Command changes at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station

OAK HARBOR — Two changes of command at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station took place in September.

Capt. John P. Springett II relieved Capt. Christopher L. Shay as commander of the Electronic Attack Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet. Shay led the VAQ community’s continued transition from EA-6B Prowler to EA-18G Growler, earning honors for the group.

Springett, who most recently served as Shay’s deputy commander, earned his designation as a naval aviator in March 1990. Springett graduated with the highest distinction from the Naval War College in Newport, R.I., with a degree in national security and strategic studies. He served multiple deployments with various air groups aboard the USS America, USS Abraham Lincoln, USS Theodore Roosevelt, USS Enterprise and at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan. He also served several years in Washington, D.C. at the Bureau of Naval Personnel and as a liaison to the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

In another change, Capt. Edward Simmer relieved Capt. Susan E. Lichtenstein as commanding officer of Naval Hospital Oak Harbor. Under Lichtenstein’s leadership, the hospital earned many honors.

Simmer, a psychiatrist, earned his medical degree from the Saint Louis University School of Medicine and his masters in public health from Eastern Virginia Medical School.

Active Duty

Air Force Airman Kaden Paggao graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. Paggao is the son of Kevin Paggao and Michelle Stacey of Oak Harbor. He is a 2011 graduate of Oak Harbor High School.

Air Force Airman Bryan Hurn graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. Hurn is a 2009 graduate of Granite Falls High School.

Air National Guard Airman Alexander Adame graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. Adame earned distinction as an honor graduate. He is the son of Christy Corcovelos of Lake Arrowhead, Calif., and grandson of Iova Corcovelos of Gold Bar.

Veterans calendar

A group of veterans of wars in foreign lands (not associated with VFW) meets at 1 p.m., second Wednesdays, at the Carl Gipson Senior Center, 3025 Lombard, Everett. Call Ernie at 425-512-9786 or the senior center at 257-8780.

Military Order of the Purple Heart, Chapter 12: 7 p.m. fourth Tuesdays, Lynnwood Elks Club, 6620 196th St. SW. All veterans who were awarded the Purple Heart are welcome and encouraged to attend. Call Keith Reyes, 360-631-4467, or Phil Sacks, 425-741-7311.

American Legion

Legion Post 76: Arlington American Legion Auxiliary breakfast, 8 to 11 a.m., first Saturdays, 115 N. Olympic Ave. Cost is $5. Proceeds benefit veterans. Call 360-435-2492.

Legion Post 92: Stanwood offers prime rib dinner, 4:30 p.m., third Fridays. Legion and auxiliary meeting, 7 p.m., second Mondays, 26921 88th Ave. NW, Stanwood. Service office, 360-629-8021, open 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays to help veterans.

Legion Post 66: 6 p.m. third Mondays, Edmonds Senior Center, 220 Railroad Ave., Edmonds. Call John, 425-743-7430

Legion Post 96: 7 p.m. second Tuesdays, Legion Hall, 1201 First St., Snohomish. Call 360-568-5340. Post 96 is raising funds for a large mural created by David Hose.

Legion Post 58: 7 p.m. third Tuesdays, Odd Fellows Building, 610 Lewis St., Monroe. Call Bob at 360-863-3544 or go to www.americanlegionmonroe.org.

Legion Post 6: 7 p.m. second Thursdays, VFW Hall, 2711 Oakes Ave., Everett. Call Marvin at 425-224-4137.

Legion Post 181: 7 p.m. second and fourth Thursdays, Lake Stevens Community Center, 1812 124th Ave NE. Call Tom at 425-314-5865, Tony at 360-631-3242, or Vern at 425-343-9637; email info@post181.org; or go to [URL]www.post181.org;http://www.post181.org[URL].

Legion Post 178: 7 p.m. third Thursdays, Legion Hall, 2nd Street and Cedar Avenue NE, Marysville. Social hour at 6 p.m. Call Jeremiah at 253-405-8175 or Lett at 425-220-4940. Veterans of Foreign Wars

Sultan VFW Post 2554 and Ladies Auxiliary: 7:30 p.m., second Thursdays, United Methodist Church, 211 Birch Ave., Sultan. Call 360-793-1879 or 360-793-3296.

Monroe VFW Post 7511: Noon, second Thursdays, IOOF Hall, 610 Lewis St., Monroe. Call Ken, 425-315-3509.

Edmonds VFW Post 8870 and Ladies Auxiliary: Lunch at 11:45 a.m., meeting at 12:30 p.m. second Fridays, Edmonds Senior Center, 220 Railroad Ave., Edmonds. Call Fred at 206-940-7502, go to [/URL]www.vfw8870.org;http://www.vfw8870.org[URL] or email quartermaster@vfw8870.org.

Arlington Boyer-Daniel VFW Post 1561: 7 p.m. first Tuesdays. For meeting location, call 425-232-8453, 360-435-6677 or go to http://[/URL]vfw1561.org;http://vfw1561.org[URL]. All veterans who have served honorably and received a combat or campaign medal are eligible to join.

Snohomish Gay Jones VFW Post 921 and Auxiliary: 1 p.m. third Saturdays, Boys &Girls Club, 402 Second St., Snohomish. Most overseas veterans are eligible. Help for all veterans who need a hand up. Call 425-397-7111.

Everett VFW Post 2100: 6:30 p.m. fourth Thursday, 2711 Oaks Ave., Everett. Ladies Auxiliary 2100: 6:30 p.m. second Monday. Call 425-337-1559 or go to [/URL]www.vfwpost2100.org;http://www.vfwpost2100.org[URL].

Lynnwood VFW Post 1040: first Thursdays, Alderwood Youth Club, 19619 24th Ave. W., Lynnwood. Call Martin, 425-774-7416, or Frank, 425-697-4102.

Old Guard VFW Post 2100: 6:30 p.m. last Thursday, 2711 Oakes Ave., Everett. Call 425-252-2100.

Gold Bar VFW Post 9417: 6 p.m. first Thursdays. Call “Sarge” Watkins at 425-931-1638. Ladies Auxiliary: 4 p.m. first Wednesdays. Call Arden King at 360-793-2786.

Whitehead-Muzzall VFW Post 7392: 360-675-4048 or go to http://[/URL]vfwpost7392.org;http://vfwpost7392.org. Breakfast served 10 a.m. to noon Sept. 30 at the post, 3037 N. Goldie Road, Oak Harbor. Proceeds benefit veteran assistance and community service programs.

To submit news for this column, contact reporter Gale Fiege: 425-339-3427