Those from BHS who died in combat remembered

By Nancy Treder • May 31, 2022 1:30 am
American Legion members Bill Beck reads the names of the fallen as Jim Walkowski, 2nd Vice Commander, rings a bell honoring each veteran.

Local veterans and families commemorated Memorial Day May 30 with the rededication of the Veterans Memorial Monument at Bainbridge High School and the 80th Anniversary of Colin Hyde Post 172 on BI.

Post Adjutant Bill Beck explained that the monument had to be moved around campus several times to make way for construction of different building projects. The monument pieces were stored at the American Legion Hall, refurbished and moved to its present location near the entrance of Memorial Stadium.

“Thank you to Bainbridge School District for all you did to stay true and faithful to your promises to us veterans, and we got it done. Never forget the million men and women who have died for us, our country and the military service, and to remember that all gave some, but some gave all,” Beck said.

School district superintendent Peter Bang-Knudsen said the names of 24 BHS graduates are on the memorial, adding they made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, our island and our community.

He shared the story of one — 1943 graduate Pfc. Jack Sutherland.

Sutherland played varsity basketball and baseball. He was class treasurer and on the fire squad. After graduation, he enlisted in the Army, was in the infantry in Europe and fought at the Battle of the Bulge.

Bang-Knudsen read a report from Col. Arty Foster: “The conditions of battle were horrific. Clothing froze to bodies, weapons failed to function, feet turned black and purplish from trench foot, any wound was serious. If you fell, you froze.”

Sutherland was admitted to a field hospital with trench foot as well as bronchitis and died on Feb. 25, 1945.

Bang-Knudson said: “We must continue to ensure that Jack and the other 23 BHS veterans did not die in vain…It is our duty to honor all American veterans who have died for their country. We must rededicate ourselves to ensuring that freedom is accessible and available to all. We must ask ourselves, how can we make our country and our world a better and more just place?”

Scouts raised the U.S. flag to full staff, and Beck and 2nd Vice Post 172 Cmdr. Jim Walkowski read the names of Bainbridge Islanders who died in combat.

World War I – Daniel M. Hansen, Colin C. Hyde

World War II – Goerge Komedal, Wesley Finch, William Freeman, Henry Froyen, William J. Gould, James Komedal, Frank R. Moran Jr., Howard L. Townsend, Loren Thorsen, Eugen Legett, Richard Ronne, William Wayne Sands, Jack Sutherland, William T. Whitham Jr. Robert L. Whitham, Torlife Johnson.

Korea – James W. Donaghe

Vietnam – Willia A. Derksema, Stephen C. Houck, Kenneth J. Jacobson, Peter L. Stith, Perry L. Underwood.

Members of the U.S. Navy Band Northwest provided music and a bugler ended the ceremony with Taps.

American Legion Colin Hyde Post 172 Cmdr. Gary Sakuma addresses attendees as school superintendent Peter Bang-Knudsen looks on.
The Veterans Memorial Monument at BHS Memorial Field is dedicated to the 24 alumni who died in combat in WWI, WWII, Korea and Vietnam.
A bugler from the U.S. Navy Band Northwest played Taps.
Superintendent Peter Bang-Knudsen shares a story about BHS graduate Pfc. Jack Sutherland, who died from wounds sustained at the Battle of the Bulge.
Scouts raise the U.S. flag to full staff during the rededication service.
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