About 200 people helped display 6,000 American flags on veterans’ gravestones.
SEATTLE — Hundreds of volunteers carrying piles of American flags gathered at Evergreen Washley Funeral Home and Cemetery to commemorate approximately 6,000 veterans headstones in honor of Memorial Day.
“When you hear people complaining about little things like the neighbor didn’t put out the trash can or my latte wasn’t hot, remember that some of these people are in the trenches,” said attendee Karen Hogel. “All of that is nothing compared to the sacrifices that these people have made.”
This year marked the cemetery’s 98th annual Memorial Day celebration, with about 200 people in attendance.
The event began with volunteers including veterans, family members and local residents planting American flags throughout the cemetery.
A formal memorial service followed, with remarks from military personnel, including representatives from Joint Base Lewis-McChord’s Special Forces. The ceremony included a moment of silence, a tap dance performance and a flag-folding performance.
Following the ceremony, attendees participated in the Veterans Cemetery portion of the Honor Walk where stories of service and sacrifice were shared.
