by Ralph Nichols

While standing in the check-out line at the Burien Walgreen’s Wednesday evening, I turned to glance at a display – but my attention was diverted to the man in U.S. Army fatigues behind me.

After quickly noting the Airborne and then the Ranger insignias on his chest, I asked the obvious question: “So you’re a Ranger?” “I used to be,” he answered modestly.

“You guys are absolutely amazing,” I said. “When I read stories about Rangers, I feel as if I’ve accomplished nothing since the third grade!” “Thank you,” he replied quietly.

“No, thank you;” to which he said, “It was an honor.”

This was no isolated incident. I am only one of millions of Americans who, when we’ve thanked the men and women of our armed forces, veterans of wars past and those currently serving, has heard them say something like “we were just doing our job.”

On a 2005 Alaska Airlines flight to Boise, 80 of the passengers were with the Idaho Army National Guard, returning home after serving a year with the 116th Combat Brigade in Iraq.

Like the Ranger I met this week, these men and women were amazing. They walked off the plane not with a swagger, but with quiet confidence – in themselves, in their band of brothers and sisters, in a job well done as they fought for us against terrorism – yet downplayed what they had done when thanked by the rest of us.

Former Georgia Sen. Zell Miller, a Democrat, observed a few years ago:

“It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us the freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the agitator, who has given us the freedom to protest…. Our soldiers are liberators abroad and defenders of freedom at home.”

That’s why, today, November 11, we honor again our fighting men and women, those now or recently in uniform, and retired military veterans from World War II, from Korea and Vietnam and the Cold War, from smaller conflicts and the Gulf War.

They embody the spirit of President John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address when he challenged the nation with these words: “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.”

All members of the modern Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard, who continue to answer this clarion call, volunteered to serve – a choice they made for America and for us. They truly are the salt of the earth in America.

And never forget the reality that, on the home front, their families really do serve too.

When you meet a veteran from any era or still on active duty, thank them for their service sacrifice – not just on Veterans Day but throughout the year.

by Dave Markwell

A couple of years ago, after an evening out, my wife and I headed to Denny’s for the obligatory late-night gut-bombing. Per normal procedure, my wife drove as I was, once again, over-served and not capable of operating any type of vehicle, motorized or otherwise. It had been a good night with friends and I was happy. We were seated at our table and my wife took the booth side, which she always does. I like the booth side better, too, but never get it when I am with her.

The waitress brought us waters and menus. I chose the “Moons Over My Hammy”, a delicious egg, ham, and cheese sandwich, with hash browns. Sometimes, I get the “Superbird”, another yummy grilled sandwich with turkey and bacon, but this night, the “Moon’s” had it.

Sitting a table away was a young man. He was in his early twenties, I would guess. He was obviously in the military as his dress blues and haircut made this clear. He was sitting alone with an empty plate and a cup of coffee and the saddest look I have ever witnessed on a human face.

After a few minutes of hesitant looks over to him, our eyes met and I said “Hi”. He replied with a soft smile and we began talking. He was from somewhere in the Carolinas and was awaiting his red-eye flight back to his base. I don’t remember which branch of service he was in, but I remember that his grief hung like smoke in the dining room.

Through our course of small talk, I asked him what he was doing in town. He replied that he had come for a funeral. A fellow soldier and buddy had been killed in Iraq and the fallen man’s family was from the Seattle area. So, this soldier and other members of his unit had flown here to honor their lost comrade. The service was held earlier that day. This poor boy had just lain to rest a friend and brother. He had spoken with the weeping parents detailing the events that resulted in the lost life of their child. He was there when it happened and witnessed it and tried to save his friend, but couldn’t. His young heart was heavy and had changed.

