Legion, VFW console veterans

ARLINGTON — The scene downtown Tuesday was repeated throughout small-town America on Veterans Day.

Roughly 300 people lined both sides of Olympic Avenue to clap while the town’s veterans filed by. The Arlington High School Band played "God Bless America" and "America the Beautiful," closing with a trumpet solo of taps.

"It’s nice to acknowledge those people, because they went through holy hell," said Ken Casperson, an Arlington member of the Bothell-based Puget Sound Military Vehicle Collectors Club, which drove vintage military jeeps, trucks and scout cars in the parade.

Like many places, the public celebration here is a familiar ritual that has been carried out in Arlington for roughly 50 years, said Jim Barron, commander of Arlington’s American Legion Post 76.

But after the public heads home, a more private ritual for the veterans begins as many of them convene at their local American Legion or Veterans of Foreign Wars halls.

The American Legion has at least seven halls in Snohomish County and vicinity, plus a few VFW halls.

Arlington’s Legion is headquartered on Olympic Avenue, right at the end of the parade route. The hall features a dimly lit lounge with a bar and several tables. A few have bright lights hanging over them, as does the pool table near the front.

Mary Fikes, the post’s former commander, said she feels a sense of security and peace when she walks through the door.

"It’s a home to come to," Fikes said. "It’s a sanctuary in a way."

Post commander Jim Barron agreed.

"It brings all vets together," Barron said. "It’s a camaraderie."

Indeed, the clack of balls at the pool table came from a game that united vets from different generations. Retired Navy Seabee Donald Becktell, commander of Arlington’s VFW Post 1561, was taking on Petty Officer 3rd Class Larry DeCandia of the USS Abraham Lincoln.

"We get to visit with people we haven’t seen for a while," Barron said. "A lot don’t come to the lounge very often. A lot aren’t even members of our post."

After each parade, the post’s auxiliary club — usually wives of veterans — prepares a meal and invites all vets to join in. Before Tuesday’s meal, the Arlington vets took a moment, as they always do, to honor prisoners of war and those missing in action by leaving a table space empty and lighting a candle.

"We do make everybody remember, we just mustn’t forget the POW/MIAs," Barron said.

Reporter Scott Morris: 425-339-3292 or smorris@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Oliver Popa, 7, poses with his book, "Drippey Plants a Garden," on Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds 7-year-old publishes children’s book featuring ‘Drippey’ the bee

Oliver Popa’s first grade teacher said he should publish a longer version of a writing assignment. A year later, his mother — a publisher — helped made it happen.

Don Sharrett talks John Wrice through his trimming technique on Friday, March 14, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett barber school offers $5 haircuts — if you’re brave enough

Students get hands-on practice. Willing clients get a sweet deal.

Employees and patrons of the Everett Mall signed a timeline mural that traces the history of the 51-year-old indoor mall that was once considered the premier place to go shopping in the city. Thursday, March 20, 2025 (Aaron Kennedy / The Herald)
Mall mural offers nostalgic trip into the past

Past and present Everett Mall employees joined customers Thursday to view an artistic timeline of the once popular shopping mecca.

2025 Emerging Leader DeLon Lewis (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
DeLon Lewis: Helping students succeed

Program specialist for Everett Community College believes leadership is about building bridges.

Daron Johnson, who runs Snohomish County Scanner, stands next to his scanner setup on Tuesday, April 1 in Everett, Washington. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
Snohomish County law enforcement to encrypt police airwaves

The plan for civilian police scanners to go dark pushed a host to shut down his popular breaking news feed.

Richie Gabriel, 1, jumps off the bottom of the slide as Matthew Gabriel looks down at him from the play structure at Hummingbird Hill Park on Monday, March 31, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds residents show up for Hummingbird Hill Park, Frances Anderson Center

After a two-and-a-half hour public comment session, the council tabled its votes for the two comprehensive plan amendments.

Students Haddie Shorb, 9, left, and brother Elden Shorb, 11, right, lead the ground breaking at Jackson Elementary School on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett district breaks ground on Jackson Elementary replacement

The $54 million project will completely replace the aging elementary school. Students are set to move in by the 2026-27 school year.

Logo for news use featuring Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Another positive measles case identified in Snohomish County

The case was identified in an infant who likely contracted measles while traveling, the county health department said.

A Tesla drives along 41st Street on Wednesday, March 26, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Washington faces uncertain future of Clean Air Act regulations

The Trump administration’s attempt to roll back numerous vehicle pollution standards has left states wondering what’s next.

A person walks through the lot at Kia of Everett shopping for a car on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘The tariffs made me do it’: Customers move fast on cars

At one Everett dealership, customers move fast on cars ahead of Wednesday’s expected announcement on tariffs.

Public’s help needed to find missing Arlington man

The 21-year-old left the house Sunday night without his shoes, cell phone or a jacket, and was reported missing the following morning.

Will Geschke / The Herald
The Marysville Tulalip Campus on the Tulalip Reservation, where Legacy High School is located.
Marysville board votes to keep Legacy High at current location

The move rolls back a decision the school board made in January to move the alternative high school at the start of next school year.

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.