
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
This story reprinted from first publishing here May 28, 2007:
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 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.
The wars have left their mark on this area, as we are reminded of one of the first from this area to give the ultimate sacrifice, Rainier’s Justin Norton, who was killed in June 2006:

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
– Memorial Day observed locally
The entire community is invited to honor the men and women who died while defending the United States. Memorial Day services will be held Sunday in Yelm and Roy, and Monday in Rainier.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5580 is hosting the Yelm and Roy ceremonies, which will be held at its respective cemeteries. The Yelm ceremony is 1 p.m. Sunday at 11540 Cemetery Road SE, and Roys is 3 p.m. at 288th St. S.
The American Legion Post 264 hosts a ceremony 11 a.m. Monday at the Veterans Memorial Park in Rainier on Binghampton Street, just north of the Texaco gas station.
– Delta Airlines honors our military on their last flights home.
A group of Delta Air Lines employees has made a commitment to honor and recognize members of the military who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
The Delta Honor Guard, which has been operating since 2005, is composed of approximately 30 men and women who volunteer their time to honor fallen troops whose remains come through Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport aboard Delta flights, according to Brian McConnell, coordinator of the Delta Honor Guard.
Click here for this moving ceremony, which occurs even in the rain, plane-side.
– “Memorial Day and the Meaning of Freedom”
By Jeff Deist, Mises Economics Blog
Read more
– “The Path of the Warrior”
A moving tribute from the Humanity Healing Foundation.
Click here for the video.
– Won’t you consider a contribution to the Wounded Warriors Project.
Click here to donate.