The Purple Heart Medal is a United States military decoration awarded by the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving with the U.S. military. Being presented with this medal is a way to honor these military members with their courageous acts in the name of their country. This medal is something to be proud of, and wear with honor. That being said, one might wonder why anyone would part with their medal if they were to receive one? That is one of the many thoughts and questions that occurred in our minds when a Purple Heart Medal was left on Washelli’s very own “Doughboy” statue, which stands tall in front of the Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery at Evergreen-Washelli.
The “Doughboy” statue was given as a gift to the Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery at Washelli, as a dedication to all that have served. The “Doughboy” depicts a young soldier as “just returning from a victory- with a grim smile on his face”. The statue holds the cremated remains of veterans and their spouses. Needless to say, this is a treasured and loved statue to many, especially veterans because of what the statue represents; those who have made it home from service, and those who did not have the chance to return.
When the Purple Heart Medal was left upon the foot of the “Doughboy” statue anonymously, it was clear that it was left in a manner of respect for the Veterans and those who currently serve in the military. Although this was understood, we are still left one to ponder what the thought process might have been behind leaving this medal here, and why it was left anonymously? Perhaps the person who left the medal had previously earned it in the line of duty, and was ready to share it with others. Perhaps the medal had been passed down to them, and they thought that it should be with those who deserved it- such as the fallen soldiers in our Veterans Cemetery. Maybe there are cremated remains of someone in the statue who the person believed deserved the medal. Maybe the person left the medal anonymously because they simply wanted to honor the veterans as a whole? The mind is truly left to wonder, what the true meaning behind this gesture was, because there could be so many possibilities and explanations.
Although it might never be possible for us to fully understand this gesture without knowing who left this medal, we can say that this medal is something that we will treasure and display in our Funeral Home for time to come. There have been anonymous items left in the past that Evergreen-Washelli has speculated as to what the significance is, and what it means to the individual who left it. Because there are so many stories and people, it is an interesting and fun thought thinking you will truly never know what you could find.
On Monday, May 13th, 2013, 100 Alaska Airlines workers and families will be helping to prepare the graves for the upcoming Memorial day event. They will be helping to hand wash and prepare the 5,000 veterans’ headstones in time for the Memorial Day Celebration. A big thank you to Alaska Airlines who are choosing to do this as one of their HR events- helping make this day even more special.
This is a closed event, but if you would like to find out more information about this event and what you can do to help please contact Brenda Spicer at Bspicer@washelli.com.
For many Americans, Memorial Day is not just a day for getting together with family and friends. It is a day to celebrate a life lived, a time to decorate the grave with fresh flowers, but even more importantly, to clean and maintain the grave marker.
For tips on how to clean your granite marker or monument click here
At 7:00 AM the morning of Memorial Day, there will be a Flag Placement at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Each of the 5000 white marble upright markers in our Veterans Section will receive a flag placed by hundreds of volunteers that will come out for this event. Veterans, Scout groups, neighbors, Veterans, churches, local organizations and families, to name a few, will be among those who place the flags.
This is a Public event, and we would love for you to join us. If you have any questions please feel free to call Brenda Spicer at 206-362-5200, or email us at Veterans@washelli.com
This Ceremony is a way to remember and honor those who have served and are currently serving.
This is news coverage from King 5 News, on our Flag placement Ceremony the previous year.
To Learn more about of Veterans Section, click here.
On Monday May 27th, 2013, Evergreen Washelli will host our Annual Memorial Day Commemorative Service. Please join us as we honor America’s fallen and salute the flags on our “Avenue of Colors”.
In the morning, at 7:00 AM, there will be a Flag Placement at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Each of the 5000 white marble upright markers in the Veterans Section will receive a flag placed by hundreds of volunteers that will come out for this event. Veterans, scout groups, churches, local organizations and families will place the flags.
The 1:30 p.m. concert will feature marches, patriotic selections and other music provided by the Seattle Pacific University Symphonic Wind Ensemble and Drum Corps. The Service of Remembrance begins at 2:00 p.m.
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.
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.
David Bloch at Washelli’s Medal of Honor Ceremony July 2011
Following the Memorial Day Commemorative Service on May 27, 2013, 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.
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.
We are now in the spring season and as the weather warms up around us, there is an abudance of flowers blooming and beautiful changes occuring within the cemetery. With these changes an increase in maintenance activity occurs within our cemetery as well. For example, Lawn mowing of the cemetery grounds will occur on a daily basis. You may have questions on what is appropriate display for grass level markers, monuments and niches. This is why we have listed here our standards on flower placement to assist you in picking out the most appropriate tribute for your loved one.
Memorial lawn gardens:
Cut flowers or potted plants: are encouraged throughout the year. Cut flowers may be placed at the gravesite in ground level cemetery vases or temporary cone vases. Plants up to 8 inches in size should be displayed on the marker to assist with mowing. Due to limited display space we encourage two placements per burial space.
Plants and flowers: will remain in place until they become wilted, faded or unsightly; at this time they will be removed and recycled.
Potted plants and cut flowers: may contain fertilizing elements or other materials that can cause rusting. We recommend caution when placing on a bronze or granite memorial as discoloration may result.
