A special tribute to veterans, military men and women

Auburn's Al Anderson, a Vietnam and Korean War veteran, recently teamed up with Sam Shakhramanov, store manager of Auburn Lowe's Home Improvement store to honor veterans in a special way.

Auburn’s Al Anderson, a Vietnam and Korean War veteran, recently teamed up with Sam Shakhramanov, store manager of Auburn Lowe’s Home Improvement store to honor veterans in a special way.

Their joint venture helped produce an inlaid wooden plaque – featuring all five U.S. Military Branch of Service Seals – which was placed on the front wall at Lowe’s and unveiled shortly before Veterans Day, Nov. 11.

Vyron Kuver, an award-winning woodworking artist, carved the plaque.

Anderson, 77, a member of the Auburn American Legion Post 78 and Lake Washington VFW, and Shakhramanov supported the project.

“It’s a great way for our community to honor veterans. It’s just absolutely outstanding,” Anderson said.

Shakhramanov and his store have been longtime supporters of veterans. The store maintains and reserves four parking spaces in front for veterans only.

“It’s truly an honor,” Shakhramanov said of the honorary plaque. “It’s the least we can do to honor our veterans and military men and women.”