(Post Commander Mueller accepts plaque from Sgt. "Buzz" Robertson)

Army Sgt. 1st Class Richard "Buzz" Robertson who was injured in Iraq ( Past Stories), is in San Juan County to visit relatives, and will be a speaker at the Memorial Day ceremony. Sgt. Robertson was injured while serving with a Special Operations unit, and is shown in the photo presenting the American Legion Post 163 with a plaque from the Special Operations Command. Accepting the plaque for the Legion is Post Commander Karl Mueller

The Memorial Day Parade on Monday will start with the American Legion marching down from the American Legion Post to Memorial Park. The Parade begins at 10 a.m.

The guest speaker will be Sgt "Buzz" Robertson. Other speakers will include representatives from the Town Of Friday Harbor, and FJ High School senior Melissa Dubail will read "In Flanders Fields", the poem that represents the tradition in many countries of wearing a red poppy in memory of the fallen, the injured, and those who have worn the uniform of their country

In Flanders Fields

By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918) Canadian Army

IN FLANDERS FIELDS the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead.
Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.


America is a land of freedom that is preserved and protected willingly and freely by our citizen soldiers.
Millions have answered the call to arms, and many have died on the field of battle, and many more have been injured.A nation at peace or at war, must be reminded of the price of war, and the debt owed to those who have served.

The red poppy has been designated as a symbol of sacrifice of lives in all wars, by all nations.


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Three & Counting: Leadership ‘06' Class Graduates

(Front Row: Co-Chair Gretchen Krampf, Chinmayo, Bonnie Bossler, Helen Venada. Susie Teague, Shannan Sword, Deborah Hopkins; and Program Coordinator Shannon Calverley
Back Row: Richard Civille, Nick Teague, Katherine Hagn, Matthew Maher, Annemieka Neenan, Kris Bayas, Kristine Odle -- Jack Cory photo))

The Leadership San Juan Islands program graduated the class of 2006 on Saturday. The members of the 2006 class included members from Lopez, Orcas and San Juan Island. They are the third class to graduate from the program. Leadership SJ Islands is a countywide program, founded in 2004, to educate and motivate emerging community leaders. It is a tuition-based program to educate and motivate community members interested in developing their professional leadership skills, and in learning more about issues affecting San Juan County.

Community leadership programs are a means by which local communities take the initiative in developing a trained network of people engaged in community work. These programs train future politicians, business leaders, agency heads, educators, board members, and volunteers. Leadership San Juan Islands began in Fall 2004 under the auspices of Skagit Valley College, United Way San Juans, and the Economic Development Council. LSJI has Alumni committed to service in many areas of the County including agriculture, transportation, environmental issues, business development, land use, governance, education, community development, recreation, and the continuing success of LSJI.

fFor those interested in learning more about the program, their website is at www.leadershipsanjuanislands.com



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17K Raised For Preschool Programs On SJI

( Full attendance for fund raiser on San Juan Island)
The Family Umbrella Group Recently held their 8th annual luncheon and auction in Friday Harbor to help raise money for their activities. The Family Umbrella Group raises money for preschool scholarships as a means to furthering comprehensive learning programs for young children on San Juan Island.

This year the program began with a silent auction, lunch and a short speaker presentation, and then a live auction. The event brought in over $17,000.00 dollars.


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