On Dec. 6, 2025, Bristow VFW Post 3656 held its second annual Wake Island Memorial Day event, honoring those connected to the WWII battle. President Lara Lee welcomed guests, and Ruth Jatanie read the City of Bristow Proclamation recognizing the post as the nation’s only Wake Island Memorial Post.
Commander Scot Thompson shared the post’s history before introducing guest speaker Willie Groden, who served on Wake Island in 1998. While deployed, Groden discovered photos of his father on the island during WWII, something his father had never spoken about. The unexpected connection brought special meaning to his service and to the day’s commemoration.
A Wake Island documentary was shown, and refreshments and children’s games followed. Twenty-four people attended. The photo shows two attendees beside a display of Wake Island memorabilia featured during the event.