A Day of Remembrance

Despite a chilly wind and rain-threatening clouds, droves of people (and more than a few canines) turned out at on Monday for the 29th annual Edmonds Memorial Day Ceremony.

Consisting of a program of songs, speeches, written word, live music, and even Mayor Mike Cooper, the ceremony was full of both reverence and bravado, and more than one touching moment that elicited tears from the crowd. The event was hosted by Cemetery Board Member Dale E. Hoggins, with music from the Edmonds-Woodway High School Brass Quintet and bagpiper Mike Barber.

“We want to remember and honor the memory of those who have died, especially during war,” Hoggins said in his opening remarks. “We will be eternally grateful to those who serve or who have served.”

Edmonds Cub Pack #331 led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance and the Presentation of Colors was led by American Legion Post #66, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #8870, Boy Scout Troop #301, Girl Scout Troop #42093, and Cub Pack #331, as well as members of the Washington National Guard. The young scouts marched to meet the veterans at the memorial row of flags.

A POW/MIA Remembrance Service was presented by Fred Apgar, Jr. Vice Cmdr, VFW Post #8860. He described it as a “military tradition little known to the civilian world,” which involves a table covered in a white cloth, upon which rests a plate with salt and a wedge of lemon, a candle, American flag, a single red rose in a vase tied with red ribbon, and an inverted glass.

Each item is symbolic: the table set for one symbolizes the fact that members of the armed forces are still missing, the white tablecloth stands for the purity of intentions in responding to the country’s call to arms, and the single red rose signifies shed blood, with the ribbon around its vase matching the ribbon worn on lapel’s for those who, “demand a proper account of our comrades who are not among us.” The slice of lemon represents bitterness, salt the tears of family, the candle is the flame of hope in dark times, and the American flag accounts for the extreme sacrifices made by individuals for our country.

“You are not forgotten so long as there is one left in whom your memory remains,” Apgar concluded to applause. 

Eleventh Grader Katarina Nguyen, for the second year in a row, read an essay she wrote, which won the VFW essay contest. It focused on the next generation and the importance of the armed forces in our country, in a time when war doesn’t mean the same thing it did 50 or 60 years ago.

“Soldiers are the future,” Nguyen read with passion. “Soldiers serve the children in the park…Soldiers serve the elderly lady down the street…Soldiers serve you.” The veterans and military families in the crowd nodded, the infectious energy of the young speaker spreading beyond the podium.

One highlight of the day was an appearance by , the local artist and former Marine corpsman who started the Fallen Heroes Project seven years ago. He recounted the inspiring story about the woman who opened his heart to the idea of painting free portraits of those lost in combat as a means for their family to remember their loved ones. He recently painted his 2,600th portrait, and Mayor Cooper declared May 31, 2011 Michael Reagan Appreciation Day.

“Everybody has to remember this,” Reagan said, choking up along with a majority of the crowd. “This project has allowed the rest of me to come home from Vietnam and it is because of this project that I stand before you, whole…Today is Memorial Day. Today is the day for remembering.”