Cashmere pays tribute to fallen military service members on Memorial Day

CASHMERE –  Approximately 200 people gathered at the Cashmere Cemetery for the 77th Annual Cavalcade of Flags on Memorial Day.

“They’re honoring our military. That's what it's all about, is honoring them, especially those who died in war,” said Navy Veteran Alice Goodwin.

The service opened with a monument wreath presentation and a Prisoner of War and Missing in Action (POW/MIA) wreath presentation by Gold Star sister Norma Hendrickson and her son, Tom Hendrickson. A Gold Star is a symbol of recognition for the immediate family of a fallen service member who died while serving in the armed forces. Special remarks followed from Gold Star family member Rich Pipkin and keynote speaker Michael Buyas, U.S. Army 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division.

“Every flag draped over a casket represents a true American hero, a true act of courage and bravery. They're a reminder of the promise to defend others – an act of selflessness, given without reservation. Behind every name etched on a monument is a family that will forever feel an irreplaceable absence…Today we honor the fallen,” said Buyas during his speech.

During a flyover from Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 424, the Memorial Day event continued with an honor roll call of the presented flags, rifle volley, and taps by Entiat High School senior Seth Williams.

Service continued at the Riverside Center Memorial with an invocation, wreath presentation, a roll call for memorialized local service members, and taps. Service members lost at sea were honored with a wreath presentation by Naval Reservist Jay Justus and his son, Kieran Justus, at the Riverside Park boat ramp.

Preparation for the service began three weeks in advance according to American Legion Post 64 Commander Kenneth Komro, who organizes the event each year with Adjutant Wiley Collins. The members organized and prepared the placement of 485 American flags, each donated by a family of a fallen service member. 

Early in the morning on Memorial Day, the large flags were placed along the cemetery pathways with the help of the Cashmere High School football team. Over the weekend leading up to the event, the American Legion Post 64 Auxiliary helped place 1,100 smaller flags at the gravestones of veterans. The event preparation also received help from a number of volunteers and participants, including the Cashmere Fire Department, Lions Club, Mission Creek Community Club, Valley Tractor and Dennis Jackson.

However, the American Legion Post 64 is looking for another organization to take on part of the annual event planning as its members continue to age out. Komro told attendees, “We have no one to pass it down to. We’re it.”

“We do it out of the kindness of our hearts for the committed. It got started way back when with the World War II guys, and we're continuing that dedication. And we'll do the best we can until we’ve got one of our [own] flags out here,” Komro told Ward Media.

Taylor Caldwell: 509-433-7276 or taylor@ward.media