Caisson enters Arlington National Cemetery across the Potomac River from Washington, DC.
Photo from Arlington National Cemetery website, Courtesy: Andrew V. McMaster, May 2006.


– This story is reprinted here annually since 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 in the Iraq War, 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


– Delta Airlines honors our military on their last flights home (February 13, 2013).
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. A solider and his military canine who both died in action return home, their remains arriving on U. S. soil in Atlanta in this video.
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 plane-side in the rain, and all weather conditions.

– “Delta Honor Guard awarded VFW Americanism Award”
By Michael Thomas, Delta News Hub, Jan. 10, 2018
Read more


– At Sea-Tac Int’l Airport: Hometown-based “Alaska Airlines Fallen Soldier Program”
Click here


– 2017: “Delta Honor Guard: Fallen sailor returns home [to the Twin Cities] after 75 years”
By Rachel Solomon, Delta Airlines News Hub, posted May 26, 2017.
Click here


– “DOWNLOAD “THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE” THIS MEMORIAL DAY”
A Broken System, A Roadmap Of Hope
Click here