From the archives of the Bremerton Progress, which is now the Bremerton Patriot

This Day in History: June 12, 1991

The Bremerton Progress reported that a new park was in the works — Blueberry Park — but complications with grant funding and cooperation between the Bremerton School District and the Bremerton City Council made the park’s future uncertain.

Local farmer Henry Eugene White sold part of his blueberry farm to the city in 1979 with the stipulation that the land be used for a park. A conceptual map was proposed, including a youth playfield, a walking path, and a “pea patch” community garden.

It wasn’t until 2009 that the park was completed, in partnership with the school district. The space includes a community garden, a picnic shelter, an Eco-Turf play meadow, playground, organic demonstration garden, walking paths, and restored wetlands.

This Day in History: June 15, 1991

The Kitsap County Allied Veterans’ Council sponsored the Operation 4 Heroes Parade, welcoming home veterans from Operation Desert Shield in Iraq.

Operation Desert Shield, or the Persian Gulf War, had concluded on Feb. 28, 1991.

Veterans from the Bremerton Naval Hospital who served on the ships Comfort and Mercy, as well as those who served with ground forces and in prior combat roles, marched in the parade alongside a Marine Corps silent drill team, color guards, and more.

Also featured were bands from Bremerton High, Central Kitsap High, and South Kitsap High.

The parade was awaited with particular eagerness after a similar welcoming parade, scheduled for late June, was cancelled in Seattle. Peace protesters had objected to the showcasing of Pentagon weaponry.

Organizers of the gathering planned a simple event, highlighting the people and de-emphasizing weaponry.

— Allison Trunkey is a correspondent for Sound Publishing Kitsap. She graduated from Central Kitsap High School in 2014 and is majoring in English at Skidmore College.