PORT TOWNSEND — Memorial Day started at 10 a.m. in the Fort Worden cemetery.
Port Townsend American Legion Commander Joe Carey welcomed those in attendance and a brief ceremony began.
The presenting of the colors. The laying of the wreath. The gun salute to the fallen veterans.
The service repeated itself twice more on Monday morning.
The legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars #7498 and Elks Lodge members all traveling by caravan of vehicles from Fort Worden to Saint Mary’s Catholic Cemetery on San Juan Avenue at 10: 30 a.m. and then the Laurel Grove Cemetery on Discovery Road at 11 a.m.
They were all simple, short and heartfelt remembrances to those who lay buried at the cemeteries.
Then from the solemn beginning came a booming refrain.
Singing along
Just before noon the American Legion Hall in downtown Port Townsend burst to life with more than 100 people all singing along with the Port Townsend Summer Band.
The auditorium of people could be heard from the streets as the folks in legion belted out “God Bless America” and “The National Anthem.
“We’re here to pay respect tot he passed veterans,” Carey said.
“We also want to recognize those who are still here with us, but this is the day committed to those who have passed on.”
Carey made his words brief, thanking those who had served the legion before him and those who had served in the armed forces.
Mayor Michelle Sandoval also spoke to those gathered in the hall.
Her message was to honorably question war but always praise the men and women who serve this country.
“As citizens of this great democracy we should take seriously our responsibility to question the leadership that leads us into war,” Sandoval said.
“However, it should be said that our service men and women do not serve any administration, but rather, they serve our country.
“And as such let us respect, honor and celebrate that commitment to our country under no hesitation for Memorial Day is not about division, it is about coming together to honor those who served and gave their all.”
With that, the group made their way across the street and tossed wreaths into the Port Townsend Bay in remembrance of all Veterans who have passed on.
Carey said he was happy with the day as a whole.
“It wasn’t perfect,” Carey said.
“But it gave people that opportunity to come and be part of the memorial and pay respect in their own way.”
The legion is continuing to make an effort to involve the community in their activities, Carey said, and he was thrilled with the large turnout of people.
“It’s really big this year,” he said.
“The only problem now is how do we make it bigger this year.”
Carey said the legion, which hosts the homeless shelter and free medical clinic, is currently working on building a new roof on the building as a continued renovation project.
The legion is holding a raffle for a 1993 Ford Crown Victoria LTD or $1,000 cash prize.
The funds will go toward putting a new roof on the aging building at the corner of Monroe and Water streets.
“We’re the home to the homeless shelter,” Carey said.
“Also to the MASH clinic and to many public events.
“This raffle will help put a roof over the heads of those operations.”
Tickets are being sold for $2 with a drawing planned for Sept. 13.
The total cost to repair the dilapidated roof is $27,000.
“We’re currently about a third of the way there,” Carey said.
“Hopefully we can get there and get that roof fixed long-term so we can be a long-term good neighbor to this community.”
Carey also pointed out that this week, the post is coordinating with the state Veteran’s Affairs Hospitals to facilitate a medical van which will be in town May 26 through May 28 at Jefferson Healthcare hospital parked on Sheridan Street.
The van will be serving patients from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“The medical van is coming over for the bridge closure to help people who otherwise wouldn’t be able to get to their appointments,” Carey said.
“A nurse practitioner will be here to help people out.”
Reporter Erik Hidle can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at erik.hidle@peninsuladailynews.com
