A music fest Saturday and then all next week at Goldies BBQ, plus a Sunday ceremony at Armed Forces Reserve Center are on the schedule
The Veterans and First Responders Board of Southwest Washington is having a series of events that will go from Saturday through the following weekend in an effort to raise funds for the families of slain local law enforcement officers and to honor Gold Star families.
Goldies BBQ in east Vancouver will be the epicenter of sorts, hosting live music and getting the word out for seven of eight days, beginning Saturday. The fundraiser at Goldies will be for the families of Sgt. Jeremy Brown of the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, and officer Donald Sahota of the Vancouver Police Department. Brown was killed last summer. Sahota was killed earlier this year.
On Sunday, just down the road from Goldies, the board will dedicate a bench outside of Armed Forces Reserve Center in honor of veterans and Gold Star families.
Retired Judge Darvin Zimmerman, who founded the board, expects several Gold Star family members to attend. The Patriot Guard Riders are scheduled to be there, as well, standing guard. Food and refreshments will be provided inside the center after the 2 p.m. ceremony.
The center is located at 15005 NE 65th Street, Vancouver. It is near the Wal-Mart on Fourth Plain Blvd.
The front of the granite bench notes it is in honor of “Veterans and Gold Star Families” while the back reads “God Bless Our Fallen Soldiers” along with “Duty – Honor – Country.” The bench is located just in front of the POW monument.
It should be noted that granite benches to honor Brown and Sahota are in the design phases as well.
From Monday, March 21, through Saturday, March 26, music will return to Goldies BBQ. A different performer each night, from 6 to 8 p.m. Goldies is located in Heritage Place at: 15640 NE Fourth Plain Blvd., in Vancouver.
“We love the police. We love and support them,” said Charles Bibens, owner of Goldies BBQ. “That’s a tough job. I love what they do.”
Bibens and Zimmerman have known each other for decades. Their sons played on the same Little League team. They both share a passion for honoring the military and first responders. The walls at Goldies are adorned with photos of military and first responders.
Zimmerman said he knew Brown and Sahota personally, and he wanted to show love and support for their families.
He is not alone. As soon as his organization announced these events, the board received several donations from all over the country.
“I have a lot of friends who want to be with me helping veterans and first responders,” Zimmerman said.
The official start of the fundraiser begins at 11 a.m. Saturday at Goldies. The entertainment, sponsored by Vancouver Police Officers Guild, Metro Watch, Inc., and Clark County Deputy Sheriff’s Guild, will begin at noon.
The lineup for Saturday:
• Noon to 1 p.m.: King’s Way Christian Choir and Band
• 1 to 2 p.m.: Grammy Award Winner Doug Smith and Don Mitchell
• 2 to 3 p.m.: Classical guitarist Ernesto Quilban
• 3 to 5 p.m.: Bluez Cruizers
• 5 to 7 p.m.: Ricky Lee Jackson with Shawna Quade
• 7 to 9 p.m.: Jamie Goetz, performing as Frank Sinatra, and Donny Osborne on drums
The music is back at Goldies from March 21 through 26, with all sets from 6 to 8 p.m.
• Monday: Jamie Goetz and Donny Osborne return. Osborne, it should be noted, was a longtime collaborator with Mel Torme and is considered among the best jazz drummers in the world.
• Tuesday: Tena Wildfang, a Patsy Cline tribute artist who has played at the Patsy Cline Museum, will perform.
• Wednesday: Jazz guitarist/vocalist Tom Scanlan, with Mike Mikaele on piano.
• Thursday: Jesse Wade Holyk as Buddy Holly.
• Friday: Quilban returns for another set.
• Saturday: Ricky Lee Jackson and Shawna Quade return.
Guests can order food and make donations at Goldies. For those who cannot attend, tax deductible donations can be made to “Veterans and First Responders Board of SW WA” at P.O. Box 61628, Vancouver, Wash, 98666.
