November 9 - 15, 2017 • thenorthernlight.com
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A TRIBUTE TO OUR
HONORING ALL WHO HAVE SERVED!
By the Grace of God Blaine resident tells his story By Joe Luna In January 1966, the 2nd Battalion 5th Marine Division was deployed overseas. Half of the battalion would travel directly to Vietnam, while the other half would spend a month in Okinawa in training before making an amphibious landing on the Chu Lai Peninsula of Vietnam. I was among those sent to Okinawa for training. Our first couple of weeks in Vietnam were spent on patrols, unloading supply ships and providing security for the Marine air base. It was there that I experienced my first exposure
to what war was all about. Early one morning I heard two loud explosions and someone shouting “Incoming” at the top of their lungs. Over all the commotion, I heard the screams of those who had been injured; screams that were more animal than human. We spent much of that day looking for the arm of one of the Marines that died. One of my responsibilities was to carry a radio. While on patrol one day, I was shifting the receiver – one hand to the other – when it slipped from my hands. Just as I bent down to pick it up, I heard a rifle shot
Best of the Best By Joe Luna In national cemeteries, the best of the best Who serve their country have come to rest. Hispanic, Asian, Choctaw, and slave Comrades in arms now they lie in a grave. Protectors of freedom, justice, and truth Many that lie here cut down in their youth. All served their country. Some gave their life Leaving behind mother, children, and wife. They suffered sorrow, disappointment, and pain. In a far distant land, they wept in the rain. Their dreams of tomorrow were shattered and torn Yet hopes for the future were often reborn. Today for our nation thousands still serve Active enlisted and some in reserve. Defenders of freedom and liberty Values cherish in this land of the free. Unspoken, unsaid their final request. When my chapter is closed and I go to my rest, Unite me once more with the best of the best.
Thank you Veterans!
and felt the bullet pass over me. A chill swept over me. I realized I had been in a sniper’s sights. In time, we were moved to more remote regions of the country. Most times we were transported by helicopter, but occasionally we went by truck. The helicopter engines drowned out our voices, making it difficult to hear one another conversing. We would reach our destination, the helicopter would drop to about two feet from the ground and then we would all disembark by jumping off both sides. On one occasion the helicopter I was riding in took small arms fire from the ground. Directed at us, the reports were shockingly loud. The first large-scale attack on our position took place at night: darkness and fear can play tricks on your mind. I would hear the rattle of pebbles placed in cans that were tied to the barbed wire surrounding our defensive position. My head would shift in all directions as the cans rattled. In the darkness, it seemed that I could see figures moving toward me as the enemy probed our perimeter looking for a weak spot. Suddenly, the darkness was replaced by flashes of light as rifles opened fire. I remember watching red tracer rounds of machine guns arcing away from our position and green tracer rounds coming toward us. In the distance, I could hear artillery rounds being fired. Rounds would explode in the air above us dropping illumination flares. The flares would drift to the ground on parachutes, brightening the area around us. Empty shell cases whistled through the air, one dropping about a foot from my location. Our days were spent on patrols in the surrounding area, night watches, night ambushes and fortifying our positions. Patrols would leave early in the morning and return by early afternoon. Nights were spent in pairs with each one’s watch lasting two hours. Night ambushes were conducted by squads which were sent to specified locations identified by specific coordinates. On one such rotation, we were deployed to a trail that ran along some rice paddies. We set up our position in a part of the jungle that bordered the trail.
s A photo of Joe Luna taken in April 1967 following his recovery from surgery wounds in Vietnam.
Photos courtesy of Joe Luna
Honoring Vets! Where healing begins! H E A LT H C L I N I C
288 Martin Street • Downtown Blaine
360-788-4228
Make Our it a sincere great thanks! year!
Mailboxes • Shipping Package Receiving 816 Peace Portal Drive, Blaine, WA 98230
(360) 332-5246
WITH EVERY PASSENGER & LIGHT TRUCK TIRE PURCHASE
(Continued on next page)
Ghandi Vwich, Agent
Vwich Agency 341 H Street, Blaine 360-332-4444
Angela Castellano, Agent
FERNDALE 1731 LABOUNTY DR. 360-380-4660
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November 9 - 15, 2017 • thenorthernlight.com
The Northern Light • November 9 - 15, 2017
A TRIBUTE TO OUR
I was set at the end of the line with a large palm tree on my left with the rest of the squad to my right. The hours passed slowly. Occasionally we would hear artillery rounds being fired. We could hear the whistle of the rounds as they traveled through the air. We listened as the whistle of one round came directly at us. The whistle grew louder and louder as the round approached. Suddenly there was a deafening explosion and I was sent bouncing into the air. Mud, shredded palm leaves, and bark showered down on us. As we were leaving for camp after the sun rose, we looked at the crater left by the round. It was about 18 inches on the other side of the palm tree in a direct line opposite to where we had been. The tree had saved us all from any injuries, and for me, death. On August 12, 1966, my unit was hit by small arms fire and mortar rounds. I remember coming to with pain in my right leg where I had been struck by
Honoring all who served!
shrapnel. “Luna, I’m hit,” my buddy Eugene Mayse said. “I am too,” I replied. My body felt like lead. Everything felt like it was in slow motion.
