The Ridgefield Post Office has placed 39 photos on its walls to honor veterans of the city’s American Legion Post No. 44.
Legion member Steve Campbell said he’s happy to see the post office’s efforts to commemorate veterans. Campbell retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1994.
“My family’s been in the military (and) my kids have been in the military. Any time we get support, I appreciate it 110%,” he said.
The photos are displayed in the lobby of the post office and citizens are encouraged to come check out the display.
“What (the post office) did is they requested old-time photographs when they were young and in the military and their branch of service, and they put them on the wall, almost like the post office’s most wanted,” Campbell joked. “But in this case, it was the American Legion and they’re just recognizing the veterans for what they’ve done.”
Campbell said the American Legion supports veterans nationwide by helping them get benefits and a variety of assistance for financial or medical needs.
Campbell, who moved to Battle Ground with his wife about 18 months ago to be closer to their children and grandchildren, originally lived in New Hampshire and North Carolina before he moved to the area. He describes the 100 members of Post 44 as a close-knit and friendly group that tries to give back to the community.
Darren Wertz, the commander of Post 44, said the idea for the plaques came from Carole Parker, who is a widow of a veteran in La Center.
“(Parker) decided she would try to honor the veterans a little more visibly,” said Wertz. “What she does is contact different veterans to send her a picture from when they were in active duty, as well as a current picture, and she puts them together and makes a nice little presentation, along with their branch.”
He said Parker originally approached the La Center Post Office to get the photos displayed and they agreed. The post office currently has 78 photos on display. Post 44 took notice of that effort and asked Parker if she could do the same thing at Ridgefield’s post office.
“It’s a fairly nice display and it honors local veterans,” Wertz said. “It’s amazing and it’s a good thing for the veterans to see their picture on the wall of the post office other than people who’ve committed major crimes. We can tell people our pictures are in the post office, but not have to wink.”
Wertz said he and a group of veterans “resurrected” Post 44 after it had “fallen into disrepair.” As a result, they were able to erect a memorial in downtown Ridgefield and also placed over 300 flags around Main Street, Pioneer Street, and the roundabouts in the city as part of Flag Day.
“It’s to show our home as a town where patriots live,” Wertz said. “Veterans find camaraderie, perhaps a kindred spirit or joint experiences, because combat changes you. It makes you look at things a little differently, so it’s nice to meet with folks who can understand where you’re coming from.”
Wertz said the post also tries to reach out to veterans in the area who aren’t part of the American Legion that have medical or other needs. The post also supports the veteran’s hospital and puts up flag poles in cemeteries where veterans are buried.
