US Army veteran of WWII. He landed at Utah Beach for the Normandy Invasion. Claude Owens was a longtime and faithful volunteer at the Seattle Veterans Hospital. Known around the Hospital as the "Ambassador of Good Deeds", Claude would perform his Volunteer duties often on roller skates well into his 80's. Claude was a blessing to everyone. Even if he didn't know you yet, he would pray for you at the request of someone who did. But if you ever came to the Seattle VA Hospital even once, then you knew Claude Owens. He would always ask you how you were doing because he really did care, and you knew he was sincere like no one else. Claude would help everyone he saw, and no Volunteer task was unworthy of him, because he respected everyone, every veteran, and every family member.
In 2004, Claude was named the
VFW Outstanding Health Care
Volunteer of the Year.
He was profiled in the VA Puget Sound Autumn 2004 newsletter with the following article:
Claude Owens, a well-known figure around VA Puget Sound's Seattle Division, was recently named the 2004 VFW Outstanding Health Care Volunteer of the Year. The award was presented at the VFW national conference in Cincinnati. Claude was selected from nominees around the world for "taking those extra steps in providing exemplary service to veterans and their families." For everyone who knows Claude, that is an understatement. Claude does not recall when he first started volunteering at VA Puget Sound, but he has logged close to 18,000 hours. Any day of the week, you can find him escorting patients to appointments, providing information at the front desk, assisting veterans, family members and visitors. If things get quiet he can be found lending a hand in the canteen, loading ice into the soda machine, among other tasks.
"I can't sit down, got to keep this machine going!" Claude said. The 88 year old WWII Normandy veteran, also volunteers at four area nursing homes. As a Chaplain for Skyway VFW Post 9430, Claude frequently participates in memorial services at Tahoma National Cemetery and other area cemeteries for WWII veterans. With over 1300 volunteers at both American Lake and Seattle, what is it that makes Claude so special? "It's not just what he does," says Barbara Hatred, Director of Volunteer Services, "its how Claude makes people feel. He makes them feel good; he gives them hope." Even employees have stories about Claude. "He showed me his wife's picture and says, ‘See the lovely lady I married?'" one staff member remembered. "He takes the time to talk to everyone," said another. And there are the times he wears roller skates to make his rounds, or brings flowers from his garden for the reception desks, cashiers' stations in the Canteen and the executive offices. On and on go the stories. "What I love about volunteering is that you are reaching out to people with love, because if you do it from your heart, it's a labor of love. I'd like people to know that it is so rewarding. Knowing the Lord and volunteering are the keys to my longevity." Claude Owens, Volunteer of the Millennium.
The following was printed in the program for his memorial service at the Seattle VA hospital on Friday, March 9, 2007:
Claude E. Owens
He was a gentle man who loved his faith by demonstrating the "Golden Rule – Do to others what you would have them do to you" in day to day life. Several words describe him: servant, lover of people, caregiver, volunteer, sacrificial, shining light, encourager, helper, provider, genuine, saintly, Christian, conscientious, soldier, friend.
When Claude talked to you, he made you feel like you were the only one in the world and you were very important to him. He left a legacy for every one who knew him. If we could be more like what he modeled for us, we would have a totally different would and environment in this place. His memory does more than leave an impression on you; it leaves a challenge to live a legacy.
Claude was remembered at a Visitation Thursday, March 1st, 2007 from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at BONNEY-WATSON Washington Memorial, 16445 International Blvd, SeaTac (206) 242-1787, and a Funeral on Friday, March 2nd at 10:00 a.m. at Mission Baptist Church, 3902 S. Ferdinand St., Seattle. Military Honors will follow at Tahoma National Cemetery. Section 24 Site 907a
MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR CLAUDE OWENS
Memorial Service at Seattle VA Hospital
(Standing Room Only)
Friday, March 9, 2007 @11am
Location: Building 100, Room BB-108
Memorials to the Fisher House in C/O VFW Post 9430, 7421 S. 126th St., Seattle 98178.
Beyond the call of duty - VA Puget Sound honors our heroes:
On June 29th 2009, the "Wall of Heroes" was dedicated at the Seattle Division. Assistant Director Sherri Bauch emceed the ceremony at which the wall was unveiled and the first "Hero" was honored. Claude Owens took part in the WWII invasion of Normandy and was a volunteer at the Seattle Division for more than 16 years. Mr. Owens' grandson and goddaughter (VA Puget Sound staff member Renee Brown) were on hand for the induction. Claude Owens was a decorated WWII and Korean War Veteran. Claude was part of the unit that stormed the beaches at Normandy and had many stories to tell. As a volunteer at VA Puget Sound, Mr. Owens was best known for roller skating around the medical center greeting patients, escorting them to their appointments with a smile. He was known for attending memorial services at Tahoma National Cemetery and visiting Veterans at home and in the medical center to lift their spirits. In addition, Mr. Owens was named the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Outstanding Health Care Volunteer of the Year in 2004. Mr. Owens passed away in 2007 at the age of 90. He is remembered fondly by many of our staff.
