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Sequim: World War II vets, others hailed at
Memorial Day event at VFW hall 2004-05-30 SEQUIM -- Eight days before the world commemorates the 60th anniversary of the Allies' D-Day invasion of Adolf Hitler's Atlantic Wall on the coast of France, World War II veterans joined other former service men and women for a Memorial Day ceremony Saturday morning at the VFW Post Hall. It was a somber occasion for the 29 World War II veterans who came for a traditional military breakfast, a tribute to their service and a televised display of the dedication in Washington, D.C., of a national World War II memorial. It was also an important event for almost 100 of their spouses, friends and colleagues who served in later conflicts. Sequim Mayor Walt Schubert delivered a short statement in support of veterans everywhere. ``You have set the standard for all generations to live up to,'' Schubert told the audience. ``Our military forces in harm's way today have you as role models to lift and guide them.'' Emotional moment For State Rep. Jim Buck, R-Joyce, the event was especially moving -- and bittersweet. The West Point graduate, who served as the event's keynote speaker, choked back tears as he remembered his father, who died in late April at age 78. ``This will be the first Memorial Day in which Lance Cpl. James Buck
Sr. will not be here,'' the younger Buck said, choking back tears.
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