In Rememberance

A short memorial will be held Saturday night, Dec. 5, for the four Lakewood police officers who were killed Sunday, Nov. 30. The memorial will start at 7:30 p.m. and run until about 8 p.m. at Maritime Heritage Park here in Bellingham, WA. Local law enforcement would like to encourage everyone to attend.

Lest We Not Forget

Oldest Female Marine Laid to Rest
November 18, 2009
Marine Corps News|by Sgt. Randall A. Clinton

NEW YORK — The oldest living female Marine died on Veterans Day and was buried in the Cypress Hills National Cemetery.

Miriam Cohen was one of the oldest females to enlist in 1943, at 35 years old, said Debra Allee, the 101-year-old's niece. Cohen answered her nations calling twice, serving during World War II and the Korean War.

Cohen, a graduate of the Girls High School in Brooklyn (since renamed to Boys & Girls High School), moved to Tuscan, Ariz., when she was 92.

During their eulogy, her friends and family remembered Cohen's energetic life and attachment to the Marines.

Rabbi Deborah Hirsch told the story of the five-foot, elderly Cohen pushing wheel chairs around the veteran's clinics after she moved to Tucson, Ariz, well into her 90s Cohen continued working with veterans throughout her life, and in that her loved ones found meaning in the timing of her passing.

"She died on Veteran's Day, that makes that day an even more sacred moment," said Hirsch.

Allee said Cohen was a vanguard for women service members. Cohen was one of the first females to serve in a command post, along with being in the first group of female Marine enlistees.

One of the proudest moments of Cohen's later life was her appearance as the grand marshal for the local Tucson, Ariz., Veteran's Day parade in 2006, said Dennis Mincieli, Allee's husband.

Apart from the friends and family gathered for the small grave-side ceremony, a group of local Marine Corps League and Women Marine Association members came to pay their respects and salute a fellow Marine laid to rest.


© Copyright 2009 Marine Corps News. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

A Time to Remember, Reflect and Replenish

Thanksgiving is a time to remember, reflect upon and replenish our relationships with friends and family. The other day I had the privilege of speaking with some homeless veterans at an outreach center. I had the pleasure of meeting a gentleman who goes by the name of Thaddeus. He is a Vietnam Veteran, who served with the Special Forces, and he states that he is homeless by choice. He retired from the Army after dedicating 20 years of service to our country. He proceeded to tell me about his life, and the many blessings he has experienced throughout his time here on earth. His mission is to be here for other veterans who have lost their way. He lives in a tent without heat and relies upon the generosity of the community for any needs that may arise.

So often we get busy in our own lives and are blinded to the fact that there are people all around us who need a helping hand. There are a few sayings that have left me with much to ponder, one of which is: “To the World You May Be One Person, but To One Person You May Be the World”. Think about this for a while, just a smile, a gesture of kindness, compassion and respect can make such a difference in the hearts of most people, but for those who are feeling invisible and insignificant, this can turn their world around.

So next time you walk down the street, hold your head up, and smile at the person coming toward you. Stop for a moment at the feet of the person sitting on the street, ask them their story, what makes them who they are, and where have they been? Every single person has a unique and compelling story, which can leave a lasting impact on our lives as well. By opening ourselves to being aware of those around us, and extending our hearts, we too will be filled with more love and meaning.

Here is yet another saying that also leaves me much gratitude for my family, friends, and colleagues, as well as for the thousands of veterans and active duty troops and their families that I have had the honor of meeting. “Some People Come Into Our Lives and Quickly Go. Some Stay for a While and Leave Footprints in Our Hearts and We are Never Ever the Same”. I have personally been forever changed by the exchanges of heartfelt words and actions of all those I meet.

Take this time to remember our many blessings, reflect on the needs of our veterans, active troops, and their loved ones who may be separated during this holiday season. Also remember our elderly and homeless citizens who also have a story to tell. Take action to provide, make a difference, and replenish your connections with your communities. I believe that we are much stronger standing as a forest, than we are standing alone in a field of one.

Today take a moment to make a difference in someone’s life. Remember: “Regret For Things We Did Can Be Tempered By Time. It is Regret For Things We Did Not Do That is Inconsolable”. –Sidney J. Harris.

Have a Blessed Holiday Season.

Bridget C. Cantrell, Ph.D.


Copyright 2009 Bridget C. Cantrell, Ph.D.
All Rights Reserved

Attention All Riders !!!

Please note ALL riders (club or solo) who would like to participate in the funeral procession for our Fallen Hero Specialist Aaron Aamot please meet at Haggens Grocery parking lot in Ferndale at 12 noon, Saturday 14th. November. Combat Veterans International (CVI) will be leading the procession to Ferndale High School Gymnasium for the 100pm service, and afterwards to the graveside service which will be held at Haynie Cemetery immediately following. ALL riders are invited to fall in to honor Spc Aamot and his familiy.

A Community Mourns Spc. Aaron S. Aamot

♥ Let Us Remember This Fallen Hero ♥

Let us pause for a moment of reflection as a motorcade will escort the remains of Spc. Aaron Aamot from Bellingham International Airport to Moles Funeral Home in Ferndale this afternoon.

Spc. Aaron S. Aamot, 22, of Custer, WA, died Nov. 5 in Jelewar, Afghanistan of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device. Aamot was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash.

Govenor Chris Gregoire has ordered flags flown at half staff today in honor of Spc. Aaron Aamot. Our thoughts and prayers are with Aaron's family and friends.

Funeral services for Spc. Aaron Aamot will be held on Saturday, November 14, 2009, at 1:00 PM, in the Ferndale High School Gymnasium. The public is invited to attend. A graveside service will be held at Haynie Cemetery immediately following. Please see http://www.molesfuneralhome.com/index.cfm?do=obituary&obID=2547 for additional information. Please keep Aaron’s family and all our warriors who are still in harm’s way and their families in prayer as well.

Veteran's Day (11 November 09)

Veteran's Appreciation Day with my guys, Combat Veteran's International (CVI) at Retirement Community Parkway Chateau Bellingham, Wash. What a Motley Crew!!