Forgotten Heroes remembered

MEDICAL LAKE – The services and lives of 48 unclaimed veterans were honored on April 12 during a Forgotten Heroes Interment at the Washington State Veterans Cemetery outside of Medical Lake. 

The Forgotten Heroes initiative is the collaborative efforts of the Washington Department of Veterans Affairs, the State Veterans Cemetery, and other national entities that locate, identify, and help transport unclaimed veterans' remains to place them in an appropriate final resting place.

Guests, including Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Representative Jenny Graham, several commanders from the American Legion, and other volunteers, service members, and area residents, attended the service to pay their respects.

"It's my honor to join everyone here today in laying to rest some of our country's finest men and women," said Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers. "Each one of them had their own story and their own journey.

"While they may not have had any family left or next of kin, they still have us. Neighbors, friends, and fellow Americans admire them for their courage and selflessness. Today we help them close their final chapter as we place them with their brothers and sisters."

Rudy Lopez, director of the Veterans Cemetery, explained the initiative has helped locate, identify, and inter 630 veterans in the cemetery since 2010. The remains are placed into hand-carved wooden boxes prepared and donated for the cause and then placed in the wall at the cemetery.

"These individuals gave their all, and they came from all corners of America and are literally America's finest," Lopez said. "They went to all corners of the world and served under very austere conditions, so our honor is to find these individuals and pay their final respects." 

Lopez said the internment helps families find closure and reunites them with a lost loved one. He added this service fulfills the promise that warriors are never left behind.

Some guests came from across the state to participate in the ceremony, including 10th District American Legion Commander Frank Sterling, who traveled over 300 miles to represent Post 23 and Stafford Creek Corrections Center near Aberdeen.

Sterling is the only member of Post 23 who is not a prisoner of war. He said he takes a lot of pride in speaking on behalf of his brothers and sisters, who were POW's.

"At some point in their lives before they did whatever they did to become a prisoner, they picked up a rifle and stepped up to answer the nation's call," Sterling said. "And the legion leaves nobody behind." 

Closing statements were made with the honor guard presenting a flag to a veteran in attendance who had recently lost a close friend.

"As we say goodbye to these unforgotten heroes, I'm reminded of how they risked it all for us," Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers said. "They risked it all for us to be free and to make sure the promise of America is kept."