In 2004, Claude was named the
VFW Outstanding Health Care
Volunteer of the Year.
He was profiled in the VA Puget Sound Autumn 2004 newsletter with the following article:
Claude Owens, a well-known figure around VA Puget Sound's Seattle Division, was recently named the 2004 VFW Outstanding Health Care Volunteer of the Year. The award was presented at the VFW national conference in Cincinnati. Claude was selected from nominees around the world for "taking those extra steps in providing exemplary service to veterans and their families." For everyone who knows Claude, that is an understatement. Claude does not recall when he first started volunteering at VA Puget Sound, but he has logged close to 18,000 hours. Any day of the week, you can find him escorting patients to appointments, providing information at the front desk, assisting veterans, family members and visitors. If things get quiet he can be found lending a hand in the canteen, loading ice into the soda machine, among other tasks.
"I can't sit down, got to keep this machine going!" Claude said. The 88 year old WWII Normandy veteran, also volunteers at four area nursing homes. As a Chaplain for Skyway VFW Post 9430, Claude frequently participates in memorial services at Tahoma National Cemetery and other area cemeteries for WWII veterans. With over 1300 volunteers at both American Lake and Seattle, what is it that makes Claude so special? "It's not just what he does," says Barbara Hatred, Director of Volunteer Services, "its how Claude makes people feel. He makes them feel good; he gives them hope." Even employees have stories about Claude. "He showed me his wife's picture and says, ‘See the lovely lady I married?'" one staff member remembered. "He takes the time to talk to everyone," said another. And there are the times he wears roller skates to make his rounds, or brings flowers from his garden for the reception desks, cashiers' stations in the Canteen and the executive offices. On and on go the stories. "What I love about volunteering is that you are reaching out to people with love, because if you do it from your heart, it's a labor of love. I'd like people to know that it is so rewarding. Knowing the Lord and volunteering are the keys to my longevity." Claude Owens, Volunteer of the Millennium.
The following was printed in the program for his memorial service at the Seattle VA hospital on Friday, March 9, 2007:
Claude E. Owens
He was a gentle man who loved his faith by demonstrating the "Golden Rule – Do to others what you would have them do to you" in day to day life. Several words describe him: servant, lover of people, caregiver, volunteer, sacrificial, shining light, encourager, helper, provider, genuine, saintly, Christian, conscientious, soldier, friend.
When Claude talked to you, he made you feel like you were the only one in the world and you were very important to him. He left a legacy for every one who knew him. If we could be more like what he modeled for us, we would have a totally different would and environment in this place. His memory does more than leave an impression on you; it leaves a challenge to live a legacy.
Claude was remembered at a Visitation Thursday, March 1st, 2007 from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at BONNEY-WATSON Washington Memorial, 16445 International Blvd, SeaTac (206) 242-1787, and a Funeral on Friday, March 2nd at 10:00 a.m. at Mission Baptist Church, 3902 S. Ferdinand St., Seattle. Military Honors will follow at Tahoma National Cemetery. Section 24 Site 907a
MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR CLAUDE OWENS
Memorial Service at Seattle VA Hospital
(Standing Room Only)
Friday, March 9, 2007 @11am
Location: Building 100, Room BB-108
Memorials to the Fisher House in C/O VFW Post 9430, 7421 S. 126th St., Seattle 98178.
Beyond the call of duty - VA Puget Sound honors our heroes:
On June 29th 2009, the "Wall of Heroes" was dedicated at the Seattle Division. Assistant Director Sherri Bauch emceed the ceremony at which the wall was unveiled and the first "Hero" was honored. Claude Owens took part in the WWII invasion of Normandy and was a volunteer at the Seattle Division for more than 16 years. Mr. Owens' grandson and goddaughter (VA Puget Sound staff member Renee Brown) were on hand for the induction. Claude Owens was a decorated WWII and Korean War Veteran. Claude was part of the unit that stormed the beaches at Normandy and had many stories to tell. As a volunteer at VA Puget Sound, Mr. Owens was best known for roller skating around the medical center greeting patients, escorting them to their appointments with a smile. He was known for attending memorial services at Tahoma National Cemetery and visiting Veterans at home and in the medical center to lift their spirits. In addition, Mr. Owens was named the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Outstanding Health Care Volunteer of the Year in 2004. Mr. Owens passed away in 2007 at the age of 90. He is remembered fondly by many of our staff.
