MARYSVILLE Navy wives are making waves in Snohomish County, raising funds for a new D-Day Memorial for the navy at Utah Beach in Normandy, France. Several Marysville and Arlington families are spearheading efforts for the May 26 walk-a-thon on a track around the Everett Navy Base.
The Navy Wives Club of America, Totem 277 is soliciting participants for the fundraiser to highlight the sacrifices by U.S. Navy personnel on June 6, 1944 when the Allied forces stormed the beaches of Normandy to dislodge the Nazi armies from Europe.
Amanda Hollis of Marysville is leading the efforts and hopes to get as many as 100 people to walk, with a goal of collecting $5,000 from the event.
Its not just a walk-a-thon either, Hollis said, noting there will be many community groups present with information booths lining the two-mile route at the base.
The group wants to build a life-sized monument of three sailors or officers and the goal is to have it installed on Utah Beach on June 6, 2008.
The Navy is the only service that does not have a memorial recognizing their sacrifices, Hollis said.
She learned about the memorial during the Navy Wives Club national convention, held at the Everett base in October. Members first heard about the memorial at the convention and they quickly raised money and awareness, Hollis said.
In just one week, we raised about $3,000 and everybody was really touched by this event, she said.
Now all the clubs around the country are working to fund the memorial. The May 26 walk-a-thon is the first effort by Totem 277, and she noted that are several other fun activities planned for that day.
Registration can be done before the walk by contacting the NWCA or at the parking lot at Port Gardner Marina next to the Naval Station Everett. The $15 entry fee includes a walk-a-thon t-shirt, gift bag and lunch.
For more information, call Amanda Hollis at 425-345-6379.