Memorial Day at Forest Lawn was somber but sunny, emotional and factual as Keith Hughes, Commander of American Legion Post 160 and Commander Bill Skwiercz of VFW Post 2713 spoke for a crowd of approximately 120 gathered for the ceremony May 29.

The Duwamish Dixieland Band played, Boy Scout Troop #2713 presented the colors, and Ross Hauck sang a stirring rendition of the Star Spangled Banner.

Commander Skwiecz spoke about the reverberating pain of losing a family member, in his case, his brother and the effects on those who live on. Commander Hughes read the poem In Flanders Fields, a poem written on May 3, 1915 by Colonel John McCrae written to honor a fallen friend. Hughes became emotional recalling those he knew who had died during battle, and talked about the manner in which cemeteries in some foreign countries are treated as places of honor where children are taken to preserve the memory and teach them about those who came from another country to defend their freedom.

Echoing Taps was played by Pete Kirkman and Al Kieth and white doves were released symbolizing the release of the spirits of those who died.

Ross Hauck finished the program singing America the Beautiful.

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.