In Memoriam
Longest Serving & Newest Members Lost
Benton Webb
Ben was born in Lafayette, TN and enlisted in the Navy in Nashville in 1943. He served in the Pacific Theatre, Solomon Islands. He was with the 152nd Landing Craft Repair Unit (LCRU) as a 1st Class Ships Cook 1943-45. He returned to Norfolk, VA Naval Base in July, 1945 and got married. He and Mary Elizabeth were in New York City Times Square for the VJ Day celebration. They were married for 65 years. Ben joined VFW in 1945 and at his death was the longest serving member of our post at 73 years. He was a member of VFW Post 3694 in Seattle after the war and served as the Post Athletic Director. Benton was a retired baker and served as a General Manager for Hansen Bakery and Best Pie. He was 97 years old.
Ben was born in Lafayette, TN and enlisted in the Navy in Nashville in 1943. He served in the Pacific Theatre, Solomon Islands. He was with the 152nd Landing Craft Repair Unit (LCRU) as a 1st Class Ships Cook 1943-45. He returned to Norfolk, VA Naval Base in July, 1945 and got married. He and Mary Elizabeth were in New York City Times Square for the VJ Day celebration. They were married for 65 years. Ben joined VFW in 1945 and at his death was the longest serving member of our post at 73 years. He was a member of VFW Post 3694 in Seattle after the war and served as the Post Athletic Director. Benton was a retired baker and served as a General Manager for Hansen Bakery and Best Pie. He was 97 years old.
Russ Jason Pitner
At his death, the newest member of our Post, inducted at the May 2019 Post meeting, Russ was an army veteran of 12 years, a staff Sergent stationed in Germany for 10 years. He commanded teams of 35 men through the Bosnian-Serbian conflict serving with the 11th Armored (“Black Horse”) Cavalry. Raised in the Smokey Mountains of Tennessee, he grew up with three brothers. Russ was 54. He is survived by his wife, Laurie.
Russ suffered an aneurism on Saturday, June 1 and was declared brain dead by Edmonds Swedish Hospital shortly there after. Both of his kidneys have found homes in the bodies of people who have spent every day for years waiting for the gift of life.