Veterans Day 2023

A supplement of the Lynden Tribune & Ferndale Record

Published Wednesday, November 1, 2023

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Veterans Tribute

Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, November 1, 2023 | Ferndale Record

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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, November 1, 2023 | Ferndale Record

Veterans Tribute VETERANS DAY 2023

BRUCE JAMESON

For the past few years, the staff of the Lynden Tribune and Ferndale Record newspapers have asked you to send us your story of service, or the story of your loved one who served.

This year, we are proud to share those stories, with both images and words that tell us all about some of the fine Whatcom County residents past and present who served our country.

Thank you for allowing us to share your stories. Be sure to also find these stories at LyndenTribune.com.

Telling so many stories, affording our public the opportunity to tell its collective story, is something we look forward to doing each year moving forward.

But we cannot do this fine tribute to our local veterans without your help.

So don't wait until next Veterans Day. As we have done the past three years, we ask that you submit a short story of your service, as well as photos, to bill@ lyndentribune.com. We ask that you limit your story to no more than about 300 words.

With your story, please also include the veteran’s full name, city of residence, branch of service and dates of service in the U.S. military, your rank when you left the service, and any medals and commendations.

Please also include your contact information just in case we have any questions.

For more information, email Bill Helm at bill@lyndentribune.com.

Each year, we insert our special Veterans Day section into the Lynden Tribune and Ferndale Record newspapers the first Wednesday in November.

-- Bill Helm, editor, Lynden Tribune and Ferndale Record newspapers

Branch: USMC Rank: Lt. Col. The year was 1972, I graduated from college and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the US Marine Corps. My first assignment was to Pensacola, Florida for training as a naval flight officer (NFO).

Upon completion of flight training and earning my wings, I was assigned to VMCJ-2 at Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point, N.C. for training in the EA6A as an electronic warfare officer. I also crossed trained into the RF4 photo reconnaissance aircraft earning a rare dual designation in both aircraft. I then received orders to Iwakuni, Japan.

While in Japan, I was assigned to an RF4/EA6A detachment on the aircraft carrier USS Midway, logging many hours and over 100 catapult and arrested landings. In 1975, our ship was in the Gulf of Tonkin during the fall of Saigon and evacuation of the U.S. Embassy.

Numerous Bell UH-1 Iroquois (nicknamed Huey) helicopters landed on the Midway with as many as 60 Vietnamese on board escaping the fall of their country. During this chaotic day, a single engine Cessna O-1 observation plane circled the ship with Vietnamese Major Buang and his family on board. Circling the ship he dropped a rock with a note attached requesting that he land his plane on the ship.

The commanding officer of the Midway ordered helicopters to be shoved over the side to make room for Major Buang to land. On his first attempt he successfully landed the Cessna on the flight deck of the Midway. I was observing the action from the tower of the Midway and captured the entire event on my Kodak 8mm movie camera. I still have that film.

After my tour in Japan, I returned to NAS Whidbey Island to train in and become an instructor in the new EA6B. While there I met and married my wife Cheryl. We have been married for 47 years. After a very successful and rewarding 20-year career, Cheryl and I now live in Lynden. If you travel to Oak Harbor and go past the two aircraft displayed on Route 20, you will see an EA6B that I flew in during my career in the Marine Corps.

Thank you for your service!

Thank You

To the many men & women in our community who have served and are currently serving our country as members of the Armed Forces.

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Veterans Tribute

Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, November 1, 2023 | Ferndale Record

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JUDITH BRIDENSTINE HEINRICHS

DOUGLAS L. SCHOLTEN Home: Bellingham Branch: United States Naval Reserves Years served: November 1965-December 1993 Last rank: Senior Chief Petty Officer Medals and commendations: National defense, Viet Nam service, Viet Nam campaign, Navy Achievement medal, Battle E Award, Armed Forces Reserve medal, Meritorious Unit commendation, Naval Reserve Meritorious Service.

