Yelm Ave. W. @ Longmire
Photo Credit: Yelm Community Blog


– From Brian Hess, U. S. Army, Retired:
Posted July 2nd on Nisqually Valley News Facebook page, used with permission of the author.

“This has been an interesting week [July 2nd] of revelations about the city of Yelm. Last week Council Member Joe DePinto asked about 640 acres of property that the city acquired [to hold the deed] on December 29, 2017 from the Highlands property due to foreclosure for failure to pay Killion road LID. Wonder why this was not reported about in the recent edition of the Nisqually Valley News.

“Another item I have discovered is about the City of Yelm Military Banner Program. While driving down [Hwy.] 510, I noticed all but three of the military banners were removed. The one that has yet to be removed the past two years is the one for J.W. Foster. Doing research to find out what happened to the banners I found the [city of Yelm] site to apply for a banner. What I found is interesting is that the city states that the eligibility to have a banner is that the individual is currently serving on active duty or is retired. According to the biography of Mayor Foster, after serving in the Marines during the Vietnam war, he decided not to re-enlist. So even according to his bio and the eligibility requirements of the city, he should not have a banner. Have asked about this to the city and have yet to receive an answer, guess I will try again this week.”

– Update: On July 9th, Hess was told the following by the city:
“…the banners are only supposed to be displayed for a year at a time… most of the banners had been up for 2 – 3+ years – and were very weathered/damaged. The city removed the oldest ones and we are in the process of returning them to their owners. The banners are $75 each.”
Click here to purchase a new one.


Blogger Klein purchased and donated 3 military banners 2+ years ago.