News

Buddy Poppies

at the Edmonds Farmers Market 

The Post will once again man a booth at the Edmonds Farmers Market on a Saturday in September to distribute Buddy Poppies and “show the flag” to the public and potential new members. This event is tentatively scheduled for September 25. We will be set up by the market opening time of 9:00 AM and continue until 2:00 PM. we do need volunteers to for set up/take down and to man the booth during the day. You can do a morning shift, an afternoon shift or both. 

Sign ups will be held at the August Post meeting. See Senior Vice Commander and Poppy Chair Duane Bowman. 

Buddy Poppies

In the photo at right are Post Chaplain Dan Doyle and then Commander Mike Denton at a similar event in 1919, set up much as we will be in September. 

Looking ahead to Veterans Day. Buddy Poppy distribution will take place November 5 & 6 at our usual locations in the area. Sign-ups will begin at the September Post meeting 

Edmonds VA Clinic Follow-up

Edmonds VA Clinic

In last month’s issue of the newsletter, we introduced the new VA clinics in Edmonds and Everett, (two more were added in Olympia and Puyallup) which should represent a much more convenient alternative to Snohomish County enrolled veterans. The image above was taken from a Facebook post on the topic and we thought it a good opportunity to remind everyone that this facility is now available right here in Edmonds and show you what it looks like. It is not a large facility, but VA has announced its intentions to add services now available only in Everett and the larger regional facilities, as demand grows. 

Carl Kurfess’ Trivia

Glacier Girl

Glacier Girl

Glacier Girl is a Lockheed P-38F-1-LO Lightning World War II fighter plane, 41-7630, c/n 222-5757, that was restored to flying condition after being buried beneath the Greenland Ice Sheet for over 50 years. 

On 15 July 1942, due to poor weather and limited visibility, six P-38 fighters of 94th Fighter Squadron/ 1st FG and two B-17 bombers of a bombardment squadron were forced to return to Greenland en route to the British Isles during Operation Bolero. The aircraft were forced to make emergency landings on the ice field. All the crew members were subsequently rescued. However, Glacier Girl, along with the unit’s five other fighters and the two B-17s, were eventually buried under 268 feet (82 m) of snow and ice that had built up over the ensuing decades. 

Glacier Girl

Fifty years later, in 1992, the plane was brought to the surface by members of the Greenland Expedition Society after years of searching and excavation. The aircraft was eventually transported to Middlesboro, Kentucky, where it was restored to flying condition. 

In April 2016, a team en route to the crash site in Greenland and under the guidance of veteran pilot and explorer, Ron Sheardown, was interviewed while at the airport in Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada regarding plans to recover a second P-38. 

From the Bookshelf

by Fred Apgar

Stalking The U-Boat: U.S. Naval Aviation in Europe During World War I  Geoffrey L. Rossano

Stalking The U-Boat: U.S. Naval Aviation in Europe During World War I 

Geoffrey L. Rossano 

Stalking The U-Boat provides a comprehensive view of the abrupt and rapid creation of Naval Aviation during World War I and fascinating insight into its day-to-day operations. The author, who died in July 2021, had been a history professor at the Salisbury School. 

Readers are taken on a discussion of wide-ranging topics that include the planning and construction of a series of Naval patrol bases in Europe, the aircraft used for anti-submarine missions, daily operations and life on the Naval bases, and the Navy’s attempt to establish a lighter than air (LTA) capability. Thanks to our military’s obsession with maintaining meticulous records, even about the most mundane of details, Rossano provides readers with a trove of information and details, which all make for a fascinating read. 

Once civilian and military leaders made the decision to establish a Naval Aviation presence in Europe, it fell upon a junior officer, Lt. Kenneth Whiting, to command the First Aeronautic Detachment. Whiting, with an expeditionary force of 7 officers and 122 enlisted men arrived in Europe in June 1917. Overcoming immense challenges, the expeditionary force eventually grew to more than 850 officers and 6,000 enlisted. Ultimately, the Navy conducted flight operations from 27 Naval Air Stations that had been constructed in the British Isles, France, and Italy. 

The network of Navy coastal patrol stations was designed to protect American war ships and convoys from attack by German submarines. Initial flights of Naval aircraft commenced in late September 1917, an incredible accomplishment since Lt. Whiting and his staff had arrived in Europe only three months previously. 

