J.D. McGraw, Capt. USN (retired) spoke at the PBY Memorial Association meeting April 23 at the CPO Club. His colorful career includes completing his operational fighter school at age 20, earning his Navy wings July 1943. He flew combat off the Marianas in June of 1944 and shot down a Betty bomber off Guam. Following a spectacular assignment he remained in the service after World War II and flew 80 combat missions in Korea in carrier-based jets and retired with the rank of captain in 1967.

A copy of “The War Years” by Dr. James R. Warren was presented by Roy Compton, of the American Ex-Prisoners of War to Randy Van Someren, librarian at the Coupeville High School. The book contains highlights of the war effort by the citizens of Seattle during World War II. Other copies were presented to South Whidbey High School by Robert Cook, Oak Harbor High School by Bob Tant, and Anacortes High School by Robert Gilden, all members of the Island County chapter of Ex-Prisoners of War.

Brian Mueller, grandson of Louise Mueller Wright, performed with the Marysville Pilchuck High School band during the Holland Happening parade. Brian is a trombone soloist with the high school’s jazz band.

Luncheon guests at the home of Dorothy Nelson, April 18, were members of the Bellingham Bay WAVES. Presently there are 26 members who served their country in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

WAVES, or Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service, served during World War II. Congress authorized the establishment of WAVES in 1942. This year is the 60th anniversary for the group. Meetings are spent reminiscing and sharing experiences. Memorabilia, pictures, etc. will be on display at the Bellingham Public Library this summer.

Art and Pogo Barie are back from Sun Valley, Calif., where they have enjoyed sunshine for the past four months. Pogo says they are glad to be home, but there is a lot of work to be done in the garden and yard.

Jeannie Bodin was guest of honor when members of the koffee klatch met at Fair Haven to remember her birthday with an ice cream cake and many good wishes. Thirteen members of the klatch showed up for the special coffee time meeting.

Rev. Dave Templin of the Whidbey Presbyterian Church and Mrs. Templin recently took a break to visit Mrs. Templin’s parents in McMinnville, Ore.

Doug and Kathleen Neil of Christ Church, New Zealand, report they spent a four-day vacation with their son Thomas on the west coast at Lake Mapourika. They sent a picture of the lake, which looks a lot like north Whidbey, with the Olympic Mountains in the background. Their mountains are the southern Alps.

Air Force Airman Eric Force graduated from basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. He is a 2001 graduate of Oak Harbor high school and is the son of Brian Force of Oak Harbor.

Benjamin E. Martin, son of Robert and Tina Martin Starkes, and grandson of Louise Mueller Knight, recently graduated from recruit training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. Benjamin received a special marksmanship award, placing one of seven out of 50 recruits. He will be going on to receive training in the field of national security.

Navy Airman Jose A. Morris, son of Milagros C. and Edward R. Morris of Oak Harbor, recently returned from a three-month deployment to the North Arabian Sea while assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk, forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan. Morris is a 1998 graduate of Oak Harbor High School, and joined the Navy in May 2001.

Navy Seaman Apprentice Reginald A. Hendricks II, son of Navy Petty Officer First Class Reginald A. Hendricks of Oak Harbor, recently graduated from the Fleet Cryptologic Systems Maintenance Course while assigned to Naval Technical Training Center, Corry Station, Pensacola, Fla. Hendricks is a 2001 graduate of Oak Harbor High School and joined the Navy in February of 2001.