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Honoring the origins of Veterans Day and the legacy of local heroes who shaped Seattle's history. Today’s Veterans Day had its beginnings in the United States when in November of 1919, President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation to honor the end of World War I. It stated, in part, “… the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory….” It had been one year since hostilities had ceased and an armistice had been called to end The Great War. In earlier times, local war veterans were honored with a Memorial Day parade in downtown Seattle. Parade grand marshal Colonel Charles Lawton Thompson, pictured above in white rider’s gloves, escorted Colonel William Frederick aka “Buffalo Bill” Cody, a veteran of the Union Army Cavalry and the Indian Wars. Riding to the left is David Clinton, “D.C.”, Brown, of Columbia City (previously councilman, town marshal, and acting mayor). The Seattle Star reported, “Flowers were showered on the heroes of the civil war who marched to the strains of their old battle hymns….” (6/1/1914) The dignitaries also attended services held later that afternoon at the Grand Army of the Republic cemetery in Capitol Hill, established in 1895 for American Civil War soldiers; i.e., the Union Army, Union Navy, and the Marines. The GAR was a national fraternal membership based organization. Both Colonel Thompson and Private Brown would later be buried at the GAR cemetery. D.C. Brown was commander of the John F. Miller Post, No. 31, of the GAR in 1907 and in 1914 was on the committee in charge of the parade program. His wife Arlettie volunteered with the Miller Post Women’s Relief Corps and her simple gravestone lies next to her husband’s in the cemetery. D.C. Brown had served three years in the Civil War and was wounded in 1864 per his obituary. As an aside, American activist “Mother Jones” attended the labor parade held that afternoon in May as well. Not known for fancy hats herself, in her address to the crowd she proclaimed, “If women would decorate the outside of their skulls less and put something inside, there would be no militia.” (The Seattle Star, 6/1/1914) Three years later, on April 6, 1917, the United States officially entered World War I against Germany. Eighteen-year-old Enumclaw native Roy Keeley enlisted on April 20, and was headed for the western shores of France aboard the transport ship President Lincoln in December of that year. In June of 1919, The Seattle PostIntelligencer published an American Roll of Honor reporting for Northwest soldiers, and Roy Keeley’s name appears in the Slightly Wounded category. Military records indicate Private Keeley had been at U.S. Army Base Hospital 64, in France, prior to his transport home in June 1919. This hospital was designated for gas and infected surgical cases. He then spent time at Fort Bayard Hospital, in New Mexico, according to the U.S. Census until his discharge in February 1920. This hospital is known for its treatment of soldiers with tuberculosis. In June of that year, Roy and Mary were wed at Mary’s childhood home on Ferdinand Street in Columbia City. The ceremony was officiated by Reverend Raymond Espy, founder of Findlay Street Christian Church in Hillman City. Mary’s Womach grandparents had brought the family to Southeast Seattle in about 1890 and her parents built their family home where Columbia School now sits, in about 1901. Roy had been raised in a farming community and returned to Enumclaw with his new wife to farm and raise their family, though Mary returned to her parents’ home for the birth of their first child, Dorothy. In June 1954, the United States Congress, with the support of President Dwight Eisenhower, changed the name of Armistice Day to Veterans Day and November 11th became the federal holiday to honor all servicemen and women of American wars. While Washelli Cemetery in north Seattle extended an invitation to their Veterans Day program “May Peace come to all” that year, a Rainier Valley newspaper ran the headline, “Local Men Off to Korea” as the Cold War had taken hold.

