PORT ANGELES — To honor the sacrifice of those who have served, the Clallam County Veterans Association will sponsor the regional annual Veterans Day ceremony at the Port Angeles Coast Guard base Tuesday.
The association and its member organizations have used their own funds to put on the elaborate event since federal funding was cut in 2013.
Now, they are asking for community contributions for the $4,000 event.
Coast Guard Air Station/Sector Field Office Port Angeles, a designated regional Veterans Day observance site, has hosted the ceremony in a flag-adorned hangar on Ediz Hook for the past 18 years.
“The place really looks spiffy when they turn it over for this,” association President Gary Velie said.
“They clean that place up so you could eat off the deck.”
The guest speaker will be James G. Buck, a retired U.S. Army captain and six-term state representative from Joyce.
This year’s ceremony will begin at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday. The public can enter the front gate of the Coast Guard base beginning at 9 a.m.
A photo ID is required.
The regional Veterans Day ceremony features a Coast Guard color guard, guest speakers and the playing of the theme songs of each military branch while members of that branch stand to be recognized.
After the budget sequester, the association and its members — a dozen nationally chartered veterans’ organizations — raised $4,000 to keep the tradition going.
“We were stuck with the idea that we’ve got to either come up with some money to do it, or we were not going to be able to put on the show,” Velie said.
“We went out to the member organizations, and they helped with donations. We were able to do it. This year, we’ve kind of planned ahead.”
The nonprofit association is using its own funds to pay for the 2014 ceremony.
“We’re putting on our own party,” Velie said.
“We enjoy doing that because 1,200 people show up for it.”
The cost includes the $2,400 rental and delivery of 1,200 chairs, a $500 sound system and more than $1,000 for a post-ceremony barbecue held at the Clallam County Veterans Center at 261 S. Francis St., Port Angeles.
“Everything we use out of our own funds takes away from assistance for veterans,” Velie said.
“We would love to get contributions from the community to defray some of the cost,” he added.
Tax-deductible donations can be made at any First Federal branch under the name of the Clallam County Veterans Association.
Checks also can be mailed to CCVA, 223 E. Fourth St., Suite 4, Port Angeles, WA 98362.
This year, the Port Angeles Coast Guard unit has been designated as a Vietnam War 50th anniversary commemorative partner, Coast Guard officials said.
Velie said the Coast Guard has an all-hands field day to spruce up the hangar for the ceremony.
“It’s just beautiful,” he said.
“It’s spotless.”
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5072, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