USS Morton DD948, two years; sevenmonth tour in Viet Nam providing gunfire support to U.S. Marines; 5th Naval Construction Regiment, USNR Seabees, 26 years; miscellaneous construction projects.

PAUL DAVIS

Nov. 21, 1958, Judith Bridenstine just 18, headed to Fort McClellan, Alabama on her first train ride to start basic training in the US Army. After the required weeks of basic training, clerical training followed which included typing on a manual typewriter.

Pvt. Bridenstine then headed by bus to Fort Gordon, Georgia where she was trained in handling classified documents, got her secret security clearance and got promoted to Private first class.

She found out about southern hospitality at Augusta, Georgia.

Because leave was coming up, a hitch on a military flight was decided on to go to San Diego for a family visit but took longer than anticipated.

Advise from an officer was: nothing is free, pay for it one way or another.

Getting back to Fort Gordon, orders had been issued to go to the 513th Military Intelligence Group in Oberursel, Germany. Bridenstine was bused October 1959 to Fort Dix, New Jersey to fly on a military 8 propeller plane through Newfoundland to Frankfurt, Germany, and from there military transportation to Camp King.

After WWII, Germany, at the Yalta Conference, had been divided into four parts by the Allies which would eventually lead to the Cold War. Tension was high. Berlin, also divided, needed special permission to go into even by train.

While in Germany there were opportunities to drive army vehicles, upgrade education, travel, participation in sports, shooting range, field exercises and opportunities for community services.

Bridenstine’s first day of service was her 18th birthday, so service time couldn’t be extended. On Oct. 29, 1960, Sp4 Bridenstine received orders to go to Bremerhaven to take the USNS Geiger back to Fort Dix to be honorably discharged on Nov. 6 with good efficiency and good conduct medal, her last check, and transportation back to San Diego with experiences that changed her.

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Home: Lummi Island Branch: U.S. Navy This story is called The Hammock: From the beginning of the US Navy, non-commissioned sailors slept in hammocks.

Hammocks were issued to all sailors upon induction into the Navy, and that tradition continued right through WW II even though Navy ships and Naval bases in WW II had steel bunks for all sailors.

When I was inducted in 1944, I was issued my hammock, which I never used.

Shortly after the war, some very intelligent Navy officer figured “If sailors do not sleep in hammocks, why are we still issuing hammocks to every inductee and making some hammock maker very rich?

So they stopped making and issuing hammocks, and declared a certain day as Hammock Collection Day in which they collected all the hammocks from existing sailors around the world.

The hundreds of thousands of hammocks were collected and disposed of in some way.

As it happened, when I finished aviation electronic technician’s mate (AETM) school in Corpus Christi, Texas, Ward Island Navy base, I was sent to a Navy Base in Jacksonville, Florida which was an outgoing unit from which I would be sent to a fleet somewhere around the world.

So on that very day, Hamock Collection Day, I was on a train going to Jacksonville with my hammock. I arrived in Jacksonville the day after collection day.

The Navy bureaucracy couldn’t handle that, so after 79 years, I still have my hammock which I have never used. Only sailors who were traveling on that collection day still have their hammocks.

At age 97, I may be the only living Navy veteran who still has his hammock.

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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, November 1, 2023 | Ferndale Record

Veterans Tribute

LONNIE L ROSE Home: Split between Lynden, Washington and Apache Junction, Arizona Branch: U.S. Navy Years served: July 1967-July 1973 Last rank: Gunner Mate 2nd class/E6 Medals and commendations: Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Achievement Medal I come from an along line of family members who served in the military.

Great-grandfather served in the Spanish-American war, grandfather in WW1, father in WW11.

I joined the Navy to avoid being drafted. During boot camp in San Diego, I was accepted into the Navy’s Drum and Bugle Corp extending my boot camp time with off base performances and competitions.

Following boot camp, I attended gunner mate school.

After completing school, I was attached to Pacific Fleet.

Serving on USS KNOX DE 1052, USS CARPENTER DD825, USS IMPLICIT MSO455 and Patrol Boat, Riverine (PBR) duty on the Mekong Delta/River.

