PORT ANGELES — Clallam County honored its veterans this week with a proclamation signed by the three commissioners.
The proclamation acknowledges local veterans and recognizes Veterans Day, which is Friday.
“All Americans should observe and appreciate the sacrifices and contributions of our veterans who fought for peace and defended democracy in our land and abroad,” it reads.
Commissioners on Tuesday also presented certificates of appreciation to a two veterans, Tom McKeown and Virgil Read, both of the Port Angeles area.
“It’s quite an honor for me to present this because my father knew Tom quite well,” said Commissioner Mike Doherty, who served in the Navy.
“Even though he was a Navy man and Tom was a Marine, they got along quite well, which was quite unusual. Sometimes the Marines don’t get along with the Navy guys.”
McKeown enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1941 and fought at Guadalcanal and in other Pacific conflicts during World War II.
Outstanding volunteer
McKeown is active in several veterans groups in Clallam County. He received the state’s Outstanding Veteran Volunteer award in 2007.
Doherty said McKeown is well-known in the county.
“He’s been a leader in the community,” Doherty said.
“Whenever there’s a veteran’s special occasion, Tom has been there.”
Read served in the Pacific Fleet on the USS Arizona from 1935 to 1939 and in the Coast Guard during World War II.
Doherty said he learned about Read through Read’s son-in-law.
Pearl Harbor
The Arizona sank in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, after which Read re-enlisted and was transferred to the Coast Guard base in Port Angeles.
Doherty presented the certificate “on behalf of a grateful community and 70,000 people and 400 employees” to Read.
Dozens of local veterans were on hand for the presentation.
“We have a huge veterans community here that supports a lot of people,” said Clallam County veterans coordinator Tammy Sullenger.
“I think it says a lot with the two people that are here with this kind of support. We really appreciate it.”
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
