The town of Coupeville knows how to throw a celebration.
Its annual Memorial Day parade and remembrance ceremony were well attended last Saturday, as hundreds of people of all ages gathered along the parade route.
With 72 entries in this year’s parade, the event didn’t disappoint. Survivors of Pearl Harbor and other World War II veterans rode in classic cars near the front of the procession. Other entries included the Coupeville High School Band, community groups and businesses.
“It’s a fun family outing and good for remembering,” said Kristina Thornton, who watched the parade with her husband, Ryan, an Aviation Electronics Technician at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, and their 22-month-old son, Christopher.
“It’s interesting to meet all the old timers,” said Dave Nelson. Nelson and his wife, Edie, live just south of Coupeville.
“We honor and love our country and the people that have served,” said Edie.
Of course, good weather helped to make the day more enjoyable all the way around, creating a scenic backdrop at Town Park for Navy Band Northwest, which entertained the crowd toward the end of the celebration, and helped round out the Memorial Day festivities.
“I think it’s all a force for good,” said Audrey Samelson of Coupeville.
But no Memorial Day celebration would be complete without taking time to honor those who died in service to our country.
After welcoming remarks from Coupeville Mayor Nancy Conard, the honor of commemorating the event fell to keynote speaker Capt. Jay Johnston, commanding officer of NAS Whidbey Island.
“As we so often hear, freedom has a price and each generation pays its dues,” said Johnston. “Today is our day to say thank you to those who foot the bill, those who have paid the ultimate price.”
Johnston went on to remind the crowd of the importance Naval aviation has played over the course of the last 100 years, asking people to remember the aviators from the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard who lost their lives while serving their country.
“They gave up entire lives — we owe them more than one day,” he said. “Find ways to ensure their legacy endures. We live in a sound-bite culture where major events are only good for one news cycle and are too soon forgotten or replaced by another breaking story. These men and women are worth more than that. Their history deserves telling and re-telling.
“We have witnessed again and again the powerful force of freedom and its determination to take root even where there seems to be no hope,” Johnston continued. “It thrives because of the men and women we honor today. It grows because they lived and died knowing that freedom is the most precious gift we have.”
