Clallam Bay Sekiu Lions honor Veterans at Annual Veteran’s Day Dinner

November 20, 2019 1:30 am
A missing man table, also known as a fallen comrade table, is a ceremony and memorial that is set up in military dining facilities of the United States Armed Forces and during official dining functions, in honor of fallen, missing, or imprisoned military service members.
A missing man table, also known as a fallen comrade table, is a ceremony and memorial that is set up in military dining facilities of the United States Armed Forces and during official dining functions, in honor of fallen, missing, or imprisoned military service members.

Lions started Veteran’s Day by posting flags around the community.

In the evening, the Lions Den in Clallam Bay was full of 50-plus appreciative diners, as Lions honored local Veterans and their families.

Lion Chairperson, Sandy Tsiang and her team of Lion volunteers served prime rib, fantastic salads, fresh cooked greens from Cowan Heritage Farm in Hoko River State Park, potatoes, rolls and many pies to accompany the Veteran’s cake.

An Honor Guard from the Correction Center presented the colors, and Sergeant First Class Frederick Grant, Special Forces Advanced Skills Company, Group Support Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne), a Clallam Bay High School grad, described the significance of items presented at the “The Missing Man Table.”

Bill Riedel, U.S. Navy 1953-1957, was honored as the oldest Veteran present and was asked to start the serving line.

Clallam Bay Elementary School students made table and bulletin board decorations for the Lions Den. Veterans and their families brought photos, press articles, scrapbooks and other artifacts of their military service to share with others, along with many stories shared as guests dined and visited with one another. It was a memorable evening for all involved.

Story and photos submitted by Lion Nancy Messmer, member of the Clallam Bay Sekiu Lions Communication team

It was a full house at the Lions Den in Clallam Bay as the community honored many of its veterans.

It was a full house at the Lions Den in Clallam Bay as the community honored many of its veterans.

Veteran Bill Riedel was the oldest Veteran attending the dinner.

Veteran Bill Riedel was the oldest Veteran attending the dinner.