MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11 & TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12
D-Day In Normandy 2019 & 2024: A Retrospective
By Dave Kroontje For the Tribune
Spurred by the imperative of ridding the world of the evils of Nazism, U.S. War Department records show that at the end of May 1944, more than 1.5 million U.S. military personnel were stationed in the United Kingdom.
To eventually support those troops in battle, 5.5 million tons (which is 11 trillion pounds) of supplies had been shipped from the U.S. and stockpiled on the island-fortress of Great Britain.
Roughly 1.5 million tons of those stockpiled supplies were earmarked just for the anticipated invasion of continental Europe.
The WWII Allied Forces’ invasion of continental Europe began in earnest at 0010 hours on June 6, 1944 with the insertion of more than 22,000 Allied paratroops onto the east and west ends of the Normandy beaches invasion corridor. D-Day had arrived.
The seaborne D-Day landing on the beaches of Normandy was codenamed Neptune. The codename for the overall Normandy campaign was Overlord.
In its first day, the invasion would involve 7,000 sea-going vessels, 13,000 aircraft, and the air and sea landing of 156,000 Allied troops, 73,000 of whom were Americans.
At left, top photo, June 7, 2024, Cherbourg Airport, Normandy, France. Accompanied by care-giving companions, WWII Veterans await loading aboard a USAF C-130J aircraft for a low-level tour of the Normandy Invasion Beaches and the Norman countryside where, 80 years before under orders from Supreme Allied Commander General Dwight D. Eisenhower, they had fought in the Great Crusade to liberate continental Europe from Nazi oppression. Below left, June 12, 2024, Collevillesur-Mer, France. My new French friends, L-R: Dominik and Marie Derouet, and Dave Kroontje. (Photo courtesy David M. Kroontje)
Retrospective: D-Day In Normandy 2019 & 2024
Continued from C3
June 6, casualties totaled approximately 10,000, including 4,414 dead of which 2,501 were Americans. The landing beaches were codenamed (from west to east): Utah (U.S.), Omaha (U.S.), Gold (British), Juno (Canadian) and Sword (British). It was on Omaha Beach, below what is now the Normandy American Cemetery, that 2,000 American soldiers laid down their lives on D-Day.
By the Aug. 20, 1944 end of the Normandy Campaign, Allied casualties numbered 226,386, with 72,911 killed or missing. German casualties numbered 240,000, with an additional 200,000 captured. Although invasion-related casualties among the French civilian population are not numbered with certainty, 20,000 or more may have perished, with many more injured.
D-Day and the Normandy Campaign did not end the war; many battles remained to be fought before the May 8, 1945 capitulation of Germany, and many thousands more American soldiers would die. However, the resources and focus of the Allied powers, enhanced by the courage, heroism, intrepidity and sacrifice of Allied soldiers, irrevocably turned the tide against the Nazis on that Tuesday in June of 1944.
According to War Department records, 6904 Washington State service members — all branches — died during WWII. Total worldwide WWII American military deaths were approximately 416,800.
In the European Theatre of Operations, the Department of Defense lists 104,812 soldiers as being killed in action. As of this writing, 75,901 Americans still rest in the 14 WWII American military cemeteries of Europe — 19,600 Americans remain missing in action there. This is a stark reminder that freedom certainly is not free.
D-Day 75 and D-Day 80
In June 2019 and again in June 2024, I was privileged to spend D-Day week in Normandy. To say that my visits to Normandy were moving and inspirational experiences simply does not do them justice. June 2024 marked the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings on the north coast of France. It seems certain that the people of France — and particularly the people of Normandy — will always remember with gratitude the liberation of their country from the Nazis. However, the 2024 D-Day week may well have been the final time that soldiers of WWII would be feted in the grand style that they so richly deserve.
To ensure that the remaining veterans of WWII were appropriately celebrated, the U.S. Department of Defense, the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC), French national and local governments, together with private organization from the U.S. and France, organized the airlift of about 200 American WWII Veterans to Normandy, who ranged from 95 to 107 years of age.
All branches of the U.S. Military participated in the week-long commemorative festivities all along the entire Norman coast. While this article focuses on the commemorative events involving the American veterans, in the areas of Normandy where other Allied troops landed and fought, similar commemorative events were conducted by the governments of the United Kingdom and Canada in conjunction with their French hosts.
