American journalist Tom Brokaw called them “The Greatest Generation.” They were the young men and women whose lives were changed forever when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, pushing the U.S. into WWII. What a privilege it was recently to photograph these two gentlemen seated together at the dedication of the new Veterans Memorial Plaza at Anacortes High School. They are AHS grads Irv Rydberg (Class of 1942) and Tom Brooks, M.D. (Class of 1944). Inset photos are from the high school annual titled the “Rhododendron.” Both young men served proudly in the military. After the war they graduated from college and returned to Anacortes to raise their families, both contributing in significant ways to their community. I look forward to seeing these local heroes at the upcoming Veterans Day Memorial service at the Port of Anacortes (Friday, November 11, 11 a.m. at the Port Transit Shed and Event Center).