Marysville grad trains for ‘Wings of Gold’
A 2011 Marysville Pilchuck High School graduate is going through the lengthy and rigorous training process that transforms U.S. Navy officers into Navy pilots.
Ensign Mark Blankenship is a Student Pilot with the “Rangers” Training Squadron (VT-28), based in Corpus, Christi, Texas.
“Every day, coming into work as a pilot is different,” Blankenship said in an interview with the Navy Office of Community Outreach. “I am faced with a new challenge daily and it takes a lot of hard work and dedication but is very satisfying.”
The T-6B Texan he trains with is powered by a 1,100 shaft horsepower, free-turbine, turboprop single-engine, four-bladed propeller, with a cruising speed of 310 mph.
After successfully completing the program, naval aviators earn their coveted “Wings of Gold.” Pilots then continue training to learn how to fly a specific aircraft, such as the Navy’s F/A-18 Hornet strike fighter jet, the P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, or the SH-60 Seahawk helicopter.
Many of the pilots will fly aircraft which take off from and land aboard aircraft carriers. Recently, Navy attack aircraft operating from carriers sailing in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea and from Middle East waters have launched hundreds of strike missions against terrorist targets in Iraq and Syria.
“Humility is a huge part of serving in the Navy,” Blankenship said. “Everyone is not perfect and will make mistakes but it is how you learn and respond from those mistakes that makes you become a better person, pilot, and leader.”
EVENTS
Free dental for veterans: All Smiles NW in Everett celebrates a Freedom Day USA event with free cleanings for veterans who do not have dental insurance. Services will be offered Sept. 8 at the dental office at 3802 Colby Ave., Floor 3, Everett. If time allows, free treatments may also be possible. Veterans should call to make an appointment and mention Freedom Day. Space is limited. More info: 425-252-9333.
RESOURCES
Employers Support of the Guard and Reserves supports the men and women of the Guard and Reserves, including employer and supervisor awards programs, under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act. For more information, call 800-336-4590 option 1 or go to esgr.mil.
Resource workshop: A free Veteran’s Services Resource Workshop is offered 2-3 p.m. the first Monday of every month at Everett Community Justice Center, 8625 Evergreen Way, Suite 108. Housing assistance, employment resources, resume help, health care answers, skills lab, PTSD counseling and more. Bus vouchers available. More info: 425-356-2800.
Job help: Homeless, unemployed veterans can get help through Workforce Snohomish. Help includes employment assistance, support services, help with VA benefits and housing. Call Gordon Meade at 425-921-3478 or write to gordon.meade@workforcesnohomish.org.
VETERANS GROUPS
Coast Guard Auxiliary: 7 p.m. second Tuesdays, Port of Everett Conference Center, 404 14th St. More info: Melin Ford, 360-794-1723 or melinford25@gmail.com.
Fleet Reserve Association and Ladies Fleet Reserve Association Unit and Branch 18: Lunch noon, meeting 1 p.m. second Saturdays, 23003 56th Ave. W., Mountlake Terrace. More info: 425-771-2774.
Fleet Reserve Association Branch 170: 5 p.m. second Wednesdays, 6802 Beverly Blvd., Everett. More info: 425-353-2600.
Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 12: 7 p.m. fourth Tuesdays, Lynnwood Elks Club, 6620 196th St. SW. More info: 360-333-3163.
Snohomish County Disabled American Veterans Chapter 13: 7 p.m. first Tuesdays, dinner at 6, at the Lynnwood Eagles, 19223 Highway 99. More info: 425-299-3373, davsnohomish13@gmail.com.
Veterans: An unaffiliated group of veterans of wars in foreign lands meets at 1 p.m. second Wednesdays, Carl Gipson Senior Center, 3025 Lombard Ave., Everett. More info: 425-257-8780.
2nd Infantry: The Second (Indianhead) Division Association seeks anyone who served in the Army’s 2nd Infantry Division at any time. For information about the association and its 95th annual reunion set for Sept. 20-24 in Springfield, Missouri, contact Bob Haynes at 2idahq@comcast.net or 224-225-1202; or visit www.2ida.org.
AMERICAN LEGION
Arlington: Legion Post 76 and Auxiliary meetings, 7 p.m. second Tuesdays. SAL meetings 6 p.m. first Thursdays. All meetings are downstairs at 115 N. Olympic Ave. Breakfast is served from 8 to 10:30 a.m. the first Saturday of each month for $6 a plate. More info: 360-435-2492.
Bothell: Legion Post 127 meets 7 p.m. second Wednesdays, 21920 Highway 9. Service officer available to help with veterans issues. More info: Commander Burt Marsh, 206-999-3254.
