A salute to fallen soldiers

Basin marks Memorial Day

EPHRATA — On the last Monday in May each year, crowds gather throughout the United States to honor those heroes who served and died for their country.

At the Ephrata Cemetery on Monday, young and old came to pay their respects to those veterans. Memorial Day had a special spot in the heart of the late Lyle Pierce, and his wife and son came to honor his memory. Lyle's wife Dodie Pierce and son Col. Michael Pierce with the United States Army both spoke during a ceremony at the cemetery.

Michael told the gathered that Ephrata certainly knows the hardships sustained when a family member goes off to war.

"A lot of us wouldn't be here if it wasn't for what the veterans did and are currently doing," he said.

The holiday is a special one for citizens to focus on each year, and Michael came from Fort Lawton to pay tribute to his father. During a talk he asked visitors to look over the cemetery, and the flags waving over the many graves. The flags were placed at the cemetery for the holiday, each one representing a veteran who has since passed away.

The ceremony was organized by the members of American Legion Post 28, with contributions from members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans and their auxiliary groups. Members of the groups each placed a wreath at the podium in memorial to the fallen veterans. Following speeches, the honor guard saluted the veterans with a rifle salute united with the playing of taps on the bugle. The ceremony was one of three for the veteran's groups, who also paid tributes to fallen veterans in Soap Lake and Quincy on Monday. Ceremonies were also held in Moses Lake.

Organizer Mike Montaney said the groups take part in the ceremonies each year. Montaney said the groups are a family, and a family that wants to ensure their freedom by honoring the departed veterans.

"If it weren't for these veterans," Montaney said, "we wouldn't enjoy the freedoms we enjoy today."