Dr. Dorothy Laigo Cordova’s life is a remarkable story of resilience, leadership, and dedication to Filipino American heritage. Born in Seattle in 1932 to Filipino immigrant parents, Dorothy’s early life was marked by hardship and determination. Her father passed away when she was just four years old, leaving her mother to support the family through a small café and grocery store in Seattle’s International District. Growing up, Dorothy faced the challenges of being both Filipino and American at a time when cultural identities were often marginalized. These experiences fueled her lifelong commitment to celebrating and preserving Filipino American heritage. Dorothy’s journey into activism and cultural preservation began during her college years at Seattle University, where she studied Sociology and met her future husband, the late Fred Cordova. Together, they became trailblazers for Filipino American identity. In 1957, they co-founded the Filipino Youth Activities (FYA) in Seattle, creating a space where Filipino American youth could connect with their culture. Through programs in soccer, folk dancing, and the iconic drill team, the FYA empowered young Filipino Americans to take pride in their heritage. In the 1960s and 70s, FYA was also instrumental in civil rights advocacy, pressing for bilingual teachers in Seattle Public Schools and for Filipino-trained doctors to be permitted to practice in the United States. Dorothy’s impact extended far beyond Seattle. In the 1970s, she served as Director for the Demonstration Project for Asian Americans (DPAA), conducting pioneering research on the challenges Asian American communities faced. Through the DPAA, Dorothy led efforts to document Filipino American experiences, collecting oral histories and archiving materials that would later form the foundation of an even larger legacy. In 1982, Dorothy and Fred established the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS), a nonprofit dedicated to preserving and sharing Filipino American history. FANHS was born out of frustration with the lack of accurate representation of Filipino Americans in mainstream history and has since grown to over 40 chapters across the United States. Dorothy has served as the Executive Director of FANHS for more than 40 years, volunteering her time to build one of the most extensive collections of Filipino American history in the world. Housed in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Seattle, FANHS’s National Pinoy Archives includes thousands of photographs, oral histories, and artifacts that document Filipino American life across the nation. The FANHS National Museum is located in Fred Cordova’s hometown of Stockton, California. FANHS’s work under Dorothy’s leadership has been transformative. The society spearheaded the nationwide observance of Filipino American History Month every October, celebrating Filipino Americans’ contributions to the United States. FANHS also holds biennial national conferences, drawing scholars, students, and community members from across the country to learn about and celebrate Filipino American history. At 92 years old, Dr. Cordova, affectionately known as “Auntie Dorothy,” continues to be a vibrant force at FANHS’s National Office. Despite announcing her intention to step back from her executive role, she remains a “Resident Researcher,” spending her days answering inquiries, guiding visitors, and sharing the wealth of knowledge she has gathered over decades. She is a mother to eight, grandmother to 17, and great-grandmother to 22, passing on her legacy of cultural pride to new generations. The Rainier Valley Historical Society proudly honors Dr. Dorothy Laigo Cordova as our 2024 History Maker this year. Her lifelong dedication to cultural preservation and her pioneering efforts to uplift Filipino American heritage resonates deeply with our mission. Through her work, Dorothy has not only preserved Filipino American history but has also fostered a broader understanding of the rich, diverse fabric of American society. Her impact reaches far beyond Rainier Valley, reminding us of the power of history to unite, inspire, and strengthen communities. Dr. Cordova’s story is a testament to the strength of immigrant communities and the importance of preserving diverse histories. We are deeply grateful for her contributions and thrilled to celebrate her as a History Maker, recognizing her incredible legacy and the lasting impact of her work on future generations. Dr. Dorothy Laigo Cordova Gallery

Cleo’s Apparel (4824 Rainier Ave S), a beloved women’s clothing store in Columbia City for 36 years, is remembered fondly by the community it served. Founded by Cleo Lott in 1955 and operated by Gerry Johnson since 1963, Cleo’s became a landmark business known for friendly service, quality merchandise, and reasonable prices. Sadly, Cleo's closed in 1991 after a rent increase made it unsustainable to keep the business going, despite Johnson’s daughter and granddaughters’ eagerness to continue the family legacy. For those who shopped there for generations, it felt like saying goodbye to an old friend. A key fixture in Columbia City’s retail landscape, Cleo’s closure reflected broader challenges facing local businesses at the time. We are grateful to Jill Shaw and her sisters for donating Cleo’s clock and family photos, preserving this vital piece of Rainier Valley’s history for future generations.

WELCOME TO RAINIER VALLEY HISTORICAL SOCIETY Learn More Our Mission To collect, preserve, exhibit, and interpret the history and heritage of Rainier Valley and its community and to educate and promote public involvement in, and appreciation of, its history and culture. Featured Articles See more articles Our Archives Learn more about our archives Articles & Publications Photographs Newsletters Oral Histories Become a Member Help us preserve and celebrate the history of the Rainier Valley. Be a part of our advocacy for local preservation. support

Become a Member With your support, we provide programs that explore diverse topics including cultural traditions, social activism, architectural history, and environmental stewardship. ​ Your contributions also help us maintain our extensive digital and physical archives, many of which are housed at our Columbia City Office, ensuring public access to this valuable resource. Together, we can preserve and celebrate the heritage of Rainier Valley for generations to come. Join us Members Enjoy These Core Benefits Subscription to all RVHS publications. Presale access and reduced admission to tours, programs, lectures, and special events. Discounted image and document reproduction. Exclusive invites for hands-on participation in local research projects. Membership Levels Scholars & Seniors $20 Core membership benefits with valid ID ​ Individual $30 Core membership benefits ​ Household $30 All core membership benefits for 2 adults and dependents up to 18 years in age ​ Patron $100 All core membership benefits And a copy of the book Rainier Valley Food Stories Cookbook ​ History Maker $350 All core membership benefits + benefits of Patron level And 4 Hours of personalized research assistance Lifetime $500 A one-time payment to gain access to all core membership benefits for life ​ ​ Join us

Our Archives & Collections The Rainier Valley Historical Society maintains an ever-growing archive of historic photographs, documents, maps, oral histories, and artifacts. The collection - along with a library of books and other research materials relating to the Rainier Valley - is available to the public during office hours or by appointment and on our online databases. Researchers are encouraged to contact the RVHS to discuss their requests in advance by emailing office@rainiervalleyhistory.org . Contact Our Team Collections Committee In 2009 the RVHS Board adopted a new Collections Policy that outlines our commitment to collect and preserved the historical materials in our care. The new policy establishes a Collections Committee that will oversee accessions, cataloging, and preservation efforts. Collections Scope The collection focuses on the history of the Rainier Valley from 1850 to the present day. Our geographic boundaries are from Dearborn Street on the north to the city limits on the south, and from I5 freeway to Lake Washington. Our collection has historically centered on the Columbia City and the period from 1890-1940, but we are working to expand the collection to include a broader geographic range, materials from WWII and the post war period, and from many ethnic and cultural communities to present the Rainier Valley today. Explore Our Archives Articles & Publications Photographs Newsletters Oral Histories