Columbia Post 97 Honor Guard remembers veterans on Memorial Day

BREWSTER—The Columbia Post 97 American Legion Honor Day made a day of it on Memorial Day, May 27, when the contingent held ceremonies at seven memorial sites and Legion headquarters from Pateros to Mansfield.

A schedule that started at 9 a.m. at Pateros Memorial Cemetery concluded at Mansfield in mid-afternoon with stops at the Bridge Street Bridge, Packwood Memorial Cemetery on Dyer Hill, Fort Okanogan Memorial Cemetery near Monse, Locust Grove Cemetery in Brewster, Legion headquarters, and Bridgeport Cemetery. At each site the Honor Guard posted the colors, a wreath was placed as a token of remembrance, a three-round volley fired, and taps played.

A few among the many veterans remembered include:

Pateros Cemetery

Donald Boston Stivers, April 5, 1920 - April 29, 1984, a veteran of World War II, the Korean Conflict, and the Vietnam War.

Packwood Memorial Cemetery

Robert Lee Roy Starzman, Nov. 10, 1926 - April 26, 1994, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran of WWII who received the Purple Heart for injuries he received during action in the South Pacific.

Fort Okanogan Memorial Cemetery

Army PFC John Glen Cook, Feb. 17, 1936 – Oct. 19, 2007, who served in Korea.

Locust Grove Cemetery

U.S. Air Force veteran Jerry Lynn Hively, July 19, 1944 – May 21, 1997, who served in Vietnam.

Bridgeport Cemetery

Woodrow Wilson “Woody: Looper, Sept. 12, 1918 – Jan. 7. 2001, a Navy veteran of WWII, involved in many battles and recipient of numerous medals and citations.

Mansfield Cemetery

Marine Lance Corporal Caleb John Powers, Oct. 31, 1982 – August 17. 2004, killed by a sniper’s bullet in Al Anbar, Iraq.

A few, among countless others across the nation, remembered for their military service.

Mike Maltais: 360-333-8483 or michael@ward.media