May 26 is Memorial Day, and this weekend Kitsap residents are participating in several events to remember departed veterans and those who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Six deceased veterans will be honored with words and music at “The Unforgotten, Run to Tahoma V” celebration of life ceremony on May 24, 10:45 a.m., in the plaza of the Kitsap County Administration Building in Port Orchard. Following the ceremony, the veterans’ remains — one of which is unclaimed — will be taken by escort to Tahoma National Cemetery near Kent.
“The Unforgotten, Run to Tahoma” ceremony is sponsored by the Kitsap Board of County Commissioners, the Kitsap County Coroner’s Office, the Kitsap County Veterans Advisory Board, and Combat Veterans International.
In the past, the ceremony was held at the County Coroner’s office in West Bremerton. Because of attendance and lack of parking, the ceremony was moved to the plaza of the County Administration Building, which has ample parking nearby.
“The Unforgotten, Run to Tahoma” occurs when the County Coroner has the remains of at least one unclaimed, deceased veteran in his care. This year, that veteran is Walter L. Brown, who served briefly in the U.S. Army during the mid-1950s. He will be joined by five other veterans whose remains were submitted by family members or friends:
Robert J. Brown, USN.
Norman N. Holgate, USN.
Frederick L. Hughes, USN.
Kenneth D. Hughes, USN.
Michael F. Shaughnessy, USN.
Walter and Robert Brown are not related, however, Robert is well-known locally for his portrayals of Abraham Lincoln. Frederick and Kenneth Hughes are brothers. Kenneth was a retired assistant chief of the Bremerton Fire Department.
The ceremony includes a prelude of music performed by the Duncan Creek String Quartet. The Marine Security Battalion and Navy IMF personnel from Bangor will provide color and honor guards. Specialist James Knickerbocker, 133rd U.S. Army National Guard Band, will sing the National Anthem and Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.” Melinda Hughes, daughter of Kenneth Hughes, will sing “Amazing Grace.” The Coast Salish Anthem (Chief Dan George Prayer Song) will be sung by Suquamish Tribe Council member Nigel Lawrence.
The ceremony will include the flyby of a U.S. Coast Guard MH65 Dolphin helicopter.
Following the ceremony, the departed will be carried in a vehicle donated by West Sound Auto Plex.
The Run to Tahoma cortège will be guided by Elite Motor Escort, under the auspices of Combat Veterans International.
Flag raisings and retirements will be conducted throughout the county on May 26, noon, by the John Paul Jones chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, Lowe’s and sailors from the USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74).
After the flags are replaced, the old flags will be turned over to Marion (Mick) Hersey, flag chairman of the local Sons of the American Revolution chapter, at NAD Park in Bremerton. At 3 p.m. following the National Moment of Silence, the flags will be retired by burning.
Flags will be changed out at the following locations.
NORTH COUNTY
Point No Point Lighthouse, 9009 Point No Point Road, Hansville.
Suquamish Veterans Memorial, corner of NE South Street and Suquamish Way NE, Suquamish.
World War Memorial, Bainbridge High School, 9330 NE High School Road, Bainbridge Island.
Fort Ward/Battlefront Park, Battlefront Park Drive and Arrow Point Drive NE, Bainbridge Island.
Poulsbo WWI & WWII Memorial, 18809 Anderson Parkway, Poulsbo.
Keyport Naval Undersea Museum, 1 Garnett Way, Keyport.
Veterans Memorial Park, 3200 NW Byron, Silverdale (memorial service at 2 p.m.).
Legend Harley Davidson Veterans Memorial, 9625 Provost Road, Silverdale.
BREMERTON
Kitsap County Library’s Irving Allen Memorial will receive its new flag May 23.
Bataan Park, corner of Sylvan Way and Olympus Drive, East Bremerton.
Illahee Park, Veterans Memorial, 3540 NE Sylvan Way, East Bremerton.
Manette New Life Church Veterans Memorial (flag will be presented at the 11 a.m. service on May 25).
Hal’s Corner, USS Bremerton Anchor (flag will be raised by parks department bucket truck on May 23).
Lent Landing, Bud Hawk Memorial, corner of Lebo Boulevard and Reid Avenue, Bremerton.
Evergreen Park, WWI Memorial, 1400 Park Ave, Bremerton.
Norm Dicks Government Building, 345 6th St., Bremerton.
Bremerton High School, site of Path of Freedom, 1500 13th St. (will be assisted by NJROTC).
Ivy Green Cemetery, 1401 Naval Ave., Bremerton (new flags will be installed at 8 a.m.; service at 1 p.m.).
NAD Park, F-8 Crusader, 6002 Kitsap Way, Bremerton (flag will be lowered at 3 p.m.).
Miller Woodlawn Cemetery, 5505 Kitsap Way, Bremerton (service is on May 25 at 8 p.m.).
Forest Lawn Cemetery, Navy Anchor, Bremerton (service is at 11 a.m.)
Naval Museum, USS Parche Sail, 251 1st St. Bremerton.
USS Franklin Memorial, Boardwalk, 100 Washington Beach Ave., Bremerton.
Lone Sailor at the end of the Boardwalk, 100 Washington Beach Ave., Bremerton.
USS Turner Joy, 100 Washington Beach Ave., Bremerton (10 a.m. service, holiday ensign flown).
SOUTH KITSAP
Veterans Memorial Triangle, 216 Prospect St., Port Orchard.
Port Orchard City Hall, 216 Prospect St., Port Orchard.
Kitsap County Courthouse WWII Memorial, 614 Division St., Port Orchard.
Veterans Memorial Wall, 100 Harrison Ave., Port Orchard.
Sunset Lane Cemetery, Port Orchard (memorial service at 11 a.m.).
Washington State Veterans Home, 1141 Beach Drive, Retsil (ceremony closed to the public).
Washington State Veterans Home Cemetery, Jackson Street up the hill from Beach Drive, Port Orchard.
Veterans Memorial Park, 985 Retsil Road, Port Orchard.
Veterans Memorial Manchester, 8067 E. Main St., Manchester (service at 3 p.m.).
