By TAMMY CHANG
For the Reporter
American flags and flower bouquets decorated the graves of fallen soldiers at the Cedar Lawns Memorial Park and Funeral Home in Redmond on Monday as families and community members gathered to commemorate veterans through a special ceremony in honor of Memorial Day.
“(Memorial Day) is about remembrance and opportunity,” stated Redmond City Council member Hank Margeson. “It’s about more than a family barbecue or the sales at the store. Today, let’s really appreciate. Let’s remember our ancestors, families, loved ones, neighbors, friends and those who have given their lives.”
For its third year, Cedar Lawns has hosted an event on Memorial Day to commemorate veterans who have passed away.
This year, Boy Scout Troops 525 and 585 presented the colors and Alice Stenstrom, president of Daughters of the American Revolution, carried out the invocation and benediction.
Harris Helgeson, family service supervisor at Cedar Lawns, was the master of ceremonies. Margeson (pictured below) was also present and gave a short speech at the event.
Musical performances included Neil Hubbard, who played “Amazing Grace” on his bagpipe, and Greta Matassa, who sang “God Bless America” and “America the Beautiful.”
Along with special guests, there was also a moment of silence, dove release and barbecue with chili dogs, lemonade and other light refreshments provided at no cost.
“We need to be constantly reminded of those who have given us a free and democratic society,” Stenstrom said. “Our children must know who they were and why they died. They cleared a pathway for us for freedom and democracy and we must not waiver from that pathway.”
Memorial Day, once known as Decoration Day, began in 1868 to honor those who served and died in the Civil War. At first, it was celebrated on May 30. In 1971, the date was changed and it is now held on the last Monday of every May. Memorial Day became a national holiday after World War I.
The origins of the red poppy date back to 1915 when Moina Michael, a teacher, wrote a poem in response to “In Flanders Fields” by John McCrae. Michael’s poem, “We Shall Keep the Faith,” helped to conceive the idea of wearing red poppies on Memorial Day to honor those who died serving in war. To “keep the faith,” she sold poppies to her friends and co-workers and encouraged others to wear the flower.
Today, it is a tradition to wear a poppy as a badge of remembrance.
“I just want to thank all the brave men and women who have served for the nation,” stated Michelle Casey, mother of two. “Their ultimate sacrifice has given many of us the wonderful privilege of freedom and happiness.”
Margeson, who served as a U.S. Air Force officer from 1982 to 1992, challenged audience members in his speech to make a difference and become more involved in the community.
“Not everyone can serve in the same way,” he said. “But we can serve in the community. Even the small things count. Today, we can start by honoring those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.”Stenstrom added, “We stand today to remember the honorable. Today is for remembering those who have walked in their paths of duty. We remember today; Memorial Day; our veterans.”
The Cedar Lawns Cemetery was built in 1880, followed by the memorial house in 1952 and the funeral home in 2008.
For more information, visit www.cedarlawnsmemorialpark.com.
Tammy Chang is a student in the University of Washington Department of Communication News Laboratory.
