Oak Harbor hosted its 13th annual Military Appreciation Picnic Sept. 7, although a little morning rain seemed to dampen the event’s usual turnout.
Still, the event saw steady traffic from area military families and residents who enjoyed free hot dogs from 7-Eleven, free frozen yogurt from Toppins and many other donations of time and products from Coupeville and Oak Harbor businesses and individuals.
Capt. Mike Nortier, commanding officer at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station, expressed gratitude from the Naval community Monday for the ongoing support and partnership of Oak Harbor.
“The picnic is one small token of the community support,” Nortier said. “Oak Harbor and Naval Air Station Whidbey Island enjoy an enduring sense of community partnership, which can be seen daily across the city from support in the Oak Harbor School system for military families and deployments, to the dramatic outpouring of support from the community following the loss of three crewmembers in March, to sailors and their families volunteering and supporting charities and civic events throughout the year.”
Nortier stressed the need for the island to continue to think and operate as a team.
“Team Whidbey is not just a motto, but a spirit that we all live and breathe, whether military or civilian,” Nortier said. “On behalf of a grateful Navy, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island and all of our sailors and their families, I would like to thank the community for the military appreciation picnic.”
The event is put on by the Navy league each year to bring the community together and remind them that Oak Harbor is not two communities, but one, said Oak Harbor Navy League President Jim Slowik.
Slowik, who helped plan the event, said that the weather “slowed picnic goers” but the skies opened up just in time for a great event run by more than 100 volunteers.
“It’s important in a lot of ways,” Slowik said. “It’s the glue that fills between the spaces. This community is truly a combined community of Navy and civilian. The picnic is a good way to show that.”
Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Kathy Reed said the community response to the event was “fantastic.”
Reed said there were plenty of food left over to go to the North Whidbey Help House, and water will be kept for future charitable organizations.
Toppins Frozen Yogurt donated more than $1,200 worth of yogurt to the event, Reed said.
“Attendance was down due to the morning weather, but overall the event was well attended,” Reed said. “Everyone had a great time, food was delicious and we couldn’t have asked for a better day. We wanted to let the military know how important they are to us.”
In efforts to involve Coupeville residents in the picnic, Shelli Trumball of Cascade Insurance took charge to acquire beverages for the event including water, juice boxes and soda.
The Town of Coupeville has taken some flak in recent months after a Coupeville-area citizens group filed a lawsuit against the Navy protesting the jet noise at Outlying Field Coupeville.
Trumball said she and other Coupeville businesses joined forces with local chambers of commerce to show their support for the Navy.
“Not everyone in Coupeville is against the military or OLF,” Trumball said. “This is our way of showing our support.”