Went to many ports around the world in those six years, but there is nothing that can compare to the USA.

We Salute You!

“Thank You for your courage, service & sacrifice for our freedom!”

FREDERICK SU Frederick Su joined the USMC on Nov. 3, 1969, about four months after receiving his B.S. in physics from Utah State University.

Su and two fellow Hawaii residents were flown from Honolulu to San Diego.

“I gave my orders to one of the drill Instructors when we arrived at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot,” Su said. “He responded by slamming me against the wall.

Welcome to the Marine Corps.”

Su spent 22 months stateside in the Marine Corps, getting out early in August 1971 to attend graduate school in physics at the University of Connecticut.

Su was a Corporal (E4) when he left the service and earned a sharpshooter’s medal at the rifle range, “my favorite time in the Marine Corps,” he said, with the M14.

Thank you for your service!

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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, November 1, 2023 | Ferndale Record

Veterans Tribute

What is a veteran?

The men and women who have kept America free wear no badges or emblems.

Except maybe in a parade.

It is difficult to tell a veteran by just looking. He is the parade-leading American Legion or VFW Honor Guard who tries to pin his ribbons and medals on with an artificial hand. Or the one who stands beside the parade route, coming to attention, removing his hat and placing his right hand over his heart as our flag passes by.

Some veterans have visible evidence of service to their country, such as a scar, a missing limb, a deep haunted look in their eyes. Others may carry the evidence inside, such as a metal plate in their head, a piece of shrapnel in one of their legs, a pin holding one of their bones together. Or perhaps they have another kind of inner hurt or turmoil that the eye cannot detect.

Just what is a veteran? He is a fireman, a plumber, a farmer, a railroad conductor, or maybe the mailman, who spent months in Iraq or Desert Storm, sweating three gallons a day to make sure the planes or tanks were patched up, fueled and ready to go at a moment’s notice, praying the incoming missiles didn’t find him.

He is the medic or corpsman who caringly tended to the wounded and in so doing saved many lives in the midst of grave danger but never thinking of himself. He is the doctor with trembling hands spent countless hours on end, seven days a week in surgery, playing the tremendous influx of wounded would stop coming. She is the nurse with soothing and caring hands tending to the wounded and who fought against futility, went to sleep sobbing every night for a solid year in Viet Nam.

He is the loud-mouthed kid, greener than two sticks, who is foolish high school behavior is outweighed a thousand times in the cosmic scales by his extreme bravery on Heartbeat Ridge near the 38th parallel in Korea.

He is the fly boy, pride of the Navy, Marines or air Force, who has flown. Many harrowing missions and maybe one day shot down – who barely survived.

He is the scared 17- or 18-year-old kid who has seen more horrors in a short length of time than a town full of people will ever see in all their lifetimes put together.

He is the P.O.W. who went away one person and came back another, or maybe still missing.

He is the drill sergeant who has seen much combat and is now turning noaccounts and former gang members into first-rate soldiers or marines.

He is the sailor in a submarine who survived many depth charges or didn’t survive any at all – or the sailor who had one or even two ships sunk out from under him into an ocean full of sharks, scared as hell, believing the end had come.

He is the chaplain, giving comfort and spiritual healing to the wounded and dying – and even sometimes making the extreme sacrifice himself.

He is the hero in the tomb of the unknown in Arlington National cemetery and represents all the heroes who have died on the battlefield or at sea.

He is the old guy who hands out shopping carts at Walmart, palsied now and very slow, who spent a very long time in a Japanese prison, torture and death

camp, who barely survived and when the nightmares still come even 60 years later he wishes there was someone to comfort him, but has to face it alone.

He is the one who served his country between wars, while for the most part was not in actual combat, it was because of him being there, patrolling the world on many tense and scary circumstances, that our country stayed safe and free.

He is the ordinary and yet extraordinary human being, one who gave some his life’s most precious years in the service of his country.