The scope and scale of the June 2024 commemorative events in Normandy were breathtaking, and it was my pleasure to have been invited by the ABMC, the U.S.
Continued on next page
Top left, June 6, 2024 Normandy American Cemetery. French President Emmanuel Macron names WWII veteran PFC John M. Wardell, Company E, 2nd Ranger Battalion, a Chevalier de la Légion d’honneur (Knight of the Legion of Honor) and pins the decoration of Wardell’s chest. At age 99, Wardell is the last surviving member of the WWII 2nd Rangers. Bottom left, June 9, 2024: A married couple of French re-enactors share a kiss after a successful parachute jump out of a vintage Douglas C-47 just west of SainteMère-Église. Dressed as medics for the jump (she 82nd Airborne, he 101st Airborne), in their real lives she is a registered nurse, he is a medical doctor. (Photo courtesy David M. Kroontje)
Continued from previous page Army, and the U.S. Air Force to observe and participate in a number of those events.
Included with this story are but a few photographs that help illustrate the events I attended and sites I visited. This only begins to tell the tale of the magnitude of the historic Operation Overlord, as well as the reverence and pride that the members of today’s United States military feel toward those who preceded them in the profession of arms. These commemorative events were today’s soldiers respectful tribute to the hero Veterans of WWII.
Flying out of Cherbourg Airport — at the northwest corner of France’s Cotentin Peninsula — the U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard conducted many low-level commemorative flights along the entire Norman coast. This includes numerous 3- and 4-ship flights of C-130J Hercules aircraft painted with WWII invasion stripes. I rode in the lead ship of one such flight to capture images of the ships flying on either wing of the lead. Those wing-ships carried some of the treasured WWII veterans whom I had the pleasure of meeting.
By the hundreds, mostly French re-enactors donned WWII American military uniforms (the numbers heavily favoring the U.S. 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions), jumped from vintage C47s, marched in parades, established whole camps of American canvas tents, drove all manner of WWII American military equipment around singly and in con-
voys, and they participated in the individual commemorative ceremonies conducted almost beyond number all across Normandy.
The U.S. Army had the lead in organizing and conducting a massive June 9, 2024, NATO 1,400 jumper air-drop over the commemorative Iron Mike dropzone, located just west of SainteMère-Église. It was around the combat objective of the nearby La Fière bridge that the 82nd Airborne Division troops jumped on D-Day in 1944.
The day before the NATO commemorative jump, a training event, which included all of the paratroopers scheduled for the following day’s jump, took place at Collège Saint-Exupéry in Sainte-Mère-Église.
Epilogue
Congratulations and thanks go to all of the government and private entities that supported the D-Day commemorative activities in 2019 and 2024.
Particular congratulations and thanks go to the currently-serving American soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines and coastguardsmen whose professional efforts in organizing and operating the various D-Day commemorative events in 2019 and 2024 speaks ever so highly of their commitment to mission, and to cherishing the history and heritage of our Military Services.
Visiting Normandy in early June 2019 and 2024, it was very gratifying to be an American.
The evidence of appreciation for the service that the United States
rendered to the Normans was abundant and obviously sincere. To be sure, D-Day tourism is an industry in Normandy, but what I observed and felt there goes way beyond simple commerce.
A brief story of an interaction I had with my B&B hostess pretty much sums up the feelings of warm welcome and friendship which I experienced during my visits to Normandy.
My hostess spoke just a little English, her husband spoke none, and I speak only a little French. Despite the language barrier, with a little effort and some help from Google Translate, we got on smashingly, as our British friends would say.
We talked of people, farming, cows and crops, apples, the home-brewed liqueur Pommeaux (gratefully sampled), of holidays, history and local economics, of the war and of my father’s small part in it.
As I was preparing to take my leave of the Norman country home which had been my cozy and welcoming abode, my hostess, Odile (whose family has lived there for over 200 years), cleared her throat and straightened her posture as if to signal a coming formality. With an expression of seriousness which telegraphed her determination to convey to me in English a message and sentiment which was clearly important and heartfelt, she paused a moment and said: “David, please, the next time you visit the grave of your father, thank him for what he did for us.”
With vision quickly fogged by tears, I gave Odile a hug. A few
days later, in Lynden’s Monumenta Cemetery, I complied with Odile’s request. The ABMC does a wonderful job managing the cemeteries where America’s war dead rest. Its staff works with unending passion and diligence to keep the cemeteries immaculate in appearance, and to keep in living memory the stories and sacrifices of their charges.
