Members of the PBY Memorial Foundation were happy to see each other, upright and breathing, as one said, at last week’s picnic at the home of ADOLPH and DOLORES MEISCH. After all, Adolph was hospitalized in serious condition a few months ago, which meant DONNA STITES handled the phone tree with updates as Dolores kept watch by his side.

Some members may have health challenges but for most, a fire still burns within when they tell a newcomer stories of life here in the early 1940s. They worked and lived aboard the Seaplane Base where PBYs would make the ramp and be secured to pad eyes still in the asphalt.

I never tire of hearing their stories about the PBYs flying to the Aleutians, the PBYs painted pitch black, thus the name Black Cats, patrolling the South Pacific, and tales such as one of two hapless sailors who hugged the shoreline to head to town but had to face the sentry on their return. High tide.

Small town boys stepped off the bus at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, sea bags over their shoulders and a set of orders in hand. Training would begin immediately in the fight for the Aleutians.

Thirty of the original members of the PBY Memorial Foundation have died since 2001, when they began keeping track of such things. Their names are in a simple wood frame in the foundation’s office downtown. Whether or not they were wounded in action, taken prisoner in Vietnam or waited at home for word about a plane lost in the mountains, they are all national treasures.

“SHORTY” SCHLATTER left us in August 2001; “DOC” STRADER lost his valiant fight in July 2003; former Vietnam POW CMDR. ROGER LERSETH and historian DOROTHY NEIL died in early 2004; “BUD” FISCHER and HANK “BUDDY” MOODY both died in 2005; and ED SPROMBERG in May 2006.

They had one fervent wish: to see the PBY Memorial Foundation survive and thrive. That’s where you come in. You can help preserve history.

Civilians who love history, servicemen and women especially from patrol squadrons and other commands, and military spouses are all welcome.

A birthday luncheon is set for 11:30 a.m. at the CPO Club on Tuesday, Sept. 25. Become a member. It only costs $25 for individuals and $35 for family. Stop in the office at 1081 SE Pioneer Way any Thursday, Friday or Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 240-9500.

Thank a teacher

Last month, the local VFW Post 7392 named LYNN BROWN as their choice for local and district teacher of the year. Brown teaches at Broad View Elementary in Oak Harbor and is well qualified for this award.

It must be hard, picking just one teacher. They all are so devoted to a job most parents could not or would not do. They are special people answering a personal calling.

You can forget about time off in the summer. That hardly makes up for long days in the classroom that slip into evening phone calls to parents, papers to correct and time spent assessing students. When a daughter or son fails to blame the teacher.

When I asked a friend of mine how things were in her classroom, she shook her head and said, “Until parents shoulder their responsibility, nothing will change. Kids will keep failing from lack of direction.”

I was shocked to learn some parents even say they are “too busy” to be concerned about their child’s behavior problems and incomplete school work. Many children might go through life feeling inadequate if not for the support of their teachers. Thank goodness for them all.

When you think about it, teachers have the most important job in the world. Opening a mind to life’s possibilities is an awesome responsibility.

Channel 9 reaches north

Come to a free open house in Bellingham on Sunday, Sept. 16, at 1 p.m.

KCTS 9 invites those who attend to share their WWII memorabilia and stories of life in the Northwest during the war.

You will see an exclusive screening of the Ken Burns documentary series “The WAR” and the KCTS 9 companion series, “The War: Stories from the Northwest: WWII.” Enrique Cerna and former POW James Warren will speak.

Find out how to share your stories and honor your personal heroes online and on-air with The Greatest Generation Tribute Project.

Come to the ballroom of Hotel Bellweather or call KCTS 9 at 1-800-443-9991 for more details.

In case you have wondered why I love to write about veterans, retired or still active, it’s simple. I am my father’s daughter. He never got over being disqualified to serve in WWII because of his eyesight. And his eyes were really bad. One day I saw those eyes puddle with tears when the Star Spangled Banner played before a Seattle Pilots’ baseball game on the radio. I don’t know if his heart was breaking because he couldn’t serve or if those were tears of pride to be an American, probably both.

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