His sacrifices were many and he becomes angry now, when others badmouth our country or desecrate the flag he so bravely fought for. He is the soldier, a sailor, an airman, a marine, a coastguardsman, and is the finest testimony on behalf

of the greatest nation on earth.

He is the one, often a very lonely one, who most people have now forgotten – forgotten – the heavy price he paid for their freedom. When you next see him, let him know he is still remembered. A hug or a firm handshake with these two short, heartfelt words – thank you – and you just may see a tear or gleam of pride in his eyes that has not been seen for a very long time.

-- Known as Colonel Jim, Jim Mackin was a Lynden resident and a veteran of the Korean War. Although he served three years in the U.S. Navy, Mackin earned his nickname when he became an auctioneer in 1968. According to his obituary in the Jan. 5, 2016, Lynden Tribune, Mackin’s fast talking wit was known all over the county for more than five decades.

Veterans Tribute

Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, November 1, 2023 | Ferndale Record

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Veterans Tribute

Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, November 1, 2023 | Ferndale Record Photo Credit: Beth Rasmussen

Honoring our Veteran Employees:

Caleb Wayne Assink: Actively Serving in the Guard William Jacob Roosma: Infantry Medic Veteran • Yard waste recycling by composting (grass clippings, brush & stumps) • Compost & soil material sales

Questions? Call us: 360-354-4936 774 Meadowlark Road, Lynden greenearthtechnology.com GERRIT KUIKEN Branch: US Air Force Served: 1952-1982 Final rank: Chief Master Sgt./E-9 Awards and commendations: More than 30 medals/awards, most are awarded because of serving during a war, or assigned to a certain unit/place/theater.

Chief Master Sgt. (E-9) Gerrit Kuiken served 30 years from 1952-82, through the Korean, Vietnam and cold wars.

Gerrit Kuiken is most proud of achieving the highest enlisted rank, which is limited by law, to there being only one member allowed to be that rank, per 100 enlisted members.

He is also proud to have been the honor graduate from the 56 member’s NCO Prep Academy, and the 256-member Sr. NCO Academy and being selected Sr. NCO of the year from among 20,000 Sr. NCO’s stationed throughout 16 European bases in 1979.

If queried, most ex-military would agree their most significant military moment (and first, but unbeknown to them at the time) was when they arrived on the blue bus at their basic training base, and their Tac instructor boarded and loudly/profanely introduced himself,

stating his name and title, and anytime addressed, it would be “sir”! From that moment on, the recruit’s life is forever changed from thinking and acting like a self-centered disrespectful civilian to instinctively thinking and behaving like a responsible cohesive military unit member looking out for others.

This is why it is common to hear of a military member in combat throwing himself on an exploding hand grenade, to save others.

The point of basic training, is to mold you into thinking of others at all times.

And for those not able or willing to conform to that standard, are weeded out.

The very first thing a new recruit is taught (and memorized) is their general orders during guard duty, the first two orders being: 1) Take charge of this post and all government property in view, and 2) Walk my post in a military manner, keeping always on the alert and observing everything that takes place within sight or hearing.

Although meant for guard duty, these general orders are how a military member thereafter lives his/her life, being aware of and responsible/caring for everything around them.

Since 9-11, the civilian version is “if you see something, do something.”

"The veterans of our military services have put their lives on the line to protect the freedoms that we enjoy. They have dedicated their lives to their country and deserve to be recognized for their commitment."

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Veterans Tribute

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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, November 1, 2023 | Ferndale Record

FLOYD DWIGHT

MIKE KIRKELIE

Branch of Service: U.S. Army Years of service: 1951-1953 Last rank: Private First Class I was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas in the first armored division. In May 1952 our outfit of the 701st Armored Infantry Battalion received a directive that we were to be the first army soldiers to take part in a nuclear test, four miles away.

Our battalion of about 1,000 soldiers took about a two-day train ride to Nevada. We then were trucked to Camp Desert Rock, Nevada. On the first day after we arrived, we were trucked to the test site, about 1,950 yards from the tower where the nuke bomb was to be detonated the following day.

