Every year, members of the American Legion Arthur Kincaid Post 58 rise before dawn on Memorial Day to post retired casket flags along Old Owen Road at Odd Fellows Cemetery. The flags have been collected over the years; donated by families that wanted to honor their fallen loved ones.
The Legion then honors those that have lost their lives while serving in the United States Armed Forces with quiet reflection, prayer and honor. This year's Memorial Day Ceremony took place on Monday, May 30, and was officiated by American Legion Post Commander Larry Woods, First Vice Commander Russ Dean and Chaplain Boyd Booze. The Snohomish High School Marine Corps JROTC gave a three-volley salute and Everett High School Navy JROTC member Cole Jacobs played Taps.
Monroe Mayor Geoffrey Thomas was the keynote speaker.
"A couple years ago, my wife and I visited the Pearl Harbor memorial. There, we came across a plaque inscribed with Eleanor Roosevelt's Wartime Prayer,GÇ¥ Thomas said. "The plaque states that Mrs. Roosevelt kept this in her pocket during World War II.GÇ¥
He repeated Roosevelt's prayer:
Lest I continue
My complacent way,
Help me to remember that somewhere,
Somehow out there
A man died for me today.
As long as there be war,
I then must
Ask and answer
Am I worth dying for?
"Eleanor Roosevelt's wartime prayer touched my soul so profoundly,GÇ¥ Thomas said. "You see, as we go about our daily lives, as we sleep at night, we do so under the watchful protection of service men and women at home and abroad. These service men and women are putting their very lives at risk for us GÇô for you.GÇ¥
Thomas asked ceremony attendees to always remember those who have fallen in service. He asked attendees to remember their courage, strength, dedication and their service.
"The highest gift they gave is not just a memory. The highest gift they gave, and that they still give us today is this ' a legacy that endures,GÇ¥ Thomas said. "And for their legacy, there are not words sufficient enough to express our solemn gratitude.GÇ¥Photos by Chris Hendrickson
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