Mr. Luciene Ott of East Wenatchee celebrated his 100th birthday on October 24th surrounded by family and friends at his home on SE 4th Street. As a special surprise, his daughter contacted our VFW Post and asked if it was possible to organize a vehicle parade in front of his house since he wasn’t able to get out in public due to the pandemic. A quick phone call to the other veteran organizations in the valley started a grassroots word of mouth campaign to get everyone to show up on Sunday to parade by Mr. Ott’s house.

Mr. Ott enlisted in the United States Army Air Force in 1942 and was stationed at RAF Martlesham Heath in Suffolk, UK with the 536th Fighter Group where he was an aircraft mechanic working on P-47 Thunderbolts and P-51 Mustangs. His skills as a mechanic kept his fighters in the air providing critical protection to B-24 Mitchells during bombing raids into Germany and other occupied European targets. In the waning year of the war, the fighters of the 356th were released to directly engage strategic targets on the ground and German U-Boats at sea as they retreated back to their homeland. In June 1944, his Fighter Group supported ground troops during the D-Day landings at Normandy and their push through the lowlands of France. After the war, Mr. Ott returned to civilian life in the Wenatchee Valley. Getting married and raising a family, he worked at ALCOA for 31 years and owned his own orchards which kept him busy until retirement.

On Sunday in the midst of the heaviest rainfall all year, his 100th birthday celebration started off with lights and sirens as a dozen law enforcement vehicles from agencies all over the valley and a Douglas County Fire Dist #2 firetruck led the parade, followed by over 3 dozen vehicles plus the Wenatchee Wild Hockey Team. Most vehicles were waving American flags and some were decorated with patriotic signs wishing Mr. Ott a happy birthday.

As the first civilian vehicle in the parade, Commander Brad Pieratt was able to make a short stop and present Mr. Ott with a few gifts from the VFW & Auxiliary Post 3617. He received a sweatshirt with a vintage 8th Air Force 1942-1945 insignia printed on it, a Wenatchee Valley VFW Post Coin, and a historical briefing on RAF Martlesham Heath. The Auxiliary also presented him with several patriotic signs and a best wishes birthday card. He was almost overwhelmed with the turnout and kind gestures he received from the community. His entire family was really appreciative of everyone who showed up to celebrate this local hero’s landmark birthday.

Thank you to everyone that made the signs and turned out for the parade, you’ve done your Post and community proud!