PORT ANGELES — Richard Sargent has participated in Salvation Army work since he was a young man fighting in World War II.
Last week, that dedication was honored when he was given one of the organization’s most prestigious awards.
The Partner in Mission Award is one of the top awards Salvation Army Corps can give to volunteers, said Maj. Kathleen Johnson.
Sargent was selected for his long service to the Port Angeles Salvation Army.
The award is intended to honor non-Salvationinsts — or employees — who support the group, she said.
Traditionally, it is presented during National Salvation Army week on the second week of May.
Although Sargent was selected and named as the recipient last May, he had fallen ill, and the award was put off until last Thursday, when he and all other Salvation Army volunteers were commended during a ceremony.
Since World War II
Sargent first started participating with the Salvation Army when he was in England during World War II, he said Monday.
He was a private first class in the Army and going by a different name — his last name of Sargent implied rank and could have endangered him if the Germans had found him.
Instead, he went by the name Ernie Pyle II — after a journalist who Sargent reminded his colleagues of.
“There wasn’t a lot of activity for us to participate in,” he said.
“So we would go over there and they would have dances and dinners. And sometimes they’d need a little help — so I’d pitch in, too.”
He was wounded by multiple grenades and sent to an English hospital to recover.
At a dance, he met his wife, Joan, who flew to the United States after the war to marry him.
The pair lived in Ohio for a while before moving to Port Angeles.
About 52 years ago, he and Joan moved to the North Olympic Peninsula, where he picked up on the Salvation Army volunteer work.
“I’m the old guard,” he said.
“I started when the Salvation Army was still downtown.”
It’s now on South Peabody Street, above East Second Street.
Good memories
A friend, Norm Olson, persuaded him to start up again.
With good memories of the free meals and dances in England, Sargent said he was happy to help.
“And I’m still volunteering,” he said.
He still serves on the advisory board of the organization and helps in any way his health will allow.
“I think I’m the oldest volunteer now,” he said.
“I made it to the big 8-0 and I never expected to make that far.”
Throughout his time with the Port Angeles Salvation Army he has served meals, served on the advisory board, been president of the board and done many other volunteer activities, he said.
Although honored by the award, Sargent said he was also a little surprised.
“Well, I said, ‘That’s ridiculous,’” he said, with a laugh.
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Reporter Paige Dickerson can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at paige.dickerson@peninsuladailynews.com.
