Clark County cities will host myriad ceremonies May 27 to honor the fallen who fought for our freedom.
Memorial Day is the last Monday of May and honors U.S. military personnel who died while serving. In the 1860s, communities gathered to commemorate the soldiers who died during the Civil War. In 1971, Congress made the event a federally recognized holiday.
Free ceremonies will begin at 11 a.m. in Vancouver, Battle Ground and Washougal.
In Vancouver, the Community Military Appreciation Committee will host its Memorial Day observance at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site.
Attendees will view the Garrison flag raising, canon firing and a wreath-laying ceremony in honor of the fallen soldiers. Complementary light lunch will be available. Speakers include Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle, Fort Vancouver National Historic Site Superintendent Tracy Fortmann and keynote speaker John Kaiser, a combat veteran.
IF YOU GO
What: Vancouver’s Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremony
When: 11 a.m. to noon May 27
Where: Fort Vancouver National Historic Site bandstand on the parade field; 1001 E. Fifth St., Vancouver
Cost: Free
What: Battle Ground’s Memorial Day Ceremony
When: 11 a.m. May 27
Where: Kiwanis Park, 422 S.W. Second Ave., Battle Ground
Cost: Free
What: Washougal’s Memorial Day Ceremony
When: 11 a.m. May 27
Where: Washougal Memorial Cemetery, 3329 Q St., Washougal
Cost: Free
“The Vancouver Barracks and the service members that called this place home represent a pivotal component of this park’s history. The post is much more than just a collection of buildings; they are a visible reminder of our shared 19th and 20th century military history,” Fortmann said in a news release.
Parking is available at Hudson’s Bay High School and the National Park Service south lot. Attendees can ride the dedicated C-Tran shuttle to and from the bandstand.
Battle Ground’s Memorial Day ceremony will include a presentation of flags from the Battle Ground High School Air Force Junior ROTC program. Battle Ground High School band members Logan Gillespie and Rubyee MacPherson will perform on the bagpipes and trumpet, respectively.
The ceremony will also honor the 31 Battle Ground-area men who’ve died in service.
The city of Washougal, American Legion and Washougal Memorial Cemetery board will also host a Memorial Day commemoration. The event will include a 21-gun salute, taps and retiring of colors.
There will be complementary refreshments.
The city of Washougal is also seeking donations and applying for grants for a new project, which would construct a veterans memorial at the Washougal cemetery. According to the Camas-Washougal Post-Record, the proposed memorial would add onto the current memorial by building six new monuments with engravings of the names of local veterans.
