Join us at Áegis at Northgate for our Ask the Experts Seminar “Is Your House In Order”
Presented by Sandi Colleton, Family Services Manager, respected expert on cemetery and funeral law in Washington Evergreen Washelli Cemeteries and Funeral Home
Thursday April 26th
6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Topics of discussion include:
• Essential legal documents to protect yourself, your family and your assets
• Money matters: How to save money on final arrangements
• How to legally shelter funds when you may outlive your assets
• Everything you want to know about cremation but were afraid to ask
Excellent information for families and senior care professionals!
Walter Gallagher, Photo Courtesy of John Lok, The Seattle Times
Navy veteran Walter Gallagher believes in honoring those who fought for his freedom and on Memorial Day he’s done so faithfully — since 1953.
No, says Walter Gallagher, he didn’t personally know any of the men or women whose earthly remains lie beneath some 5,000 white marble tombstones on a peaceful knoll just off Aurora Avenue North.
But he wouldn’t think of spending Memorial Day away from them.
“They served their country,” said Gallagher, 87. “That’s what matters.”
Gallagher walks the trimmed lawn between rows of freshly cleaned headstones at Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Seattle as comfortably as if he’s among old friends. And in a sense, he is.
Since Dwight Eisenhower was in the White House, Gallagher, a Seattle-born Navy veteran, can remember only one time — about 10 years ago, when he was sick in bed with the flu — that he failed to attend the cemetery’s annual Memorial Day observance.
And on Monday, he’ll once more climb behind the wheel of his green ’92 Chevy Caprice wagon (which recently passed 200,000 miles) and drive the 15 minutes from his Wedgwood rental house to the cemetery, making sure he’s there well in advance of the 2 p.m. ceremony.
For years, Gallagher carried an American flag in a parade of colors at the event, with members of his American Legion post. More recently, since he banged his shoulder in a door jamb a few years back, he has turned to handing out small flags to people as they arrive.
Over time, he’s seen sunny Memorial Days, cloudy Memorial Days, breezy Memorial Days and at least one drenching Memorial Day that forced part of the event indoors.
One of his five sons, Garry Gallagher, of Woodinville, often joins him, and said it’s no mystery why his father considers this a solemn obligation.
“He appreciates his freedom,” said Garry Gallagher, 55. “It really boils down to just that.”
A free America isn’t something Walter Gallagher’s generation could take for granted when — five days after his 18th birthday in December 1941 — Pearl Harbor was bombed by Japan.
Within weeks, Gallagher enlisted. There was no question about joining the military, he said. “We were under attack. People were signing up faster that they could take them in.”
The only issue was which branch of the service to join, and Gallagher’s choice was influenced by summertime “Fleet Weeks” of his childhood, when Navy vessels welcomed visitors on the Seattle waterfront.
“To me, the Navy looked like clean quarters and good food.”
That’s not exactly what he got. He became a bombardier and gunner in a unit of PBY Catalinas, military floatplanes armed with machine guns and bombs, carrying nine-man crews.
Gallagher flew in numerous South Pacific missions as part of the “Black Cat Squadron,” known for aircraft painted all black. They made their perilous bombing, patrol and reconnaissance missions at night, when their dark color made them difficult for the enemy to see, even with searchlights.
After the war, Gallagher returned to Seattle, where, from 1946 to 1981, he delivered bundles of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer to racks, stores and newsstands around town.
These days, Gallagher, who said he has survived two ex-wives, has a simple daily routine that nearly always starts with coffee with regulars at the Little Red Hen near Green Lake and often ends with a drink at the Baranof in Greenwood.
He visits the veterans cemetery, which is part of Evergreen Washelli Cemetery, not just on Memorial Day but usually on Veterans Day and often on Independence Day as well.
“We used to have World War I veterans (at the events) and they’re gone now.” he said. “And us World War II veterans are fading fast … As long as I can drive and walk, I’ll be there.”
