50 years ago
Editor: Ace Comstock
Army captain in Vietnam receives medal
“A U.S. Army captain from Langley received a medal last week for his missions as a fighter pilot in Vietnam. Captain Ben L. Breedlove, who has been serving in Vietnam for the past six months, received the Air Medal for ‘meritorious achievements’ during over 150 combat assault missions. He flies the Army’s twin turbo-jet Mohawk and commands a platoon with six officer aviators and eight OV-1s under his direct control. The following citation describing his deeds was read at the awards ceremony Jan. 8 at Vun Tau in Vietnam.
“‘By his determination to accomplish his mission in spite of the hazards inherent in repeated aerial flights over hostile territory and by outstanding degree of professionalism and devotion to duty, he has brought credit upon himself, his organization and the military service.’ ”
25 years ago
Editor: Jim Larsen
Port offered land by Freeland park
“Three lots across from Freeland Park were offered for sale to the Port of South Whidbey commissioners at their meeting Wednesday.
Peggy Berto, who said she was representing the owner but stood to make no money on the deal, described the lots as ‘almost too good to pass up.’”
“Berto said the lots, which total 2.09 acres, would make a fine addition to Freeland Park, just across the road. One possibility is to use the back of the lots for dry storage of boats. Total cost of the lots is $140,000. Berto said it would be ‘a terrible thing to pass up something like this.’ ”
15 years ago
Editor: Jim Larsen
South Whidbey site clear-cut
“A recent clearcut in the Fox Spit Road area will require Island County to spend an unknown amount of money to protect bluff and beachfront homes in the cut’s drainage path. In December, G&G Timber, a Bellingham logging company, clearcut about 40 acres of forest sandwiched between Saratoga and Fox Spit roads north of Langley. Although the tree harvest was supervised and approved by both the state Department of Natural Resources and Island County, the newly bared land will no longer stop stormwater runoff as it did before, placing dozens of Whidbey Shores homes at risk for landslide damage.”
