Photo By Jason Kriess | Maj. Gen (Ret) George Haskett's, former adjutant general for the Washington National...... read more read more
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With more than 165 years of history, the Washington National Guard has created life long memories for so many service members and their families.
“I remember being a little girl, running around the base, it was never odd for us, it is just how we grew up around the National Guardsmen,” recalled Elizabeth Reas, daughter of Maj. Gen. George Haskett, adjutant general from 1957 to 1965.
Haskett, his wife Pearl and their children were the last family to live in what is lovingly referred to today as the “White House,” the old adjutant general’s residence. While the house recently turned 100 years old, the memories of living there still have a place in their hearts.
“I remember the time that dad and mom got in a plane accident. We had a Guardsman come to the door and tell us that our parents were fine but had been in a plane accident,” said George Haskett. “It was just that feeling of knowing we were ok because we were here.”
This week George and Elizabeth returned to Camp Murray to visit with Dr. Stephanie Carter, the museum curator at the Washington National Guard Museum. While cleaning up their storage, the kids of the long time National Guard officer found artifacts from their father’s career.
“We found these and just knew that they needed to be here, and not in a box,” said Elizabeth.
The collection of artifacts included his desk name plate when he was the adjutant general, his red two-star flag, his travel brief cases, letters, photos and plaques.
“These are the artifacts that tell our history as an organization,” said Maj. Gen. Bret Daugherty, the adjutant general. “We are missing huge chunks of history and any chance we can close the gaps and tell our story better - that is great.”
In recent years, the Washington National Guard State Historical Society created a display to honor Haskett. The display is an era-appropriate mock replica TAG office and features a small selection of items used by Haskett. Through these generous donations made by the family, the new objects will add an even more authentic feel to the display. This display can be seen at the Washington National Guard Museum/Building 2 on Camp Murray.
Haskett joined the Washington National Guard in 1939 after graduating from the University of Washington. He was called to active Army duty as a first lieutenant at the outbreak of World War II, serving with artillery and automatic-weapons battalions. At the war's end, he was released from active duty obtaining the rank of lieutenant colonel. He returned to the Washington National Guard and served with the 115th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Brigade. He was promoted to the rank of colonel in 1956. While actively involved in the Nike-Ajax missile defenses of the West Coast, he was appointed to the position of adjutant general of the state of Washington. He was promoted to major general by Congress on Nov. 19, 1957, and served as the commanding general at Camp Murray until his retirement on June 15, 1965.
“I feel very fortunate to have the chance to hear the Haskett family’s stories of their time living on Camp Murray - it really brings the history alive for me,” said Carter. “The museum is honored to be entrusted with the safekeeping of these wonderful new items that will allow us to further tell the Guard’s story.”
| Date Taken: | 12.09.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 12.09.2021 11:50 |
| Story ID: | 410791 |
| Location: | CAMP MURRAY, WA, US |
| Web Views: | 309 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Family of former adjutant general share stories and history from their father's time in the Washington Guard, by Joseph Siemandel, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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