Edmonds: Frank Freese Legion Post 66 meets 6 p.m. third Mondays, Post Hall, 117 S. Sixth St. Light meal served at 5:15 p.m. More info: Les, 206-546-6831.
Everett: Sen. Henry M. Jackson Legion Post 6 meets 6 p.m. second Thursdays, Fleet Reserve Association Club, 6802 Beverly Blvd. More info: Marvin, 425-923-8172.
Lake Stevens: Memorial Legion Post 181 meets 7 p.m. second and fourth Thursdays, Lake Stevens Community Center, 1812 124th Ave. NE. More info: Tony at 360-631-3242, or Vern at 425-343-9637; info@post181.org; www.facebook.com/lakestevens.legion.
Lynnwood: Legion Post 37 meets 7 p.m. third Thursdays, Lynnwood Elks Club, 6620 196th St. SW. More info: 425-585-0279.
Marysville: Legion Post 178 meets 7 p.m. third Thursdays, Post Hall, 119 Cedar Ave. Social hour at 6 p.m. Service officer hours by appointment only (360-659-5808). More info: 360-653-0155, legionpost178wa@gmail.com, americanlegion178wa.cfsites.org.
Monroe: Arthur Kincaid Legion Post 58 meets 7 p.m. third Tuesdays, Brookdale Senior Living, 15465 179th Ave. More info: Russell Dean at 425-359-7071.
Mountlake Terrace: S. Al Wilcox Legion Post 234 meets 7 p.m. second Mondays, with 6 p.m. social hour, Legion Hall, 22909 56th Ave. W. More info: americanlegionpost234.org, americanlegionpost234@gmail.com, 425-776-5490.
Snohomish: Earl Winehart Legion Post 96 meets 7 p.m. second Tuesdays, Legion Hall, 1201 First St. More info: 360-568-5340.
Stanwood: Frank H. Hancock Legion Post 92 and Auxiliary meet 7 p.m. second Mondays, 26921 88th Ave. NW, Stanwood. Prime rib dinner, 4:30 p.m. third Fridays. Service office open 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays. More info: 360-629-8021.
VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS
New members: The Veterans of Foreign Wars posts and auxiliaries of Snohomish County seek new members. VFW needs your last separation certification or other proof of eligibility. Auxiliary members are relatives, both female and male, of eligible veterans. For more information, call 425-337-1559.
Arlington: Boyer-Daniel VFW Post 1561 meets 7 p.m. first Tuesdays. More info: 425-232-8453, 360-435-6677 or vfw1561.org.
Edmonds: VFW Post 8870 meets 6 p.m. second Tuesdays, with a light supper at 5:15 p.m., Edmonds American Legion Hall, 117 Sixth Ave. S. More info: 425-245-8545, dennisvfw8870@gmail.com, www.vfw8870.org. Auxiliary: Noon second Fridays at the Edmonds Senior Center, 220 Railroad Ave.
Everett: Old Guard VFW Post 2100 meets 6:30 p.m. third Tuesdays, 2711 Oakes Ave. More info: Don Wischmann, 425-760-9031, www.vfwpost2100.org. Auxiliary: 6:30 p.m. second Mondays. More info: 425-337-1559.
Gold Bar: Martin-Osterholtz VFW Post 9417 meets 6 p.m. first Thursdays, 301 Third St. More info: Doug White, 425-870-7298. Auxiliary: 3 p.m. first Thursdays. More info: Arden King, 360-793-2786.
Lynnwood: Walter A. Deebach VFW Post 1040 and Auxiliary meet 7 p.m. first Thursdays, Alderwood Boys and Girls Club, 19619 24th Ave. W. More info: Frank, 425-697-4102 (Post); Myra Rintamaki, 206-235-0348 (Auxiliary).
Monroe: VFW Post 7511 meets 7 p.m. second Thursdays, IOOF Hall, 610 Lewis St. More info: Ken, 425-315-3509.
Oak Harbor: Whitehead-Muzzall VFW Post 7392 and Auxiliary meet 7 p.m. first Mondays, VFW Riders at 6:30 p.m. second Fridays, 3037 N Goldie Road. More info: 360-675-4048, vfwpost7392.org.
Snohomish: Gay Jones VFW Post 921 and Auxiliary meet 1 p.m. second Saturdays, Boys &Girls Club, 402 Second St. More info: 425-397-7111.
Sultan: VFW Post 2554 and Auxiliary meet 7 p.m. second Thursdays, Volunteers of America Community Center, 605 First St. More info: 425-870-0235.
To submit news for this column, contact reporter Melissa Slager: mslager@heraldnet.com.
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