Community members once again honored fallen service members this Memorial Day at ceremonies held at two of the area’s most historic burial grounds — Pleasant Ridge Cemetery and the Swinomish Cemetery.

At Swinomish Cemetery, Memorial Day services are planned by the Swinomish Culture & Cemetery Board and Communications Committee. Volunteers Doug and Kay York compiled the names of Swinomish veterans, which were read aloud during Monday’s service.

Doug York, a veteran and local pastor, and fellow veteran Laura Kasayuli read the names, while Dennis Dan, another Swinomish veteran, played the traditional “Taps” bugle call to close the ceremony.

Swinomish Senator Aurelia Bailey, who serves as the tribe’s cultural events director, said family members placed or hung flags at individual graves before the observance began.

Swinomish Senator Fred Cayou, one of this year’s main speakers, helps maintain both the grounds and the veterans’ flags year-round. He praised the many hands that make the services possible.

“This is the day we honor those who didn’t come home,” Cayou said. “I see a big show of friends who have come forward to take care of our families.”

Just over two miles east of La Conner at Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, families frequently decorate graves throughout the year. But on Memorial Day, the grounds take on special significance.

“Memorial Day,” said Pleasant Ridge Cemetery Commission Secretary Lori Buher, “is probably the most decorated time here.”

That care and attention are the result of extensive planning and volunteer work. Grounds crews step up mowing and trimming ahead of the holiday to ensure the entire cemetery is well cared for, Buher said. Volunteers also help place flags at more than 200 veterans’ graves.

“Through the years, community members, La Conner High students, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Boy Scouts have all taken turns placing flags, she said. “We do our best to place a flag on every veteran’s grave.”

Local families have also contributed to the effort for generations. John and Barb Howlett shared memories with Buher and cemetery commissioners of helping Barb’s father and uncle — Bob and Babe Nelson — place flags in years past. David Denton recalled assisting his parents, longtime Cemetery Commissioner Dave Denton and his wife Lorraine, with Memorial Day preparations.

Volunteers also help take down the flags a few days after the holiday. Buher said local resident Deb Grant has already offered to assist this year.

Each year, the Skagit Valley Marine Corps League receives an invitation to participate in the Pleasant Ridge service. Local pastors are also invited to share reflections or short sermons. Rev. Don Robinson of Pleasant Ridge has regularly hosted the event.

“When possible,” Buher said, “we like to showcase La Conner students. Some years we will invite a guest who has a story to share about their family’s history.”

The cemetery, the oldest in Skagit County, continues to evolve. Buher said former commissioner Curt Miller, a retired landscape architect, has drawn up plans to add native specimen trees. She also credited Karen Adcock for helping maintain and beautify the cemetery.

“She does an incredible number of things that the grounds crew can’t get to,” Buher said.

Though Memorial Day comes just once a year, the dedication shown at both cemeteries reflects a year-round commitment to honoring veterans with dignity, gratitude, and care.

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Bill Reynolds: bill@laconnercommunitynews.org. Bill is a general