Veterans Day Salute 2022

A proud veteran and leader

Manuel Reta uses his status as a Vietnam veteran to give back to the Ferndale community

By Leora Watson Staff Reporter

ManuelReta can always be found wear ing his Vietnam veteran hat.

For Reta, choosing to wear the hat daily means being a leader and voice for other fellow veterans and represent ing the freedom in America that veterans stand for.

“I am a leader. I am a mouthpiece. I’m a person peo ple can count on because what I do is follow through with my word,” said Reta. “I was like that in Vietnam and I brought the same tools here to help as a represen tative of a veteran.”

Reta served in the U.S. Army as a sergeant from 1969-1971 after being drafted at age 18. He was in the infantry unit in Vietnam during the war.

When Reta was drafted, he was living in Sedro-Wool ley and was working at Alcoa Aluminum Corporation. He had just gotten married to his first wife. Ironically, Reta was drafted on April Fools’ Day.

Point man

Reta completed basic training at Fort Lewis, Wash ington before he was sent to Los Angeles and then to Alaska. It was from Alaska that Reta was sent to Viet nam.

Once there, Reta fought for seven months before he was wounded, then discharged. Once back in the U.S., he was in the national guard for two years.

“The first day I got [to Vietnam] I was put as a point man,” said Reta, as he explained how a point man was

Vietnam veteran Manuel Reta, pictured at right and on the following page, says community involvement can be a remedy for the anxieties many veterans carry with them. (Leora Watson/Ferndale Record)

See Manuel Reta on C4

Manuel Reta: Proud veteran, leader

Continued from C3

the soldier who led the way for others. “From day one to the last day that I was wounded, I was point man.”

Reta said his strong eyesight made him ideal for the duty. Reta also said it was an honor to be a point man.

“I’d rather be walking point [man] than somebody else step ping in a booby trap or seeing a Viet Cong [soldier] over to the right or left,” said Reta, as he re called a story of stopping the group from tripping a planted bomb after spotting a small metal object sticking up in the trail.

During Reta’s time in Vietnam, he said God protected him from many near-death experiences

while in active combat.

One incident Reta spoke of what when his troop had gone up into the mountains and found a garden growing.

From there, Reta began to pull up carrots and other vegetables from the garden while the rest of the crew rested.

“Somebody up in one of the hills started to send a whole bunch of bullets in my direction,” said Reta, who then said how he watched the bullets come toward his face but suddenly change tra jectory to travel above his head.

“God had his hand upon me,” said Reta. “I should not be here right now.”

Reta received an array of med als and commendations for his time serving in Vietnam, includ

ing a national defense service medal, combat infantryman badge, Vietnam campaign med al, army commendation medal, Vietnam service medal and bronze service star.

Reta also received a purple heart for the time he was shot in the side during an ambush.

Goodness comes out

Protecting his friends and fel low soldiers meant everything to Reta when he was on active duty in Vietnam.

“You’re part of the family. You guard and protect them, do everything possible, and you put your life in front of them to defend, never to leave them be hind,” said Reta. “That’s what I did. That’s why they looked at me

as a leader then and now even.”

A Ferndale resident, Reta is now an active figure in the com munity.

As president and founder of the Northwest Washington His panic Chamber of Commerce, Reta is a voice for the local His panic community.

“Whenever there’s a need, I jump on it and try to help out,” said Reta. “I’m not bashful. I want to do what is right. I will continue to do that as long as I live.”

Through NWHCC, Reta and his wife Bertha run Chicas Reinas, a Mexican folkloric dance group that participates in events and parades across Whatcom and Skagit counties.

As a veteran, Reta has partici pated in many parades himself

and always carries the American flag while in the parade.

Reta said he believes commu nity involvement can be a rem edy for many veterans who suffer from anxiety and PTSD or carry what he calls a backpack of mem ories they need to unload.

“There’s a lot of good [veter ans] out there, but a lot of them have really been getting stuck in drugs and alcohol,” said Reta. “A remedy or something that would help them is they start doing work within the communities and getting involved. Little by lit tle, that would help their anxiety. You work it out, get involved, and some goodness comes out.”

-- Leora Watson can be reached at leora@lyndentribune.com.

NICK LANINGA

Home:

U.S. Army

Rank: Staff

1965-1971

(E-6)

About Nick: Niekolaas H. (Nick) Lan inga served from 1965-1971 in the United States Army reserve.

Nick did his basic training at Fort Lew is, Washington and was in the first group to go through North Fort Lewis after they reopened it for basic training during the Vietnam conflict.

After basic training, Nick went on for advanced training at Ft. Huachuca, Ari zona.

Laninga was assigned to the 448th civil affairs company where he went on to achieve the rank of Staff Sergeant E-6. He was never assigned to overseas duty. Nick received an honorable discharge on 23 June 1971.

Today, Nick Laninga is on the Lynden City Council and is the local representative of Holland American Foods.

