Community gathers to honor service members on Memorial Day

Nearly 100 community members gathered to pay their respects to friends, family, loved ones and strangers who paid the ultimate sacrifice by dying while serving in the United States military during a Memorial Day ceremony on Monday, May 26, at Yelm City Park.

The City of Yelm, in collaboration with VFW Post 5580 and American Legion Joseph Redberg Hall, hosted the event outdoors at Yelm City Park. Mayor Joe DePinto, state Rep. Matt Marshall and VFW Post 5580 Commander Steven Slater spoke to community members in attendance, all showing their gratitude for servicemen and servicewomen who’ve lost their lives serving the United States.

Marshall, a proud Army veteran and current representative of Washington’s Second Legislative District, spoke about the heaviness of Memorial Day and how it impacts him and many other veterans across the United States.

“Today, as we gather, as communities across our nation do, we’re gathering to remember the men and women who didn’t just sacrifice, but gave all to this great nation that we love,” Marshall said. “This is not just another holiday. For many families who’ve lost, this is much more. This is a personal day. We remember faces. We remember names. Some of us remember laughter in the barracks — the quiet on patrol. We remember the heavy silence that comes with loss. We remember our friends who didn’t make it home. The weight of that loss is not something that fades with time. For many of us, it’s a companion. Sometimes, it’s silent. Sometimes, it’s overwhelming, but it’s always there. The cost of freedom isn’t measured in parades or speeches, but in the lives of those who have given everything. We carry their memory and absence every day.”

Marshall added that Memorial Day is not only about grief, but also about a promise. He said this promise is to the fallen service members that their sacrifice would not be forgotten, and a promise that their lives will continue to inspire others.

“We owe it to live lives that are worthy of that sacrifice. That means upholding the values they fought for: courage, integrity, service and a commitment to one another,” Marshall said. “To our Gold Star families, no words could ever fill the void that was left by your loved ones. Your strength, your resilience and continued presence in our community reminds us the cost of war is worn by more than just the fallen.”

Slater, Nisqually Valley VFW Post 5580 commander, spoke at the event and thanked the city for its efforts in restoring the VFW’s monument at Yelm City Park after it was moved several months ago in preparation for a transition to a planned Veteran’s Memorial Park in Yelm.

“I’m very appreciative of everyone showing their support for this rededication of the monument after it was moved abruptly. It looks nice. We have a nice turnout, and thankfully the weather is giving us a nice break. We appreciate that from the Lord above,” Slater said.“I’m surprised the city was able to pull it together, but I’m grateful for it. We all wondered if the government could move that quickly, but they pulled it off, and here we are. We want to focus on those who sacrificed to bring us together today.

“It’s rather fitting that this is the 250th anniversary of the three services all being formed by the continental Congress trying to fight for our liberty,” Slater continued. “With that, and other services being added, we have a lot of veterans and servicemen who’ve made this ultimate sacrifice over several conflicts. I’m glad we’re able to still remember them and have a public and free space to do that in.”

Yelm Public Works Director Cody Colt, a United States Navy veteran, was also glad to see the memorial rededicated during the Memorial Day event on Monday, May 26.

“It’s huge. I think the revitalization of the whole memorial is great. The event itself is honoring those who paid the ultimate price, and Memorial Day is always a good time to reflect on what we’ve been through and what America has gone through. I think that’s a big deal,” Colt said. “This shows a big understanding of what Memorial Day means to not only the city, but Americans as a whole. You’ll see a mix of veterans, families, officials and different people, and I think that’s very important. Remembering those who served and paid the ultimate price is what Memorial Day is all about.”