Memorial service for Silver Owl Ken Blackshaw set for Thursday, 11:30 a.m., at Club

The National Press Club’s American Legion Post 20 will conduct a memorial service for its late commander emeritus, World War II hero and NPC Silver Owl Ken Blackshaw at the Club on Thursday, June 21, at 11:30 a.m.

Open to all Club members and Blackshaw's friends, the event will begin with a cash bar and lunch. A formal program, hosted by former NPC President and Post 20 commander John Cosgrove and present commander John Hurley, will follow at noon.

Blackshaw was a lieutenant colonel in the Air Force, in which he served 19 years and flew 35 combat missions in a B-17 during World War II. He later was a long-time public affairs officer at the Pentagon.

A 45-year NPC member, Blackshaw died April 14 in Arlington, Va.