Heroes gave and received Friday in front of Wal-Mart in Quilceda Village. Thanking each one for serving our country was my pleasure.
Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 1561 and Arlington American Legion Post 76, were on a wonderful mission.
Folks flew to their card tables, where gentlemen wearing military caps and blazers were selling raffle tickets to raise money for a military monument.
They’ve nearly raised the $15,000 needed for the Arlington Veterans Memorial, but don’t worry, you can still contribute, or buy a brick – inscribed to honor your veteran – to be laid in the patio surrounding the monument.
Jim Barron, 72, who served in the Army during the Korean War, braved a numbing breeze Friday morning to raise money for the cause. He answered a call from the Arlington City Council more than a year ago to lead the memorial project.
“I thought it was a good idea,” Barron said. “It honors our veterans. They should be honored.”
The memorial will read “The citizens of Arlington dedicate this monument to all our veterans who gave their lives in the service of their country. Dedicated 2004.” The memorial will be a granite slab, 6 inches thick, 3 feet wide and 6 feet tall and placed at Legion Park, 114 N. Olympic Ave., Arlington.
An American flag will appropriately adorn the top of the monument, which will be made in Granite Falls.
On Friday at the Wal-Mart, veterans were selling raffle tickets for a patriotic quilt, made by Florence Pryor, 88, of Arlington.
Pryor used a red, white and blue theme, with pictures of the White House, Statue of Liberty, and the Lincoln Memorial.
“She spent two days on her knees sewing it together,” said Bob Daily. “She made it for the memorial.”
Daily, 72, who lives in Arlington, served for 20 years in the Air Force during the Korean and Vietnam wars. He proudly pointed out that the memorial will note the service of the Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Navy, Marines and Merchant Marine.
I mentioned to Daily that I wrote in February about a merchant mariner who felt it was an overlooked branch of the military. I am glad merchant mariners will be honored on the Arlington memorial.
My friend, Herb Singleton from Arlington, also was at Wal-Mart selling tickets. Singleton was a corporal in the Army and fought in Korea.
Paul Bishop, chaplain for the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 1561 and Arlington American Legion Post 76, served in the Army’s 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam in 1967 and 1968. The 56 year old was freezing in the cold breeze, but stood his post behind a card table.
While folks bought raffle tickets for the beautiful quilt, Raymond and Danny Moses dropped by with a $5,000 check from the Tulalip Tribes.
The Tribes couldn’t have sent more worthy emissaries. Raymond Moses, 74, the oldest of 11 children, is a decorated veteran who served in the Korean War. His brother, Walter Moses Jr., 19, was killed by artillery fire about 30 miles north of Seoul.
Danny Moses, 54, the youngest Moses child, served in Vietnam.
“Young people don’t understand,” Danny Moses said. “You come back, your heart is wounded, your mind is lost. These men have sacrificed a lot.”
In Arlington, Veterans Day on Thursday will be extra special because the city monument project is well on its way toward meeting its financial goal. Danny Moses said sacrifices made by those in the military should not be forgotten.
“It doesn’t hurt so bad when people say thank you for your service,” Danny Moses said. “Give us a pat on the back or a shake of the hand.”
Or a monument that will last for generations.
Columnist Kristi O’Harran: 425-339-3451 or oharran@ heraldnet.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
