Editor,
Community spirit and volunteerism are alive and well.
Last week, our community came together to rescue a Homoja — aka Quonset — hut from potential demolition. Businesses pitched in money and services. Community leaders stepped up. Volunteers cleared brush, hauled trash, moved fences and much more. All to ensure the preservation of a WWII icon.
While research on the hut has been in progress for some time, the planning and execution of the move was accomplished in near record time, according to Jim Woessner who has extensive experience moving buildings. This happened first and foremost because Chris Anderson, of Century 21 Trophy, saw the value of donating the hut. Then businesses, including Whidbey Island/Heritage Bank, CPI Plumbing of Mount Vernon, Sears Home Store, Jet City Rentals, Reed’s Construction, Custom Logging and others who I have probably missed, pitched in to help with money, services, equipment or labor.
Numerous individuals have donated money to the cause. Dr. Wayne Tilson offered space on his land to park the hut. Nickel Bros. Inc., the professional building movers, were imaginative and adaptable in developing and executing the move plan.
City Councilman Jim Woessner attended kindergarten in a converted Homoja Hut. He jumped in with his extensive experience moving buildings to play a key role in making the move happen. Former city councilwoman and state representative Sue Karahalios provided valuable ideas, advice and encouragement.
PBY-Naval Air Museum volunteers devoted over 200 hours to clearing dense blackberry bushes that nearly covered the hut and removing years of trash and debris that had accumulated inside.
They removed some trees and cleared barbed wire and electrical fences along the move route.
Since the effort to save the hut went public in early August, it has been remarkable how many people have stepped forward with their experiences living in Homoja huts or going to school in converted huts. We are looking forward to talking to more people in the community who went to school, taught or lived in Homoja huts.
The hut can become an historical exhibit that helps connect the life stories of hundreds if not thousands of people in our community. It can be a rich time capsule for present and future generations to examine.
Next, we must continue raising funds, about $12,000, to cover the cost of moving and securing the hut. Then the serious preservation work will begin.
We invite everyone in the community who would like to help or contribute information, especially those whose paths went through a Homoja hut, to contact us at 360-240-9500 or P.O. Box 941, Oak Harbor, WA 98277. Donations may be mailed to that address or sent through our Facebook page or website at www.pbymf.org.
Again, thanks to all who helped save the hut.
Wil Shellenberger
PBY-Naval Air Museum president
