Fort Lewis honors fallen Soldiers in Memorial Day Ceremony

FORT LEWIS, Wash. - Fort Lewis will honor the memory of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the defense of the United States with a Memorial Day ceremony Monday, May 25, at 11:30 a.m. at the Fort Lewis Cemetery. Brig. Gen. Jeff W. Mathis, acting commanding general, Fort Lewis, is the guest speaker. The I Corps Band will provide the music.

BG Mathis and Chaplain (Maj.) Charles J. Atanasio, I Corps (rear) deputy chaplain, will place a wreath on the post's marker honoring all unknown American Soldiers who have died for their country. Soldiers from Battery A, 5th Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment will fire a 21-gun salute to honor fallen comrades, followed by the playing of Taps.

In addition, Fort Lewis Soldiers will attend and support 12 Memorial Day observances in the region with guest speakers, firing details, color guards, I Corps Command Honor Guard and the I Corps Band:

Sunday, May 24

• Fir Lane Memorial Day Service, 1 p.m., Spanaway, Wash.
• Vaughn Cemetery Memorial Day Service, 1 p.m., Vaughn, Wash.

Monday, May 25

• Bethany Cemetery Memorial Day Service, 10:30 a.m., Spanaway, Wash.
• Acacia Memorial Park Memorial Day Service, 11 a.m., Seattle, Wash.
• Sumner Cemetery Memorial Day Service, 10 a.m., Sumner, Wash.
• Mills & Mills Memorial Park Memorial Day Service, 2 p.m., Tumwater, Wash.
• Mountain View Memorial Day Service, 2 p.m., Lakewood, Wash.
• City of Puyallup, Pioneer Park Pavilion, 1 p.m., Puyallup, Wash.
• New Tacoma Cemetery, 12 p.m., University Place, Wash.
• City of Milton Veterans Memorial Rededication, 11 a.m., Milton, Wash.

Friday, May 29

• St. Vincent de Paul School, 8:45 a.m., Federal Way, Wash.

Saturday, May 30

• Tacoma War Memorial Park Memorial Day Observance, 2 p.m., Tacoma, Wash.

Visitors without Fort Lewis military or civilian identification cards who wish to attend the Fort Lewis ceremony will be required to obtain a pass from the post's Visitor Center at exit 120 on Interstate 5. Signs will direct attendees to the cemetery.

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