The Koffee Klatch was in top form Dec. 9 when with organ and violin we sang most of the Christmas songs.

Linda Edling was organist and Louise Mueller violinist and the holiday season was ushered in with a bang!

Jeanie Bodin baked a special holiday cake and it was difficult to call the afternoon coffee off.

“Oak Harbor sailors are maintaining a presences overseas,” the Navy writes. Among the numerous Whidbey Island servicemembers are William D. Rogers and Tyeisha Y. Parker who are assigned to VAQ-135. They will be spending their winter holidays aboard the USS Carl Vinson as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. The Carl Vinson has been deployed to the Pacific and Indian oceans.

Navy Petty Officer Second Class Rogers is the son-in-law of Hugh and Monty Beatty of Oak Harbor. Rogers is married to the Beattys’ daughter Michelle. Navy Petty Officer Third Class Rogers is the daughter of Melva Duffie of Oak Harbor.

As most of our readers know, VAQ-135 is an electronic attack squadron. It is a rare Whidbey Islander who has not heard the scream of an EA-6B Prowler overhead.

Rogers has been in the Navy for 13 years. He is an aviation mechanic who repairs structural and hydraulic systems on Prowlers. “The most rewarding aspect of my job is being able to work with some of the most professional and hard-working people around,” Rogers says.

Parker has been in the for three years. She is an administrative assistant who processes mail and daily correspondence. “My professional goal are is to become better qualified in my job,” Parker says.

Getting news from home is a great morale booster for all our folks overseas. Getting that news faster can be an even greater morale booster. We applaud and support everyone who is serving in the military. Military service has never been easy. We are reminded daily just how important and potentially dangerous their jobs are.