Win Stites, president and chairman of the PBY Memorial Association of Oak Harbor, Wash., told the membership at a recent meeting that their PBY-5A aircraft is running and getting ready to make its trip home to Oak Harbor on Whidbey Island.
“During World War II, air crews trained in the Catalinas at the seaplane base in Oak Harbor for combat duty in the Aleutian Islands and North Pacific,” Stites said. “It’s only fitting we pay tribute to the crews and the aircraft they flew in and preserve the track record of this remarkable Navy seaplane.”
The PBY is housed at the Grant County Airport, Moses Lake, where it is being serviced prior to being ferried to Whidbey Island.
PBYMA is conducting an aggressive fund-raising program whereby corporate contributors can have a hand in preserving this important part of naval aviation history. The long-range plan is to make the memorial open to school children and college students to see the Catalina and its history first-hand. The intent is to pass on to generations to come the valiant record of the PBY and crews who fought during World War II to keep America free.
“Institutions can contribute $25,000 or more, but we also welcome individual contributions of $1,000 or more,” Stites said.
Major contributors will have their names engraved on a bronze plaque and mounted at the site of the PBY display.
The organization began with a handful of members in September 1998. Today they number 170 and are still growing.
“Our veterans believe we can bring the Catalina home to Oak Harbor,” Stites continued. “One of them told me, ‘If we don’t do it now, this part of our history will be gone forever’ ”
Marine Corps Pfc. Terry L. Harris, son of Theresa J. Harris of Edmonds and Perry A. Harris of Oak Harbor, recently completed basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego. Harris is a 2002 graduate of Oak Harbor High School.
Residents of Fairhaven were surprised with a visit March 3 from “Equal Time,” a mixed acappella quarter featuring Jim Bailey, Paula Mains, and Cathy and Henry Hollander. Henry is a firefighter from Blaine, Paula is a flight attendant for Northwest Airlines, Jim is a crime prevention consultant, and Cathy has the toughest job of all, being a mother of three. The quartet toured Finland several years ago, and along with serenading us, they also sang for the prayer vigil at the First United Methodist Church.
Jill and Dale Klutsenbaker, 30-year residents of of Oak Harbor, had a most enjoyable four days as guests of Bill and Margaret Campbell in Victoria who shared their lovely condominium. Formerly, Margaret and Bill were residents of Oak Harbor Marina aboard their boat SeaLure where Jill and Margaret painted from their special studio aboard ship, where they have many reminiscences. In Victoria the couples shared Valentine’s Day and Dale’s birthday. They have been friends for 32 years and until recently traveled together in their motorhomes. They often met in Southern California to spend the winter in the desert. Bill chauffeured the Klutsenbakers all over Vancouver Island as he knows it all very well.
Desiree Hoskins of Oak Harbor spent January studying in Greece through a special study program at Linfield College. Hoskins is a 1998 graduate of Oak Harbor High School and the daughter of Garrett and Darleen Hoskins of Oak Harbor. She is a senior history major and a member of Phi Sigma Sigma sorority.
The following Islanders were listed on the Washington State University fall 2002 honor roll. To be eligible, students must have a 3.5 or better cumulative grade point average or have received a 3.75 GPA or better during the fall semester. The following made the grade:
Coupeville — Lauren Sienna Hubbard and Suzanne Michelle Zustiak;
Oak Harbor — Kara Mia Bloch, Jennifer K. Dodge, Dieter Milton Jung, Kimberly Marie Macindoe, Charlotte Rebecca Milling, Jennifer Allison Walton and Nicholas Eugene Yakubchak.
Western Washington University recently announced its fall quarter 2002 honor roll. Of the 11,663 undergraduates enrolled at Western during fall quarter, 552 qualified for the honor roll (HR) with 208 receiving perfect 4.0 grade point averages (4.0). The following Islanders made the list: Oak Harbor – 4.0 GPA: Theresa Marie Black, Christopher Michael Carignan, Jennifer Elizabeth Grey. HR: Donald Michael Hubner, Jesse Elliot Krause, Jillian Dyan So Lao, Kristine Debra LeBlanc, Charlene Diane Milliron.
Calling all horns! Calling all horns! And woodwinds, drummers and the like — the All Island Community Band continues its search for musicians to help build a 50 piece band. They’re at 41 members and still looking for current and former high school musicians to join the band. Any players of the following are urgently needed: clarinet, flute, sax, French horn, bassoon, trombone and bass clarinet. Practices are held Thursdays, from 7 – 9 p.m., at Oak Harbor Middle School. Anyone interested in joining the band should toot their horn to (call), Bob Nelson 240-1380 or George Konopik 678-5778.
Pacific Lutheran University named 750 students to the Dean’s List of
Spring 2002. Islanders who made the cut are: Margaret E. Galbraith of Oak Harbor and Sarah E. Matzen of Oak Harbor. To be named to the Dean’s List, students must achieve a grade point average of at least 3.5. Founded in 1890, PLU is a comprehensive liberal arts university in Tacoma with an enrollment of 3,500.
