Photo by Jeff Clemens - The Raymond American Legion Post 650 providing a rifle solute to honor the fallen.
Saturday, May 19 the American Legion Post 150 and VFW Post 968, both of Raymond, held a re-dedication for the WWI Memorial next to the Willapa Seaport Museum in Raymond. Around 100 people were present to witness the ceremony including many WWII, Korean War and Vietnam Veterans. The last surviving WWI veteran sadly passed away in 2011.
The re-dedication comes after a year of extensive hard work for VFW Post Chairman Gordon L. Aleshire. As previously reported in the Herald the WWI memorial was formerly located at the park near the Raymond Timberland Library and had fallen on hard times. The city and VFW had been unsure who was responsible for its care and it had become a vandalism hotspot.
However, thanks to 100 Cities/100 Memorials through the United States World War I Centennial Commission and their $2,000 grant award to the VFW the memorial was refurbished and moved to its new location. The project cost was approximately $8,000 and was largely funded by donations on top of the grant. They are still $3000 short of covering all the cost and donations are welcome to help cover the remaining cost. Those interested in making a donation can contact the VFW at (360) 942-3034.
The ceremony was set into motion with a three pound Navy deck cannon blast that shook the area followed by several heartfelt speeches including local Boy Scouts from Troop 36 naming off the eleven names of local men lost during WWI. South Bend Mayor Julie Struck delivered a powerful speech that was finished by a rendition of the song "Over There" written by George M. Cohan. The Grays Harbor Banjo Band was present and played the armed forces medley before the rifles atop the moment were revealed and the American Legion provided a rifle salute to the fallen comrades.
After the ceremony a second ceremony took place with a ribbon cutting inside the Seaport Museum that unveiled their new WWI addition of which includes many novelties from the war. Bob Shay from VFW Post 2995 of Redmond did the honor of cutting the ribbon. Shay has also been a crucial role in 100 Cities/100 Memorials as he is a member of the Centennial Commission and was at the ceremony on their behalf.