It’s still Memorial Day
— Created May 20, 2020 by Kathy Reed
By Kathy Reed
Virus or no virus, Memorial Day 2020 will happen. It might look a little different, plans may have been re-worked, but Whidbey Island will still observe the holiday honoring those veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice in their service to our country, and those who have also served or are still serving.
The annual Memorial Day Parade and Remembrance Ceremony in Coupeville will not happen, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t something in the works.
“While it is not nearly as grand as our parade and picnic etc., I believe now more than ever we need to move our minds away for a brief moment in time from what is currently happening and remember those who fought for our freedom and those who still are,” said Lynda Eccles, Coupeville Chamber of Commerce executive director. “Memorial Day is the time to do that. We can hang flags, thank our veterans in our community, have a picnic in our garden, simply embrace the freedom these heroes have given us.”
Eccles said the Central Whidbey Lions Club will still put out flags along Main Street, the Chamber is adding flags to flower barrels along the route and the Boys and Girls Club is painting “Thank You for Your Service” signs that will be put on display throughout town. Plans are also underway for a small “reverse parade” which will travel past specific veterans’ homes within the town of Coupeville. Contact the Coupeville Chamber for more information on this endeavor. (www.coupevillechamber.com)
Typically, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Fleet Reserve and most recently, the Oak Harbor Lions Club, join forces each year for a Memorial Day service at local cemeteries on Whidbey. This year the prerecorded service will be livestreamed by the VFW Whitehead Muzzal Post 7392 in Oak Harbor in conjunction with the Oak Harbor Lions Club. The Service of Remembrance, which honors all veterans past and present, will be held at 10 a.m. Monday and can be found online at
www.facebook.com/ohlionsclub/.
“This island has a great sense of community,” said Eccles.”A good example is what is happening today. Even though we are in our homes and social distancing when we have to go out, people are finding ways to reach out and support each other. That is what community is about, that is what Coupeville and Whidbey Island are about. We should always remember, and never forget, those who have given us freedom.”