US Army veteran of WWII. He landed at Utah Beach for the Normandy Invasion. Claude Owens was a longtime and faithful volunteer at the Seattle Veterans Hospital. Known around the Hospital as the "Ambassador of Good Deeds", Claude would perform his Volunteer duties often on roller skates well into his 80's. Claude was a blessing to everyone. Even if he didn't know you yet, he would pray for you at the request of someone who did. But if you ever came to the Seattle VA Hospital even once, then you knew Claude Owens. He would always ask you how you were doing because he really did care, and you knew he was sincere like no one else. Claude would help everyone he saw, and no Volunteer task was unworthy of him, because he respected everyone, every veteran, and every family member.
In 2004, Claude was named the
VFW Outstanding Health Care
Volunteer of the Year.
He was profiled in the VA Puget Sound Autumn 2004 newsletter with the following article:
Claude Owens, a well-known figure around VA Puget Sound's Seattle Division, was recently named the 2004 VFW Outstanding Health Care Volunteer of the Year. The award was presented at the VFW national conference in Cincinnati. Claude was selected from nominees around the world for "taking those extra steps in providing exemplary service to veterans and their families." For everyone who knows Claude, that is an understatement. Claude does not recall when he first started volunteering at VA Puget Sound, but he has logged close to 18,000 hours. Any day of the week, you can find him escorting patients to appointments, providing information at the front desk, assisting veterans, family members and visitors. If things get quiet he can be found lending a hand in the canteen, loading ice into the soda machine, among other tasks.
"I can't sit down, got to keep this machine going!" Claude said. The 88 year old WWII Normandy veteran, also volunteers at four area nursing homes. As a Chaplain for Skyway VFW Post 9430, Claude frequently participates in memorial services at Tahoma National Cemetery and other area cemeteries for WWII veterans. With over 1300 volunteers at both American Lake and Seattle, what is it that makes Claude so special? "It's not just what he does," says Barbara Hatred, Director of Volunteer Services, "its how Claude makes people feel. He makes them feel good; he gives them hope." Even employees have stories about Claude. "He showed me his wife's picture and says, ‘See the lovely lady I married?'" one staff member remembered. "He takes the time to talk to everyone," said another. And there are the times he wears roller skates to make his rounds, or brings flowers from his garden for the reception desks, cashiers' stations in the Canteen and the executive offices. On and on go the stories. "What I love about volunteering is that you are reaching out to people with love, because if you do it from your heart, it's a labor of love. I'd like people to know that it is so rewarding. Knowing the Lord and volunteering are the keys to my longevity." Claude Owens, Volunteer of the Millennium.
The following was printed in the program for his memorial service at the Seattle VA hospital on Friday, March 9, 2007:
Claude E. Owens
He was a gentle man who loved his faith by demonstrating the "Golden Rule – Do to others what you would have them do to you" in day to day life. Several words describe him: servant, lover of people, caregiver, volunteer, sacrificial, shining light, encourager, helper, provider, genuine, saintly, Christian, conscientious, soldier, friend.
When Claude talked to you, he made you feel like you were the only one in the world and you were very important to him. He left a legacy for every one who knew him. If we could be more like what he modeled for us, we would have a totally different would and environment in this place. His memory does more than leave an impression on you; it leaves a challenge to live a legacy.
Claude was remembered at a Visitation Thursday, March 1st, 2007 from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at BONNEY-WATSON Washington Memorial, 16445 International Blvd, SeaTac (206) 242-1787, and a Funeral on Friday, March 2nd at 10:00 a.m. at Mission Baptist Church, 3902 S. Ferdinand St., Seattle. Military Honors will follow at Tahoma National Cemetery. Section 24 Site 907a
MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR CLAUDE OWENS
Memorial Service at Seattle VA Hospital
(Standing Room Only)
Friday, March 9, 2007 @11am
Location: Building 100, Room BB-108
Memorials to the Fisher House in C/O VFW Post 9430, 7421 S. 126th St., Seattle 98178.
Beyond the call of duty - VA Puget Sound honors our heroes:
On June 29th 2009, the "Wall of Heroes" was dedicated at the Seattle Division. Assistant Director Sherri Bauch emceed the ceremony at which the wall was unveiled and the first "Hero" was honored. Claude Owens took part in the WWII invasion of Normandy and was a volunteer at the Seattle Division for more than 16 years. Mr. Owens' grandson and goddaughter (VA Puget Sound staff member Renee Brown) were on hand for the induction. Claude Owens was a decorated WWII and Korean War Veteran. Claude was part of the unit that stormed the beaches at Normandy and had many stories to tell. As a volunteer at VA Puget Sound, Mr. Owens was best known for roller skating around the medical center greeting patients, escorting them to their appointments with a smile. He was known for attending memorial services at Tahoma National Cemetery and visiting Veterans at home and in the medical center to lift their spirits. In addition, Mr. Owens was named the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Outstanding Health Care Volunteer of the Year in 2004. Mr. Owens passed away in 2007 at the age of 90. He is remembered fondly by many of our staff.
