Remembering the non-combat heroes on Memorial Day

Memorial Day events were held all around the Puget Sound Monday from the capital rotunda in Olympia to Seattle’s Bread of Life Mission to various cemeteries throughout the region.

At Acacia Memorial Park in Seattle, a veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan reminded those gathered to remember the non-combat veterans who served, and died for, their country.

“It’s the crusty drill sergeant, who barked orders so the recruits could learn how to handle stress, it’s the sergeant who helped a new soldier mend a troubled marriage, it’s the chaplain who listened to and comforted a warrior who had just lost a battle buddy,” remarked Lt. Colonel Corey Crosbie. “These are the nameless heroes who live and die each day without want of recognition.”

The infantry commander at Joint Base Lewis-McChord has served multiple deployments, from Kuwait to Afghanistan.

“For me, this is intensely personal as I have lost close friends and comarades over the last 12 years of war,” said Crosbie.

Memorial Day, he said, is also for those who served at home and for those who survived.

“There stories are the stories of this nation and they deserve to be heard, remembered and honored on Memorial Day, and beyond,” said Crosbie.

Col. Crosbie asked that we also remember the families that fallen soldiers leave beyond, telling them: “you bear a burden only you can comprehend.”

Gov. Jay Inslee was the scheduled guest speaker at the Memorial Day event at Tahoma National Cemetery, in Kent.