There was a Jeep, a small Army tank and a large truck. After seeing the exhibits, we were trucked back to camp about 25 miles. The next day, we arrived at the test site before dawn and got into trenches about four feet deep.

About 8 a.m. the bomb was detonated, as we were told to bend down and face the back of the trench, you could feel the heat on the back of your hands. About 10 seconds later, we were told to stand up and face the bomb.

It was a big ball of fire and smoke. Then the concussion hit that knocked us back.

About four hours later, we were trucked to the exhibit site. The vehicles were damaged quite badly. Later, we were trucked back to camp, and the following day we were headed back to Fort Hood.

This was a very eye opening experience when you consider this bomb was smaller than the one used in Japan, and today, bombs are many times larger. Hopefully they are never used in a war.

Home: Lynden Branch: U.S. Army Rank: Chaplain Served: 1963-1995 Chaplain Mike Kirkelie began his life vocation and career in the U.S. Army after graduation from Bellingham High School, 1963. His regular Army service began at Fort Ord, California, basic infantry training.

Spec 4 Kirkelie served combat duty with MAC-V and US Army Viet Nam from November 1964 until November 1965.

During this important, life-changing time of his life he sensed God’s call to enter Christian ministry. He returned to the U.S. and served a short tour with the 4th Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, honorably discharged, June 1966.

In 1965, he married his high school sweetheart, Kathy, and after college and seminary they served in church ministry in Washington State until 1976 when they together accepted the call to serve our nation once again in the U.S. Army chaplaincy.

The Kirkelies, with their three children, served our nation around the world. After retirement from the Army in 1995, the Kirkelies have served the local churches in Whatcom County through Power 2 Change Ministries, and also served the persecuted underground church in Vietnam and China.

The Kirkelies thoroughly enjoy being with their three grown children and their four wonderful grandchildren.

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Veterans Tribute

Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, November 1, 2023 | Ferndale Record

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JERRY OLIVER In 1955 there was, in the U.S. and probably the world, only one two-seated jet that could break the sound barrier. Lynden resident Jerry Oliver, then Senior Airman AF Aerial photographer, was one of only about a dozen non-pilots at that time to sit in the back seat of the only TF86 and experience the phenomena of control reversal while being supersonic.

During his one hitch in the Air Force, 1954-1958, Oliver photographed many test flights at the Air Force Flight Test Center, Edwards AF Base. These included photographing the launch and crash of NASA’s X-2 and flights with two test pilots, Gordon Cooper and Deke Slayton who later became astronauts in the Mercury-7 program.

After the Air Force, Oliver took advantage of the GI Bill, earned his degree in motion picture production, and spent a rewarding career in the Aerospace industry in southern California.

A native Washingtonian, Oliver was raised near Burien, graduated from Highline High School in 1954, from where he joined the Air Force shortly thereafter. Now 87, Oliver and his wife Shirlee, “at the insistence of a daughter and granddaughter,” came to Lynden after having lived aboard our 48-foot trawler for seven years “in which we cruised extensively in Puget Sound, the San Juans and north into northern Canada and Alaska.”

Since 2012, the Olivers have split their time between Lynden and Mesa, Arizona, where at nearly 90 Jerry Oliver still plays tennis 3-4 times a week.

Whatcom County Cemetery District 10

Honoring Our Veterans Lynden Lions Club 25th Annual Program Thursday, November 9th at 6:30 PM

516 14th Street, Lynden WA (United Methodist Church Social Hall) Please join us in celebrating, with recognition to those who have served and protected our freedoms.

Featured Speaker: Mr. Jeff Seaholm Special Guest Quartet Refreshments after the program.

To Register: Call (206) 999-9668 or (360) 815-5657 Please state military branch, years served, and contact information (Veterans and non-Veterans are invited)

For more information you can call Galen Laird: (360) 319-6845

Historic plots are available in both cemeteries.

No-interest purchase plans available.