“Today by the grace of God, I am bald, overweight, happily married to a wonderful wife, father to 11, grandfather to 31, great grandfather to three and I’m a Mormon.” – Joe Luna The last thing I remember was being struck on my right side just below my shoulder. I would find out later that Eugene had pushed me into a crater and covered me with his own body
to protect me from further injury. On August 14, my 20th birthday, I was awarded the Purple Heart, a medal awarded to those who suffered wounds in combat. It was presented to me by Arthur Godfrey and a Marine Corp general whose name. Over the next few months, I would suffer from a heart attack, malaria and a blood infection. In January 1967 I was scheduled for open heart surgery. The doctors had given me a one-in-a-100 chance of coming through the operation. The surgery lasted seven hours. They removed four pieces of shrapnel from my lungs, one lodged in the heart, and repaired an aneurysm the size of a large goose egg in the left ventricle of my heart. I was medically retired from the Marine Corps in November 1969. Today by the grace of God; I am bald, overweight, happily married to a wonderful wife, father to 11, grandfather to 31, great grandfather to three and I’m a Mormon.
Veterans group forms in Birch Bay B y S t e fa n i e D o n a h u e Good laughs and good coffee — that’s what Rosemary Fahrenkrug promises veterans who show up to a gathering she organizes in Birch Bay each week. The International Veterans Coffee Group meets from 1 to 3 p.m. on Wednesdays at The Bridge at Birch Bay, located at 4815 Alderson Road. Fahrenkrug and Dakota Creek Christian Center assistant pastor Barry Leisegang co-organize the gathering. Often, a counselor joins to facilitate discussion.
The idea to start the group spurred from a discussion between the patrons at Birch Baybased Dakota Creek Christian Center in May, Fahrenkrug said. A veteran in the community had recently committed suicide and the church wanted to establish a support program in the area, she said. A veteran with a background in providing services and support to members of the armed services, Fahrenkrug recently moved to Bellingham from Alaska. Upon arrival, she felt there was a lack of resources available to veterans in Whatcom County
and was eager to start the coffee group in Birch Bay, she said. The first gathering took place on August 9 and about a dozen or so veterans attend the free group each week, she said. Fahrenkrug said veterans of all generations and backgrounds are welcome. “War is war, no matter what country you’re from,” she said. To learn more about the International Veterans Coffee Group visit thebridgebirchbay.com. “Anyone that goes to war can recover and get healed. Don’t give up,” she said. “Just show up.”
American Legion Auxiliary president visits Peace Arch
s Joe Luna, Okinawa February 1966.
Blaine memorial honors the fallen
s One year ago this month, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Custer-based Post 9474 installed a battlefield cross memorial on H and Third streets in Blaine. The memorials design was selected and inspired by late Blaine resident and Vietnam veteran, Wesley “Wes” Thompson.
Good Samaritan Society-Stafholt thanks all of our Veterans for their service to our country
Guy Hughes-
Thank you for your service! Wishing you smooth seas!
456 C Street, Blaine • 360-332-8733
Love, Joni & Alan
Freedom is never free Thank you! BUILDING CENTER
s American Legion Auxiliary national president Diane Duscheck, second from l., visited Peace Arch Park on November 6. She was joined by Blaine American Legion Post 86 member Berry Byrne, l., second district president Janet Sperry and Post 86 commander Matthew Durkee, r. s Joe Luna at the U.S. Marine Corps recruiting depot and base camp headquarters in San Diego in 2012.
2677 Bell Rd • 332-5335 • www.pacificbuilding.com
Our gratitude to those who served! 288 Martin Street • Downtown Blaine • 360-332-7300 www.Fortiphi.com
Photo courtesy of Matthew Durkee
360-332-4971 We honor our Vets!
Locally owned & & operated for 70 69 years! years!
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Thank You Veterans For Your Service!
Michéle-Marie Cloutier, CPA 978 Peace Portal Drive
360-332-4971
www.UScanadaCPAs.com
Jones & Jones, L.L.C. (360) 371-5855
8097 Harborview Rd., Birch Bay
AUTO SERVICE PARTS TIRES 365 D St. • Blaine • 360-332-7018
BLAINE AND BIRCH BAY FAMILY DENTISTRY Bryan Chen, DDS 310 Martin Street • Blaine 360-332-9534
Thank you for your service!
