Hometown memorial needs to be mentioned

As you can see, this column is accompanied by a picture of a 9/11 memorial event. It was one my wife attended in Granger on Sunday.

I didn't attend because, as I wrote earlier, I feared I'd be made more mad than sad. I'm still waiting for the guilty to be held to account.

The fact the hijackers died and Usama Bin Laden has been killed does not satisfy me. I'm still left with an empty feeling.

If some of you feel offended that I'm giving my home town attention in this column, I apologize. But I hope you'll indulge me.

You see, it was just days after I wrote my earlier column that the memorial went up. It's only five minutes walking distance from my house, and it is spectacular.

The centerpiece of the memorial is a replica of the World Trade Center. But there is more, very tastefully done. It is a memorial you would expect in a place like Yakima or Seattle.

If you drive this way, stop and see the memorial. It's right where Highway 223 meets Interstate 82. It is next to the Arco station. If you stop, you will be impressed.

Dignitaries like Washington State Patrol Sergeant Thomas Foster, Dept. of Washington American Legion Vice Commander Troy Monholland and Yakima County Sheriff Ken Irwin couldn't say enough about it.

This memorial does not surprise me. It was done by the Granger Public Works Department, which is known for the spectacular. Every once in a while that department reminds me that small towns can do big things.

For some unknown reason, the department has been staffed by artistically-inclined employees the past 30 years. They are also community-minded, giving their time off to civic projects.

These public works employees have a selfish motive, to be sure. Their aim is to promote the community.

The first project was community floats that won top awards at Seattle, Portland and Spokane. The floats were leased by Montana businesses for use in a Missoula parade.

The next project was a dinosaur. It grew to a herd of dinosaurs throughout the town. People came from all over to see them and still do.

Many times, after revealing my community of residence, I've been asked: "The town with the dinosaurs?" There is even a dinosaur at the memorial. It seems to be standing guard.

Whatever else the Granger public works crew has done that I've missed, I don't know. But I couldn't miss the memorial. It hit me like a ton of bricks as I approached one day on my way home from Royal and Mattawa.

This picture of the memorial event was taken by my wife. It is of the Yakama Warriors Association rendering a 21-gun salute to America and its fallen citizens and warriors.

I selected this picture because of the twin towers and the Warriors. The Warriors are members of the Yakama Indian Nation who have fought in America's wars. They come every chance they get to events that honor America.

One of their members, Loren Corpuz (not visible) played taps on his trumpet in the distance after the salute.