92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
1/23/2015 - FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- The Spokane VA Medical Center hosted a 100th birthday celebration for a World War II veteran Jan. 21, 2015. During the event, three Pearl Harbor survivors were also recognized.
George "Bud" Garvin is a veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corps, which later became the U.S. Air Force. Garvin survived famous events such as Pearl Harbor, D-Day invasion at Omaha beach and the Battle of the Bulge which resulted in more than 90,000 troops being killed, injured, captured or missing in action.
Garvin celebrated his birthday alongside U.S. Army veteran Clyde Buteau who turned 99 years old and U.S. Navy veteran Sid Kennedy who turned 92 years old. Guest speakers included; a representative from Sen. Maria Cantwell's office and a representative from senator Patty Murray's office, a representative from Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers office. Also in attendance were Chief Master Sgt. Christian M. Pugh, 92nd Air Refueling Wing command chief and Chief Master Sgt. George Lynn, 141st Air National Guard (acting) command chief, at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash.
"It's my pleasure to represent the men and women of team Fairchild in saluting these great veterans that we have here today," Pugh said. "They set the bar high and as a military man I know that the things that they've done and the sacrifices they made are what we emulate today and hope to achieve in our military service."
Pugh went on to thank the veterans for their service on behalf of the men and women of Fairchild Air Force Base.
"I'd like to say something and make a little speech but I'm just baffled by all of this going on," said Garvin, who is also a member of the Lilac City Chapter of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association alongside Buteau and Kennedy. "I never could have dreamed of such a big celebration."
As the ceremony concluded Garvin went on to say that they were just doing their duty and every soldier deserves the same recognition.
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