw Nathaniel (N.C.) Keith at his grocery store before taking it over. Certainly one highlight of the Oc-
Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, November 8, 2017 | Ferndale Record tober three-day trip, Higley said, was Arlington National Cemetery. He hadn’t expected the location to be as massive as it is. “Pictures just show one little section,” Higley said. “It is huge.” He saw the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and witnessed the changing of the duty guard there watching over the gravesite. “That was really impressive,” Higley said. Another surprise was a traditional mail call an hour before their return flight landed at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Higley was handed a big bag of letters written by those in his congregation at United Church of Ferndale, as well as relatives and friends. After multiple banquet dinners, tours and the various sightseeing, the most impactful thing upon Higley was when those who had served were honored as they were departing through the D.C. airport. People began to applaud spontaneously, shaking hands with those on the trip and thanking them for their service. A small girl even approached Higley to hand him a miniature American flag. “It makes you feel so good to think that people appreciate what we did,” Higley said. The trip was another that he can add to his list of successful travels.
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Ferndale friends get ready to welcome Lowell Higley home from his Honor Flight. (Ashley Hiruko/Lynden Tribune)
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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, November 8, 2017 | Ferndale Record
Veterans
Lynden museum exhibit continues to tell World War I story Eleven locals gave ultimate sacrifice in that war, according to park monument By Calvin Bratt editor@lyndentribune.com
The museum exhibit includes a portrait of U.S. Gen. John Pershing, commander in Europe, and an Honor Roll of locals who died in three wars. (Calvin Bratt/Lynden Tribune)
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LYNDEN — An exhibit about World War I, “Echoes From the Past: Whatcom County in the Great War,” opened in June and continues for another year at the Lynden Pioneer Museum, 217 Front St. In the lower level of the museum, this is a sight-sound experience of the 191418 global conflict that was supposed to be “the war to end all wars.” The United States managed to stay out of the Great War, as it was called, until April 2017, and the armistice that ended it on Nov. 11, 1918, became the foundation for today’s Veterans Day. The war embroiled most of the nations of Europe along with Russia, the United States, the Middle East and other regions. It pitted the Central (or Axis) Powers — mainly Germany, Austria-Hungary and Turkey — against the Allies — mainly France, Great Britain, Russia, Italy, Japan and, from 1917 on, the United States. It ended with the defeat of the Central Powers. The war was virtually unprecedented in the slaughter, carnage and destruction it caused. World War I could also be considered one of the great watersheds of 20th-century geopolitical history, says Encyclopedia Brittanica. It led to the fall of four great imperial dynasties (in Germany, Russia, Austria-Hungary and Turkey), resulted in the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia, and
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Veterans in its destabilization of European society laid the groundwork for World War II. The idea of a Lynden museum World War I exhibit on the 100th anniversary of the war gained traction three years ago when Mark Nelson of Bellingham American Legion Post 7 sought a taker for about 30 original World War I posters in his care. Lynden museum curator Troy Luginbill was game, and so now these posters set the path of the exhibit, as they also set the wartime mood in hawking Liberty Bonds to mobilize and pay for America’s part in the war. Luginbill also created bunkers and war scenes and obtained a partial replica of a British Mark 1 tank to go with the incessant battle sounds of gunfire and sometimes the music of fighting as well. The point is that this pivotal event, though fought half a world away, reverberated down to Whatcom County and virtually every corner of the United States too. At a Lynden kickoff gala in June, the names of the 82 county casualties in the war were read. About 26 of those called the county outside of Bellingham home. Much of the war was stalemate. Life expectancy for soldiers in the trenches averaged about six weeks, according to an exhibit flier. Fewer than half of American deaths came from combat; instead, “accidents and disease took a huge toll on the quickly mobilized forces with minimal training and infrastructure.” Over 116,000 American lives were lost in World War I. An Honor Roll plaque “in memory of those who made the supreme sacrifice” is part of the exhibit. It lists these locals who died in World War I: William Lee Alexander, Nick Beltman, Hugo Joseph Biehle, Richard Flotre, John Hughey, Lambertus Helder, Arvid C. Johnson and Milton Shirk. Lynden’s Memorial Park honoring See Exhibit on C10
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John Hoadly of Whatcom County looks at a 1918 newspaper listing of local men in service in World War I. (Calvin Bratt/ Lynden Tribune)
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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, November 8, 2017 | Ferndale Record
UK veteran to read at Village Books' Lynden story time this Friday LYNDEN — A Veterans Day story time is at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 10, in the Village Books store at 430 Front St. Captain Ron Taylor of the UK Parachute Regiment will be on hand to read stories and talk about his service. Taylor has credentials as a grandfather and master bedtime story teller. Also, Village Books offers a 20 percent discount to those in the military on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 10-11.
