PORT ANGELES — Surrounded by American flags decorating the graves of veterans buried at Mount Angeles Memorial Park on Monday, about 100 people honored the men and women who have died while serving their country.
“Memorial Day is a day we pause to give thanks to the men and women who have fought for the things we have, those who died in combat in service for our great nation,” said Gary Velie, president of the Clallam County Veterans Association. “The price of freedom is the amount on that blank check of all who served to give it their all, up to and including life.”
Amanda Bacon sings “The Star-Spangled Banner” during the Memorial Day ceremony at Mount Angeles Memorial Park on Monday. (Jesse Major/Peninsula Daily News)
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The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1024 paid respect to its fallen comrades during the annual ceremony. Members of American Legion Post 29 and other local veterans groups held American flags during the half-hour ceremony.
Bagpiper and retired Coast Guardsman Ricky McKenzie performed Amazing Grace before Mount Olympus Detachment 897 of the Marine Corps League performed a rifle salute and played taps.
Amanda Bacon sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “God Bless America.”
A joint Memorial Day ceremony was held Monday at the Sequim View Cemetery with the American Legion and VFW Post 4760 participating. In the photo, a prayer of remembrance and thanksgiving was being presented. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
“On this day, forever consecrated to our heroic dead, we are assembled once again to express sincere reverence,” said VFW Post 1024 Cmdr. John Kent. “This cemetery represents the final resting place for many fallen comrades who served in all wars.
“Our presence here is in solemn commemoration of all these men and women, an expression of our tribute to their devotion of duty, to their courage and patriotism.”
He said that because of them, the American flag flies over free people.
Memorial wreaths were presented by representatives of VFW Auxiliary 1024, American Legion Post 29, Korean War veterans, POW/MIAs and Daughters of the American Revolution.
VFW and VFW Auxiliary officers placed emblems and flowers to pay respects to their departed comrades.
The veterans circle on the south end of Mount Angeles Memorial Park is dedicated to all men and women who served in the U.S. armed forces.
Forks Mayor Tim Fletcher, left, prepares to speak at the Memorial Day ceremony at the Forks Cemetery on Monday. Fletcher-Wittenborn VFW Post 9106 Commander Tom Hughes welcomed the roughly 60 people who attended the event. Fletcher, VFW Auxiliary President Janet Hughes and Tom Hughes each offered a short speech. Rod Fleck, city attorney/planner, read General John A. Logan’s Memorial Day Order from 1868. Fleck also lowered the city flags to half mast. Pastor Tom Lafrenz offered the invocation and benediction. Local members of the VFW and American Legion Post 106 provided the rifle volley. (Christi Baron/Olympic Peninsula News Group)
The memorial inside the circle reads: “Think not only upon their passing but remember the glory of their spirit.”
Other Memorial Day ceremonies took place Monday around the North Olympic Peninsula.
In Clallam County, ceremonies were held at Sequim View, Jamestown, Blue Mountain and Forks cemeteries.
In Jefferson County, ceremonies were hosted at Gardiner Community Cemetery, and Fort Worden, Laurel Grove and St. Mary’s cemeteries in Port Townsend.
“Please don’t use just this day to honor and remember all of our fallen comrades,” Kent said at the conclusion of the ceremony. “Please remember them every day because they gave the ultimate sacrifice for us to have our freedoms.”
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Reporter Jesse Major can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56250, or at jmajor@peninsuladailynews.com.