Local News

<< Previous   of   Next >> (click to enlarge) "I've always been patriotic," says Jack Geer of Everett. Geer enlisted in the Navy the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor.   ADVERTISEMENT   Related Stories • Everett man's face a portrait of patriotism 7/4/08 • Plan your Fourth of July fun 7/4/08   CONTACT THE HERALD Robert Frank, City Editor frank@heraldnet.com   Published: Friday, July 4, 2008 World War II veteran feels 'we owe our country' By Jeff Switzer, Herald Writer A beam of light shines through the night on Jack Geer's American flag. He feels proud each time he sees the Stars and Stripes. He feels patriotism in each beat of his 94-year-old heart. His mind turns back to the attack on Pearl Harbor. He signed up for the Navy the next day. He knew his country needed men, and he went where he was sent. With a shrug, he says that's just what people did. He says he wasn't any great hero during his four years, mostly tending boats in San Diego and the South Pacific. He remembers preparing PT boats to invade Tokyo. But soon the atomic bombs fell. He became a Christian during the war, and says the Lord continues to care for him, give him breath and work through him. He worries about America's wars overseas, the Bible's end times and where the upcoming presidential election will take us. He prays with prisoners at the county jail, hoping they can find a better path. All the while, Everett's wind, sun and rain pummel and fade his flag. Geer replaces it twice a year. He says it stands for what our ancestors thought was worth fighting for in two world wars. It's a debt you carry and must repay, he says. It hurts him to see people do so little, to care so little, or even act against America. We have freedom like no other place in the rest of the world, he says. "Let's get behind our country. Let's serve it because it's done so much for us. I counted it a privilege to serve the country during the war and I feel the same way today as then. We owe our country so much." READER COMMENTS Be the first to comment. You must be a registered user and verify your e-mail address to post comments to blogs or articles on HeraldNet. To register, click here. To read other terms and conditions, click here. Log out

1. Boeing Machinists vote to strike; union leaders say wait 2. Grim task of investigating Skagit County killings 3. 2 Lake Stevens schools in lockdown 4. Marysville-Pilchuck out of lockdown; man arrested nearby 5. New Glacier Peak High School dubbed 'pretty rad' 6. Boeing Machinists’ strike deferred 7. County Council says it was denied access to budget 8. Lockdown lifted at Lake Stevens schools 9. Don't miss out on settlement's payout 10. Couple's roadside lunch interrupted by attempted burglary 2 - Top 10 Stories Most Talked about 3 - Top 10 Stories Most Emailed

• Bringing the world to Edmonds • FEMA turns to media to improve public image • Annexation's frustrations • A run for Charlotte • Annexation's frustrations • Minimalist food bars have local flavor • E-W aims for fifth straight league title • Wildcats moving forward • Terrace approves stormwater rate hike • Leisure Time Events - September 2008 • September 2008 • State needs to establish north county campus to meet growing technology ... • Future software programs may be based online • Visit two unusual Paine Field aviation museums for historic and futurist ... • Mothers launch Kids ‘N’ Clay pottery studio to provide children with cre ... • AWB elections Web site debuts • Construction begins on Korry Electronics’ plant