Patch Picks for Memorial Day

It is a day to place wreaths and flowers at the graves of fallen heroes and say a silent prayer of thanks at ceremonies honoring their service.

• will hold a special ceremony, “Remembering Those Who Made the Supreme Sacrifice in the name of Freedom” at 11 a.m. on Memorial Day, May 30. The funeral home will be open all three days this weekend, if you wish to inquire about where a loved one has been laid to rest in the cemetery. The park will have an extensive flag display throughout the park, and representatives from the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and the American Legion will lead the presentation of colors, an honor guard salute to fallen veterans, and play taps. The ceremony will include placement of wreaths for each branch of the armed services, and the Keith Highlander Bagpipe Band and Leisure Estates Chorale will also perform. Following taps, there will be a release of peace doves.

• At the a ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. on Memorial Day. It is a restful place with benches for contemplation, viewing memorial tiles, and flags of each branch of service. Make sure to stop and look at the plaque at the northeast corner of the park that honors the boys of Renton who served. For the ceremony, members of the VFW will be on hand to place wreaths honoring each branch of the service. A ceremonial honor guard will play taps and playing of the National Anthem and other patriotic songs. Council member King Parker, Iraq War veteran Colonel Gregory Allen, NGWA, and members of the VFW will be present for the service. The will be open from noon to 4 p.m. to visit after the ceremony. Memorial tiles to commemorate your loved ones are still available to purchase on the veterans memorial wall for $75 through the .

• Tahoma National Cemetery, located in nearby Kent, is part of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, and is the final resting place for many local war veterans and heroes. Volunteers put flags on the graves of servicemen and women throughout the cemetery on Memorial Day. Walking through the cemetery and observing the sheer number of fallen heroes is a humbling experience, especially for those with a loved ones who has fought serving this country. The National Cemetery will have an observance at 1 p.m. It is located at 18600 SE 140th St. in Kent.

• You might make a visit with kids to the war memorial called the Garden of Remembrance at Benaroya Hall, home of the Seattle Symphony. It is a half-acre garden that displays granite walls, memorabilia from fallen heroes, a reflecting pool and ponds.

• Visit the Museum of  Flight on Memorial Day between noon-3 p.m. for a special performance by the Boeing Employees Concert Band. At 1 p.m., museum president, Doug King will preside over a ceremony that will include Tuskegee airmen veterans, George  Hickmann, Ed Drummond, and LeRoy Gillead. The Museum, located at  9404 East Marginal Way, Seattle, also has an ongoing display “Beyond the Blue Horizon: Stories of Aviation and Space.” Admission is $16 for adults, $14 for seniors, $9 for children age 5-17, free for children under 4 years of age.