Oct 31, 2023

Veteran’s Day Observance

by Rose Clark

Des Moines Memorial Drive Preservation Association Newsletter

October, 2023

It has been a very busy summer, and we hope you are well.

We are planning our Veteran’s Day observance to be held on Saturday, Nov. 11^th. We will gather at Sunnydale Elementary School, 15631 8^th Ave S, Burien, 98148.

Our ceremony will start promptly at 10:45 AM. Reception to follow inside.

We are excited this year to be joined by the Highline Brass (an ensemble from Highline Community Symphonic Band) directed by David Lipps. This wonderful band is made up of local amateur musicians from across the region. Since 1971 it has been a home for all ages to continue to hone their skills begun in high school.

We hope you have seen the signal boxes on the corners of the Drive from 116^th S to the beautiful flagpole in Des Moines. We had fun doing that. This year on Veteran’s Day our speaker will be Daniel Wend, the local artist who crafted the artwork. We are proud to have this “art on the corner” for the beauty they add plus the WWI context they provide showing us what was important in 1917. On each box is a QR code to take you to our website where you will learn how WWI affected ordinary people and look for commonality or differences with today.

There are poster pictures of pleas to join the various service branches; others show the diverse make up of those who answered Uncle Sam’s call; posters of Lady Liberty wanting the American people to wake up and help by donating to the war effort; and poppies that call to mind the blood of those who gave their lives for democracy. Up and down the strata of American society the call to action was answered. Besides enlisting, people could buy bonds and stamps to support the war. No one was left out. Rich, poor, man, woman, or child, there was a way for all to join to support our military and Red Cross as they took ship to Europe.

It is good to come together and honor those who came before. So, plan to be there by 10:45 or earlier. We hope to see you there!

Rose Clark DMMDPA Board President