Memorial Day Remembrance and Traditions
This Memorial Day, we take a moment to remember the lives and legacies of those who made the ultimate sacrifice in serving our country. We honor their courage. Wishing you and yours a peaceful Memorial Day.
By Ellen Hiatt
This Memorial Day will look a little different in the region, at least outwardly. The bevy of public events held annually to memorialize the service members who gave the ultimate sacrifice is dampened by social distancing restrictions. But from household to household, things aren’t all that different.
“It’s a sober moment, a day of reflection,” said Senator Steve Hobbs, who said he will do what he always does and set a Missing Man place setting at his family dinner table.
It’s a sober moment, a day of reflection
The Washington State Senator had been campaigning for Lt. Governor when he dropped from the race to take his new assignment with the National Guard, managing the 727 men and women under his command for Task Force Olympia to ensure the food supply chain to area food banks is secure and supported during the pandemic response. He won’t be able to participate in any public events, he said, but that isn’t really changing how most people observe the day.
Other residents will continue their traditions. Annie Moriarty of Warm Beach said “We always put the flag out and just take time to remember – nothing formal – so this year will not be any different.
More publicly, there will be virtual events, including one by Monroe VFW Post #7511, which will host a virtual Memorial Day service on their Facebook page. Sultan VFW Post #2544 will have members, including State Representative Carolyn Eslick, placing flags at the local cemetery.
Edmonds Community College will also host a virtual event. The live 7th annual Memorial Day Ceremony is at 10 a.m., Friday, May 22.
The City of Mill Creek will be conducting a ceremony at the Veterans Memorial at the city library. The recorded ceremony will air on the city Facebook page at 9 am, Monday, May 25. The annual ceremony has been important to the community, said Mayor Pro Tem Brian Holtzclaw. The staff stepped up to create a “reverse parade,” a display of military memorabilia along Main Street. From 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Memorial Day, the public becomes the parade, driving by to view the display.
“We have a lot of veterans in our community and we have a lot of citizens who have paid the ultimate sacrifice,” said Holtzclaw. “This was important to us.”