Two Wahkiakum County men were honored for their service in law enforcement at the 2018 Marine Corps Ball at the Astoria Country Club on Saturday.

Commander Lou Neubecker of the Marine Corps League presented the Gene Bolstad Award to Deputy John Mason of the Wahkiakum County Sheriff's Office and Washington State Trooper Lonnie Eaton, who is part of the 9th Detachment stationed in Naselle.

Sixty years ago, Washington State Trooper Gene Bolstad gave his life trying to rescue two youths who had gone swimming in high and dangerous surf at Long Beach. He was posthumously awarded the Law Enforcement Medal of Honor.

Courtesy photo

Washington State Patrolman Lonnie Eaton

Local citizens and Marine veterans continue to remember Bolstad by recognizing first responders in Southwest Washington. Pacific and Wahkiakum County Sheriffs and Police Chiefs accept nominations each year and this year voting was tied.

Both men were raised in Wahkiakum County.

Eaton was unable to attend, but Nikki Footh from the Naselle State Patrol office and his uncle, Danny Eaton, accepted his award in his stead.

Mason was accompanied by his wife, Jody, his grandparents, and Wahkiakum County Undersheriff Gary Howell and his wife, Terrie.

The Marine Corps League also honored a woman who served as a Marine in World War II, 98 year-old Marvel Dahlen of Astoria.