Veterans Day activities planned for South Whidbey

Published 2:34 pm Tuesday, November 10, 2015

There are a few different ways community members can participate in or observe the annual appreciation of veterans.

The Whidbey Veterans Resource Center (or VRC) will hold a remembrance for veterans who gave their lives while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces at 11 a.m. at the Bayview Cemetery. Following the ceremony, a banquet will be held at American Legion Post 141 in Bayview at around 11:30 a.m.

Megan McClung Marine Corps League Detachment 1210 will be handing out Marine Corps Roses and accepting donations outside of Payless in Freeland from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Langley thrift store Good Cheer will hold a celebration for U.S. Army veteran Terri Desrosiers at 11:30 a.m., who recently reached her milestone of walking 1,000 miles as part of the VRC’s movement and fundraiser Stepping Forward for Veterans. The movement, also known as Walk4Vets, is part of the VRC’s effort to help better connect, educate and serve veterans, their families and the community.

The ceremony at Bayview Cemetery will be led by a speech from organization President Greg Stone, a U.S. Army veteran. Stone will be dressed in his uniform while giving his speech.

Three quilts, sewn by Anita Smith and dedicated to three veterans, will be presented at the banquet after the ceremony.

Desrosiers, who is also a volunteer at the VRC, is one of the recipients.

Another quilt will be dedicated to the family of Wheeler Nichols, who died while serving in active duty.

The third quilt will be presented to VRC Board Member Kord Roosen-Runge, a U.S. Army veteran.

“That’s just to show support and give them to veterans in need and show appreciation,” said April Pomeroy, program coordinator at the Veteran’s Resource Center.

To donate to the resource center, email Pomeroy at AprilP.wvrc@gmail.com or call 360-331-8081.