Memorial Day Medal of Honor Tour
Following the Memorial Day Commemorative Service, we invite you to attend a guided tour of the Veterans Memorial Cemetery and learn about the remarkable lives of the Medal of Honor recipients in our care.
Our guide this year will be David Bloch, son of the Medal of Honor recipient Orville Emil Bloch. We are extremely honored and excited to have him as our tour guide.
David will guide us through the history of the Veterans Memorial Cemetery, as well as teach us about the stories of Private William C. Horton,Captain Vesa Alakulppi, PFC Lewis Albanese, PFC William Kenzo Nakamura, 2nd LT Robert Ronald Leisy, Coxswain Harry Delmar Fadden, and of course Colonel Orville Emil Bloch.
Kindly meet us at the Doughboy Statue in the Veterans Memorial Cemetery at 3:15 pm. We ask for a $5.00 suggested donation for attendance, which will go to the purchase of flags for the Avenue of Flags. For more information, and to reserve a spot, please call us at (206)362-5200 or email tours@washelli.com. Tickets for the tour may also be purchased here.

Evergreen Washelli's Liberty Bell

Of all the patriotic symbols Americans hold dear, there are none that express the American spirit quite like the Liberty Bell. Evergreen Washelli’s replica of the Liberty Bell, one of just three replicas cast in the same pit as the original, was used as part of a 30-city tour around the United States to celebrate our Bi-centennial. Like the original Liberty Bell (albeit minus the crack), it stands to remind us of our country’s many freedoms.
To find out more information on the Liberty Bell and Evergreen Washelli’s replica, please click here.

Asian Pacific Heritage Month
Please join us as we celebrate the contributions of people of Asian and Pacific Islander descent in the United States.
“A living legend, trailblazer, role model, civic activist and Chinese community pioneer, Ruby Chow dropped out of high school, opened up the first Chinese restaurant outside of Seattle’s Chinatown, and became a powerful public official who upset the status quo.
Ruby was born on the fish dock where her father worked and lived. In 1920, hospital births for Chinese were a rarity. Her father, who came to the U.S. to work on the railroads, had become manager of the San Juan Fishing and Canning Company dock. Her mother bore seven children, and they moved around and lived in Seattle’s early Chinatowns. In the midst of the Great Depression, Ruby’s father died; Ruby was just twelve years old. Ruby attended Garfield and Franklin high schools, but dropped out at 16 to work and help support the family. She worked as a waitress and a Dollar Store salesgirl. In 1939, her mother passed away as well."
Read the rest of Ruby Chow’s story, and more on our blog.

Military Families: The Shock of 'Killed In Action'

A Story by: Kevin Quiles
One early weeknight, I accompanied military personnel to announce the most dreaded news that any family could receive. Once we arrived at the address, we walked up to the lighted front door and knocked. A few seconds later, the owner opened the door while blocking the entrance. We introduced ourselves and verified his name. Then the curious father learned that his son had been killed in action.
The gentleman stood speechless. Moments later, his wife came down the stairs. “Who is it?” she asked as her husband widened the door for the curious family member to see the two visitors in uniform. Upon hearing the report, the wife and mother fell to the ground and wept.
To read more, please click here

Art in the Columbarium: Alex Mach

Evergreen Washelli is proud to present our first artist of 2011 in our Art in the Columbarium series, Alex Mach. His photos will be on display Saturday, May 14th. Below is Alex’s artist statement, which illustrates his passion for his photography.
“As a Seattle native, I have always appreciated the diversity of the city and the natural beauty of my surroundings. I was very fortunate to be brought up by a family that exposed me to the arts and allowed a year off from school to travel Europe in a Volkswagen van.
My first memory of photography was spending free time with my Dad in our basement darkroom. I learned a lot from him and he was very instrumental in the development of my photography. My first true self-expression as an artist took the shape of a musician. After hearing rock and roll, my life has consisted of a guitar in one hand and a camera in the other.
I made a somewhat seamless move into digital photography in 2002 and haven’t looked back since. Art is the truest expression from my soul. My goal is to create a visual picture that sparks interest and resonates something that speaks to those who view my work.
Other photos available on my site at: alxmach.com”
Alex Mach’s photographs will be on display at Evergreen Washelli’s Art in the Columbarium from Saturday May 14th until Saturday July 23rd, 2011. His photographs portray a unique view of life in Seattle and throughout the United States. The Columbarium is located on the east side of 11220 Aurora Avenue North, and is open to the public Monday through Sunday from 9am to 5pm.
Have You Read Our Blog?
The Evergreen Washelli blog is a great resource for keeping connected with upcoming and recapitulated events, fundraisers, tours, and volunteer opportunities at Evergreen Washelli. We are proud of our active role in the communities we serve. We work to improve the quality of life where we live, learn, work and play. Our staff members are often guest presenters at various activities within the community. You can find us supporting the people who give so much for others, including social workers, nurses, hospice, palliative care, nursing homes, fire and police departments, churches and clergy.
Our continued activity and involvement in our community is an important part of the fabric that makes us who we are. Washelli is a name known for supporting our community and the people we are honored to serve. Our weblog provides helpful website guides, grief articles, and features stories about historical landmarks and notables in our care, as well as informative updates as to what events you won’t want to miss.
Invitation to Review Us
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