Plan ahead for Memorial Day on Vashon — a time to recognize the sacrifice veterans and their families have made to ensure American freedom and democracy. This year, events are happening at Vashon Cemetery and the Vashon Senior Center.

Sunday

On Sunday, May 25, at 2 p.m., there will be a formal re-dedication of the World War II Memorial at Vashon Senior Center, located at 1004 SW Bank Road.

The Memorial honors Thomas and Lad Bacchus, island brothers who were killed within three months of each other during World War II. Senior Center board and staff have been working for over a year to restore this long-neglected part of island history, located in the back garden of the center.

The re-dedication will feature a color guard, island veterans and their families, local dignitaries, and guest speakers. Island veterans are especially invited to attend, along with their families. Seating is limited — RSVP to reserve a seat by calling the Vashon Senior Center at 206-463-5173 or by emailing admin@vashoncenter.org.

Monday

On Monday, May 26, at 11 a.m., join others in honoring the nation’s fallen veterans at a Memorial Day service at Vashon Cemetery. The solemn service will take place against the backdrop of the cemetery’s War Memorial, which has now stood for more than a century, commemorating those who have died in conflicts dating back to 1861 — including the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War and the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. It also commemorates the Unknown Dead.

Monday’s service at the cemetery service will include the presentation of wreaths by such groups as the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Hero Quilts, Vashon Scouts, the Eagles, Masons, Rotary Club and the Sportsmen’s Club, and also feature a short program by Vashon’s Judd Creek Gospel Singers.

Vashon’s Scout Troupe 294 and Cub Scout Pack 275 will make preparations for the ceremony in advance, fulfilling their yearly duty to place small American flags on the final resting places of the now almost 700 veterans who are buried there. And on Monday, the scouts will return to participate in the color guard and presentation of the flags.

Members of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars, assisted by local volunteers, will place flags in Vashon’s town center, beginning around 6 a.m. on Monday, weather permitting.

Also on Monday, May 26, from 1-4 p.m., there will be a community cookout and unveiling of the “Giving Tree” mural at the Senior Center. Islanders of all ages are invited to enjoy live music from Riverbend, plus grilled hot dogs and veggie dogs with multiple toppings, watermelon and other treats. Monday’s event will also mark the kick-off of a fundraiser in support of the Senior Center. Local artist Nan Leiter has donated her talents, money and time to create a wall mural featuring a beautiful Giving Tree.

Memorials

Memorial Day weekend is also a time to visit other veteran memorials on Vashon.

• At the base of the Ober Park flagpole is a small plaque commemorating the thirteen young men from Vashon killed in World War II.

• Agren Memorial Park is named in honor of Lieutenant Harold E. Agren, a 1932 graduate of Vashon High School. He fought the Japanese invasion of the Philippines at Corregidor and died in a Japanese prisoner of war camp at Cabanatuan.

• The Vashon Vietnam Memorial located in Ober Park recognizes the twelve Vashon young men killed in the Vietnam War.

• The Robert Bennedsen Visitor’s Memorial Bench at Vashon High School, a larger granite boulder and bronze plaque, recognizes Robert’s service to his country and his death in the Afghanistan War.