This revelation made me want to hug this kid. I wanted to take him in my arms, like any good father, and tell him it would be ok. I wanted to turn back the clock and change the world for this sad boy. I could do nothing but shake my head and say “I’m sorry.” My heart was broken in this moment. His eyes had seen things they could not un-see. The soft and hopeful part of his youth was gone and I knew that it would not be ok. It would never be ok and the life he knew before that tragic moment would never return to him.

As he looked in my eyes pleading for an answer that I did not have, we connected. I honored his duty with my own profound sadness. All I could do was be sad for him and his friend and his friend’s family and the countless people impacted by the death of a single soldier. The look in my eyes said there is no answer, no truth, no tidy insight that can deliver the peace he was looking for. Perhaps it doesn’t even exist.

Before leaving I paid his bill and shook his hand, thanked him for his service and wished him good, safe luck for the rest of his tour. Then, my wife and I walked to the car and cried.

I still cry when I think deeply about this poor kid. He was real. His eyes were real and they revealed the true depth of his confused anguish. It is a depth known to so many soldiers and families of soldiers. It is a place that no one wants to be, but many volunteer to stare it down and hope their fortune holds. Sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn’t.

This Veteran’s Day please imagine, deeply and truly, losing what you love most in this world and recognize that the men and women who chose to serve our great land risk losing and indeed, lose, what they love most, regularly. They do this for us. And it is with enormous reverence and gratitude that we must honor them, thank them, take care of them and do EVERYTHING in our goddamn power to keep these kids from getting killed. They are the most valuable things we have. God Bless them all…and their families…this day and every day….

Dave Markwell, who extols to all neighbors: “Enjoy where we live. Put your feet on the pavement and truly feel how great it is to live here!” Also, you can “friend” Dave on Facebook here. Or work out with him at his new exercise company Waterland CrossFit!]

As we reported earlier this week, Burien’s Eagle’s View Bed and Breakfast participated in the international ‘B&B’s for Vets’ program by allowing a veteran couple a night’s stay for free.

Brian & Teri Barnes, proprietors of Eagle’s View, comped the free night to a couple named Mark and Denise; Mark currently serves, and has done three tours in Iraq. They’ve got three little kids so this was a great escape for them.

Along with the free night at the B&B, several other local businesses donated items; here’s an email we received from Brian with full details:

Here are some pictures of the Veterans that stayed here last night. They said they loved the food and hospitality at The House Restaurant and felt right at home with Stephanie and Will, owners.

They enjoyed their free drinks that Dan Davis provided at the Side Street Kitchen, even though only one of them drank as the other was the designated driver.

Peter Mort of All Sound Realty personally came over this morning during breakfast and presented flowers to Mark and Denise and said he was happy to support the Veterans, as he had a lot of friends lost during the Vietman War.

We served up Cheese Blintz with a little American Flag, crispy bacon, fruit plate, coffee, and muffins for breakfast.

Mark has been in the service for nine years and has spent three tours in Iraq, each of them for about a year in duration. He and Denise have three little kids.

They are off to the Serenza Salon and Spa (formerly Market Place) where they are getting their massages, pedicures and nails done. Denise is also getting a style and shampoo.

After that they will be off to Goodie Gum Drops for their gift certificate for toys, then it’s off to a free lunch at B-Town Burgers, all provided by owner Colleen Nelson.

For more information on the B&B’s for Vets program, go to the website: http://www.bnbsforvets.org.

Along with saluting all our Veterans, we here at The B-Town Blog would also like to tip our hat to all the generous local businessfolks who helped make one Vet couple a bit happier on this special day.

by Dave Markwell

“The soldier has come to believe, and with considerable reasons, that those who talk about ideals do not fight for them, and that those who fight for them do not talk about them. The soldier knows that when the nation fights for freedom in far-flung areas of the world, he must lose his freedom, his comfort and even his identity for the duration of the conflict. The ideals for which he is fighting can have little meaning for any soldier so long as the war lasts, while for those who die and for many of the wounded they can never have any meaning at all. He knows that those who speak so glibly of ideals have no conception of what the process of enforcing those ideals means in terms of pain and starvation and death and horror.” – written by Willard Waller, WWII Veteran in 1944

Several years ago, getting ready to return home from a visit to my wife’s family in upstate New York, I had a not atypical airport experience. My mother-in-law had driven us to the airport and we were surprisingly early. Our kids were much younger then and in a semi-desperate plan to avoid them having to spend any more time sitting around in an airport than absolutely necessary, my wife and I left them with her mom while we went to check our bags and get some of the airport hassles out of the way without the burden of fussy kids making it worse.