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A lovely, rustic cemetery with Urn and Scatter gardens

On the Southeast corner of Front & Meridian

On the South side of East Wiser Lake Road

DID YOU KNOW? The Lynden and Greenwood cemeteries are the final resting places for nearly 300 veterans for wars dating back to the Civil War.

Veterans Tribute

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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, November 1, 2023 | Ferndale Record

GORDON SUND

IRENE TICHELAAR SILVERMAN

Branch: U.S. Army Years served: 1957-1959 Last rank: Specialist 3rd Class Gordon Sund enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1957, two years after he graduated from high school in Brookings, Oregon.

As the picture shows, this was the near the end of the brown shoe army, before the switch was made to green uniforms and black shoes.

Gordon did his basic training at Fort Ord, then spent six months at Fort Devens in Ayer, Massachusetts, as he trained to be a Morse Code intercept operator.

He spent the next two years stationed at the 12th Army Security Agency Field Station in Chitose, Japan, on the island of Hokkaido.

Gordon and his wife Barbara have lived in Lynden since 2008. They are both active members of the Lynden Lions Club.

Home: Birch Bay Branch: US Navy reserve, active duty Served: 1976-2000 Medals/commendations: Defense Meritorious Service, three Meritorious Service, two Joint Meritorious Service Commendations, National Defense Service, Navy Reserve Meritorious Service, Southwest Asia Service with Bronze Star, Kuwait Liberation, USAF Special Achievement Award.

I had a late start, entering the U.S. Navy when I was 29, first as a USN Reserve Storekeeper, then in 1980 on active duty as a USN Supply Corps officer. On active duty I served in varied duties, both afloat and shore, overseeing the operation of galleys, berthing, post offices, supply parts inventories, and convenience stores. As a supply officer I was not only are responsible for the providing the beans and bullets for the troops; but in differ-

ent assignments also worked as Contracting Officer, Transportation Logistics Officer, Business Financial Manager, Air Terminal Manager and HQ Staff Supply Officer Highlights of my career include traveling in the Persian Gulf area and France and England while serving as a Personal Aide to General Schwarzkopf, and personal travel in the Far East. Most importantly, I met my now-husband David Silverman, in Bahrain. We retired together on Oct. 1, 2000.

Thank you veterans, each and every day!

Thank you to our heroes James, Eivind & Peter for serving our country and keeping us safe!

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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, November 1, 2023 | Ferndale Record

Veterans Tribute

3 brothers, Civil War veterans, in good health Jacob A., Levi B. and Cyrus A. Manges of Shade Township each served 2 enlistments Editor’s Note: The Somerset (PA) Herald was a weekly newspaper from 1870 to 1929. This story appeared in the Somerset Herald on Oct. 1, 1924, about three brothers, Civil War veterans, still in good health into their 70s.

Lynden resident Dick Decima is the great-grandson (mother’s side) of Jacob A. Manges.

Levi and Cyrus Manges would have been Decima’s greatgranduncles, he said.

Lynden resident Dick Decima shows a photograph and press clipping of his great-grandfather Jacob A. Manges.

Manges and his two brothers each served two enlistments in the Civil War. The Manges brothers served as they were residents of Pennsylvania. (Bill Helm/Lynden Tribune)

Each having served two enlistments in the Civil War an now in the enjoyment of excellent health, the record of the three Manges brothers is a remarkable one and is unmatched in this vicinity.

Jacob A. Manges is a resident of Shade Township. He served two enlistments in the Civil War as a member of Company M Twelfth Pennsylvania Cavalry. Manges was taken prisoner and was held in Libby Prison where 18 months later he obtained a parole. Manges is 79 years old.

Levi B. Manges, age 81, also resides in Shade Township.

He served two enlistments for a period of 18 months as a member of Company C FiftyFourth Pennsylvania Volunteers.

Cyrus A. Manges, whose home is in Altoona, served two enlistments, one under Capt.

Mabin the One Hundred and Thirty-Sixth Regiment, and the other under Capt. Graham as a member of the Two Hundred and Eleventh Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers.

Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, November 1, 2023 | Ferndale Record

Veterans Tribute

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Matt

Gilbert

We appreciate you and your service!

GERALD H. TENKLEY

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Home: Whatcom County Branch: U.S. Air Force Served: 1964-1985 Last rank: Senior Master Sergeant Medals and commendations: Air Force commendation medal, Air Force good conduct (with four oak leaf clusters), Air Force expeditionary medal (KOREA), Air Force longevity (with four oak leaf clusters), national defense medal, Vietnam service medal, Air Force outstanding unit award, republic of Viet Nam campaign medals (with four stars) Air Force small arms expert.

I graduated from Nooksack Valley High School in 1963. I entered the Air Force in September 1964. My assignments were as follows: March 1965 to September 1967 at Edwards Air Force Base, California; September 1967 to September 1968 at DaNang Air Force Base, Vietnam (made Staff Sergeant); September 1968 to March 1970 at Clark Air Force Base, Philippines (met my wife to be Divina Habon); March 1970 to January 1972 at Laredo Air Force Base, Texas; January 1972 to February 1973 Kunsan Air Force Base, Korea (with 35th fighter squadron to Danang Air Force Base Viet Nam for three months then to Korat Air Force Base Thailand for four months, back to Korea); January 1973 to October 1975 at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas (got Divina over from Philippines and we got married there); January 1975 to December 1980 at Clark Force Base, Philippines (adopted our daughter Marisol there); December 1979 to December 1985 Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico.

I spent 17 years and three months in aircraft maintenance field. I worked phase docks, crew chief, flight chief, transient alert/disable aircraft recovery for six years. I worked on every fighter, cargo plane and specialty aircraft in U.S. arsenal before 1985.

I was engine run qualified on T33, T38 and F4 aircraft. I could taxi T-38 and high speed taxi F4s, I was also qualified to fly in back seat of T38 I enjoyed my time working on airplanes but wasn’t too happy with being in logistics, did not like sitting behind a desk.

I retired in Clovis, New Mexico and stayed there for 18 years until my mom and dad asked me to come home, moved back to Washington in 1999.

I am retired, work on my car, and do Whatcom County Cemetery District No. 11 maintenance and grounds. I am also commissioner No. 2 for that cemetery.

Veterans Tribute

Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, November 1, 2023 | Ferndale Record

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Home: Lynden Branch: U.S. Army Served: 1965-1971 Last rank: Staff sergeant (E-6) Niekolaas H. (Nick) Laninga served from 1965-1971 in the United States Army reserve.

Nick did his basic training at Fort Lewis, Washington and was in the first group to go through North Fort Lewis after they reopened it for basic training during Nick Laninga, back row, far right. (Courtesy Photo) the Vietnam conflict.

After basic training, Nick went on for advanced training at Ft. Huachuca, Arizona.

Laninga was assigned to the 448th civil affairs company where he went on to achieve the rank of Staff Sergeant E-6. He was never assigned to overseas duty.

Nick received an honorable discharge on 23 June 1971.

Today, Nick Laninga is on the Lynden City Council and is the local representative of Holland American Foods.

Nov. 9 Lynden Lions Club 25th annual Veterans program Join the Lynden Lions Club and the community in showing appreciation and recognition for all who served and protected this nation’s freedoms.

Thursday, Nov. 9 at 6:30 p.m. at United Methodist Church’s social hall, at 516 14th St., Lynden. All vets please register by calling 206-999-9668 or 360-815-5657. Please state your military branch and years served, along with your contact information. For more information, call Galen Laird at 360-319-6845. This is a free event.

Nov. 10 Honoring veterans

Commander Lonnie Rose, VFW Auxiliary No. 9301, will honor all veterans after Pat Hagen shares patriotic songs on the piano during and after lunchtime on Nov. 10 at the Lynden Community/Senior Center, starting at 12:30 p.m. Lynden Community/Senior Center is at 401 Grover St. For more information, call 360-354-2921 or email info@lyndencommunitycenter.org.