The story of the D-Day invasion is made up of literally millions of chapters, each as significant in its own right as were the people who, through their actions, authored those chapters.
Owing to the fact that their collective enormity is almost impossible to grasp, the substance and gravity of the individual chapters is challenging to capture and condense. That said, the 2019 and 2024 efforts of members of today’s United States Military Services admirably served the interest of preserving and sharing both the history of the sacrifice of WWII.
The effort to collate the many chapters, and to preserve and revere the larger story, must never end.
-- Dave Kroontje grew up in Everson.
June 9, 2024, Drop-Zone “Iron Mike.” U.S. Army paratroopers landing en masse very near the La Fière bridge over the Merderet River. (Photo courtesy David M. Kroontje)
VETERANS DAY 2024
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.
Each year, we proudly 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. 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
NICHOLAS E. SAWKA
City of Residence: Lynden
Branch: United States Coast Guard
Served: July 11, 2001-Aug. 1, 2021
Final Rank: E-7/Chief Petty Officer
Medals and Commendations: Coast Guard Commendation Medal, Coast Guard Achievement Medal, Commandant Letter Of Commendation Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal Nicholas joined the Coast Guard on July 9, 2001, right after high school. He reached the rank of Chief Operations Specialist. His responsibilities included dispatching Coast Guard assets and planning search and rescue missions for those in distress.
Between 2015 and 2018, while stationed in California, Nicholas played a key role in counter-drug operations in the Pacific Ocean, coordinating efforts to disrupt the flow of drugs into the U.S. His Coast Guard career took him across the country, serving on both coasts and on the Great Lakes. Nicholas was twice awarded the Coast Guard Commendation Medal for his exemplary service and was also recognized with the Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal for his work with the Alameda Food Bank.
After retirement in the summer of 2021, Nicholas moved with his family to Lynden to raise his daughters, Olivia and Violet. His proudest achievements from his Coast Guard career include meeting his wife, Jillian, and becoming a father.
DAYLEEN M. KROONTJE, LEFT, AND HER BROTHER, DAVID A. KROONTJE
Dayleen M. Kroontje
Residence: Everett
2003 U.S. Air Force Academy Graduate (civil engineering)
Boeing C-17 Globemaster
II Instructor Pilot
Active Duty Regular Air Force: May 2003-March
2012
Highest rank: Captain Undergraduate Pilot Training: Vance AFB, Oklahoma Assignments & Deployments:
• 7th Airlift Squadron, 62nd Air Mobility Wing, McChord AFB
• Numerous multi-month deployments to: Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar; Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait; Incirlik Air Base, Turkey; Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan.
• Worldwide flights in support of military, State Department and White House missions.
• Separated from USAF and joined Boeing as a Flight Deck Engineer in 2012 Awards & Decorations:
• Air Medal with 6 oak leaf clusters (140-plus combat missions, 500-plus combat sorties)
• Air Force Commendation medal
• Meritorious Unit Award with 2 oak leaf clusters
• Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with 6 oak leaf clusters
• Combat Readiness Medal with 1 oak leaf cluster
• National Defense Service Medal
• Iraq Campaign Medal with 1 Service Star
• Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
• Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
• Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border with 2 oak leaf clusters
• Air Force Longevity Service with 2 oak leaf clusters
• Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (pistol)
• Air Force Training Ribbon
David A. Kroontje
Residence: Burien
2005 U.S. Air Force Academy Graduate (mechanical engineering)
Lockheed-Martin F-16 Viper Pilot & Flight Lead; Beechcraft MC-12
Liberty Pilot & Mission Commander; Northrup T-38 Talon Instructor Pilot
Active Duty Regular Air Force: June 2005-August 2016 Force Reserve: August 2016-present
Undergraduate Pilot Training: Vance AFB, Oklahoma; class 07-14 Assignments & Deployments:
• 34th Fighter Squadron (F-16), Hill AFB, UT
• Deployed Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan (F16 Pilot), Jan-May 2010
• Det 1, 505 Combat Control Wing, Ft. Leavenworth, KS (Air Liaison Officer)
• Deployed Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan (MC-12 Pilot), Apr 2011 - Oct 2011
• Deployed Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan (MC-12 Mission Commander), Sept 2012 - Mar 2013
• 13 Fighter Squadron (F-16), Misawa AB, Japan
• Deployed Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan & Djibouti, Africa (F-16), Apr 2014 - Nov 2014
• 25th Flying Training Squadron (T-38), Vance AFB, Oklahoma (T38 Instructor Pilot), Feb 2015 - July 2016
• USAF Academy June 2018 - Present (Admissions Liaison Officer) Awards & Decorations:
• 2014 Mackay Trophy Awardee (most meritorious USAF flight of the year)
• Air Medal with 13 oak leaf clusters (280-plus combat missions)
• Air Force Commendation Medal
• Air Force Achievement Medal
• Meritorious Unit Award
• Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with 1 oak leaf cluster
• National Defense Service Medal
• Afghanistan Campaign Medal
• Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
• Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
• Air Force Overseas Ribbon, Short
• Air Force Training Ribbon
• NATO Medal
CURT LENSSEN
Curt Lenssen was drafted the summer of 1965 right out of high school.