While at the check-in counter, it was discovered that one of our bags was overweight and this would require an extra $35 fee. This was annoying, but not a huge deal. It was not a big deal until I discovered that I had left my wallet in my carry on bag that remained in the car with my kids and mother-in-law. The car was not close and the line behind us was starting to stretch to an uncomfortable level. Faced with a long walk back to the car and a long wait in a line that I was already at the front of, I was agitated. Not overwhelmingly so, but I really wanted some other solution to arise. With none in sight, I prepared myself to take the trip I did not want to take.

Apparently, my situation was overheard by a nice gentleman and his wife. As I was getting ready to leave on my journey, they stepped up and offered to pay for the overweight bag. They had kids, too, and though the children were now grown ups, they remembered the days. I politely refused, but they insisted. I relented, tremendously grateful for my saviors. Following the transaction, I asked for their address so I could send them a check to repay their generosity. They politely, but adamantly refused. The man said, “If you want to repay me, anytime you see a Marine in a bar, buy him a beer.” I was struck by his request, but took it seriously. He was kind and nice, but also serious. I told him I would do so. Then, we all left to live our different lives.

I have and will never forget that day when my wife and I were saved a tremendous hassle and inconvenience by a Marine veteran and his wife. And I have happily and gratefully bought many, many beers over the years. I have met men and women I would not have met otherwise and my life is better for it and this Marine’s gift remains one of the best I have ever received.

This Veteran’s Day, I remember this Marine and his contribution to my life. Though, it was small, it was not insignificant and, for me, really represents the character and grace and kindness this country’s Marines and soldiers embody. This recognition has changed my life and how I perceive our military men and women. Before being soldiers or Marines, they are people. They are father and sons, mothers, daughters, brothers, sisters, and friends. They love and are loved. They have fears and doubts and they smile and are funny. They are us.

While our views of wars are as different as we are as people, I believe that a collective and universal respect, admiration and appreciation of our military men and women transcends our political opinions. This is important. All that we possess in this great country was traded for the blood of our soldiers. Anything we have, are or will be is a gift bestowed by the men and women serving or having served in our armed forces. Nothing is free and our way of life is expensive. The debts our young men and women have paid on our behalf is incalculable and worthy of note on this Veteran’s Day and every day. So this day I will salute and say a heartfelt “thank you” to our service people and remember the soldiers that gave all they had for us. I will remember the families of our lost soldiers, who gave all they had, too. And if I see a Marine in a bar, I will buy him a beer, today and forever. It’s the least I can do.

[EDITOR'S NOTE:"Feel Good Friday" is a regular column written by Des Moines resident Dave Markwell, who extols to all neighbors: "Enjoy where we live. Put your feet on the pavement and truly feel how great it is to live here!" Also, you can "friend" Dave on Facebook here.]

As a way of saluting our military, Brown Bear Car Wash will be offering free “Bear Essential” car washes to all current or former members of the military on Veteran’s Day (Thursday, Nov. 11th).

The free car washes are also being extended to all spouses who have a spouse currently deployed.

“Our organization is proud to honor veterans and service personnel,” said Brown Bear president and founder Vic Odermat, himself a Marine Corps veteran. “While the washes are free, we know that freedom is not. This is a way for us to show our support and gives us a unique opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to people who sacrifice for our freedom.”