In honor of the Bicentennial of the War of 1812, The Washington State Society, U.S. Daughters of 1812 cordially invites you to attend the dedication of:
War of 1812 Bicentennial Monument
Veterans of the War of 1812 Who Died in Washington Territory
The Unveiling Ceremony will begin at 10:30am at the Bell Tower in the Washelli Veterans Cemetery.
The ceremony includes presentation of colors, the national anthem, unveiling of the monument, bell ringing for each veteran, echo taps and a gun salute.
The Dedication Program will begin at 11:00am in the Evergreen Washelli Chapel
Guest Speaker will be Jerry Handfield, Washington State Archivist
A short slide show will follow about the veterans
Descendants of the veterans will be acknowledged
Reception with refreshments will follow the ceremony
Please RSVP to: Linda Rae Lind, Washington State President, U.S.D. 1812 at LRLind04@wavecable.com or (360) 830-4529
Wednesday, June 6, 2012 Family friends, veterans and general public are invited to join us in paying tribute to Technical Sergeant Gerald M. Henderson and all veterans who participated in D-Day.
Technical Sergeant Gerald M. Henderson was killed in action on Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944. For this activity, Technical Sergeant Henderson was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. Retired Colonel Phil Smart, Sr. of Seattle has assisted the family in obtaining the Distinguished Service Cross to honor their loved one. General Peter Chiarelli, USA (Ret.), formerly Vice Chief Staff of the United States Army, will present the award to the family.
We will also place a wreath in the Normandy Section of our Veterans Memorial Cemetery to honor the memory and sacrifice of all the members of the 18th Infantry Regiment in Technical Sergeant Henderson’s honor.
The President of the United States takes pride in awarding the Distinguished Service Cross (posthumously) to Gerald M. Henderson, Technical Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division (The Big Red One), in action against enemy forces on 6 June 1944, in Normandy France, on D-Day.
Technical Sergeant Henderson, while exposed to intense enemy artillery mortar, machine gun, and small arms fire, heroically supervised the unloading of men and vehicles from his landing craft. Observing that a vehicle from an adjoining craft had stalled, he voluntarily drove a truck along the fire swept beach, plunged in the water and fastened a cable to the disabled vehicle. After towing it safely to shore, he personally carried two wounded occupants to covered positions and rendered first aid. He returned to the beach, and amid bursting shells and devastating small arms fire, courageously continued his rescue work. While carrying a wounded soldier across the beach to safety, a shell landed near this valiant soldier fatally wounding him. His heroic achievements during the initial landing resulted in the saving of many lives and much vital equipment. The self-sacrificing devotion to duty, personal bravery and valorous leadership displayed by Technical Sergeant Henderson exemplified the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, and the United States Army.
The Medal of Honor is the highest award for bravery that can be given to any individual in the United States of America. The deed of the person must be proved by incontestable evidence of at least two eye witnesses; it must be so outstanding that it clearly distinguishes his or her gallantry beyond the call of duty from lesser forms of bravery; it must involve the risk of his or her own life; and it must be the type of deed which, if he or she had not done it, would not subject him or her to any justified criticism.
Keeping grief journal can be very helpful for those who are grieving the loss of a loved one. Yet for many, writing is not something that comes easily.
Does this sound like you?
I wouldn’t know where to start.
I don’t like writing, it’s not something that comes naturally to me.
I’ve tried and it was just so overwhelming, my emotions were in overdrive.
I don’t want to be reminded of my pain every time I start writing.
I can’t spell, I’m not good with words.
I don’t have time, it’s hard enough trying to look after my family when I feel so sad.
If you can relate to the above, then check out my list below where I give you some easy and different ways to use a journal. It’s my no fail way for the non-writer to give it a go.
With journaling remember there are no rules, it’s your journal. You don’t even have to write, you can paint, color, glue and create. You can use one or many. If the word itself turns you off, call it a scrapbook instead. The only thing I would suggest is that you date the page.
9 Easy Ways to Get Started:
1. Use pictures instead of words. Cull your magazines and cut out images that mean something to you right now. Glue them in or make a collage. It could be a picture that represents a feeling, it could be a picture of a place you would love to visit at some stage in the future. It could be words you see in the newspaper. Start a file for your cuttings.
