Pastor and retired Army chaplain Mike Swartz and his wife Lesa prepare to lay roses at a previous memorial for 87 U.S. service members who died when their transport aircraft crashed at Larson Air Force Base on Dec. 20, 1952. Swartz will deliver the invocation and benediction at this year’s memorial Monday at 11 a.m.
May 21, 2025
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Memorials to honor the fallen Monday in the Basin
COLUMBIA BASIN — Among the barbecues, festivities and relaxation of the three-day weekend, many Basin communities will take a solemn moment to recognize the reason for Memorial Day weekend. The Moses Lake Spring Fest, a tradition for more than 40 years, is adding a little patriotic remembrance into its Grand Parade at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, said Spring Fest Committee member Lori Valdez. “(This year) we ordered a very, very large flag that is going to encompass the street, and we have people who have volunteered to carry the flag. It will bring a tear to your eye if you’ve had a loved one serve.”