The Brown Bear Car Wash located at 22706 Marine View Drive in Des Moines is participating. Others include:

• 34017 Hoyt Rd. SW, Federal Way
• 1202 W Meeker St., Kent
• 814 Auburn Way S, Auburn
• 800 S Grady Way, Renton
• 621 Rainier Ave. S, Renton
• 77 Rainier Ave. S, Renton

See www.brownbear.com for more information, including a full list of other participating tunnel wash locations in the Puget Sound area.

The offer will operate on an honor system, and no verification or documentation is required. Drivers should identify themselves as a current or former member of the military (or spouse) to the wash attendant.

Burien’s Eagle’s View Bed and Breakfast is participating in the international ‘B&B’s for Vets’ program taking place this Wednesday, Nov. 10th, by allowing a veteran couple a night’s stay for free.

They’re also seeking additional donations from local businesses for this couple, as a way to honor our Veterans. If you’re a local business who’d like to donate, please contact Brian Barnes at barnes222@msn.com or at 206-246-4754.

As part of our donation, any business that contributes to this worthy cause will be mentioned in a followup story we’re planning to post on Veteran’s Day (Thursday, Nov. 11th).

Brian & Teri Barnes, proprietors of Eagle’s View, tell us that they are opening their doors to a couple from Fort Lewis, who could really use the night out:

Our guests will be a younger couple with three little kids.

The Mom has her hands full and would love to get out for the night ALONE with her husband.

Her husband has served 3 times already in the gulf and is presently on active duty.

We are going to cover their gas to come up, the baby sitter, and the gourmet breakfast.

The House Restaurant will cover both of their dinners.

“B&B’s for Vets” was started last year in West Virginia, but achieved critical mass in 2010 when over 400 B&B’s in the US and Canada signed on to honor US military veterans and active military personnel by donating a complimentary night’s stay on November 10, 2010.

We’re hoping some other local businesses can donate items to the couple, like free food, gift cards or whatever you deem appropriate to honor our Veterans. If you have something you’d like to donate, please contact Brian at barnes222@msn.com or at 206-246-4754.

UPDATE 11/10/10: Brian sent us an email Wednesday morning with the following update on local businesses who are donating to this cause:

• Will and Stephanie Collier, owners, at the House Restaurant www.colliercatering.com/house are offering two complimentary dinners for the couple on Wednesday night.
• Colleen Nelson, owner, at www.goodiegumdropstoys.com is offering a $100 dollar gift certificate for toys for their three young kids and they are also offering lunch for two at www.btownburgers.com the next day.
• Dan Davis, owner/chef, at www.sidestreetkitchen.com, wants to be a part of it and has offered free drinks or whatever they want before going over to the House Restaurant.
• Daniel Keane, owner of Serenza Salon & Spa, (formerly Market Place Salon & Spa) will be donating a spa event for Thursday as well.

For more information on the B&B’s for Vets program, go to the website: http://www.bnbsforvets.org.

Veteran’s Day is this Thursday, Nov. 11th; here’s info on it from the US Department of Veterans Affairs website:

World War I – known at the time as “The Great War” – officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”

In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…”

Brian adds:

My grandfather was West Point 1917.

My father was West Point 1942.

My brother was Naval Academy 1966.

I graduated from the Air Force Academy 1975.

My wife was an aircraft mechanic for the Air Force, and has worked for the Army and Navy as well. She is also a past national president of the Reserve Officers Association League.

Teri and I are very excited to offer our B&B to those who are putting their lives at risk to keep us free here at home.

Veteran’s Day is this coming Wednesday, Nov. 11th, and Brown Bear Car Wash will be honoring vets and current service military (as well as spouses) with free car washes all day.

The nearest location is the one in Des Moines, located at 22706 Marine View Drive; others are in Federal Way, Kent, Auburn and Renton (see list below).

As a way of saying “thanks” to our military, Brown Bear will be offering free “Bear Essential” car washes to all current or former members of the military, including spouses.