Wanting to learn a trade, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy’s CB builder’s division. He spent one year in Vietnam from July 1966-67 as the Naval Headquarters Support Activity.
He spent 1968 in Taiwan, and then was transferred to Port Hueneme (spelled it Wae-nemee) in California where he was an instructor of the Carpentry Division until September 1969 when he received his honorable discharge after serving his country for four years.
DAVID WEBB
Current residence: Everson Branch: U.S. Army Served: 1966-1968 Final rank: Sergeant E-5 Medals and commendations: Vietnam Service medal, honorable discharge.
I moved to Seattle from Abbotsford B.C. in November 1964. I registered for the draft after living in Seattle for several months. I received my draft notice in February 1966.
After basic training in Fort Ord and Signal Corps school at Fort Gordon I was transferred to the 261st Signal Company in Fort Hood, Texas. In December 1966 our company received orders to Vietnam. We traveled by train to San Diego and boarded the USS Upshur and were joined
by Marines who traveled with us.
After a brief stop in Okinawa, we proceeded to Da Nang where the Marines disembarked, and the Upshur took us south to Vung Ro Bay. Our unit proceeded by armed convoy North to Phu Hiep village where we lived in tents for months as our home base. Our mission was to provide radio communications to the other Army units in the area, such as the 173rd Infantry, the 91st Evacuation Hospital and a Helicopter unit.
After serving in Vietnam until February 1968, I received orders to Ft. Lewis and be assigned to the Army Reserve.
DON ASSINK
Don served with the U.S. Navy from November 1969 until November 1975. Navy schools trained him to become proficient in digital electronics and related systems.
In 1972 he reported aboard USS Koelsch (DE1049) where he served the remainder of his service obligation. He was honorably discharged from the ship, returned to Lynden, and has lived here ever since.
Koelsch was one of only two ships of its class that was equipped with the Anti-Submarine Warfare Tactical Data System, known as ASWTDS.
Assink was trained in the maintenance and repair of the Data Display portion of the system.
Koelsch was deployed to the Naval Sixth Fleet in The Mediterranean area from June to December 1972. The ship deployed again from November 1973 to May 1974 to the Indian Ocean area, and was connected to ComMidEastForce, also known as The Great White Fleet.
Assink received a letter of commendation for exceptional service rendered during each of the deployments. He earned a National Defense medal upon enlistment during the Viet Nam conflict, and a good conduct medal in 1973.
Don served as the Protestant Lay Leader during the Indian Ocean deployment. He earned Petty Officer First Class status in 1974.
TREASURE TROVE
NOVEMBER 1 - 30
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RON WILSON
Home: Custer Branch: U.S. Army
Served: 1964-1986
Final rank: Sergeant First Class (E-7) Medals/commendations: Silver Star Medal; Bronze Star Medal/Oak Leaf Cluster; Air Medal (3); Army Commendation Medal, Purple Heart; National Defense Service Medal; Vietnam Service Medal; Vietnam Campaign Medal; Vietnam Cross of Gallantry; Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal; Meritorious Unit Commendation; Good Conduct Medal; Overseas Service Bars (7); Overseas Service Wings; Vietnam Jump Wings; Master Parachutist Badge; Army Service Ribbon; NCO Professional Development Ribbon; Combat Infantryman Badge; Meritorious Service Medal; German Chancellor Award for civil heroism, saving two lives.
Served four tours in country and special forces command in Vietnam.
