Despite pandemic, services honor the fallen on Memorial Day

LYNNWOOD — Monday won’t be marked by traditional community parades and large gatherings at cemeteries.

The pandemic might have changed the way we honor the men and women who died in military service, but not the meaning and mourning of Memorial Day.

Many memorial events are virtual or drive-by. Others have scaled back services.

There will be 21-gun salutes.

In Lynnwood, a brief ceremony of remembrance will be held at 6 p.m. Monday at Floral Hills Cemetery, 409 Filbert Road. Chairs will not be provided to allow adequate social distancing.

At a drive-through event at Edmonds Memorial Cemetery from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, each car will receive a program and a poppy. The red poppy is a symbol of the sacrifices made in service. It stems from a poem written by a World War I brigade surgeon who was struck by the sight of bright red flowers on a ravaged battlefield.

Limited street parking will be available on 100th Avenue West for those wanting to visit the Edmonds cemetery at 820 15th St. SW. Edmonds police will assist with traffic flow through the residential neighborhood.

Here is a sampling of other Memorial Day events.

Stanwood

The Memorial Day observation begins at 11 a.m. at Anderson Cemetery, 7630 Pioneer Highway, with the American Legion honoring veterans buried there.

Floyd Norgaard Cultural Center will have an outdoor ceremony from 1 to 2 p.m. Monday with songs, stories and a 21-gun salute.

The community hall will be open an hour before and after the service. There will be an exhibit about Fred Pilkington, a World War II POW and Camano Island artist. Examples of his art were curated by his widow and fellow artist, Mary Pilkington.

Pilkington was taken prisoner during the Battle of the Bulge in 1944, spending four months in captivity. He wrote an account of his time as a soldier during wartime combat and what life was like in those German prison camps. After the war, he stayed in the Army Reserves. In 2014, he was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

Other exhibits are about World War II fighter pilot Bob Neale of the Flying Tigers and also the history of the Von Moos family tradition of putting flags on veterans graves at Anderson Cemetery on Memorial Day.

Arlington

The Arlington Boy Scout troops have resumed their tradition of installing the flags at the cemetery, 20310 67th Ave. NE. The flags belong to the American Legion, and are a tribute to over 600 veterans from the Arlington community who have died.

The flags will be displayed 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday.

Mill Creek

Mill Creek will have a pre-recorded commemorative ceremony and a reverse drive-by parade with military memorabilia and memorial boards.

The online ceremony, which originates at the Mill Creek Veterans Monument, will air at 9 a.m. Monday on the city’s website and Facebook page: www.cityofmillcreek.com/memorialday and www.facebook.com/MillCreekWA.

Following the ceremony, a reverse parade will take place on Main Street between 155th Street SE (Cold Stone Creamery) and 153rd Street SE (the corner of the former University Bookstore).

The display of military memorabilia can be viewed from vehicles from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Exhibit items include: A battlefield cross (boots, rifle, helmet, and dog tags) and a wreath. Uniforms from the U.S. Coast Guard, Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines.

Artwork and written notes for veterans from local elementary school students will be on display.

Andrea Brown: abrown@heraldnet.com; 425-339-3443. Twitter @reporterbrown.