“Our organization is proud to honor veterans and service personnel,” said Brown Bear President and founder Vic Odermat, himself a Marine Corps veteran. “While the washes are free, we know that freedom is not. This is a way for us to show our support and gives us a unique opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to people who sacrifice so incredibly for our freedom.”

Odermat said the offer will operate on an honor system and no verification or documentation is required. Drivers should identify themselves as a current or former member of the military to the wash attendant.

Odermat started Brown Bear in Seattle in 1957 with one location. They now own and operates car washes throughout the Puget Sound area and Spokane.

Here’s a list of participating locations nearby:

• 22706 Marine View Dr., Des Moines
• 34017 Hoyt Rd. SW, Federal Way
• 814 Auburn Way S, Auburn
• 1202 W Meeker St., Kent
• 800 S Grady Way, Renton
• 621 Rainier Ave. S, Renton
• 77 Rainier Ave. S, Renton

A special Veteran’s Day Commemoration is coming to the SeaTac Community Center on Wednesday, Nov. 11th to celebrate both the history of Des Moines Memorial Drive as well as honor women who have served their country.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Veteran’s Day Commemoration: Women in Service

WHO:  Scheduled speakers include:

• Kitty Milne, Highline Historical Society
• Congressman Adam Smith, 8th District
• Peggy Caudill, Intertribal Warrior Society (former Nurse in the U.S. Army)
• Carol Reed, American Legion (former Sergeant in the U.S. Marines)
• Kit Ledbetter, City of SeaTac

WHEN: Wednesday, November 11th from 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

WHERE: SeaTac Community Center, located at 13735 24th Avenue South SeaTac, WA  98168; (206) 973-4680

INFO: The Des Moines Memorial Drive – The Living Road of Remembrance, is an eight-mile stretch of road through the cities of Des Moines, Burien, SeaTac and the Boulevard Park area of unincorporated King County. The Drive was completed in 1922 with the planting of 1,100 American elm trees, each commemorating an individual from Washington state who died in World War I. On November 11, 1963 a memorial wall commemorating the history of the Drive was dedicated at Sunnydale School in Burien.

ABOUT: The Des Moines Memorial Drive Committee, a citizen advisory committee created in 2000, developed a plan for restoring and enhancing the memorial road. The plan outlines how jurisdictions will implement enhancement efforts as part of future road improvement projects. For more information, visit www.roadofremembrance.org.

From their press release:

Community members are invited on Veterans Day, Wednesday, November 11, to celebrate a local historic road which honors the fallen soldiers of World War I. In addition to highlighting the history of Des Moines Memorial Drive, the event this year will honor women who served in the military during World War I and over the decades since that conflict. The event will be held at 2:00pm at SeaTac Community Center, located at 13735 – 24th Avenue South, in SeaTac.

Des Moines Memorial Drive is an eight-mile stretch of road which winds through the Boulevard Park area of unincorporated King County, SeaTac, Burien and Des Moines. In 1922 the project was completed with the planting of 1,100 American elm trees to line the roadway as a “living” memorial to those who lost their lives in World War I. Over time, the impacts of disease, radical pruning and utility installations have decimated most of the elms. Forty-six years ago on November 11, 1963, a memorial wall commemorating the history of the Drive was dedicated.

While held on Veterans Day, the event will also mark the day formerly known as Armistice Day, which is the anniversary of the official end of World War I (November 11, 1918). Elected officials including Congressman Adam Smith and local mayors will honor the historical nature of Des Moines Memorial Drive and the special role that women played in the country’s military history.

An Advisory Committee was created in 2000 with representation from King County, local cities, other interested public agencies, and concerned citizens to develop a coordinated vision for restoring and maintaining the living memorial. The resulting plan, which has been accepted by all the participating jurisdictions, outlines how the local cities can also incorporate similar memorial elements in their future road improvement projects along the Drive.

