Edmonds Veterans Plaza unveiled in Memorial Day dedication ceremony
Posted: May 26, 2014 2349
Myra Rintamaki placed the first wreath on the memorial in memory of her son, Steven, who lost his life in 2004 in the Gulf War. She is accompanied by Mike Reagan of the Fallen Heros Project. Reagan, who draws portraits of fallen military heros, had earlier presented Rintamaki with a portrait of her son. The wreath was made by students in the Edmonds Community College horticulture program. (Photos by Larry Vogel)
A crowd of more than 50 veterans, elected officials and citizens gathered on Memorial Day in the plaza of the Edmonds Public Safety building to dedicate the area to the remembrance of our fallen armed forces members.
Ron Clyborne headed up the committee that planned, designed and raised funds for the Edmonds Veterans Memorial. “It’s about remembering,” he said. “We will always remember the men and women — past, present and future — who serve in our armed forces.”
“Up until now, Edmonds has been one of the few communities without a memorial to our fallen military,” said Ron Clyborne, head of the committee whose 14 months of hard work made this memorial a reality. “Well, not any more! Today we dedicate this plaza as a permanent place to honor our military.
“The plaque we unveil today is a beautiful start, but there is more to come,” he said. “The committee will move on to raise funds and plan for additional monuments that will honor our veterans in perpetuity.”
Edmonds City Councilmember Strom Peterson praised the work of the City of Edmonds and particularly Parks Director Carrie Hite for their invaluable assistance in making the memorial a reality.
Edmonds City Councilmember Strom Peterson, a member of the Veterans Memorial Committee, praised the support from the City of Edmonds that made the project possible. “It wouldn’t have happened without the enthusiastic support of the Edmonds Parks Department and numerous others,” he said. “It was one of those times when government moved quickly and efficiently. We owe you all a debt.”
Fred Apgar, commander of VFW Post 8870, elegantly summed up the deeper meaning of this memorial. “They gave up their tomorrows so we might have today.”
Fred Apgar, commander of VFW Post 8870, summed up the deeper meaning of the memorial: “They gave up their tomorrows so we might have today.”As the wreaths were lain, Marine First Sergeant Chris Edward joined Officer Debbie Dawson of the Edmonds Police Department for “echo taps” where two bugles echo notes from either side of the gathering.Myra Rintamaki talks with State Senator Marko Liias at the conclusion of the ceremony.
I am glad to see that Edmonds has established a special Veterans Plaza. However, the comment that up until now Edmonds has been one of the few communities without a memorial to our fallen military is rather strange since for over 30 years Edmonds has had such a memorial in the form of a seven-foot tall Memorial Monument dedicated to our fallen veterans. This memorial monument has been standing in front of the Edmonds Museum on Fifth Street for all this time. This monument gives the names of 79 of our young men from School District 15 who have been lost to us in the wars from World War I to Steven Rintamaki in Iraq. Does Edmonds not consider this particular monument official?
See Lynnwood Today’s column Looking Back dated May 26, 2013 for a brief history of the Edmonds Memorial Monument which stands in front of the old Carnegie Library building, which is now the Edmonds Museum. .
Betty Lou Gaeng is correct in that there is a monument in front of the Edmonds Museum. And due to renovations at the Museum that monument will most likely be moved to the new Veterans Plaza. For clarification purposes, unlike most communities our of our size and stature Edmonds did not have a Street, Park, Plaza, Bldg. or other permanent physical location named in honor of all Veterans, past, present and future. The new Veterans Plaza will now be a location where additional memorials and monuments can be placed in order that all our veterans and fallen heroes who have bravely served our country can be properly honored and remembered for their sacrifices.
Thank you for the clear clarification, Ron. The chosen location for the Veterans Plaza is a very good choice. And thank you for your service in Vietnam!
Were very proud of all your effort’s to finally have a memorial that honors the veterans that have been slipping thru society’s fingers all this time. Every township,and Community no matter how big or how small should honor their communities Veterans.
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I am glad to see that Edmonds has established a special Veterans Plaza. However, the comment that up until now Edmonds has been one of the few communities without a memorial to our fallen military is rather strange since for over 30 years Edmonds has had such a memorial in the form of a seven-foot tall Memorial Monument dedicated to our fallen veterans. This memorial monument has been standing in front of the Edmonds Museum on Fifth Street for all this time. This monument gives the names of 79 of our young men from School District 15 who have been lost to us in the wars from World War I to Steven Rintamaki in Iraq. Does Edmonds not consider this particular monument official?
See Lynnwood Today’s column Looking Back dated May 26, 2013 for a brief history of the Edmonds Memorial Monument which stands in front of the old Carnegie Library building, which is now the Edmonds Museum. .
Betty Lou Gaeng is correct in that there is a monument in front of the Edmonds Museum. And due to renovations at the Museum that monument will most likely be moved to the new Veterans Plaza. For clarification purposes, unlike most communities our of our size and stature Edmonds did not have a Street, Park, Plaza, Bldg. or other permanent physical location named in honor of all Veterans, past, present and future. The new Veterans Plaza will now be a location where additional memorials and monuments can be placed in order that all our veterans and fallen heroes who have bravely served our country can be properly honored and remembered for their sacrifices.
Thank you for the clear clarification, Ron. The chosen location for the Veterans Plaza is a very good choice. And thank you for your service in Vietnam!
Ron C & everyone involved in this project – Nicely done!
Were very proud of all your effort’s to finally have a memorial that honors the veterans that have been slipping thru society’s fingers all this time. Every township,and Community no matter how big or how small should honor their communities Veterans.
Thank you to Michael Reagan and Myra Rintamaki for keeping the memories of fallen veterans alive so we never forget their sacrifice