75 years ago
December 12, 1944
From the Marianas, Formosa and the Philippines, this month came the Harmia brothers, Vincent, water tender first class aboard a destroyer, and Kenneth, seaman first class on one of the biggest carriers in the Pacific.
Their last visit home was 21 months ago when both were here together. They were in many of the same battles in the Pacific since them, but saw each other for the first time shortly after the Marianas campaign in September. Vincent was in 13 engagements from Bougainville to the Philippines and Kenneth was in every raid from Guam to the Philippines.
The boys are visiting their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Louis Harmia of Second Avenue. Both graduated from Weatherwax high school where Vincent was a member of the football team.
December 13, 1944
• Flight Officer Charles H. Gibson, 23, husband of Mrs. Charles Gibson of Route 1, Hoquiam, who is serving with the veteran 306th bombardment group as a pilot, has been awarded the air medal for “exceptionally meritorious achievement” by his commanding officer.
As the pilot of a Flying Fortress, the duties of F/O Gibson are not only to fly the giant bomber but to keep in constant touch by interphone with his nine-man crew, ready to give orders and make decisions instantly. Nine lives and a $250,000 airplane, depend on his judgment and flying ability.
• A last quarter spurt gave the Elma Eagles a 29 to 25 verdict over the Chehalis Bearcat quintet last night at Elma, the second over the Lewis county team and the fourth straight this season.
Kennth Shelton, lanky Elma center, and Nelson of Chehalis tied for high point honors with 10 each.
50 years ago
December 12, 1969
Drive-in worship will be available to Harborites during the next year at the Galilean Lutheran Church, whose newly called pastor is eyeing a Christmas Eve opening for the $35,000 edifice.
The Rev. Harvey J. Neufeld, who quit his post at Pacific Lutheran University to pastor Ocean Shores’ first church, said a parking lot with plug-in speaker posts will be built as soon “as funds are available.”
He predicted the drive-in church will accommodate 150 cars.
The Rev. A.W. Erickson, pastor of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Aberdeen which is providing financial aid to the fledgling church, said he got the idea for the drive-in church in Garden Grove, Calif.
December 13, 1969
Saturday, no newspaper.
25 years ago
December 12, 1994
The tall ship Lady Washington’s Christmas light display begins today and a busy holiday is planned for the ship.
Volunteers began decorating the ship Saturday.
“It poured almost all day on Saturday and we stalled … before we broke out the raingear (and began),” said Randy Beerbower, Grays Harbor Historical Seaport staff member.
Some 1,150 lights for the Lady were donated by various businesses including Brennan’s, Payless and Ernst, Seaport bookkeeper Nancy McDougall said.
The ship leaves for Westport Wednesday, Dec. 14, and remains there through Saturday, Dec. 17. Meanwhile the Seaport’s longboats take Santa through the canals of Ocean Shores Saturday.
On Sunday, Dec. 18, the Lady heads to Hoquiam. There she’ll stay until Wednesday, Dec. 21 when she returns to Aberdeen for the night. Then she heads to Cosmopolis, Thursday, Dec. 22, and she will wait offshore while the longboats take Santa to the Cosi boat launch.
December 13, 1994
Hoquiam’s boy cagers upped their record to 3-0 and avenged a year-old indignity Monday night by thumping Ilwaco, 62-43 in a non-league tiff at Hoquiam Square Garden.
Jon Rydman with 16 points, Jack Arthaud with 14 and Kevin Schrader, coming off the bench with 13 markers, led the Grizzlies in a rugged, physical contest that saw little finesse.
Compiled from the archives of The Daily World by Karen Barkstrom
