Saturday, July 14, 2012

Memorial Day in Port Townsend














I can't believe how time flies. I hadn't had a chance to edit these images until recently. These photographs are from Memorial Day at the American Legion here in Port Townsend. This year's ceremony was really well attended and was made even more special by a presentation by Bill Carpentier. He gave a detailed explanation on why the post is named after Marvin G. Shields and we learned details about Marvin's short life. He was born here in Port Townsend and died in Vietnam in 1965. Marvin was the only Navy Seabee to be awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. His Mother presented the Legion a gift of some of  Marvin's medals in a lovely display case along with a flag and sword.

I posted several photographs above of Bill's mother Marjorie Carpentier who just celebrated her 91st birthday. For years Marjorie and her family have maintained the Marvin G Shields memorial on Sims Way on the right hand side of the road before Safeway. I actually wonder how many people even notice it. For years Marjorie raised and lowered the flag and family members mowed the grass and  have often placed flowers in a pair of black boots at the base of the monument.

The last photo in this post is from in front of the Memorial Field here in Port Townsend. I have walked by this plaque so many times and never stopped to read it.  It was dedicated in 1948 to residents of Jefferson County who had died in World War I and World War II.  Next time you are at an event at the field take a second and look at all the names on the plaque.



Looking for Love in Port Townsend

This is last week's poster of animals available for adoption at the Humane Society of Jefferson County. Today would be a perfect day to head out to the shelter or give them a call at 385-3292 to find out more information on any one of these wonderful animals.