Rossano provides a discussion about each of the patrol stations and furnishes incredible detail regarding each station’s; construction, personnel, number and type of aircraft, training regimens, flight operations, number of sorties and distances flown, and injuries and deaths as a result of accidents and enemy action. Rossano concludes that, ultimately, the remarkable establishment of a Naval aviation presence in Europe did not shorten WW I, it did, however, succeed in creating the concept of Naval aviation as a military force that would reach full maturity during WW II. A group of heroes emerged from the war as did a powerful vision for the future of Naval Aviation.

Independence Day, July 4, 2021

Yes, We did have a Parade! 

Independence Day, July 4, 2021

Whether there would be an “Edmonds Kind of 4th” parade this year was a question mark, right up to the last two weeks preceding Independence Day. Due to some absolutely heroic effort on the part of the Edmonds Chamber staff and a dedicated group of volunteers, a full blown event took place, featuring over 80 different entries, including of course our Edmonds VFW and American legion. 

Independence Day, July 4, 2021

Veterans of our local post provided the color guard as usual and VFW Post 2100 of Everett joined us with their big deuce and a half truck. Volunteers representing Gold Star Mothers joined us carrying banners honoring fallen comrades. 

The number of members participating was down this year, but the audience was large and appreciative. Once again, the parade announcers were Past Commanders Jim Blossey and Mike Denton. The accompanying photos are courtesy of My Edmonds News and The Edmonds Beacon. 

Independence Day, July 4, 2021

June Post Meeting

June Post Meeting

Our June Post meeting was well attended (24 members on the premises plus two others attending via Zoom) and busy. 

Two of our 2021 scholarship recipients Shakeel Kah, of Mariner H.S. and Vann Dreier of Kamiak H.S. were present via Zoom to read their essays to the Post. The essay topics this year were “What Freedom Means to Me” and “How our Constitution establishes and maintains a culture of freedom”. The other two winners, Hayley Ross, Meadowdale H.S. and Taylor Schindler, of Edmonds Woodway H.S. were unable to join us due to other commitments. 

June Post Meeting

Dept of Washington Commander Traci Williams joined us to present Commander Rose with the Post’s 75th Anniversary certificate from the National Commander. 

Parade plans were finalized and several potential new members introduced. More on new members as they are actually inducted. 

Among the photos displayed is one showing the new video equipment (below) purchased to enable more complete participation by those joining our meeting online, which includes a new camera, monitor and laptop computer. In the photo shown, members Al Boyett and Jay Hansen are seen, as well as a third member connected via audio only. 

June Post Meeting

The above image at left displays the head table with Commander Rose directing the meeting, as well as Don Stapleton introducing the scholarship winners who were with us online. With this arrangement, everyone attending can see and hear everyone else, whether physically present or on Zoom. 

New VA Clinic Open in Edmonds

New VA Clinic Open in Edmonds

The new Edmonds VA clinic began providing in-person care last month. This comes over six months after VA Puget Sound Health Care System first announced its plan to open Community Based Outpatients Clinics (CBOCs) in Edmonds, Puyallup, Olympia, and Everett. 

The first micro-clinic was opened June 14, when VA Puget Sound announced the opening of the 5,368- square-foot Edmonds facility, located in the Edmonds Medical Pavilion building at 21616 76th Avenue West (suites 107 and 112) across the street from Swedish Medical Center.The announcement also noted that all three of the microclinics will be open by the end of July, and that the 26,000-square-foot Everett outpatient clinic will open mid-2022. 

The Edmonds CBOC serves as a primary care clinic and provides home-based primary care to patients who may require it. Patients also have access to providers specializing in behavioral and mental health, nutrition, prosthetics and orthotics, and clinical pharmacology. Other services that veterans can access at the Edmonds clinic include laboratory work, social work, and telehealth. 

Enrolling more than 3,500 

The clinic will be able to enroll 3,050 eligible veterans as patients. In total, the three micro-clinics will serve about 11,000 veterans. 

The Everett location is expected to be able to provide primary care to 6,000 to 8,000 patients when it opens, which could eventually increase to 12,000 based on patient demand. The Everett clinic will offer some services, such as physical therapy and certain types of imaging, that are not available at the Edmonds location and the other smaller clinics. 

Those interested in seeking care at the Edmonds clinic should call 206-716-5858 or 253-582-8440, extension 71234. 

Veteran Plaza Update

Earlier this year, we reported on the anonymous donation of funds to be used for an additional sculpture to augment the existing art at the Plaza. The EVP Committee has been hard at work looking at proposals from local artists and working with the city to chooses a piece that would be appropriate to the space and acceptable to the Post, the Edmonds Arts Commission and the Edmonds Parks department. 

