The mothers of two Snohomish County soldiers who died while serving in the military are being honored as Gold Star Mothers during the Edmonds Kind of Fourth of July Parade Wednesday.

Myra Rintamaki, mother of Marine Steven Rintamaki, and Andi Bailey, mother of Marine Nick Bailey, will be riding in the parade  as part of Michael Reagan’s Fallen Heroes Portrait Project. Reagan is the Edmonds artist who has spent the past eight years volunteering to draw portraits of soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, in an effort help families say goodbye to their loved ones.

Marine Cpl. Steven A. Rintamaki, 21, died Sept. 16, 2004 due to enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He served as a Military Occupation Specialist in Iraq and was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, California. Rintamaki, who attended Meadowdale High School, received several awards while serving in the military including the National Defense Service Medal, an Honorable Service Mention, and the Purple Heart.

Marine Cpl. Nick Bailey of Monroe died May 11, 2007, in Okinawa, Japan, at the age of 24. A 2001 graduate of Monroe High School, Bailey joined the Marines after graduating from Whatcom Community College. He was assigned to 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

In addition to honoring Reagan and the Gold Star Mothers, Edmonds parade organizers have invited veterans to march at the head of the parade. In addition, veterans and their families can enjoy a barbecue with all-you-can-eat hamburgers and hot dogs from 1-3 p.m. at Shelter #2 in the Edmonds City Park on 3rd Avenue South.

The main parade begins at noon in downtown Edmonds.