Veterans serving veterans for God and country

Veterans serving veterans for God and country

Below is a story of how a community and a group of veterans can and do make a difference for those who served before us. We as veterans are proud of those who served before us and found it only honorable to see that this man and his wife be laid to rest in that proper place, Tahoma National Cemetery, Kent, Wash.

On or about April 1, 2019, I was contacted by the staff at Zillah Mini Storage, Zillah, Wash., informing me that a storage unit had been abandoned and they were in the possession of the remains of Herman Dachyk and his wife Josephine Dachyk. Along with the remains, the original hand-written discharge document was also with the remains.

Through many hours of research, I was able to determine that Herman Dachyk was born in 1910 in Duluth, Minn., and died in 1995 in Tacoma at the age of 85.
Herman enlisted in the Army on Sept. 5, 1934, and was discharged on Jan. 6, 1937, Fort Lewis, Wash. Herman achieved the rank of corporal. He also served with HQ Battery, 10th Field Artillery.
Josephine Dachyk, wife of Herman Dachyk, was born in 1912 and died in 2004. She died when she was 92 years of age.

Due to the fact that Mr. Dachyk was a honorably discharged veteran per his discharge documents of the United States Army and out of all due respect as a veteran, I found it appropriate that he receive all due honors of a military funeral at Tahoma National Cemetery.

At that time I was Department of Washington Commander, District 6. To assist me in the arrangements for his burial I was in contact with Brookside Funeral & Crematory, Moxee, Wash., and asked them to please assist me in contacting the VA National Cemetery for arrangements, date and time for the military honors and funeral. Mr. Jamin Mohler and his staff went above and beyond to assist us in getting this accomplished.
Many thanks to everyone who made this possible. We are blessed to be a part of such a great organization, The American Legion.

Mr. Herman Dachyk and his wife are now buried at the Tahoma National Cemetery. His headstone is located at Section 3D, Row E, Site 37.

Dale L. Spurlock
Post 130 Volunteer Service Officer