A caisson entering Arlington National Cemetery across the Potomac River from Washington, DC
Photo from Arlington National Cemetery website,
Courtesy of Andrew V. McMaster, May 2006

Dear Readers;

As we celebrate the unofficial start of the summer vacation season this weekend, our community grieves this year from these announcements:
– From the Associated Press Yelm Soldier killed in Iraq:
“The Defense Department says a 37-year-old soldier from Medical Lake, Wash.,…Sergeant First Class Clifford E. Beattie died Sunday [May 22] in Iraq…
Beattie was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 63rd Armor, 2nd Brigade Combat Team of the 1st Infantry Division, based in Fort Riley, Kan…
According to KXLY in Spokane, Beattie was married and has two children who live in Yelm, Wash.”

– From Hal Bernton of the Seattle Times:
“Even after a year, and more than a half-dozen memorial services, Barbie Coleman often feels like her husband is still alive. She pictures him returning to their house east of Yelm, Thurston County, telling fresh tales of life with his Special Forces team like he had so many times before…
Master Sgt. Mark Coleman died May 2, 2010, at age 40. The leader of a 12-man team, Coleman in his last minutes of life ordered younger soldiers back to a safe distance as he located a roadside bomb in southern Afghanistan…”

– From the Tacoma News Tribune:
” Sgt. Sean M. Collins, 25, was killed in Afghanistan on Dec. 12, 2010. The 2004 Yelm High School graduate, who wanted to be in the Army since he was a toddler, was buried at Tahoma National Cemetery near Kent. He is survived by mother Linda Collins, father Patrick Collins, brother Travis, and sisters Deidre and Caitlin.”

This weekend is our Memorial Day holiday when America pauses to honor those that have given their lives in service to their country. The Yelm Community Blog host & Kleiners Korner editor/publisher appreciates and honors all of those who have served to defend, protect, and preserve our country from outside invaders. Memorial Day was first called Decoration Day to honor Union soldiers who died during the American Civil War. After World War I, it expanded to include those who died in any war or military action, quoting Wikipedia.

There was a Memorial Day service yesterday at Yelm Cemetery, according to the News Tribune.

The wars have left their mark on this area, as we are reminded of Rainier’s Justin Norton:

Rainier’s fallen son, Justin Norton

Justin Norton Scholarship Fund
honoring Rainier, Washington’s fallen soldier in Iraq.
About Sgt. Norton

Donations can be mailed to:
Justin Norton Scholarship Fund
c/o Yelm Area Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 444
Yelm, Wa 98597

And last:
These videos are very touching this holiday, as well:
– “VJ Day, Honolulu Hawaii, August 14, 1945”
Amazing video footage:
CLICK HERE

– See this fabulous slide show “Women in Uniform” from 1778 – today.
From TODAY on NBC.