Highway names honor those who served

Published 5:25 pm Wednesday, March 19, 2014

KONP Newsradio 1450

For Gerry Rettela, naming highways has become a habit.

The Korean War vet has spearheaded an effort the past few years to get portions of highways in Clallam County memorialized for veterans.

One of his missions came to fruition last month when a section of Highway 110 between Forks and LaPush was named for those from Washington who served in Operations Desert Storm and Desert Shield.

Rettela says he worked in legislative circles prior to moving to Clallam County and felt he could use his experience as another way to serve fellow veterans.

“God gave me the tools, I’m just honored to do it,” said Rettela. “There’s a credo: ‘Honor the dead by serving the living.’ I try to do that as much as I can.”

Rettela started with getting portions of Highways 112 and 113 named for Korean War Veterans. Another section of Highway 112 later was named for Vietnam Veterans. The dedication for the latest highway was April 16 in Forks.

But Rettela isn’t done. He’s working to get the Truck Route in Port Angeles, which is Highway 117, named for Medal of Honor winners from Washington.