Letters to the editor

Published 1:30 am Friday, November 21, 2025

Never forgotten

To the editor:

Last week we observed Gold Star Mothers and Family Day, which began in 1936 to honor mothers who lost a child in military service. Here on Bainbridge Island, one Gold Star Mother made it her life’s mission to honor her son’s ultimate sacrifice in World War I. That mother was Annie Bucklin Hyde, daughter of island pioneers Nathan and Marian Bucklin, and her son was Pvt. Colin Campbell Hyde.

Colin served in the United States Army’s Motor Transport Corps and succumbed at the age of 24 to illness Sept. 28, 1918, while stationed in Paris, France. He was buried at Suresnes American Cemetery in Suresnes, France. In 1930, Annie Bucklin Hyde made a trip with the Gold Star Mothers to visit her son’s grave.

Back on Bainbridge Island, across the street from the Bucklin homestead where Colin was born, located on Bucklin Hill near Eagle Harbor, is the American Legion Colin Hyde Post 172. In the years that followed, thanks in great part to Annie’s efforts, Colin’s memory would remain forever intertwined with the history of Bainbridge Island.

Ashley Riley

Bainbridge Island

Thank you, Blossom

To the editor:

I am writing to thank Sarah Blossom for her campaign for South Ward councilmember. I am deeply sorry that she lost this election, as she has been a tireless and intellectually curious public servant who focused on finding reasonable and creative solutions for many of the complex issues we face. She has served both on City Council and currently on the Planning Commission.

Her campaign deserves special mention as she sought to inform and engage our community regarding the significant issues that face our city/community. Issues such as how the groundwater management plan fits into the Comp Plan, what would make the groundwater management plan an actual plan, our efforts to build affordable housing, how local government can be more transparent generally, and specifically about its work on the 625 Winslow Project.

She was never alarmist, instead focusing on finding the “facts” and trying to make sure that people understood the range of factors affecting these decisions.

Thank you, Sarah, for all of your work. Our community is very lucky to have you.

Gloria Sayler

Bainbridge Island