Special recognitions given at Post 227 meeting

Family member of Ronald Marks
accepts his certificate from Gary Walderman

By Carroll Goering
Photos by R. B. White

The American Legion Post 227 met at their Post building on Tuesday evening, December 3, 2019.

Gary Walderman from Hero's Café in Lynnwood presented a certificate to the family of Korean War veteran Ronald Marks in appreciation of the more than 100 books that Marks donated to the Post 227 library.

The books are all on military subjects with many of them on WWII action.

Also presenting an award was Thelma Sevilla, Deputy Director of Region 8, Filipino-American Veteran Recognition and Education Project.

Thelma Sevilla presented an award to
Merlin Staatz for his military service.

She presented a Congressional Gold Medal to Post 227 member Merlin Staatz in recognition of his military service in the Philippine Islands during WWII, for which he was awarded a Purple Heart.

Post Commander Larry Fischer also presented a certificate to Staatz in recognition of his WWII service in the Philippines.

Staatz spoke briefly about his service in the Philippines. Members of Merlin Staatz's family were present to observe the presentations.

Larry Fischer also presented a
certificate to Staatz with his family
members present.

Also speaking at the meeting was Raymond Coffey, Chairmen of the Shoreline Veterans Association. It was the Shoreline Veterans Association that created the Veterans Recognition Plaza located on the lawn north of the Shoreline City Hall.

The Plaza is paved with Commemorative bricks. Coffey suggested that a good Christmas gift for a veteran would be to pay $100 to the Association to have a brick engraved in recognition of that veteran's military service.

The engraved bricks are a lasting gift and the $100 payment is tax deductible.

The presentations were followed by a break for refreshments and the departure of the Guests.


After the refreshment break, Post members stayed for a Post business meeting.