Submitted by the San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce

The San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the Grand Marshal and Honored Citizen and Sam R Buck Award Winner for the 2024 Independence Day Parade in Friday Harbor. Grand Marshal and Honored Citizens are Steve McMurtrie and Don Galt Sr, with Jerry Alhadeff as the Sam R Buck Award winner. These men are committed to service and have made so many contributions to our island.

Steve McMurtrie moved to the island with his family in 1988. A man of many trades from carpentry to concrete work to driving for Brown Lumber, he eventually started his family business of Kingdom Care and became well known in the community at the Port of Friday Harbor and Roche Harbor Marina. As Steve’s commitment to service with the Lions, he continued to volunteer. Eventually with that white beard, he became one of Santa’s representatives for our island. Steve’s special role in December every year has made him a well-known figure during the month – he has listened to thousands of children over the years and posed for the children’s annual photo opportunity at Kings, the Island Lights Festival, the Old Fashioned Christmas Market and the Block Party at Roche Harbor.

Don Galt Sr has been involved in the Masonic Lodge and the Lions and has been a leader in being a “creator” in our community. In 1982 Don started the Friday Harbor Athletic Association, with the goal of helping our youth with community sports activities. Don helped the Mullis Community Center with getting the parking lot and the landscaping completed by getting the donations needed and there himself many weekends doing the work himself. Most recently Don was responsible for designing, developing and completing several community sports fields and associated buildings, now called the John Linde Fields.