Display of Samaritan veterans remains open

Photos to remain through next week

MOSES LAKE - Due to strong interest in a Veterans Day display at Samaritan Healthcare, the hospital is keeping the display up through next week.

The display in the hospital lobby shows photographs of employees who served in the military.

"The employees have really enjoyed it," said Community Relations Coordinator Connie Opheikens. "It's a recognition to them."

Some employees received training for their current careers in the military, such as lab director Pat Harrington, who served in the U.S. Air Force from 1959 to 1963, and respiratory therapist Gary Lynch, who served in the U.S. Air Force from 1969 to 1972.

Yellow ribbons were also displayed along the entrance to the hospital and in the parking lot, at the suggestion of Lynch.

Opheikens thought of creating an additional display, recognizing employees who served.

Employee Shana Gallaway said she was deployed to Iraq for 19 months through the Washington Army National Guard. When Gallaway was deployed in 2003, her daughter was 5 months old.

"I got back Sept. 10, five days before her second birthday," she said. "I was happy."

Lynch said he suggested displaying yellow ribbons for Veterans Day because ribbons were displayed at his former workplace, Puget Sound Hospital.

"It was a huge success (there)," he said. "People were driving by, honking their horns."

Lynch said the event is about supporting the men and women serving the country.