Community

Veterans Day ceremony marks two solemn anniversaries

Uniforms at the Gig Harbor Veterans Day celebration on Nov. 11 spanned the centuries, from Revolutionary War-era costumes to modern dress garb.

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The ninth annual ceremony, sold out as usual, marked the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Several of the 500 people in attendance — including those who appeared on stage and some who didn’t — donned vintage clothing for the celebration at the Gig Harbor Vintage Aero Museum.

That included actor and retired Peninsula High teacher Jonathan Bill, who performed a 20-minute monologue as George Washington. And members of the Daughters of the American Revolution, who offered a sometimes funny, sometimes poignant skit as the wives of the nation’s Founding Fathers.

Also among the crowd were several active-duty service members, there to honor their predecessors and to be honored themselves.

Many of those active military members served in the wars following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attack. The Veterans Day ceremony also marked the 25th anniversary of that tragedy.

Pierce County Superior Court Judge Thomas P. Quinlan, an Army veteran, delivered a keynote address tying the military service of many Founding Fathers to the principles put forth in the U.S. Constitution.

Greg Copeland, a Gig Harbor native and KING-5 news anchor, emceed the event. Members of the Artondale Elementary School choir performed, as did the Puget Sound Veterans Band.

The Gig Harbor Veterans Day Committee organizes the event. Committee members include Brandon Baimbridge, Becky Becnel, Miriam Battson, Diane Bertram, Copeland, Robyn Denson, Missy Hill, Joe Hillyer, Joe Loya, Chuck Meacham, Jeanne Peterson, Rebecca Sharrett, Pat Schmidt, John Shoemaker, Tina Shoemaker and Command Master Chief Robert Stockton.

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