In 2004, Claude was named the
VFW Outstanding Health Care
Volunteer of the Year.
He was profiled in the VA Puget Sound Autumn 2004 newsletter with the following article:
Claude Owens, a well-known figure around VA Puget Sound's Seattle Division, was recently named the 2004 VFW Outstanding Health Care Volunteer of the Year. The award was presented at the VFW national conference in Cincinnati. Claude was selected from nominees around the world for "taking those extra steps in providing exemplary service to veterans and their families." For everyone who knows Claude, that is an understatement. Claude does not recall when he first started volunteering at VA Puget Sound, but he has logged close to 18,000 hours. Any day of the week, you can find him escorting patients to appointments, providing information at the front desk, assisting veterans, family members and visitors. If things get quiet he can be found lending a hand in the canteen, loading ice into the soda machine, among other tasks.
"I can't sit down, got to keep this machine going!" Claude said. The 88 year old WWII Normandy veteran, also volunteers at four area nursing homes. As a Chaplain for Skyway VFW Post 9430, Claude frequently participates in memorial services at Tahoma National Cemetery and other area cemeteries for WWII veterans. With over 1300 volunteers at both American Lake and Seattle, what is it that makes Claude so special? "It's not just what he does," says Barbara Hatred, Director of Volunteer Services, "its how Claude makes people feel. He makes them feel good; he gives them hope." Even employees have stories about Claude. "He showed me his wife's picture and says, ‘See the lovely lady I married?'" one staff member remembered. "He takes the time to talk to everyone," said another. And there are the times he wears roller skates to make his rounds, or brings flowers from his garden for the reception desks, cashiers' stations in the Canteen and the executive offices. On and on go the stories. "What I love about volunteering is that you are reaching out to people with love, because if you do it from your heart, it's a labor of love. I'd like people to know that it is so rewarding. Knowing the Lord and volunteering are the keys to my longevity." Claude Owens, Volunteer of the Millennium.
The following was printed in the program for his memorial service at the Seattle VA hospital on Friday, March 9, 2007:
Claude E. Owens
He was a gentle man who loved his faith by demonstrating the "Golden Rule – Do to others what you would have them do to you" in day to day life. Several words describe him: servant, lover of people, caregiver, volunteer, sacrificial, shining light, encourager, helper, provider, genuine, saintly, Christian, conscientious, soldier, friend.
When Claude talked to you, he made you feel like you were the only one in the world and you were very important to him. He left a legacy for every one who knew him. If we could be more like what he modeled for us, we would have a totally different would and environment in this place. His memory does more than leave an impression on you; it leaves a challenge to live a legacy.
Claude was remembered at a Visitation Thursday, March 1st, 2007 from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at BONNEY-WATSON Washington Memorial, 16445 International Blvd, SeaTac (206) 242-1787, and a Funeral on Friday, March 2nd at 10:00 a.m. at Mission Baptist Church, 3902 S. Ferdinand St., Seattle. Military Honors will follow at Tahoma National Cemetery. Section 24 Site 907a
MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR CLAUDE OWENS
Memorial Service at Seattle VA Hospital
(Standing Room Only)
Friday, March 9, 2007 @11am
Location: Building 100, Room BB-108
Memorials to the Fisher House in C/O VFW Post 9430, 7421 S. 126th St., Seattle 98178.
Beyond the call of duty - VA Puget Sound honors our heroes:
On June 29th 2009, the "Wall of Heroes" was dedicated at the Seattle Division. Assistant Director Sherri Bauch emceed the ceremony at which the wall was unveiled and the first "Hero" was honored. Claude Owens took part in the WWII invasion of Normandy and was a volunteer at the Seattle Division for more than 16 years. Mr. Owens' grandson and goddaughter (VA Puget Sound staff member Renee Brown) were on hand for the induction. Claude Owens was a decorated WWII and Korean War Veteran. Claude was part of the unit that stormed the beaches at Normandy and had many stories to tell. As a volunteer at VA Puget Sound, Mr. Owens was best known for roller skating around the medical center greeting patients, escorting them to their appointments with a smile. He was known for attending memorial services at Tahoma National Cemetery and visiting Veterans at home and in the medical center to lift their spirits. In addition, Mr. Owens was named the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Outstanding Health Care Volunteer of the Year in 2004. Mr. Owens passed away in 2007 at the age of 90. He is remembered fondly by many of our staff.
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