Sutherland Funeral Home hosted Memorial Day services on Monday at Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery in Centralia. A crowd of well over one hundred people, including many veterans, gathered for the occasion. The solemn event took place under clear and sunny weather, allowing attendees to commemorate fallen veterans without complications.
The event began with ceremonies including the posting of the colors by the honor guard detail, the singing of the national anthem, and the presentation and folding of the American flag. Several speakers throughout the event gave remarks on the importance of Memorial Day, including the keynote speaker, Jeff Castellari, an Air Force veteran and current Centralia city councilman. Castellari began his speech by talking about the timing of Memorial Day, suggesting that its occurrence at the end of May was symbolic:
“I think they knew what they were doing when they designated this time of year as a time to honor the fallen,” Castellari said. “This is a time of renewal and strength. They must have imagined all the flowers in bloom, a million or more representing those lost in battles here and on almost every continent around the globe.”
Castellari described Memorial Day as an opportunity to remember the sacrifices made by fallen veterans, share their stories, and inspire others. He told a story about an army chaplain who served in the Korean War, providing support to soldiers without ever picking up a weapon himself, before ultimately dying in a prison camp alongside his comrades. Castellari stressed the humanity of those who are honored on Memorial Day.
“The history of our nation and those who served can be summed up in a short yet fitting phrase: they are ordinary people who, by virtue of their service and sacrifice, are extraordinary.”
After speeches had been given and commemorations made, the event concluded with a gun salute from the uniformed firing party. Attendees were dismissed shortly before noon, at which time the American flag was raised from half-staff to full-staff according to custom.
