Oak Harbor Elks Lodge, 155 NE Ernst St —
Air Force veteran and retired Boeing Customer Service manager, Steppe Williford, will be this month’s speaker. An Oak Harbor resident since 2002, Steppe facilitated the donation of a piece of wing fabric from the downed PN9-1 aircraft that was acquired by his grandfather, Chief Quartermaster Mate Rude Jackson.
Program: U.S. Navy’s trans-Pacific flight of 1925. This incredible tale of human adventure was the event of its day – five American pilots adrift at sea and forced to sail their downed aircraft to Hawaii – but little is known about the background of bitter political maneuvering and inter-service rivalry against which the PN9-1 aircraft made her “successful failure.” Admission is free, but a no host lunch will be offered for $15.