Thurston County honors veterans

The Thurston Board of County Commissioners officially recognized November 11 as Veterans Day. Already a federally recognized holiday, this proclamation formalizes the occasion for Thurston County residents.

Several veterans attended Tuesday’s meeting, led by Community Program Manager Mark Moffett, to witness and receive the board’s proclamation.

“There are many similarities between various public service professions… we all have a sense of duty to protect, and sometimes to serve, but one of the big differences between veterans and most other public servants is the amount of time we as veterans spend away from our families on deployments,” said Moffett.

Moffett said that every Veterans Day, he thinks of the hardships that his daughter endured while he was serving rather than any of his challenges.

“I’d like to say thank you to my daughters Sydney and Madison for their sacrifices,” said Moffett, who served in the Army and is currently with the National Guard. “Second, I'd like to thank all of those family members that are past and present and future that are supporting their service members today, because without them we wouldn't have this same quality of life that we have. So thank you for having us.”

Veterans Advisory Board Chair Bill Powell said Veterans Day is commemorated to remember those who came before him, came in with him, and came in after he defended and served.

Disease Control and Prevention Division Director Erin Birklid, who served in the Air Force for four years, also attended the meeting.

“WhiIe I am by definition a military veteran, I rarely identify myself as a veteran,” shared Birklid. “I see my time as incredibly brief in comparison to the thousands who served much longer, experienced great loss, or paid the ultimate sacrifice.”

Birklid added that the most significant learning opportunities of her life were when she served in the force.

“The teamwork, leadership, camaraderie and memories for those from those years lasts a lifetime, and I will forever cherish them,” she said.

Other veterans who spoke during the board meeting were Fleet Services Manager Bruce Roba, former Marine Corps member Tyler Brientos, and Emergency Services Director Kurt Hardin.