Seasonal decorations: Holiday tributes (e.g. Mother’s Day, Easter, Father’s Day, and Memorial Day) are encouraged. All tributes will be removed one week after the holiday. Artificial flowers are not allowed due to mowing season.
Columbarium decorations:
Care must be given when placing flowers and decorations so as not to visually block or impede upon other niche property.
Niche flower vases: are designed for fresh-cut flowers. Artificial flowers are not allowed except as a seasonal decoration.
Potted plants: in pots up to 6 inches in diameter with a maximum of one plant per niche may be placed on the floor for families with floor-level niches. Drip trays are a necessary for all potted plants. When placing your plant, care should be taken to avoid risk of a trip hazard for other visitors.
Seasonal decorations: Holiday tributes (e.g. Mother’s Day, Easter, Father’s Day, and Memorial Day) are encouraged. All tributes will be removed one week after the holiday. Artificial flowers allowed during this time.
Click here for a printable copy of our standards for flower display. It includes additional information on our hours of operations, safety policy and other helpful tips.
Evergreen Washelli and Abbey View Memorial Park are home to many different species of wildlife. As spring and summer approach us, there are more noticeable wildlife in our cemeteries. Some common visitors and resident wildlife within our cemeteries include: raccoons, Canadian geese, opossums, squirrels, coyotes, rabbits, and many varieties of birds. Here are some interesting facts, and also some of our struggles with some of the wildlife within our cemeteries.
Raccoons and other small animals
Raccoons and other small animals are permanent residents within our cemeteries. They tend to be more active during the night, and can often leave a path of destruction behind them. Noticeable activity and damage by raccoons can be recognized as large chunks of turf torn apart and strewn about. They can completely tear apart a lawn, especially in the fall, in search of grubs that lie underneath the grass.
Other Small animals such as opossums and squirrels are also prevalent in the cemetery. Opossum damage can vary from large areas of lifted up turf caused by adult animals, to smaller holes and areas caused by younger animals. Ground squirrels can also be seen onsite, and their trails visible. Squirrels make a series of tunnels and trails all throughout large open areas of lawn. You may see holes about the size of a silver dollar where they enter and exit. They also love to eat your flowers and vegetation!
Canada Geese
During the warmer climate changes in Seattle, flocks of Canada Geese are more noticeable in our cemeteries due to migration. Geese tend to love Evergreen Washelli as an area to make their own because our large amount of land and grass available for them to graze upon. At times this can impose difficulties. One struggle that can occur with the abundance of geese is the presence of their feces on the gravesite and grave markers. This can understandably bring upon Family complaints, because the feces can often be mistaken for canine feces. Because Canada Geese are wild birds and were nearly instinct in the past, they are protected under the Wildlife Act 1953. Under federal and state law and a hunting license and open season are required to hunt them. Violation of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and Wildlife Act, which includes hunting, removing, or endangering the geese can result in heavy fines. We do our best to accommodate these birds as part of our wildlife within the cemetery, and try to manage their habits as best as possible.
Crows
We have many varieties of birds at Evergreen Washelli and Abbey View Memorial Park, and a very commonly seen bird are Crows. They are known for their mischievous activities at times. One of their favorite activities to do is wait for a family to place new flowers with fresh water, then the mischievous activities begin. They will take the flowers out of vases so they are able to reach the water, and use this water as a bathing source. This is extremely enjoyable to them, seeing as the water is fresh. Families may often be confused to come back perhaps the next day with their brand new flowers that were placed, now scattered over the ground. The Crow is usually the culprit when it comes to this occurrence, and we try to monitor this the best we are able.
Do you desire family heritage and the memories of your loved ones? Most of our families we serve find family heritage is important and appreciate the benefits of selecting a historical resting place for future generations. We offer Snoqualmie family estates, an opportunity for families to be together in a shared section, bordered by special landscaping or architectural elements. When purchasing within our Snoqualmie Estates section, an individual or family can design the perfect private “garden” estate to accommodate as many or as few people as desired.
Snoqualmie Estates
Our premier estates provides a beautifully secluded and peaceful resting place for quiet reflection and remembrance. Our personalized custom designed feature estates can be constructed to your exact specifications to express the life and character of the unique individual and family. We offer cremation and burial options such as bench estates, cremation rocks, unique monuments, private columbaria and mausolea. Our newly developed Snoqualmie Estates, with it’s endless beauty is ideal to provide a family with the cherish memories that can be passed down for generations to come. For more information on reserving your own family estate, please contact us at (206) 834-1961.
Come and view the wonders and beauty within Evergreen Washelli. During the start of the bloom of spring, our cemetery glows with the fresh scent of flowers and everlasting evergreen. Check out our new photos that express nature’s true beauty.
The Purple Heart Medal is a United States military decoration awarded by the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving with the U.S. military. Being presented with this medal is a way to honor these military members with their courageous acts in the name of their country. This medal is something to be proud of, and wear with honor. That being said, one might wonder why anyone would part with their medal if they were to receive one? That is one of the many thoughts and questions that occurred in our minds when a Purple Heart Medal was left on Washelli’s very own “Doughboy” statue, which stands tall in front of the Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery at Evergreen-Washelli.
