Voice of the Mid-Columbia | Kennewick, Pasco and Richland, Wash. |
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closeThe Columbia Basin Veterans Coalition honored volunteers and supporters during an awards dinner Monday at the Clover Island Inn in Kennewick. About 90 people attended.
Toby Armijo and Jack Carolla received the Outstanding Volunteer award. Also nominated were Herb Ayers, Rod Bluechel and Meredith Ferris.
Pastor Mark Barker of Columbia Community Church received the Outstanding Community Supporter award. Also nominated were Richard Cummins, president of Columbia Basin College; Joe Chapman, former reporter for the Tri-City Herald; and Gene Holland, associate professor of CBC.
President Mike Black thanked all volunteers and supporters for the great success of the coalition over the last year and reminded all that much more remains to be done to help the community's veterans.
Other Veterans Day events in the Mid-Columbia this week include:
Kennewick
w Rep. Brad Klippert, a veteran and former Benton County deputy sheriff, will speak at a ceremony of remembrance at 11 a.m. at the Veterans Memorial at Columbia Park on Wednesday. Rep. Doc Hastings also has been invited to attend the event sponsored by the Tri-Cities Memorial Committee. The eighth annual memorial and celebration will also feature Frank Figueroa, general manager of the mission support alliance at Hanford and a retired Air Force colonel, as keynote speaker.
w The Kennewick Senior Center will have a display of military memorabilia during its Veterans Appreciation Luncheon today at 500 S. Auburn St. Preregistration is required for the lunch and cost is $5. Call 585-4303.
w Veterans are invited to attend an assembly at Kamiakin High School today to honor their service and have a free breakfast. The assembly starts at 8:15 a.m., and breakfast will follow in the library at 9:15 a.m. Veterans who will be having breakfast are asked to RSVP to 222-5856. Kamiakin High is at 600 N. Arthur St.
Richland
w Three students who served in the armed forces will speak today, at a special ceremony to honor veterans at Washington State University Tri-Cities at 3 p.m. in the West Building Atrium, 2710 University Drive, Richland. It is coordinated by the WSU Tri-Cities Office of Veterans Affairs. Admission is free and open to the public. Local veterans are especially encouraged to attend.
The ceremony starts with an honor guard presenting the U.S. flag and the singing of the national anthem. The speakers will be introduced by BetsyAnn Pittman, a junior majoring in psychology, who served as senior airman in the Air Force from 2006-09.
Speakers are: Scott Dawson, a junior majoring in engineering, who served as a corporal in the Marine Corps from 2001-05 in active duty; Theresa Whittington, a sophomore majoring in psychology. She was a senior airman in the Air Force from 2002-04 in active duty and in the reserves from 2004-07; Robert "Bobby" Touchette, a freshman intending to major in nursing, who served as a sergeant in the Army from 2002-08 in active duty and from 2008-09 as a recruiter; and Shirley Schmunk, chairwoman of the "A Time of Remembrance" committee that honors fallen veterans by offering emotional support to the surviving families.
w The Richland Rehabilitation Center and Eagle Assisted Living will have their fourth annual Veterans Day breakfast Wednesday at 1745 Pike Ave. The breakfast begins at 7 a.m.
w Veterans and their spouses are invited to a Veterans Day breakfast and assembly today at Jason Lee Elementary School. Activities start at 8:15 a.m. Veterans will be honored for their dedication and service. They're asked to wear their uniforms. Mike Page, a veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, will share about his experiences. For more information, call 967-6475. The school is at 1750 McMurray St.
Pasco
w Pasco staff and students will pay tribute to veterans by holding Veterans Day assemblies today to honor past and present service members.
Highlighted events: Livingston Elementary students will recite the Preamble of the Constitution as well as a portion of the Declaration of Independence. Special guest Marine Sgt. Chris Pumroy will discuss the importance of serving our country. All veterans and their families are encouraged to attend. The assembly is at 9:30 a.m. at the school, 2515 Road 84.
The Robinson Elementary assembly will feature student speeches, songs by the choir and a presentation in honor of former Pasco School District employee and Army veteran Denny Delafield, who died this year. Fifth-grade students will address the theme, "What peace means to me" at 9:30 a.m. at the school, 125 S. Wehe.
w American Legion Post No. 34 will conduct a Veterans Day Service at Columbia Memorial Cemetery at 11 a.m. Wednesday. Mike Black, president of the Columbia Basin Veterans Coalition, will speak. The public is invited to join in honoring all veterans. A late lunch will be served at the American Legion, 1029 W. Sylvester St., after the service at 2:30 p.m.
w Military veterans in the Tri-Cities are invited to a Veterans Day assembly today at Chiawana High School. Veterans will be honored during the assembly, which starts at 1 p.m. The assembly is being organized by student leaders. Chiawana High is at 8125 W. Argent Road. Veterans are asked to RSVP by calling 543-6786, ext. 5740.
w The Columbia River Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution will recognize veterans during a Veterans Day program at The Tri-Cities Retirement Inn. The Wednesday program will start at 11:30. For more information, call 547-2036. DAR is a nonprofit, nonpolitical volunteer service organization.
w Veterans attending Columbia Basin College will be honored during a 11:30 a.m. ceremony today in the Gjerde Center on the CBC campus. CBC veterans also will receive information about resources available for veterans. Featured speakers include Skip Novakovich and Bobby Dale from the Columbia Basin Veterans Coalition at noon and CBC President Richard Cummins at 1 p.m.
Prosser
w Prosser's fifth annual Thank You Vets parade Wednesday will honor and celebrate veterans and those on active duty. The parade begins at 11 a.m. at Keene-Riverview Elementary.
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