Ron Wilson grew up in Washington and had a difficult childhood. Ron knew the local judge well, and on his sixth court appearance, he was called a juvenile delinquent. The judge gave Ron two choices: serve six months in jail or join the Army. Ron joined the Army.
Ron was accepted into the special forces as a Green Beret before seeing his first action in the Vietnam War. Ron served four tours from 1966-1971. He served in the 5th and 1st Cavalry Divisions.
Ron was engaged in some difficult combat. Ron received five Air Medals, four Purple Hearts, four Bronze Stars and one Silver Star. Each medal is a story of valor. Ron was in many situations involving heavy gunfire. His team was airlifted from a hot zone, there were not enough seats on the helicopter. Ron stayed behind and was involved in close combat with the enemy, he was retrieved after 45 minutes. Later Ron’s team was compromised and MIA for seven days, eventually finding American troops. But the most important awards Ron shares are his Combat Infantry Badge and Master Jump Wings.
In the 1980s, Ron was stationed in Frankfurt, Germany. Ron served 22 years in the Army. Today, Ron lives in Custer where he continues to serve veterans, including building handicap ramps. At 80, Ron is in training to be a Veterans Service Officer.
Photo Credit: Beth Rasmussen
LARRY N. DOUGLAS
Branch: U.S. Navy
Highest rank: Commander, retired
Commander Larry N. Douglas, originally from Montana, is a resident of the Lynden/Custer area. He began his naval service in San Diego, CA., in 1970. His first duty station was Lemoore NAS, California as an AD in VA-195 and VA94, deploying aboard the USS Kitty Hawk during the Vietnam War.
In 1988, Douglas began naval reserve drills at NAS Whidbey, was selected as a chief in 1990. In 1991, he was commissioned an Ensign, Aviation Maintenance Officer. In 2008-09 he served active duty in Iraq, retiring as a Commander in 2009.
Join the Navy, and see the world. Commander Douglas, during his 37year Navy career, has served in Asia, Africa, Europe and the Middle East, sailed on aircraft carrier’s Kitty Hawk, Reagan, Nimitz, Stinson, and Vinson, and attended the Naval War College.
He has received 30 medals including Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and Campaign Medals for Vietnam and Iraq.
Walking in peace where they once made war
By Roger Van Dyken
For the Tribune
This story takes place at Phu Cat AB, Republic of Vietnam, shortly before Christmas, 1967
Across the table from me sat a weary but relieved Air Force fighter pilot, Captain Charlie Neel. He had departed in the predawn darkness that morning in his F100F jet fighter, afterburner illuminating the runway, headed north into the skies of North Vietnam.
He returned that night by helicopter, his flight suit still damp.
I scribbled quickly, composing the intelligence debrief of his shootdown and near capture 60 miles north of the DMZ.
He talked. I wrote. Neither of us had the faintest inkling of the amazing mandala that would occur a half-century later.
Charlie and his backseater, Guy Gruters, were on a forward air controller (FAC) mission, part of the famed top secret all-volunteer Misty program intended to find and destroy trucks carrying Russian and Chinese ammunition and rifles down the Ho Chi Minh Trail.
The Mistys directed fighters to bomb the trucks before their cargo made its mark on American and South Vietnamese GIs.
The trucks ran at night, hiding in the jungle by day — the jungle into which Charlie and Guy now peered at 425 knots, with Misty eyes to detect signs of camouflaged trucks, as anti-aircraft artillery (AAA) shells buzzed by their cockpit like brightly colored golf balls.
On this day in 1967 they caught the golden BB. Thunk! The aircraft shuddered. Charlie immediately called, “mayday!” He nosed the fighter toward the safe waters of the Gulf of Tonkin, hoping to be rescued by the Jolly Green helicopter crews. Charlie’s radio crackled, “Misty, you’re on fire, bail out! Bail out!”
The sea beckoned on the horizon, growing larger. Charlie and Guy felt the heat. The hydraulics went out — no steering. The engine quit. Still, they rode the rocket without a motor, wishing themselves beyond the beach.
The plane became a rock. They ejected.
Charlie splashed 200 meters off the beach, Guy farther out to sea. (Two missions later, Guy would be shot down
again, this time captured. He endured over five years as a POW.)
The Jolly Greens launched, headed north. The North Vietnamese launched. A fishing boat headed south. The race was on. Charlie listened to waves crashing onto the beach. The fishboat’s bow wave came into view. He could make out the crew, guns silhouetted.
