When people meet ROY ALAN McWILLIAMS, their eyes automatically go to the dark blue ball cap, his favorite, thickly embroidered with “Belgium,” “Germany” and the names of other European battle sites. It is his silent tribute to the thousands of American fighting men who died and were buried “over there.”
ROY ALAN McWILLIAMS came into the world 83 years ago as RICHARD ALLEN BOE. His father got out of the Navy before World War II and they called him back again to work at the weapons repo depot in Pleasanton, Calif.
His stepfather ROBERT T. McWILLIAMS served on USS Saratoga and the destroyer Elliott, an old four-stacker. Roy so admired the retired chief master at arms, he took his name. “I did it to honor him. He had no children,” Roy said.
There were two other Boe brothers, ROBERT LEE BOE, who served in the U.S. Navy in WWII, and CHARLES CHESTER BOE, who joined the Royal Canadian Air Force. The latter lives on Dugualla Bay today.
“All my duty was in European campaigns, from England during the Blitz to Northern France and Belgium to Germany and Luxembourg,” he said. He recalled being at the Picadilly Rose when sirens sounded. “People froze where they were. It was too late. The bomb was overhead.”
“My life was spared,” he explained, relating how he survived some close calls, such as the time he watched a V2 rocket headed to its target in London and the time his parachute did not open during jump training in England. “The Holy Spirit rained down on me,” he said with quiet conviction.
Roy and his brother, Charles, took part in the May 26 Coupeville Memorial Day parade. This marked Roy’s seventh such event.
“Memorial Day is something special,” he said. “I am reminded of the graves I have seen in Europe. In Holland, they place an American flag next to the country’s flag on Remembrance Day. They have not forgotten.”
He also recalled the time when the Daughters of the Revolution went out and decorated the graves, adding with a twinge of sadness, “Children today lack history. Those were the people who gave their lives.”
Roy will be in good company aboard his decorated truck in today’s July 4 parade. Coming along with him are Air Force Staff Sgt. Kimberly R. Cooper, Navy Chief Petty Officer Shelby R. Pearson, a Marine Corporal and his driver, a Vietnam veteran.
His lifelong love is ANN, the girl who swept him off his feet 60 years ago as they danced and skated in Vallejo, Calif. Daughter PEGGY GIPSON makes her home in Livingston, Calif.
Like other couples who fell in love in wartime, promises made were promised kept. Their generation still values marital fidelity and constancy. In today’s world, that means a lot. Roy and Ann celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on June 26.
Mount Vernon veterans’ clinic?
The U.S. Senate’s Appropriations Committee recently urged the Department of Veterans Affairs to stay on track to open a Washington state outpatient clinic by early next year.
Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., added the language to the Senate Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee’s 2008 funding bill, which was passed by the full Appropriations Committee.
“The Committee encourages the VA to move forward in opening the (clinic) by the VA’s target date of February 2008,” the bill states.
The clinic will serve veterans in Whatcom, Skagit, San Juan, Island and northern Snohomish counties.
The VA is still working on selecting a location for the clinic, focusing on the Mount Vernon area, said Jeri Rowe, public affairs director for the VA Puget Sound Healthcare System. They’re looking for a leaseable space of about 15,000 square feet.
Catch them if you can…
They seldom stay in one spot very long, but every Monday at 9 a.m. you can catch the North Whidbey Old Fogies enjoying breakfast together at various local establishments. The offer is open to anyone interested in joining to call DON GROVE, phone number below.
The group recently got together at Frank’s Place to celebrate “DUTCH” STREHLE’s birthday. The Birthday boy was presented a bowl of cottage cheese, lighted candle and all. FRANK PULU, owner, had the idea. The retired paint contractor swept away a tear when he opened his gift: a paint can opener.
Dues are $1 per month, so it’s affordable and fun. Call secretary and treasurer DON GROVE at 679-6161.
On the mend
Retired Navy Commander Don Hanson, sparkplug for the recently dedicated Whidbey Patrol Squadron Memorial, is back home after a stay at Whidbey General Hospital. Don, chairman of the WPSM committee, had double pneumonia and had nothing but praise for the hospital staff and his treatment.
Hanson’s task as memorial chairman is almost completed as the installation of night lights is planned. Committeeman DAVE BOWEN hinted the lights could be installed at Veterans Park very soon.
Some folks say they read this column every week to see who’s in the news. By all means, if you have something good to share, call me at 675-6611 or write lifeonwhidbey@yahoo.com.
