Cy Meyers
Last week on the floor of the Washington State Senate, Sen. John Braun of Chehalis honored Marvin B. “Cy” Meyers, a World War II veteran who dedicated much of his life to public service. He died March 3.
At a memorial service last week, Rep. Ed Orcutt held back tears as he spoke of the friendship the older man offered him as a rookie legislator 15 years ago.
The people filling pews in the Napavine Assembly of God Church Friday resembled a who’s who of local leaders, both Democrat and Republican, gathered to honor a man who was a friend to many.
I visited Meyers recently at Providence Centralia Hospital, uncertain as I walked into the intensive care unit just what I would find. I discovered my friend sitting up, eating and watching the news.
During that last conversation, he talked about his work on behalf of Ascot Resources, which wants to mine property at Mount Margaret in Skamania County, and spoke favorably about President Donald Trump. Trump wasn’t the first choice of either of us, but once he was elected, Meyers supported him wholeheartedly.
Yet what I’ll never forget is what he shared about his close encounter with death eight years ago, when he suffered from a triple aneurysm. He hovered near death as he was transported to a Seattle hospital for surgery. But in the midst of the chaos and medical treatment, Meyers said he saw Jesus. He felt the Lord embrace him entirely and remove his pain.
Goosebumps rose on my arms as he recalled the experience, which was recounted at the memorial service by former Lewis County Commissioner Bill Schulte. Meyers couldn’t speak, but a nurse asked him to squeeze her hand once for yes and twice for no if he understood. She asked if he understood. He squeezed once. She asked if he knew how to press for pain medicine. He squeezed once. She asked if he was in pain. He squeezed twice.
Meyers’ wife, Bonita, was a Catholic. Meyers was Protestant. But he told me it didn’t matter. One son is a Protestant minister; some of his children are Catholic. What he told me in that hospital room was clear: Anyone who doesn’t believe in Jesus is foolish.
Based on what he shared of the taste of peace and comfort he received when the Lord visited him at 85, I’m sure Meyers is basking today in heavenly glory.
Giving Opportunities
SAFE Family Ministries has been promised matching money if it can raise $15,000 by March 31; so far it has $8,000. For 12 years, the ministry on Jackson Highway in Chehalis has changed the lives of women and their children by helping those caught in destructive behaviors anchor their lives in Christ. In addition to money, the ministry could use donations of paper towels, glass cleaner, floor cleaner, bleach, dish soap, and liquid laundry soap. To help, contact Shirley Cunningham at 360-740-9150.
Lewis County Gospel Mission at 72 SW Chehalis Ave., which provides 3,000 meals a month to homeless people, needs men’s jeans (size 32-38), warm coats and gloves for men and women, sleeping bags, tents, tarps, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and hand and foot warmers. For information call 360-996-4474.
Longview’s homeless shelter, Community House at 1107 Broadway, can use butter, eggs, ketchup, mustard, coffee, sugar, napkins, paper towels, liquid laundry detergent, small paper cups, Dawn dish soap, garbage bags (heavy duty 40-45 gallon and 13-gallon), Brillo pads, Scotch Bright pads, feminine hygiene products, and deodorant. For information contact 360-425-8679.
Hometown Reads
If you like to read books by local authors, check out the Hometown Reads website, which has the tagline: “your next favorite author could be your next-door neighbor. Hometown Reads includes a Lewis County, Washington, page at https://hometownreads.com/city/lewis-county. If you’re a local author, submit your book to the website to have it listed on the page. You can also browse other authors by city.
Julie McDonald, a personal historian from Toledo, may be reached at memoirs@chaptersoflife.com.