Nick Laninga, back row, far right. (Courtesy Photo)

DAVE DYCK

Home: Lynden Branch: U.S. Army Rank: Corporal Served: 1950-1952

About Dave: Inducted into the U.S. Army for a two-year term on Nov. 2, 1950. Spent six months ba sic training in the Fortieth Army Medical Division at Camp Cooke in California, then nine months ad vanced medical training in Japan, then one year in Korea on the 38th Parallel as a first responder medic. Even today the Parallel remains as a three-mile wide dividing line separating North Korea from South Korea. Military patrols are active on both sides. In the early 1950s the army offered zero hearing protection resulting in severe hearing loss, no doubt aided by a year of nearby mortar and artillery fire. The honorable discharge was begun in Sasebo, Ja pan and awarded in Seattle after a seven-day troop ship ride across the Atlantic Ocean. Dave was born in Newport, Washington and lived most of his adult life in Whatcom County. Dave grad uated from Ferndale High School. He and his latewife Katie owned two beauty schools, six beauty sa lons, two barber schools and four barber shops.

For the past 19 years Dave has been married to Ruth Clancy Dyck. Dave and Ruth met in Bremerton when he and Katie lived across the street from Ruth and Jim. They became instant friends. Forty years lat er their spouses passed away “and the rest is history.”

Whatcom County Cemetery District 10

Historic plots

Plan ahead... Your loved ones will thank you.

lyndencemetery.com

thegreenwoodcemetery.com

DID

KNOW?

Lynden

DID YOU ALSO KNOW?

For Columbus Day, members of VFW Post 9301 set up and took down flags all around Lynden. This included our newest commissioner and the VFW Post Commander John Kershner. From left to right; Bruce Winkler, John Kershner, Bob Statleman.

Greenwood

On the Southeast corner of Front & Meridian

The only Washington Heritage Cemetery in Whatcom County

On the South side of East Wiser Lake Road

A lovely, rustic cemetery with Urn and Scatter gardens

plans

Civil

GERALD HULBERT

Home: Sumas

Branch: U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force Reserve Served: 1969-1994

About Gerald: While serving during the Vietnam conflict as a medic era vet eran in the U.S. Navy and afterward with the AF Reserve, my duties included work as a dental technician (USN), Air National Guard (Oregon and Washington), and as a Medical Laboratory Technician (USAFR) for a combined service of 25 years.

Although boot camp at San Diego’s Squirrel Island was a challenge but gener ally beneficial, the overall military service made me realize the importance of disci pline, leadership, and self-respect.

My experience as a member of the Blue Jackets Choir during my boot camp made my boot camp experience more bearable. I feel that these areas are so important for men and women seeking to honorably serve their country; I encourage them to consider it. I am disappointed over what is now being introduced as part of military training, however.

I was presented my Third Class Rating in the early 1970s in San Diego while was training on active duty as a Naval Dental Technician (A School).

Veterans Day

Lynden Tribune, Ferndale Record want your military service stories, photos

Each year, the staff at the Lynden Tribune and Ferndale Record newspapers make plans for our annual Vet erans Day special section.

But we cannot do this fine tribute to our local veter ans without your help.

Please, don't wait until next year. As we have done this year with the short stories and photographs of our community's soldiers, we ask that you to submit a short story of your service, as well as photos, to bill@lynden tribune.com. We ask that you limit your story to no more than about 200 words.

With your story, please also include the veteran’s full name, city of residence, branch of service and dates of service in the U.S. military, your military rank when you left the service, and any medals and commendations.

Please also include your contact information just in case we have any questions.

For more information, email Bill Helm at bill@lyn dentribune.com.

Each year, we insert our special Veterans Day section into the Lynden Tribune and Ferndale Record newspa pers the first Wednesday in November.

Chris Foresee United States Navy

Sam Kloes United States Army

Kirk Juneau United States Navy, Army

Guard

TAG MILLS

Home: Everson Branch: Royal Australian Navy, Royal Austra lian Navy Reserve Rank: Chief Petty Officer Medical Branch: Royal New Zealand Army Rank: Warrant Officer Medical Class 2 Served: 1965-1982

Medals/Commendations: Australian Service Medal 1945-1975; Australian Active Service Medal with Clasp Vietnam; Defense Long Ser vice Medal; Vietnam Campaign Medal; Vietnam Medal; Return from Active Service Badge; Naval Board Commendation for service in Vietnam. About Tag: War Service: HMAS Brisbane DDG 41: On the Charles F Adams class De stroyer (made in the U.S.). Rank LSBA (Leading Seaman Medical (HM2). Only medic on board with 330 men, although we did have a full-time doctor as well. During my tour we escorted the USS New Jersey during one of her visits. Mills is shown in a VFW uniform. “Although I am not a full member because I do not have any medals issued by the U.S., with the assistance of Lonnie Rose joined the guard and performed in several parades in Sumas, Lynden and Everson,” Mills said. “I could be seen most times proudly carry ing the Stars and Stripes. I am an American citi zen married to an American lady with grand children in both America and Australia.”

Nate Owen: Family man, veteran

By Nathan Schumock Sports Editor

NateOwen, originally from Clarkston, but now a Lynden resident, served our country for years while balancing the duties of fatherhood and family.

