The Basin honors its heroes for Memorial Day

A family places American flags at the headstones of service members at the Ephrata Cemetery Monday.

Veterans visit and discuss their time in service and other issues during the Quincy Memorial Day ceremony at Quincy Valley Cemetery Monday.

Mike Montaney with Ephrata American Legion Post 28 observes as a memorial wreath is placed at the Ephrata Memorial Day event. Memorial Day was also known as Decoration Day when it was first established after the Civil War.

Barb Illman reads the poem “One Thousand Men Are Walking” by Joshua Dyer during the Ephrata Memorial Day observance. Illman noted that Dyer wrote the poem at the age of 14 just a few years ago, showing the next generation’s desire to honor those who served.

Veterans Operation Creation choir members sing during the Quincy Memorial Day observances on Monday. The group sang multiple times, including performances of the National Anthem and Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the U.S.A.”

Flags and crosses line the base of a fallen veterans memorial in Soap Lake.

The grave of U.S. Army Air Forces Major and World War II veteran Perry D. Brown is decorated for Memorial Day on Monday.

American Legion Art Semro Post 28 Honor Guard members fire their rifles during the Quincy ceremony. While American Legion Post 183 organized that event, the posts worked together to ensure full honors were observed.

American Legion Art Semro Post 28 Honor Guard members stand in formation during the Ephrata ceremony on Monday. Many of the attendees at the various Columbia Basin events wore poppies to honor those who have died in service.

Community members place memorial flags on graves at Valley View Memorial Park in Soap Lake on Monday.

A bugler plays “Taps” while honor guard members salute during Monday’s Memorial Day observance at Quincy Valley Cemetery. The song is played at the end of the day and during military funerals.