WAPATO, Wash. – The Yakama Warriors Association partnered with the American Legion to host a Memorial Day ceremony in Wapato. The event, held on the reservation, included rituals and speakers to honor those who lost their lives in battle.
Families of those who died were present to pay tribute and remember their lost loved ones.
Victor Wood, a Vietnam War veteran with the United States Navy and former head warrior for 20 years with the Yakama Warriors Association, spoke about the importance of remembering the true meaning of Memorial Day.
“A lot of times it’s veterans doing it for veterans and everybody else is camping or fishing,” Wood said. “And it would be nice if they would even… I don’t mind them camping and fishing. They don’t bother me at all. But just take a few minutes to reflect on why they get that opportunity to go camping. Who paid the price for them to be able to do that. That’s all I ask.”
The ceremony began Monday morning with the preparation of flags that were used in a ceremony at their main building before heading to the cemetery.