Ron Clyborne plans to present a proposed design at the July Post meeting on the 21st of this month, . The piece would be a metal (bronze or aluminum) sculpture intended to specifically honor the names listed on the KIA wall at the plaza. A two dimensional image of the design and its proposed placement appears in the photo below, as presented to the EVP Committee and the Command staff recently. 

Veteran Plaza Update

Edmonds sculptor David Varnau, the artist proposing this design, which he has entitled “A Gift of Freedom”, is inspired by the Franklin Roosevelt quote that appears at the top of the KIA wall. (Shown below) 

Varnau is well known for public art installations in downtown Edmonds, particularly two sculptures in front of the Windermere building on 5th Ave and another next To WA-Fed Bank at 3rd and Main. His art career follows an earlier long career in the design and production of prosthetics, which gives him considerable insight into the human form.

This proposal is, of course, subject to the approval of the various City of Edmonds entities charged with oversight of public works. 

The KIA wall displays the names of 91 service members from our Edmonds area who were killed in action in World Wars I and II, Korea, Vietnam and the Gulf and Post 9/11 actions. Many of those named are also honored elsewhere in the Plaza with various memorial pieces. 

Follow-up on Dan White’s OCS Hall of Fame Induction

Dan White’s OCS Hall of Fame Induction

A few months ago, we reported on our own Col. Dan White’s selection to the U. S. Army Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame. Induction is automatic for any OCS graduate who has received the Medal of Honor or attained general officer rank. Other nominees are selected based on their distinguished service in their civilian and military careers as is the case with Dan. A computerized kiosk provides photos and biographies of all inductees. 

Dan White’s OCS Hall of Fame Induction

In May, Dan was invited to travel east for an induction ceremony after the COVID situation opened up sufficiently to allow such a gathering. He was kind enough to share some materials he brought home, including the certificate of induction, and several challenge coins he received at the event. Dan had a long career in the Army, both active duty and reserve. 

Congratulations once again on your selection Dan! We are proud to have you with us. 

Buddy Poppy Plans for Veterans Day

Buddy Poppy Plans for Veterans Day

We expect to be back in front of our favorite grocery stores for our usual Veterans Day Buddy Poppy distribution and fund raising. Vice Commander Duane Bowman has been in touch with the QFC and Fred Meyer locations and is bringing the Central Market store in Mill Creek back this year. 

We expect to start sign ups at the September Post Meeting, so we can get our crews assigned for the various stores as soon as possible. Be thinking about where you would like to be, but also remember that we many have to move some people around to provide even coverage at all locations. Spouses and other family members are welcome to come along and help out. 

Carl Kurfess’ Trivia

The Ghost Army of WWII 

Carl Kurfess’ Trivia

In spring of 1944, Allied Commander Dwight Eisenhower gave General George Patton a mighty army to spearhead the Invasion of France. The First U.S. Army group consisted of eleven divisions assembled near the White Cliffs of Dover, readying to cross the English Channel at its narrowest point and invade France at Pas-de-Calais. But this was not a real army – it was a giant con job. 

The allies wanted to convince Hitler that the planned invasion at Normandy was just a diversion that the real invasion, under General Patton, would be at Pas-de-Calais. 

Carl Kurfess’ Trivia

The Ghost Army was an Allied Army tactical deception unit during World War II officially known as the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops (operation quicksilver). 

Set designers from London’s Shepperton Studios were brought in to create the illusion of a massed army where there was none. They created battalions of rubber tanks, and regiments of wooden soldiers. Canvas airplanes were parked on fake runways, harbors were filled with dummy landing craft. Radio operators sent huge amounts of bogus traffic, orders to and from units that did not exist. Soldiers wore fake unit patches and drove about England simulating units that did not exist. 

Sound effects of actual units were recorded and played elsewhere, simulating units that were never there. Trucks would be driven in looping convoys with just two troops in the seats near the rear, to simulate a truck full of infantry under the canvas cover. “MP’s” (Military Police) would be deployed at cross roads wearing appropriate divisional insignia and some officers would simulate divisional generals and staff officers visiting towns where enemy agents were likely to see them. A few actual tanks and artillery pieces were occasionally assigned to the unit to make the “dummies” in the distance appear more realistic. 

The deceptions fooled Hitler completely. Even after the Normandy beachhead on June 6, the Germans held their Panzer divisions in reserve waiting for the real invasion elsewhere. 

Works cited
 Beyer, Rick. The Greatest War Stories never told; 100 tales from military history to astonish, bewilder, & stupefy. New York: HarperCollins: 2005. Print.