Letters to the Editor

Letter to the Editor | Local patriots on the Key Peninsula

A cold rain falls steadily as I navigate the dark Key Peninsula Highway, where only visitors typically use their high beams. It’s mid-November, and the temperature is dropping—36°F and falling fast as a storm rolls in from the Pacific. I’m filling in for my dad as Secretary of the Key Peninsula Veterans Association (KPVA) while he battles a seasonal cold. A few members linger in their cars before reluctantly stepping into the damp night, knowing that at least six members are needed to hold a meeting — not counting the President. With several regulars out sick and the storm intensifying, it’s no surprise when we have to call off one of our twice-monthly meetings. Those who made the effort slowly pull out of the parking lot and make their way home on the slick roads.

Though I’ve only been active in KPVA for eight months while also serving on active duty, I already feel at home. The camaraderie of shared stories and lighthearted banter among these veterans makes it more than just a meeting — it’s a connection to those who understand the life we’ve lived.
For those unfamiliar with KPVA, let me set the record straight: we’re not just a group of old veterans sipping coffee and grumbling about politics in a smoke-filled bar. The KPVA is a registered nonprofit, founded more than 20 years ago, and has been actively serving the surrounding communities for over two decades. Yet many locals aren’t even aware we exist, let alone the impact we have.

Our three primary missions include organizing the annual Aisles of Honor Memorial Day ceremony at Vaughn Bay Cemetery, supporting local elementary schools through service projects, and providing direct assistance to veterans in need. Our initiatives include distributing food backpacks for children, running the Lake Kathryn fireworks stand, assisting veterans and their families during hardships, conducting Veterans Day flag presentations at local schools, and coordinating the Holiday Angel Tree for Veterans.

One of the most recognizable faces of KPVA is Barbara Waddell — known to many simply as “the woman in the black hat.” As we handed out American flag pins outside IGA the Saturday before Veterans Day, someone asked where she had gone. True to form, Barb had stepped away to help a local carry their groceries. Her black cowboy hat, adorned with a patriotic bald eagle and collected pins from years past, is as much a part of her as her unwavering dedication to KPVA. She’s been involved since its inception, a steadfast presence at meetings and community events.

Then there’s Ms. Delores Starr, or just “Dee.” Sharp-witted and fiercely independent, she traded the fast-paced life of New York City for the quiet, rural roads of the Key Peninsula. It’s a bold transition, one that many would find daunting, but Dee embraced it — and her commitment to service remains as strong as ever. Military families understand the challenge of uprooting one’s life; it’s a burden to some, but to most, it’s a privilege to experience new people, places, and cultures.

KPVA President Ray Flowers has led the organization for the past nine years. A retired U.S. Army Sergeant with tours in Japan, California, and Washington, Ray transitioned from camouflage fatigues to the familiar KPVA jacket. His favorite part of leading KPVA? The sheer volume of help the organization has provided to veterans and their families across the Key Peninsula. “I could write a multi-volume novel detailing everything we’ve done in the past decade alone,” he says with a chuckle.

One of the newer members, Cristi Erickson, is known by many as a devout Christian and a volunteer security guard at WayPoint South’s Sunday services. Cristi served four years in the United States Marine Corps, continuing her father’s military legacy. He was a “Mustang” — a term for those who enlist and work their way up through enlisted, warrant officer, and commissioned officer ranks. Inspired by her father’s dedication, Cristi joined KPVA in between her already busy volunteer schedule, drawn to the camaraderie that reminds her of her service days.

Ms. Ululani Kalua, or simply “Ulu,” is another KPVA staple. Her warm Hawaiian smile is a familiar sight at every event, and if you’ve ever been to one, you’ve likely seen her in action — greeting locals, spreading good cheer, and making sure everyone feels welcome. At the Veterans Day flag pin distribution, it seemed like she and Barb knew more community members than the rest of us combined!

Veterans often hear the phrase, “Thank you for your service.” But here at KPVA, we want to turn that gratitude back to our Key Peninsula community: Thank you for the humbling privilege of serving. Our ability to live the American dream is made possible by its citizens and by the military families who bear the sacrifices of service.

If you’d like to meet some of these incredible patriots and honor those who have served, we invite you to join us for Aisles of Honor on Sunday, May 25, at 1:00 PM at Vaughn Bay Cemetery. We also welcome you to attend a meeting! The Key Peninsula Veterans Association meets on the first and third Monday of each month at 7:00 PM in the Lutheran Church office building. Veterans, active-duty service members, and immediate family members are all encouraged to join.

For more information, please contact Mr. Ray Flowers at (541) 514-9371.

Lt. Kathryn Rubio

U.S. Coast Guard