Sea Cadet to Captain …

This Saturday at 5 p.m. in the CPO Club, there will be a re-enactment of promotion to Navy Captain for JANICE SOLUM WYNN, one of JAMES VYSKOCIL’S first groups of female Sea Cadets. She attended the first female boot camp in the U.S., held right here at Whidbey in 1974. 

It was Vyskocil who went to Senators Magnuson and Jackson and urged them to change the law that kept females from becoming Sea Cadets. He convinced them to change one word, young “man” to young “person,” thus allowing it to become co-ed.

GAIL VYSKOCIL said, “We believe Janice is the first female Sea Cadet to be promoted to Captain, and she’s had other firsts in her career as well. Her father is retired Master Chief Radioman FLOYD SOLUM of Oak Harbor. Janice called us a few weeks ago to invite us to the event. It was the first time Jim heard from her in 30 years.”

Reach for the stars …

GREGORY FISCHER has always set the bar a bit higher. Those who do usually exceed their expectations.

He graduated from Columbia College last Friday, receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a major in Accounting. He earned a four-year degree in three years, including credits awarded for Navy training.

After meeting this newly-retired Chief Petty Officer early in 2002, I instinctively knew he’d be a darned good assistant editor at Crosswind, the former naval air station weekly newspaper. He kept more than 50 unit Public Affairs Officers on track, had a story written in his head before sitting at the computer and proved to be a talented photographer.

Greg and his wife Robin have three horses: Bailey, Katie and 2-month-old Mega’s Lucky Charm. They are living happily ever after on their new spread outside of town.

‘Worth every cent!’ …

KEN and HELEN BATES are back from a 4,000-mile road trip to Wichita, Kans., to attend the graduations of three grandchildren.

Grandson Sam received his diploma from Andale High School, granddaughter Sarah was awarded her BFA in Graphic Design at Wichita State University and grandson David was awarded his MD at the University of Kansas Medical School in Lawrence. Helen and Ken have three children and their families living in the Wichita area.

“Guess where we found the highest gas prices on our trip,” asked Helen. “Right here on Whidbey, before we started out. But, all in all, it was worth every cent!”

Pass it on …

VQ-1 happens to be the Navy’s largest operational squadron, with 90 officers and 430 enlisted personnel continually deployed overseas. Here at home, ombudsman MELINDA BLAKELY wants to employ the grapevine and this column to alert families to activities designed just for them. They include a children’s play date on the second Thursday of the month at City Beach from 1 to 3 p.m. (there is one tomorrow), a walking club, a book club, bunco nights and coffee and dessert nights.

The next spouse group meeting is at 6 p.m. June 28 at the Military Wives store in the log building. Get involved. Call 240-0792.

Over at EOD ….

ARIEL CHANEY, VP of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Spouses’ Association, invites families to come to Rocky Point from 3 to 6 p.m. on June 12. Burgers and sodas will be provided, so bring a side dish and canned food item for Help House. There will be volleyball and games for kids. Call 360-320-9447 for details.

Free food and golf ….

Does it get any better than this?

“PETE” PEDERSEN reports that Useless Bay Country Club thanked the men and women of NAS Whidbey Island for their service recently by inviting all active duty members to a free round of golf and lunch.

“I play a lot at Gallery and interact with these active duty folks,” said Pete. “They were absolutely delighted with this invitation and by the treatment received at Useless Bay.

“One Sailor names Zack told me about his barbecue sandwich, shrimp cocktail, strawberry shortcake lunch and great round of golf.”

Keep looking …

You are bound to find SHELLIE AITCHISON and DARA BUCY in their “hole in the wall” behind the Uniforms section of the Ault Field Navy Exchange, where they have been operating the GNC military expansion store for almost five years.

What’s the problem? “Not many people even know we exist,” said Aitchison. Call the ladies at 279-2221 and ask them about their good deals.

Folks love to read about their neighbors, so keep your stories coming and I’ll be back on June 15. Write to lifeonwhidbey@yahoo.com or call 360-675-6611.