Olympia waterside service honors veterans lost at sea
About 75 people attended a solemn and patriotic waterside service at Percival Landing in downtown Olympia on Sunday hosted by the Thurston County Veterans Council.
The service, which included prayers, cannon fire, a rifle salute and the bugling of taps, honors U.S. service men and women who died at sea.
“Let us always honor the memory of those brave soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who made the supreme sacrifice so that we may live in a country that is free,” prayed Bill Doucette, who served as chaplain for the ceremony.
During the event, participants were invited to toss flower blossoms into the water for veterans who don’t have graves to decorate during Memorial Day weekend.
“The sea has claimed many of our loved ones,” said Gary Walker who emceed the event. “Most are still at sea. …We toss our flowers upon the water with our prayers of thanks for a job well done.”
Representatives from a variety of South Sound veterans’ organizations participated, including American Legion and VFW posts and their auxiliaries. The event also drew several South Sound elected officials, including state Sen. Karen Fraser, Thurston County Commissioner Bud Blake, Tumwater Mayor Pete Kmet and Olympia City Council member Julie Hankins.
Eric and Gayle Strom of Tumwater said it was one of two memorial services they planned to attend over the weekend. They also plan to attend a service Monday morning (May 30) in the Legislative Building’s Rotunda on the Capitol Campus.
Eric Strom served eight years in the Air Force and 13 years in the Navy.
“I was in Vietnam twice on a ship,” he said. “I earned one thread of the red, white and blue and I defend it. And I will always defend it.”
Lisa Pemberton: 360-754-5433, @Lisa_Pemberton
This story was originally published May 29, 2016 at 6:23 PM with the headline "Olympia waterside service honors veterans lost at sea."