Make Today – Memorial Day – Special by Honoring Armed Services’ Veterans a Ceremony at Bainbridge High School

In past years, you may have seen members of American Legion Collin Hyde Post 172 of Bainbridge Island distributing poppies throughout the community. Along with American flags adorning some Island streets and at the ferry terminal, these efforts are part of “our mission to raise awareness about the true meaning of Memorial Day—a time for reflection and honor,” notes Gary Sakuma, the Post’s Commander.

Today, Monday May 25 at approximately 11:30 a.m., American Legion members and members of the community at large will honor those islanders who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country in a ceremony to be held at the Veterans Memorial Monument at Bainbridge High School, adjacent to Spartan Stadium and the high school football field.

This solemn event will include a reading of the names of the more than 24 BHS graduate veterans who gave their lives for our country. The ceremony will conclude with the playing of Taps. Following the event, there will be a brief Memorial service for POWs/MIAs at the SGT Bud Hawk Memorial Park on the Colin Hyde Post 172 American Legion grounds at 7898 Bucklin Hill Road, followed by an Open House and refreshments. All who are interested are invited to attend all events. Local cemeteries will have their Veterans graves honored with the American flag all weekend, courtesy of the American Legion and Scout Troops 1564 and 1804.

Hawk is one of three Bainbridge Island residents who were awarded the Medal of Honor for their bravery in various wars. Hawk, maybe the island’s most famous recipient, returned home from World War II and eventually became a schoolteacher. Some 20 veterans from World War II, in addition to Hawk, called Bainbridge Island home. All have since passed away. Another 11 Korean War veterans lived on the island. Only one survives. Sakuma says Bainbridge was even home to two Civil War veterans. One was born in 1839 and fought in the far-off conflict between the states in 1862. It’s not clear what side he fought for.

“He moved west and ended up on the island,” Sakuma recounts. He eventually “died on the island.” The other soldier migrated to the island as well and later left.

Sakuma, himself a veteran of the Vietnam War, says “the red poppy has a deep and storied significance rooted in history.” During World War I, the fields of Flanders in Belgium were devastated by the conflict, yet the red poppies miraculously continued to bloom amid the chaos and destruction. This phenomenon inspired Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, a Canadian physician, to write the now-famous poem “In Flanders Fields.” The poem eloquently captures the solemn beauty and enduring spirit of these flowers amidst the graves of fallen soldiers.”

“In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.”

“These words resonate deeply,” Sakuma explains, “reminding us of the sacrifices made by countless men and women in uniform. The red poppy symbolizes not only the bloodshed of those who fought and died but also the resilience and hope for peace.”

Members of the Collin Hyde American Legion Post, along with some local scouts, distributed the poppies – mostly at the Bainbridge Island Ferry Terminal this year – as a way of raising money to help veterans who may be sick or dying in a home, or to provide presents at Christmas time and other holidays.

“Practically every month someone (from the Posts) takes something to these vets,” Sakuma says. “People don’t see them (or want to see them). They put them out of their minds.”

In addition to the poppies, which were more prominently displayed around the island last weekend during Armed Services Day (May 16), today’s ceremony includes the placement of flags on veteran tombstones by scouts at a handful of island cemeteries. The pageantry is intended to foster a sense of community awareness and encourage everyone to honor the memory of those who have served and sacrificed for our country, Sukuma says.

“These simple acts prompt us to pause and reflect on the true purpose of Memorial Day beyond the barbecues and sales,” he says. “They call upon us to pay tribute to our fallen heroes and recognize the cost of the freedoms we enjoy today.”

“We are also deeply grateful for the donations received during this initiative,” Sakuma adds. “These contributions are used by our Post Auxiliary to fund gift exchanges during the holidays for our state’s veterans in long-term care facilities and veterans’ homes. This tradition ensures that our veterans feel remembered and appreciated, especially during the holiday season.”

“This practice of distributing poppies has been an island tradition dating back decades, becoming a cherished part of Bainbridge Island’s unique character and traditions. It is one of the many things that make our community special.,” Sakuma further notes.

An historical sidenote: In 1939, the former Army Post Exchange Building (north end of Parade Ground) was transformed into top-secret Station S, which listened in on Imperial Japan’s coded Morse Code messages. Intercepts were then sent by teletype by a special phone line to Washington, DC, where they were decoded and translated.

Adds Sakuma on celebrating Memorial Day, “We hope that as you wear or hang your poppies and see the flags, you are reminded of the legacy of bravery and dedication they represent. Let these gestures inspire us all to take a moment to reflect on the sacrifices made and to honor those who have given their lives in service to our nation.”

Source Material: Colin Hyde Post 172, and our own reporting. Photos courtesy of the Post. More info: https://www.legionpost172.org 

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