A Southwest Washington “Rosie the Riveter” who built B-17 Flying Fortresses during World War II and a flyover by an earlier aircraft design — three biplanes — will be part of the Heroes Night celebration on Saturday.
The Community Military Appreciation Committee will present the fifth annual event from 4 to 7 p.m. at the east Vancouver Costco store, 19610 S.E. First St.
The event will salute representatives from local veteran and active military organizations; first responders, including fire, law enforcement and emergency medical personnel; and four-legged friends of veterans — Battle Buddies trained service dogs and the therapeutic riding program’s War Horses with Warriors.
Julie Burger, who has spent 50 years as a volunteer and staff member with the American Red Cross, will be recognized for her service to community and country.
Burger’s roles have included supervising Red Cross services for military families in the region.
The first responders being honored this year are Vancouver police Officer Julie Ballou and Clark County sheriff’s Deputy Albin Boyse, both for their work with area youth through the Police Activities League.
Priscilla “Penny” Messinger will be recognized for her contribution as one of the “Rosie the Riveters” who worked in factories and shipyards during WWII.
A longtime Kelso-Longview resident, she worked as a riveter in a Boeing plant in Hoquiam, helping build B-17 Flying Fortress bombers.
The vintage aircraft flyover is scheduled for about 4:30 p.m. It will feature Jeremy Harris and Chris Lehner piloting Boeing Stearman N2S biplanes and Kevin Kreiter flying a Waco UPF-7. (Although they’re biplanes, all three aircraft were built in the 1940s to train military pilots.)
In conjunction with the Heroes Night event, the Northwest Corvette Association will host a car show that begins at 3 p.m.
Costco memberships will not be required to be able to shop at the store during the Heroes Night event.
