On August 16, 2012 the VFW troops support team held a memorial service for two of our local heroes who were killed in action.
Shane Swanberg, son of Linda Swanberg of Kirkland, was killed in Iraq while serving with the US Marines on September 15, 2002.
Joseph White, son of Robyn White, was killed while serving with the U.S. Army in Afghanistan on September 24, 2009
Both of these Gold Star mothers are active members of VFW Post 2995 Troops Support program. Over the past eight years, this group has sent over 12,200 packages to our frontline troops.
The two heroes were honored by placing two headstones with their names and planting two trees on a section of the VFW property. It is considered a very sacred area by the VFW membership.
The ceremony itself was well attended; the two guests of honor were Linda Swanberg and Robin White, the two Gold Star mothers. Also present was the mayor of Redmond, the Civil Air Patrol Honor Guard and a delegation from the Redmond Fire Department. Richard Haydis of the American Legion played taps.
A memorial plaque is now in place with further information about the two young heroes. The head stones were donated by Sunset Hills Memorial Park in Bellevue. The trees were donated by Molbaks of Woodinville. Both Gold Star Mothers are very active in the troop support and urge other people to volunteer to help in this important work.
The contact person is John Kenny of the VFW @ kjjkenny@aol.com.
