Two dozen people gathered on Sunday, June 16, at LB Good Memorial Park, across the road from the Naval Magazine Indian Island, at a vigil protesting the use of U.S. weapons used in foreign wars and conflicts that are shipped from the local military installation. 

While they condemned the use of U.S. weapons around the world, the vigil was particularly focused on calling for an end to the Russia-Ukraine war, and especially the war in Gaza. 

Organized by Port Townsend resident Douglas Milholland, the event has occurred each Father’s Day for the last eight years. “Humanity’s survival depends on finding alternatives to war and militarism,” said a flier for the 2024 vigil. “Resources that are currently poured into death and destruction, including Israel’s genocide in Gaza, must be redirected toward saving our planet from catastrophic climate change and providing healthcare, housing, jobs, and education for all.” 

Individuals at the vigil gathered for a time of reflection at 3 p.m. before massing on the roadside between LB Good Memorial Park and Naval Magazine Indian Island. Some individuals stayed on the park property and held signs, while others crossed to the roadside closest to the magazine. 

Milholland crossed onto the Naval Magazine Indian Island property with the intent of being arrested. He was briefly handcuffed and given an arrest slip for trespassing on base property, but was permitted to return to the other side of the road. According to Milholland, a court date may be issued at a later point in time. 

Among the individuals standing on the roadside closest to the military installation was Kit Kittredge, who has been to Gaza six times. She came to the vigil dressed in black with a Palestinian-style keffiyeh head scarf. She had painted red streaks on her hands, representative of blood. Kittredge stated it was her intention to relate to “the mothers of Gaza.” 

“Thousands and thousands and thousands [of Gazans] — and more than they even know right now — have been massacred, and it’s with our armaments,” Kittredge said. “We [the United States] are the main supporters … It’s blood on our hands.”

She also referenced County Commissioner Kate Dean’s report that Tomahawk missiles are being supplied to Israel from Naval Magazine Indian Island. 

Jefferson County law enforcement personnel said, that because there was no public affairs officer on duty, a comment from Naval Magazine Indian Island wasn’t possible.

“Indian Island is in our backyard. It’s our job to be aware of it,” Kittredge said.

Danny Milholland and Amanda Milholland, children of Douglas Milholland, were present at the vigil, with children of their own. Danny Milholland said coming to Indian Island every Father’s Day has become “a kind of family tradition.”

“[B]eing a father and being with my own father, acknowledging the real impacts of our military actions [...] and our involvement in conflict around the world is important,” he said.