Nov. 11 Veterans Day celebration

At 4 p.m. Nov. 11 at VFW Post 9301, 7011 Hannegan Road, Lynden, hear Jeff and Jenn perform the music of Elvis Presley and Celine Dion at a special Veterans Day celebration. For tickets, call Elizabeth at 360-220-5676 or visit jeffreyelvis.com.

Member SIPC

We support our Veterans Brian Lydiard, CFP®, AAMS™ Financial Advisor 8071 Guide Meridian Rd #104 Lynden, WA 98264 360-354-1121 MKT-5894O-A AECSPAD

> edwardjones.com

It’s our honor to serve our veterans!

Drive-thru Prescription Pick-up 1758 Front St. #106

360-354-1226

A special Thank You to all veterans & friends!

Financial Advisor matt.kok@yourpeakfinancial.com D 360.746.8442

Financial Advisor israel.jacob@yourpeakfinancial.com D 360.933.1803

Financial Advisor lucas.jacob@yourpeakfinancial.com D 360.922.0476

Proudly offering: Wealth & Investment Management • Financial Planning Retirement Income Planning • Estate & Legacy Planning yourpeakfinancial.com • T 360.389.5386 • 8118 Guide Meridian, Lynden WA 98264 Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. Peak Financial Group is not a registered broker/dealer and is independent of Raymond James Financial Services.

CFP Board owns the CFP® and Certified Financial Planner™ marks in the United States.

1726 Front Street • Fairway Center • 360-318-1302

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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, November 1, 2023 | Ferndale Record

Veterans Tribute

From these community-minded businesses Fairway Drug 141 Wood Creek Drive Lynden • 360-354-3374

228 Bay Lyn Drive Lynden • 360-354-3000

Teresa Garten, Agent 6044 Portal Way, Suite 102 • Ferndale 360-384-0087 www.myferndaleagent.com

Residential/Commercial Lynden, WA 360.354.1900

411 West Front Street Sumas, WA 360-988-5811

5946 Guide Meridian Rd Lynden • 360-398-2141

113 6th Street, Lynden 360-354-4444 www.lyndentribune.com

8195 Hannegan Road Lynden • 360-318-1000

High quality roofing & siding 7381 Guide Meridian Lynden • 360-354-4335 rveyin g t Su es

SINC. GP

4913 Hannegan Rd Bellingham • (360) 398-7081

Medium to Heavy Duty Truck Repair

&

B&C WELL DRILLING AND PUMP SERVICE INC.

1758 Front Street #106 Lynden • 360-354-1226

VPM Repair LLC

North w

Drive-thru Prescription Pick-up

302 Hawley Street 407 5th ST 1795 Main Street, Ferndale Lynden • 360-354-2187 106 W. Main Street, Everson Lynden • 360-354-1950

We honor all current & former members of the Armed Services.

Our country’s greatness is built on the foundation of your courage and sacrifice. Thank you!

ELENBAAS COMPANY, INC.

8911 Guide Meridian Rd Lynden • 360-354-4763

302 W MAIN ST EVERSON, WA 360-966-3352 elenbaasco.com

6100 Portal Way, Ferndale 360-384-1411 (360) 384-3688 www.ferndalerecord.com 1861 E. Pole Road, Everson 360-354-3912 • BodesPrecast.com portalwayfarmandgarden.com

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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, November 1, 2023 | Ferndale Record

N O R T H W O O D

Veterans Tribute

C A S I N O

HONORS ALL WHO SERVE THIS

VETERANS DAY.

Free Dinner & Bonus Entries For Vets On November 11!

Members with a Military ID a FREE Dinner (valued up to $28), on Saturday, November 11.

Plus, all Veterans with proper ID will receive TWO entries for the Fortune $500 Drawings, including a special $1000 drawing at 11pm!

All members must earn 25 Points to get free entries to the drawings.

9750 Northwood Road Lynden WA 98264 | 1-877-777-9847 | www.northwoodcasino.com