The VAQ-130 Zappers had the honor of celebrating Veteran’s Day with veterans and military spouses who live at Regency Retirement Community in Oak Harbor. The luncheon was held in the dining room of the Whidbey chapter of Regency, and was attended by the officers of VAQ-130 and nearly sixty Regency residents.

The celebration began with the pledge of allegiance, and was followed by a performance by the “Best Friends”, a musical troupe comprised of Ruthanna Metzgar, Nancy Strand, and Joan Lundquist. The trio sang a compilation of patriotic tunes with piano accompaniment.

The highlight of their program was the song “The salute to the armed forces,” which included the Navy, Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps hymns. Members of the audience stood in respect for their service songs. The military spouses were then recognized for their invaluable dedication to their country and families.

The medley was followed by a speech by Zapper Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Kimo Lee. He stood in front of an enormous American flag hanging from the wall and expressed the Zappers’ gratitude to the Regency residents. “VAQ-130 appreciates the opportunity to be able to celebrate this holiday with Whidbey’s veterans. We are very honored to be here,” he said.

After the program, the Zappers were able to converse with the residents over lunch.

“It was really a lot of fun,” said Lt. Cmdr. Mike Garrick. “I sat with several very interesting and accomplished people.”

He mentioned Bill Wunderlich, a two-time prisoner of war and World War II B-17 pilot, as an example. Garrick sat with Wunderlich, Charles and Ann Moullen, Bea Rodeheffer, Glenn Madsen, and Bud and Ann Spafford.

Casey and Dorothy Baier garnered quite a bit of attention because they are both veterans of World War II, and have been married for over sixty-one years. Together, they have three children, 10 grandchildren, and five great grandchildren. They have lived in Guam, Japan, Alaska, Texas, California, and Washington.

Casey Baier is a retired Chief Warrant Officer who served in the U.S. Navy from 1941 to 1971. During his thirty years of service, he worked with the S-2s of VS-29, seaplanes, P-3s, and the helicopter rescue squadron HU-1. He is a veteran of World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.

In 1943, Dorothy Baier was the first woman to drop a bomb from an airplane. She was twenty-one years old at the time, and was trained in using the Norden bombsight, a device that improved the accuracy of a bomb’s trajectory. She went on to become a bombardier instructor in Banana River, Fla., at what is now Patrick Air Force Base.

“I absolutely loved my time in the Navy,” Dorothy said. “I am so proud to have been a part of it, and to have been able to accomplish what I did. Casey and I have had a wonderful life and are very thankful.”

The Zappers enjoyed celebrating Veteran’s Day with all of the residents of Regency Retirement Community, and appreciate their generosity and patriotism.