75 years ago
May 31, 1943
Grays Harbor marked Memorial Day yesterday with impressive rites at Olympic stadium. Nearly 1,000 people turned out to witness patriotic and religious rites arranged by veterans’ organizations headed by Chairman John Troup of the Aberdeen American Legion post.
Frank Milward, Aloha, department commander of the United Spanish-American War Veterans delivered the address.
“Today’s conflict is the direct result of America’s unpreparedness, her general carelessness and indifference after World War I,” he declared. “We are steeling ourselves to make the greatest sacrifice of life in the history of the United States. … Today when we honor those who have died in previous battles, it is a fitting and proper time to dedicate ourselves to the determination to conduct our affairs in the future so that our sons and their son’s son will never have to march to war.”
June 1, 1943
Richard Dombroski, former Aberdeen high school athlete, and now a second class yeoman in the navy, has been recommended for officers’ training.
An older brother, Henry, is a radio operator and is awaiting his petty officer’s rating. He is back on a carrier after some harrowing experiences aboard the carriers Lexington and Hornet which were sunk by the enemy.
Chester, ex-Bobcat cager and baseball player, this week signed a contract to teach in Miller junior high school and assist with coaching sports next fall.
Two other brothers are Leonard, ex-Bobcat gridder, who is employed at Rayonier, and Bob, who is in the shipping department of Sears-Roebuck & Co.
They are sons of Mr. and Mrs. Constantine Dombroski.
50 years ago
May 31, 1968
The jubilation of Senator McCarthy’s victory in Oregon was especially keen for about eight Grays Harbor County residents who tramped Portland area sidewalks last week in search of votes for the Minnesota campaigner.
A tugboat on the Willamette River served as campaign headquarters as well as home for most of these Harborites — including Wade Marlow, Mike Maki, Robert Street, Chris Stensager, Carol Moier, Diane Ferrier, Rick Enea and Bradley DeYoung.
June 1, 1968
W.G. (Dick) Krekow, principal of Emerson Elementary School for 27 years and an educator for more than 40 years will retire July 1, Supt. William F. Bohrnsen announced with regret.
In the fall of 1935, Krekow started teaching at Hoquiam High School and also served as an assistant football coach for three years. Krekow became principal of Emerson in 1941, taking over from Miss Nell Allen, the school’s first principal.
25 years ago
May 31, 1993
For years Aberdonians have enjoyed a pleasant walk in Sam Benn Park among the trees, roses and shrubs.
Some of those trees are steeped in history, and lest we forget, James Drake of Aberdeen wants us to remember — particularly through the Memorial Day holidays.
It was from his father, Francis Drake who had fought in World War I, that the Harbor man first learned of Veterans walk and its row of birch trees that in 1919 were “planted for and dedicated to the memory of the men who gave their lives in the World War (I),” according to a marker next to the walk.
Each tree once bore a small plaque, Drake says, with the name of a Harborite who had died in the first World War. Today, however, those name plates are not visible, apparently overgrown by ground cover at the foot of the trees.
June 1, 1993
A burner mistakenly left on in a lunch room reportedly ignited a fire Monday night that caused some $70,000 damage to an Aberdeen bank building, according to fire officials.
The lunch room at the Great American Federal Savings Bank at 101 N. Broadway was destroyed in the fire and several offices in the building sustained smoke, heat and water damage.
No one was injured in the blaze and the bank and other offices were open for business today, according to Manager Kris Willis.
Compiled from the archives of The Daily World by Karen Barkstrom
