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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

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On guard, at the Capitol

Butch Ayala, Olympia, attends the Veterans Day concert at the State Capitol in a World War II MP's uniform on Nov. 11, 2010. (Jim Camden/Staff writer)
Butch Ayala, Olympia, attends the Veterans Day concert at the State Capitol in a World War II MP's uniform on Nov. 11, 2010. (Jim Camden/Staff writer)

OLYMPIA -- Veterans Day brought out a few historic uniforms, including this World War II U.S. Army military police uniform, complete with rifle and fixed bayonet.

Butch Ayala of Olympia was on hand for a concert in the rotunda, taking up a post at one of the columns insided the north entrance. Ayalay said he's a member of the Friends of Willie and Joe history group that provides a living history of the war.

A veteran himself from 1979 to 2003, Ayala said he's always had enormous respect for the generation that fought in WWII. "It's my way of saying thanks to a generation that saved the planet."

Everything in his ensemble, including rifle and bayonet, were originals. Wonder if Ayala would be available to keep order next year during the session?



Jim Camden
Jim Camden joined The Spokesman-Review in 1981 and retired in 2021. He is currently the political and state government correspondent covering Washington state.

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