All those who served with aviation patrol squadrons at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station will finally have a memorial in Oak Harbor, thanks to the steadfast members of the Whidbey Patrol Squadron Memorial Committee.

Surprisingly, it’s the first memorial on the West Coast honoring patrol squadrons. It may be the only one in the nation.

Years of planning, fund-raising, design, and construction will culminate at 10 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 14. Hundreds of people will crowd around a little pocket park on East Pioneer Way for a ceremony and dedication of the memorial, featuring a larger-than-life bronze statue.

“I tell you what, it’s a dream come true,” said Don Grove, committee member.

A crew installed the sculpture of an airman Thursday at the site of the memorial, the pocket Veterans Park on East Pioneer Way. Noted artist Michael Maiden brought the 400-pound statue in a van from Oregon. For most of the committee members it was the first time they saw the incredibly-detailed statue of an airman dressed in 1960s era flight gear, consisting of a Navy flight suit and boots, a ‘Mae West’ flotation device, a parachute harness, a ball cap, and holding a flight helmet in his hand.

Maiden said it took about a year to create the statue. The first step was to take photos of a model wearing vintage flight gear, to make sure all the details are correct. He said his challenge was to make the memorial interesting with just one figure.

“He’s looking back at those who may have been lost,” he said of the statue. “Or it could be that he’s leaving the mission and looking back at those who are staying.”

Behind the bronze airman is a three-paneled granite wall. On the two side panels are the names of the 85 men who lost their lives in Whidbey-based operations. On the center panel is an etched image of a P2V-7 Neptune Navy patrol aircraft above the words of dedication.

The reverse side of this wall depicts various types of Navy patrol aircraft that have been stationed at Whidbey during the base’s first 64 years of operation, the squadrons that have been based at Whidbey, and a map showing many overseas sites from where Whidbey-based patrol squadrons conducted deployed operations, according to the committee.

Two polished black granite benches, donated by Island Thrift, sit in front of the memorial. Bricks in the patio are etched with the names of donors.

In fact, the entire project was funded by contributions from veterans, veteran groups, interested citizens and businesses. Several local contractors donated time, labor and material.

The memorial service Thursday will be the end of a long road for the members of the committee. After they decided to put the memorial in the city’s Veterans Park, it was a bit of a battle convincing the city to let them. With the help of Councilman Paul Brewer, the persistent members of the committee got permission and went about collecting many tens of thousands of dollars in donations.

Grove said the committee members urge the community to attend the ceremony, but please come a little early. The section of the road will be closed for the ceremony.

The Northwest Navy Ceremonial Band will play. Capt. David Taylor, commander of the Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 10, will speak about patrol aviation. Floyd Palmer, president of the Patrol Squadron 2 Association, will turn over ownership of the memorial to the citizens of Oak Harbor with an official presentation to Mayor Patty Cohen.

After conclusion of the memorial dedication ceremony, those assembled are invited to attend a reception at the Oak Harbor Yacht Club, a short walk away.

According to Grove, last-minute requests for memorial inscribed bricks may be placed there. This will be the absolute last chance for anyone to order an honorary brick for placement at the Whidbey Patrol Squadron Memorial.