2. Take a quote you’ve seen on Facebook, in the paper, in a book, or in a blog and write it in your journal.
3. Make a memory of a day you spent together. Put in some pictures of special moments shared, a card you may have if it was a birthday for instance. Add a small caption, such as “I love this picture, we were at the ……….”
4. Use two words only. One of my fellow writers has a “Two Word Wednesday” feature – you add a comment, using 2 words only. It’s amazing how powerful those 2 little words can be. Your words might be “Feeling Blue” or “Remembering Birthdays.”
5. Pick a theme, such as “The meaning of their name” and write a couple of words, paste in quotes and pictures that reflect that theme.
6. Choose a song and as you listen to it, draw out some shapes which flow with the music for you.
7. Use color to represent what your loved one means to you. As you think of them, what color springs into your mind, try paints or pastels to put the colour onto the page of your grief journal Once dry write a special message for them.
8. Write a quick list of 10 special memories you have.
9. Use smiley face to give a picture to your feelings. There are so many and they say so very easily in an image what would take us ages to write. It’s a way of expressing your emotions without feeling overwhelmed by the process.
Shirley Rae beside her portrait of Harry S. Truman
An inspirational and compassionate woman, Shirley Rae Alberts tirelessly served her country and created beautiful works of art at the same time.
Born Shirley Rae Stronach in Cheney, Washington, March 19, 1919, S’Rae Alberts lived a splendid life. She was the last survivor of the three Stronach sisters – all talented, beautiful, and artistic. She played the piano and sang and studied drama, even going to Hollywood to pursue her passion for theater. But it was art that captured her and sustained her in her life. Through it all, she said, “…art has been my lifesaver. Art never hurt back. There’s always a challenge and there’s always something to learn.” She earned her BA in Fine Arts and Education from Eastern Washington College in 1939, and did graduate work in sculpture at the University of Washington.She studied in Paris with Monsieur Bijohn and with Mark Tobey in Seattle. She taught art to grade school students in Sunnydale and Seattle, and then applied to go overseas as an American Red Cross worker during World War II. It is her work overseas that began her long and successful career as a portrait artist.
As a member of the Clubmobile for the American Red Cross, S’Rae handed out doughnuts and coffee, but more importantly, she sketched soldiers all over Scotland, England, Germany and France. After nineteen months of Red Cross service, she had sketched over 5,000 soldiers in hospitals, on airfields after missions, and in a psychiatric hospital in Paris. Copies of those sketches were then sent by the Red Cross to relatives in the states. Her purpose in spending time with the soldiers and sketching them was to encourage them to want to live, to go on. Her letters home and diary entries during her time overseas reveal how deeply she cared about the soldiers….and our country. She wrote:
“They are great guys – these American youths – shot to hell in this war. They are giving so much – so very much….Little do we know of suffering. So little. Someday it must be a great, real and lasting peace, for so many are earning it in a thousand ways, and thousand fold. I pray I may do a little bit each day!”
When S’Rae returned to the states she continued her work with soldiers as a sketch artist and then became an “Artist in Action” at various department stores in Seattle, Portland, Vancouver, B.C., and Spokane. In 1965 she established her own Portrait Studio in her home in Innis Arden, painting portrait commissions. Her portrait credits read like a who’s who of the great Northwest including Governors, Senators, General Officers and Statesmen, her most noteworthy being her portrait of Harry S. Truman. Her success may have a great deal to do with her philosophy, as she said: “You have to get inside your client….What I try to do is to capture a person’s soul and heart.”
During her later life, S’Rae enjoyed many clubs and professional affiliations including membership in the Evergreen Chapter of ROAL, Seattle Allied Arts, Highland Opera Guild, and the 200+1. She loved giving parties and was surrounded with adoring friends at her gala events. Her last days were spent at the Foss House, where she wanted to be able to sit out in the hallway, so she could ‘look at the faces’. She never lost her fascination with people and her artistic vision.
Shirley Rae Alberts is buried in Memory Glen on the Evergreen side of the cemetery.
