WHIDBEY ISLAND — Four EA-18G Growlers from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island will conduct a “Missing Man” formation during funeral services for a Tacoma man killed in Vietnam 40 years ago.
Weather permitting, the formation will be over the Mountain View Funeral Home and Cemetery in Lakewood at 2 p.m. Saturday.
Lt. Richard C. Clark’s remains were found in Vietnam in 1991 but could not be verified as his until last year, when advances in DNA testing made verification possible.
Clark, a lieutenant junior grade at the time, and Cmdr. Charles R. Gillespie launched from the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea on Oct. 24, 1967, for a combat air patrol mission over Vinh Phuc Province, North Vietnam.
While on station, their F-4B Phantom II aircraft was struck by an enemy surface-to-air missile and crashed.
Gillespie successfully ejected from the aircraft, was captured by North Vietnamese forces and was held as a prisoner of war until he was returned to U.S. control.
Clark could not be confirmed as ejecting from the aircraft and was listed missing in action. During this status, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant.
Clark, originally from Richland, Neb., entered the Naval Reserve on Feb. 13, 1965, in Tacoma.
The Growlers will be from three Electronic Attack Squadrons: the VAQ-129 Vikings, VAQ-130 Zappers and the Patriots of VAQ-140.
Gospel Sing-Along
PORT TOWNSEND — Unity of Port Townsend will offer its first-ever Gospel Sing-Along at the Unity Spiritual Enrichment Center, 3918 San Juan Ave., from 6 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. today.
The community is invited to come and join in a celebration of traditional gospel music, led on the piano by Theresa Chedoen and a backup orchestra of local musicians.
Song “menus” will be available for participants to call out their favorite songs, and the words will be projected on a screen.
All ages are welcome, and admission is free.
For more information, visit www.unitypt.org.
New Bible class
PORT ANGELES — Bible Study Fellowship International will register women for a new class, “Revelation,” in the family life center of Independent Bible Church, 116 E. Ahlvers Road, at 9:20 a.m. today, plus April 24 and May 1.
The class begins in September.
For more information, email bsf128bmtn@gmail.com or visit www.bsfinternational.org.
Unity speaker
PORT ANGELES — Unity in the Olympics, 2917 E. Myrtle St., will hold a 10:30 a.m. service Sunday featuring the Rev. Don Knight, whose lesson will be “A New Time — A New Way — A New Life.”
According to a news release: “In these rapidly changing times, appearances are not what they seem. The Light grows stronger, the days grow brighter, and a marvelous spiritual destiny is fulfilling itself.”
Knight has served 20 years as a Unity minister, is the author of several books and has described himself on the back of one of his books as “a knower of my High Heart’s beautiful Inner Life.”
Child care is available during the service.
A brief time for silent meditation will be held from 10 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.
All are welcome.