Des Moines Memorial Drive has national significance on several accounts:

1. It is the earliest planned “living road of remembrance.”
2. It is the only “living road of remembrance” that uses Elm trees.
3. At 10 miles, it is the longest “living road of remembrance.

In addition to the celebratory event, interpretive displays prepared by the Highline Historical Society will be available for public viewing. Local veterans and school groups are expected to take part in the event that will also recognize the ongoing cooperative efforts of the cities and county. learn more about Des Moines Memorial Drive, visit www.roadofremembrance.org.

When BTB Editor Scott Schaefer remarked that we didn’t have a story for Veterans Day, my first and only thought was to stop by the Burien headquarters of Paralyzed Veterans of America.

I’ve been driving by that office for 14 years, and always wanted to know what they were up to. Turns out a lot…

Located at 616 SW 152nd in Burien, this is headquarters for the northwest region, serving over 400 paralyzed service men and women in Washington, Idaho, Alaska and Western Montana.   The Paralyzed Veterans of America is a congressionally chartered veterans service organization founded in 1946. NWPVA (Northwest Paralyzed Veterans of America) was founded in Burien over 30 years ago, and has been at their 152nd location for 20 years.

They are paralyzed veterans advocates at both the state and national level. Their mission is to protect veterans’ rights on the issue of quality healthcare, to promote the research and education addressing spinal cord injury and dysfunction, and protect the civil rights and opportunities to maximize the independence of its members.

Veteran David Zurfluh was once paralyzed from the neck down but is now able to walk.

The office is manned by Executive Director Ernie Butler, and Office Manager Lisa Lawrence.  NWPVA depends on volunteers that are veterans of military accidents.  President and volunteer of NWPVA, David Zurfluh told BTB that most veterans with spinal cord injury occurred during military accidents as opposed to war.  David wants our readers to know that the PVA is for veterans who have suffered spinal cord injuries due to to severing, diseases of the spine or MS.

David’s accident occurred after he left the first Gulf War and was stationed in Japan. He was career Air Force getting ready to become a flight engineer. He was injured while in a training exercise with the Japanese National Self Defense Team – he was a passenger in a car accident that severed his spine.  He was paralyzed from the neck down for the first two weeks of his hospitalization.  The doctors gave him an outside chance of walking again.  Thirteen years later and years of rehab, David is what is known as an “Incomplete Quadriplegic”, which means after wheel chairs, then leg braces, David is able to walk, thanks to the help of AFO’s, or Artificial Foot Orthodics that function as a mini-brace around his ankles.  He thinks he walks like Peter Boyle’s “Frankenstein”, but he IS walking, and able to use his left hand (he was formerly right handed). He credits the PVA’s advocacy in research, education and technical advances in spinal cord injuries to doubling his and others’ life expectancies.

NWPVA is currently fundraising for the National Veterans Wheel Chair Games in Spokane next July. Over 500 athletes from all over the United States and an honorary team from England will compete in Softball, Basketball, and Quad Rugby.  Your donation will help the wheel chair athletes travel to Spokane.  You can donate by using www.goodsearch.com, by clicking on their donation page, or by mailing a check to:

NWPVA
616 SW 152nd
Burien, WA 998166

If you’ve never seen Quad Rugby, check out this video – this is one intense sport:

NWPVA has local sports outings, including hunting, fishing and shooting.

“You put a gun in an army or marines hands and they just love it”, explains David.

Other things they do for NWPVA members is monthly pizza parties, including salad and soda at the Spinal Cord Unit at Veterans Hospital, a Christmas party and summer picnic for members.

What are David and his group of volunteers at NWPVA doing this Veterans Day and the day after?  Visiting 50 paralyzed veterans at the Spinal Cord Unit at Seattle Veterans Hospital to let them know they are not forgotten, and honor each and every one for their service.

Perhaps readers of BTB should take a moment to honor them and other veterans too.