Owen served in the U.S. military for just over 20 years. For four of those years, he was with the coast guard, where he was based in Port Angeles and then Bellingham.

Owen said with a chuckle that he had some growing up to do when he first joined the military.

But after he finished with the Coast Guard both he and his

Lynden resident Nate Owen, above with his family, pictured from left, son Hollis (left), wife Ann (middle), son Mick (middle) and son Zac (right), and bottom left, primarily flew fighters and trainers during his time in the U.S. Air Force. Nate and Hollis also pictured on next page, top photo at right, in a control tower. (Photo courtesy of Owen family)

wife Ann attended Washington State Uni versity. That is where Owen got his com mission into the U.S. Air Force. He became a pilot and served 16 years, and was based in various places including Georgia, Texas and California. He also was deployed for theater support packages in South Korea and Guam. Additionally, he flew in a com bat deployment in Afghanistan.

In 2018, Owen retired from the military and was immediately hired by Delta to fly commercial airplanes. Also in 2018, Owen and his family moved to Lynden. Owen said he misses the people he met along the way.

“One of the benefits of the military was that everywhere we moved we knew some one,” he said.

But Owen said the family loves Lynden and has settled in nicely.

“It’s a pretty easy place to call home now,” Owen said.

Ordinarily, for Veterans Day, Owen said the family would relax with a barbecue. “It should be a day to celebrate anyone who’s served,” he said.

On top of his work at Delta, Owen serves as the middle linebacker coach for Lynden Christian High School. Owen has two sons on the team, Hollis and Mick, who are both sophomores at LC. His older son Zac, who has since graduated and gone to Grand Canyon University, also played at LC.

“That’s one of those things that I like about my kids playing sports is they get coached by other people,” Owen said. “So I try not to coach their positions. I’m always there to give them advice and I do give them advice and I do coach them about things, but I try to let the other guys be those coaches and be in that position so that they get to hear what is usually the

erndale

ecord

“more than just football.”

“That’s what I love being a part of this coaching staff,” he said.

The way Owen got the job at LC so quickly once living here was a chance en counter. In 2018, he was working out at the gym with Zac when they ran into former head football coach Dan Kaemingk. Owen said Kaemingk asked him to come help out. Since then, he’s been a part of the staff.

Owen said he has loved being part of Lynden Christian’s new coaching regime under Greg Terpstra.

“They’ve been doing a bang-up job, and that doesn’t have anything to do with our win and loss column,” Owen said. “ I re ally think they have been phenomenal as coaches.”

Owen added that being part of the LC athletic program has helped them find new camaraderie that the military used to provide him.

Once the season ends, Owen will miss a few LC football games, but he said, “We expect to keep winning.”

“The expectation on the team, especial ly by the players is that we go to the cham pionship,” Owen said.

same thing that I would say.”

For Owen, coaching football is about

Home: Lynden Branch: US Navy Served: 1969–1992 Rank: Petty Officer 3rd Class Medals/Commendations: Navy Achieve ment Medal with Combat Distinguishing V; Army Commendation Medal; Combat Action; National Defense Ribbon; Viet Nam Service with three campaign stars; NCO Pro fessional Development (3); Army Service Ribbon; Viet Nam Campaign Ribbon with device (1960-); Good Conduct with cluster; Washington National Guard Emergency Ser vice; and National Guard Service with two clusters.

About Charles: In 1964, I arrived with my parents to start my junior year at Fern dale High School. Graduated in 1967 and went to college for two years.

The draft was after me, so I joined the US Navy in 1969, went to boot camp in San Di ego, California. Then on to NTS Great Lakes for Naval Engineering Training, Mare Island, California for Naval in shore operations training. Then off to Coronado, California for assault boat training, then finally Camp Pendleton, California for Weapons training.

My first working station was NSA Da Nang, Republic of Vietnam. My duties were

assault boat crewman on a combat salvage crew that worked with Navy divers and SEAL teams. From Da Dang to the DMZ. This assignment was for one year. November 1971, I went to San Diego for AC & Refrigera tion School.

Then assigned to the USS Sacramento AOE-1 Home P. Bremerton, Washington We were in dry dock all winter and then de ployed to Yankee Station in the south China Sea for eight months. We were the supply ship for the carrier task forces. My job was maintenance of AC & R, diesel boats, galley equipment, and laundry equipment. This was two years duty. I was discharged in No vember 1973.

Joined the Navy reserve in Bellingham; this duty lasted three years and I attained rank First Class P.O. (E-6). Then transferred to Washington Army Nat Guard, 286 En gineers Bellingham. A few years later, I be came the Bridge Platoon Sgt. (E-7). We were activated in the floods of 1990 and 1991. Af ter a few years, I became the 1st Sergeant 286 Engineer, while making ready for deploy ment to Saudi Arabia for Desert Storm.

After Saddam Hussein was defeated a year later, I retired from the military with 23 years of service.

Thank You

To the many men & women in our community who have served and are currently serving our country as members of the Armed Forces.

In Loving Memory of Len Honcoop

Brian Lydiard, CFP®, AAMS® Financial Advisor

WA

CHARLES BOIES