PORT ANGELES — Men and women who died in combat were honored Sunday in a ceremony at the Captain Joseph House in Port Angeles.
A crowd of about 70 people gathered on the front lawn and sidewalks surrounding the future haven for Gold Star families to pay respects to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the U.S. armed forces.
“It’s beyond understanding, unless you’re one of those Gold Star veteran families that have experienced this loss,” said Betsy Reed Schultz of Port Angeles, whose only son, Army Capt. Joseph Schultz, was killed while serving in Afghanistan six years ago today.
“We can stand and stay in the loss of our loved ones, or we find purpose in life to move up and out and forward.”
After her son’s death, Schultz formed a nonprofit foundation to convert her former Tutor Inn at 1108 S. Oak St. into a retreat for the families of fallen service members.
The Captain Joseph House, named in honor of the late Green Beret, will provide an all-expense-paid week-long respite for the families of service members who died while on active duty during wartime in the military.
“We are making a family-to-family opportunity for children, for teens, for parents, sisters, brothers and grandparents to meet together due to a common loss, but more importantly, a time to celebrate together the lives of their fallen hero,” Schultz said.
“In celebrating their lives, we are honoring their gift they gave to us.”
The half-hour service Sunday featured an American Legion Post 29 flag line, a Civil Air Patrol color guard, the singing of the national anthem and the playing of taps on bagpipes.
The Marine Corps League Mt. Olympus Detachment’s Honor Guard capped the ceremony with a rifle salute.
The guest speaker for the annual Memorial Day-eve service was Elizabeth Willett Murchison, senior program officer for the Schultz Family Foundation, which is run by Howard and Sheri Schultz of Starbucks fame.
Murchison challenged other veterans in the audience to “reach out to your neighbors who may not understand your experience” and to bring them to the Captain Joseph House.
“Bring them to help them understand the sacrifice, because only 1 percent of us serve anymore, and less than one-third of millennials know anybody who has ever served in any capacity,” said Murchison, who left active duty in 2005.
“We have a divide, and we as veterans have a responsibility to reach out and tell people our story. And as civilians, we have a responsibility to support our veterans and their families.”
Schultz reflected on the events of May 29, 2011, in her remarks. Capt. Joseph Schultz and two other soldiers died in a blast when the Humvee they were riding in was hit by an improvised explosive device.
“Six years ago, my life came to an absolute standstill, as it did for my family, my friends, my neighbors and this entire community,” Schultz said.
Schultz expressed condolences to the families of others who died in the blast: Sgt. Aaron Blasjo, Sgt. 1st Class Martin Apolinar, an Afghani interpreter and a K-9 named Hunter.
During a recent business trip to Washington, D.C., Schultz visited her son’s grave at Arlington National Cemetery.
“I was horrified,” she said. “There were rows and rows and rows of brave men and women who are now interred there at Arlington or at cemeteries throughout the country who have died since May 29, 2011.
“Every one of those families’ lives have been changed forever.”
Schultz concluded her remarks by thanking the volunteers who have worked on the Captain Joseph House throughout the years.
“Each of you have given the best of your talent, your skills, your time and your energy,” she said, “and you have added your vision to make the future Captain Joseph House a reality.”
About 2,000 volunteers have put an estimated 15,000 hours of work into the Captain Joseph House in the past six years, foundation board Vice President Joe Borden said.
“We’ve always said that it’s more difficult to be at home waiting for the veterans than it is to be the veteran in combat,” said Borden, a retired veteran.
“Every single day, we know exactly what we’re going to do.
“Our families sitting back home wait,” Borden added. “That’s all they can do is wait and wonder if we’re going to come home. Hopefully, we all come home.”
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56450, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
