LAPUSH — Handshakes, hugs and gifts were given to the men and women of the Quillayute River Coast Guard Station during the third annual Coast Guard Appreciation Day on Wednesday.
About 250 people attended the luncheon to celebrate the 32 men and women of the station and their families.
“It is nice to see the community actually appreciate us,” said Chief Petty Officer Joel Abstetar.
“I have been at places where the community didn’t even know we existed.”
The barbecued salmon luncheon was sponsored by the Quileute tribe, city of Forks and Forks Chamber of Commerce and held at the tribe’s A-Ka-Lat Center in LaPush.
Each member of the Quillayute River station got a bag of gifts, and money raised from T-shirt sponsorships bought a foosball table for the base.
Proclamations from the tribe, city of Forks, Clallam County and representatives from Sen. Patty Murray and Rep. Norm Dicks were also read.
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