Quartermaster Donald Wischmann of VFW Post 2100 holds an 1828 French saber that Paul Davis Restoration of Greater Seattle restored before returning it to him on Friday, May 26, 2023, in Everett, Washington. Wischmann intends to display artifacts restored by Paul Davis inside the VFW. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Quartermaster Donald Wischmann of VFW Post 2100 holds an 1828 French saber that Paul Davis Restoration of Greater Seattle restored before returning it to him on Friday, May 26, 2023, in Everett, Washington. Wischmann intends to display artifacts restored by Paul Davis inside the VFW. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

‘Holy smokes’: For Everett veterans, a chance to restore war memorabilia

For Memorial Day, a local VFW post partnered with a restoration company to save decades-old uniforms and medals.

EVERETT — Beyond the boxing ring in the basement gym where veterans work out and listen to hip-hop, beyond the stacks of chairs and boxes, sit a chest and a tattered luggage bag.

Filled with uniforms from World War I and II, they sat there for years at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2100 on Oakes Avenue.

On Friday, local experts unearthed the long-untouched uniforms, as part of the first effort here at the VFW to restore stained war uniforms, tarnished memorabilia and rusty medals.

In honor of Memorial Day, the Lynnwood-based Paul Davis Restoration of Greater Seattle led the effort at Post 2100 to restore valor to generations-old mementos kept in attics and closets for decades.

This month, the post, led by Quartermaster Donald Wischmann, gave uniforms, medals and a compass to the restoration company, one of 350 franchises in the United States and Canada.

The clothes go through “the mother of all washing machines” to return them to their prior form, said Kyle Haberkorn, the company’s contents manager.

In the 1990s, Wischmann bought a dress saber for $2 at a rummage sale. He later found it dates back to 1828. And it’s not even American. It’s French.

The saber had long been covered in rust, said Wischmann, who served three tours in Vietnam in the Navy.

But finding it at the VFW on Friday morning after its restoration, he said he wouldn’t have even recognized it.

“Holy smokes,” the quartermaster said.

Tyler Austin, the business development manager at Paul Davis Restoration, is also a member of Post 2100. He served in Operation Iraqi Freedom as a sergeant with the Marine Corps. Austin said he needs to look for some medals he wants restored. They’ve been boxed up for years. He has some uniforms that could use a facelift, as well. One had been improperly stored and got moldy.

“When many years, decades, pass, and we go back in and look through our stuff and we realize we really didn’t take care of it as well,” Austin said, “and so at that point it does mean quite a bit.”

He added that when veterans go through old memorabilia and think about putting it on display, it can be disappointing to find it degraded.

“So we’re just hoping to turn some of that around,” Austin said.

Once Paul Davis restores the rest of the memorabilia and uniforms, Wischmann hopes to fill a few display cases at the post that were donated by a local antique store.

Austin and Wischmann plan to keep partnering every year.

Jake Goldstein-Street: 425-339-3439; jake.goldstein-street@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @GoldsteinStreet.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

Snohomish County Health Department Director Dennis Worsham on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County Health Department director tapped as WA health secretary

Dennis Worsham became the first director of the county health department in January 2023. His last day will be July 3.

Rick Steves launches $1M match challenge for Lynnwood Neighborhood Center

The $64.5 million Lynnwood Neighborhood Center will house several community spaces and partner with local nonprofits.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

Cars drive along Cathcart Way next to the site of the proposed Eastview Village development that borders Little Cedars Elementary on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 in unincorporated Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County Council denies latest Eastview Village appeal

Council members affirmed previous approvals of the development planned off Cathcart Way near Highway 9.

Everett
Everett police: Man sold drugs to woman prior to fatal overdose

The man, who faces a charge under the state’s controlled substance homicide law, remains in Snohomish County Jail on more than $1M bond.

Missing Marysville boy, 10, found safe and sound

Police said the boy was last seen Sunday morning before leaving to go for a run at a nearby middle school.

Red tape hangs in the front of the entrance to a burned down Center for Human Services building along 204th Street on Monday, July 7, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lynnwood fire destroys behavioral health nonprofit building

The cause of the fire is under investigation. The building housed an intensive mental health support program for youth and families.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.