Charlie grabbed his handheld radio. “Any fighters near Dong Hoi? I could use a hand. I’m about five minutes from a boat giving me a ticket to the Hanoi Hilton.” (slang for the POW camp).
A jet swooped out of the sky, skimming the waves, headed straight toward Charlie. He ducked. A blast of rockets ricocheted off the water in front of the boat.
The boat captain reconsidered. He turned back to his village. Charlie breathed.
Dong Hoi, Vietnam, March 11, 2023
Charlie and Guy walk on the sands of that beach, arms around one another’s shoulders, reminiscing. Charlie points to the spot of his short voyage. They climb into the van and head north to the fishing village.
Through my North Vietnamese friend, the word has spread. The van stops in front of an elderly beaming Mr. Hoa — the captain of the boat that almost captured Charlie that day 55 years ago. Charlie gets out. A grinning Mr. Hoa wraps Charlie in a bear hug. “This time you are not getting away!”
Charlie and Mr. Hoa walk down that beach. Now it’s them with arms around one another’s shoulders.
Old enemies — new friends, walking in peace where they once made war.
--Roger Van Dyken is a United States Air Force Colonel, (ret), Brigadier General selectee. Served 1966-1999. Volunteer in Vietnam War and First Gulf War. Five years active, 27 in reserve. With unknowing help from his son, daughter and former enemies, he was given the grace to overcome 40 years of bigotry against Vietnamese. Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service, Air Force commendation, multiple unit awards. The Mistys are portrayed in the documentary “The Misty Experiment,” available on PBS and YouTube. Charlie, now recovering from a stroke, has visited Roger in Lynden several times.
Appreciating our nation’s veterans
By Jack Aguirre For the Tribune
Veterans are a remarkable group of individuals who have selflessly served their country, often making great sacrifices to protect the freedoms we enjoy. Despite the challenges they may face, veterans possess a unique set of qualities that make them an invaluable asset to society. The following are some of those qualities:
Resilience: Veterans have endured and overcome extraordinary circumstances, both during their service and in the transition back to civilian life. They have faced the harsh realities of war, the loss of comrades, and the challenges of reintegrating into society. Through these experiences, they have developed a remarkable resilience that allows them to persevere through adversity and adapt to new situations.
Leadership: Veterans have a proven track record of leadership, honed through their military training and experiences. They are accustomed to taking charge, making deci-
sions under pressure, and motivating others to achieve common goals. These leadership skills are highly sought after in the civilian world, where veterans often excel in management, business, and community leadership roles.
Teamwork: Veterans understand the importance of teamwork and collaboration. They have experienced firsthand the power of working together to achieve a common goal, and they bring this spirit of camaraderie to their civilian endeavors. Veterans are often highly effective team players who can build strong relationships and foster a sense of unity within organizations.
Diversity of Skill and Experience: Veterans bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the civilian workforce. Their military training and experiences have equipped them with a diverse range of skills, from technical expertise to problemsolving abilities. They are also accustomed to working in demanding and fast paced environments, making them adaptable and resourceful employees.
Dedication and Commitment: Veterans are known for their unwavering dedication and commitment to the tasks they undertake. They have a strong sense of duty and responsibility instilled through their military service. This dedication translates into a strong work ethic and a commitment to excellence in their civilian endeavors.
Sense of Purpose: Veterans have a strong sense of purpose, shaped by their experiences in the military. They understand the importance of serving a cause greater than themselves, and they bring this sense of purpose to their civilian lives. Veterans often find fulfillment in careers that allow them to make a positive impact on their communities and the world around them.
Veterans are not only an invaluable asset to society, but also an inspiration to us all. Their stories of courage, sacrifice and resilience remind us of the strength of the human spirit and the power of dedication and service. We owe a debt of gratitude to our veterans for their contribution to our nation and the world.
Missing In America project honors lost warriors
By Luke Seymour Staff Writer
WHATCOM — This Veterans Day, many Americans across the country will pay tribute to members of the military who play an important role in their lives.
However, many members of the military who have died or gone missing in action have never gotten the chance to have a proper sendoff befitting of a soldier.
That’s where the Missing in America Project comes in.
Since 2007, the Missing in America Project is a nationwide operation that locates, identifies and inters the remains of anonymous or unclaimed American veterans.
The project became active in Washington State in 2014.
