MEDICAL LAKE, Wash. – On Memorial Day, a special ceremony took place at the Washington State Veterans Cemetery to honor U.S. military members who laid down their lives in service.
Veterans gathered to pay tribute to fallen comrades. One veteran shared, “It means more than I can say.”
For many, Memorial Day is a time to remember friends who never returned home. Retired Vietnam War veteran, Gary Wentling, reflected, “I think a lot of friends of mine who should be like me 75 or 76 or 77 years old they died when they were 19 or 20.”
The bonds formed on the front lines are lifelong, as another veteran stated, “It’s a bond that is always there.”
However, some feel the importance of Memorial Day is waning. Another Vietnam vet, Charlie Monroe expressed, “It just seems to be fading away,” and Monroe candidly shared his disappointment, saying, “Used to be a heck of a lot more people here.”
Speakers at the event addressed the generational gap between younger attendees and veterans of wars like World War II, Vietnam, and Korea. They emphasized the need for education to preserve the history of these heroes. Monroe noted, “Look around there were empty chairs. Every year there’s fewer and fewer people coming. It’s like we’re losing it and it’s sad to see you know what are we going to bury next, our flag?”
Despite smaller crowds, veterans appreciated the continued recognition. “We can’t do enough to honor them and their legacy. I mean, I’m just humbled,” one veteran said. Another added, “Well I’ve got a few friends here and you know time goes by you make the time to come out.”
The ceremony underscored the importance of honoring service members and their families. “A privilege to be here,” one veteran said. Another stated, “This is celebrating our fallen brothers and sisters who gave the ultimate sacrifice.”