Michael, Kim, Matt & Staff of Jones & Jones Customs Brokers & Trade Consultants
332-3121
638 Peace Portal Dr. Suite 202 Blaine, WA 98230
Our deepest thanks for your service!
360.332.5656
www.tctradingcompany.com
Alcoa thanks all of our Veterans for their service with a special salute to our Intalco Veterans.
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The Northern Light • November 9 - 15, 2017
A TRIBUTE TO OUR
Honoring veterans in Whatcom County Veterans Day Assembly: Thursday, November 9, 8–11 a.m., Ferndale High School, 5830 Golden Eagle Drive. Veterans are invited to participate in an assembly hosted in their honor. A complimentary continental breakfast will be served to guests. Veterans Day Lunch and Observance: Thursday, November 9, 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. Vet-
758 Peace Portal • Blaine 332-4045
We thank you for your service! Community Newspaper of Blaine, Birch Bay & Semiahmoo
360/332-1777 225 Marine Drive, Blaine thenorthernlight.com facebook.com/thenorthernlight
erans and their loved ones are encouraged to attend. Photos of veterans and descriptions detailing branch and year of service will be displayed for guests. Veterans Day Ceremony: Thursday, November 9, noon–1 p.m. in the Viking Union Multipurpose Room at Western Washington University, 516 High Street. The ceremony is open to students, faculty, staff and the community and will feature words from university president Sabah Randhawa, Whatcom Alliance for Health Advancement representative and veteran Heather Mueller, associate professor and veteran Dr. Jeff Carrol and Associated Students veteran community coordinator and veteran Russell Thompson. To learn more, visit bit.ly/2zF5UB6. Veterans Day Rock Show Fundraiser: Friday, November 10, 7–10 p.m., The Underground Nightclub, 211 East Chestnut Street, Bellingham. Items will be up for auction to raise money for Brigadoon Service Dogs Canines and Heroes for Independence program. Tickets cost $10 and can be purchased at
Thank You Veterans! We appreciate your service. 360-332-8040
File photo by Steve Guntli
http://bit.ly/2zrOK95. Veterans Smile Day: Friday, November 10, 15 dental providers from the Mt. Baker District Dental Society will be providing free cleanings, extractions, root canals and dental fillings to veterans. Contact the Whatcom Alliance for Health Advancement at 360/788-6594 to make an appointment. Buddy Poppy Fund Drive: Saturday, November 11, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. at Fred Meyer, 1225 West Bakerview Road. Donations will be accepted for VFW relief funds to help veterans. Veterans event: Saturday, November 11, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
VFW Post 1585, 625 N. State Street, Bellingham. Guests can sip Bloody Marys and Mimosas. Veterans Day Vigil: Saturday, November 11, 11 a.m., corner of H and Third streets. Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Custerbased Post 9474, Blaine American Legion Post 86 and Bellingham U.S. Naval Sea Cadets are sponsoring a vigil that will feature a brief ceremony, prayer and gun salute. Women Veteran Writing Group: Saturday, November 11, 1–3:30 p.m., Bellingham Vet Center, 3800 Byron Ave, Bellingham. As part of the Red Badge Project, guests will have the chance
to express themselves in writing in a safe and supportive environment. “Thank you for your service” Women’s basketball game: Saturday, November 11, 4–6 p.m., Whatcom Community College, 237 W Kellogg Road, Bellingham. Five veterans from VFW Post 1585 will be recognized for their service and a ceremony will take place at halftime. Veterans Day Dinner: Saturday, November 11, 7 p.m., Blaine American Legion Post 86, 4580 Legion Drive. To learn more, call 360/371-7311 or visit blaineamericanlegionpost86.com.
763 G Street • Blaine, WA 98230
Remembering your service
John M. Mugar WWII Sr. Lieutenant Pacific Theatre
Helen Gienandt Mugar
WWII Lieutenant JG, Navy Nurse Corps Pacific Theatre
We appreciate your service!
Dr. Mason Cooper, DMD 432 H Street, Blaine • 360-332-8737 • borderviewdental.com
Students donate 282 pounds of candy to veterans
s For the past eight years, students at the Blaine school district have joined in the Operation Tooth Fairy challenge, which calls on students to donate leftover candy from Halloween United States military personnel. If the candy weighs more than 270-pound teacher Dan Persse, he has to dress up as a tooth fairy for an entire day. On November 2, Persse reported the students brought in 282 pounds of candy; the following day, he donned a tutu and fairy wings to class. Persse said students have brought in 2,206 pounds of candy over the past eight years of the challenge. From l.: Persse and student Anthony Evans. Photo courtesy of Dan Persse