Schools plan honoring events for veterans WHATCOM — The annual Veterans Day Assembly at Ferndale High School in honor of veterans will be on Thursday, Nov. 9, in the auditorium. The sponsors invite the community’s veterans to come and be honored. If you have served the country in military service, you are welcome to come at 8 a.m. to the high school cafeteria for a complimen-
Exhibit Continued from C9 war dead has these additional World War I names on its obelisk: William F. Bure, Claude M. Ward and Arthur E. Warson. In the museum exhibit is also a newspaper spread of the photos and assignments of 180 men in service in World War I from northwest Washington. Most are from Bellingham, but these are others from Whatcom County and their service sector: • George Ehlers, Ferndale, 92nd Aero Squad, ASSC USA • Edward Lapidur, Blaine, Battery F, 65th FA, France • Edsall Shay, Blaine, Radio Corps, Mare Island, California • A.P. Sutterleen, Deming, Infantry, Camp Lewis • Frank L. Hatley, Lynden, Bat. F, 65th FA, France • Oscar M. Sage, Clearbrook, Naval Training Station, Seattle • Clay Chas. Cook, Goshen, Radio Operator, Astoria, Oregon • Andrew Anderson, Everson, Co. D,
tary continental breakfast, and the assembly will follow. For more information, contact Leah Kessen at 360-255-9486 or leahkessen@ gmail.com. An assembly to honor veterans was held on Tuesday, Nov. 7, at Lynden Middle School, and one was to be held during activity period starting at 9:50 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8, at Lynden High School, office personnel said. VFW Post 9301 received notice too late to be involved in the Lynden school services, however, said member Walt DeKraai.
Veterans
Honoring vets at LMS
Lynden service is at 11 a.m. Saturday in the community center LYNDEN — Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9301 will sponsor a one-hour service at 11 a.m. Saturday,Nov.11,in the Lynden Community Center, 401 Grover St., to remember and honor veterans who have preserved American freedoms. The ceremony will include a guest speaker, Cub and Boy Scouts presenting colors and leading the flag salute, and a 21-gun salute with taps.
47th Infantry, France • Leroy H. Parks, Blaine, Fireman, USS South Dakota • Eldren Stevenson, Goshen, Mustering Officer, Camp Lewis • Aubert Wildberger, Sumas, 361st Infantry, Camp Lewis • Irvin L. Scribner, Everson, USS Quinnebang • Robt. H. Bulmer, Nooksack, U.S. Navy, New York • Herman Caulkins, Maple Falls, Co. A, 162nd Infantry • F. Von Valkenberg, Sumas, Sgt. Co. M, 361st Infantry, 91st Division, France • Howard E. Hatch, Van Buren, U.S. Navy, Brooklyn, N.Y. • Ward G. Bailey, Nooksack, Corporal Bat. D, 63rd FA, France • Carl Gylton, Marietta, Destroyer Hopkins, East Coast • N.M. Shaw, Blaine, Machinist’s Mate, Port Townsend • Reuben L. Strand, Clipper, Co. C, 361st Infantry, France • Lee A. Swem, Blaine, Bugler, USS Oregon • Ross E. Davis, Lynden, USS Great Northern • Max S. Dickson, Custer, 378th Aero Squad, ASSC France
Thomas (Tag) Mills was one of the veterans to speak and be honored at a Lynden Middle School assembly on Tuesday, Nov. 7. Students sang and played patriotic music, and several gave short speeches honoring veterans and American ideals. Fathers or grandfathers who were veterans were introduced, and all of the school was able to submit photos (projected on a screen) of loved ones who had served. (Calvin Bratt/Lynden Tribune) • Oscar C. Davis, Lynden, USS Ouera, Atlantic • Andrew Thompson, Custer, Naval Training Station, San Francisco, California • Francis Clayton, Wickersham, Co. L, 162nd Inf., France • Corp. Alfred Mercy, Custer, Co. A, 361st Div., 91st Div., France • Sgt. Robt. Logan, Blaine, 68th Infantry, Camp Greene, NC • Ernest Sorenson, Laurel, Lt. U.S. Artillery • John A. Gillis, Everson, Co. Y, Unit J, Hampton Roads, Virgina • Hugh L. Wilson, Clipper, Co. C, 7th Bat. 20th Eng., France • Raymond E. Briggs, Kendall, Co. B, 1st Bat. 20 Eng., France • Jas. Williams, Deming, Ambulance Co. 21, Fort Riley, Kansas • Ralph Bertrand, Sumas, 129th Co., Marine Barracks, Bremerton • Albon W. Wright, Sumas, 659th Aero Squad, Camp Dix, New Jersey • Robt. Easterbrook, Sumas, Co. F, 6th Bat. 20th Forestry Eng., France • Wm. W. Brown, Sumas, Quartermaster Corps, Camp Lewis • Melvin H. Frack, Ferndale, Corp. Bat. D, 63rd Art., France
• Fred Pettibone, Ferndale, Fireman, U.S. Navy • Jno. D. Youngman, Ferndale, Bat. F, 65th Art., France • Clarence Madsen, Ferndale, Naval Training Station, Seattle • Fred Rinehart, Lynden, Co. G, 9th Depot Br., Signal Corps AEF • Fred S. Dewey, Ferndale, 20th Engineers, France • John H. Warriner, Maple Falls, 1st Co. Cas. Det. Spruce Division, Vancouver, Washington • H.L. Peterson, Everson, Bat. E, 27th Inf., Camp Eustis, Virgina • Earl Perkins, Lynden, Co. F, 65th FA, France • Ernest Rosenhall, Ferndale, on USS Virginia, Atlantic Coast • Edw. Newlean, Ferndale, Fort Flagler, Washington • Harry W. Rinehard, Lynden, Co. E. 44th Inf., Camp Lewis • Clarence B. Tawes, Ferndale, Bat. D 63rd FA, France • John T. McPhail, Blaine, U.S. Air Station, Pensacola, Florida The notation for Ressie Buchanan, of Big Lake (Skagit County), is that he was killed in action on July 2, 1918.
Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, November 8, 2017 | Ferndale Record
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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, November 8, 2017 | Ferndale Record
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