According to Ferndale resident Jim deLucia, a volunteer and genealogist on the project, much of the value and purpose of the project is defined by the skill and hard work of its steadily growing number of volunteers.
“We currently have 10 volunteers, five of which joined last year,” deLucia said. “Some of them are from a military background, some are just darn good genealogists who assist with the research or just who want to help out in a major way. Some of us who do the work of reaching out to coroners and funeral homes, we’re referred to as the recovery officers, we make initial contact with the places where the remains are held and that’s where everything starts.”
DeLucia said once recovery officers
make first contact with the keepers of the soldier’s remains, they add that not only are they interested in recovering the remains of the veteran but also that of any unburied spouses or children that are in the storage area as well.
DeLucia added that none of this is possible without permission from the Veterans Affairs Administration, which he credited as being a crucial help in the operations of MIAP.
“We do nothing on our own,” deLucia said. “We can do nothing unless we get help from the VA or cooperation from private funeral homes and county coroners. This is a very collaborative process.”
Before they do any of this, however, deLucia said members of the MIAP engage in a period of extensive research. However, he said sometimes they don’t always turn up as much information as they would like.
“At times we have been given nothing but a name,” deLucia said. “No year, no date, no nothing.”
Despite these difficulties, MIAP volunteers will engage in the process of recovery. This begins with the research and then, if they determine the remains they have found belong to someone who once served in the military, volunteers will then apply to the VA who then, in turn, provide the MIAP with an eligibility number that gives them the capability to have a burial ceremony. The remains are then cremated and buried at the nearest national cemetery.
“After that, we don’t just run down there,
According to Ferndale resident Jim deLucia, a volunteer and genealogist on the project, much of the value and purpose of the project is defined by the skill and hard work of its steadily growing number of volunteers. DeLucia is pictured above at the annual Memorial Day event at the Enterprise Cemetery in Ferndale. At left, deLucia reads the names of the 40 veterans and dependents who interred at a MIAP Tahoma National ceremony in April 2024. (Photo courtesy Susan deLucia)
See Missing In America on C21
Susan deLucia accepts the flag at a MIAP Forgotten Heroes ceremony for 40 veterans at Tahoma National cemetery in Kent. Since 2007, the Missing in America Project is a nationwide operation that locates, identifies and inters the remains of anonymous or unclaimed American veterans. The project became active in Washington State in 2014. (Photo courtesy Jim deLucia)
Missing in America
Continued from C19
drop them off and say, ‘have a nice day,’” deLucia said. “We schedule ceremonies, and we invite reserve units of the Army or arrange the Navy to participate and provide honor guards for the ceremony.”
Ceremonies last anywhere from about 45 minutes to an hour and remains can be buried all at once. Although some ceremonies are limited to 40 urns at a time.
DeLucia pointed to his and that of many other MIAP volunteers’ experience in the military as inspiration to join the organization.
“I was always proud of the four years I served in the late ‘60s during Vietnam,” deLucia said. “The one thing that they promise you when you join is that, when you die, we will bury you in a veterans cemetery. There’s nothing else you’re promised. For some reason or another, some people never get that. Nobody ever picked them up or recognized that they were veterans, so we don’t mind all the knocking on doors and calling up strangers. To us, we feel we owe it to them.”
-- Contact Luke Seymour at luke@lyndentribune.com.
RICHARD W. TURNER
City of Residence: Lynden
Branch: U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force
Served: 1965-1977
Final Rank: CTM2 (Communications Technician Maintenance PO 2)
Medals and Commendations: Vietnam Era, National Defense Service, Good Conduct and ANG Service medals
Richard joined the U.S. Navy at the age of 23 going through basic training at Great Lakes Naval Training Center in 1965. After training at Electric Technician Maintenance A school at Great Lakes NTC from 1965-1966 and Electronics HFDF Maintenance C school at Pensacola, FL in 1966, I was stationed at Naval Security Group Activity Marietta, WA from 1966–1969. Service at NSGA Marietta required security clearances as well as technical training. I rose through the ranks there from a Seaman (E3) to Petty Officer 2nd Class (E5) and yes, I did spend time in the galley. I met my wife while stationed there, 56 years and counting, graduated from the University of Idaho with a BSEE – 74, Employed at ARCO, Rockwell, TEC LLC and now retired. In March 1972, NSGA Marietta reverted back to the Lummi Indian Reservation and is now the location of Lummi Health, Counseling and Fitness Centers.
