KENT, Wash. — Visitors and military veterans gathered at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent for Veterans Day to honor fallen service members and pay tribute to those who served in the armed forces.
The annual gathering drew individuals seeking to remember relatives, friends, and former military comrades who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the nation.
While there was no formal event at the cemetery in the afternoon, it did not keep veterans and others from visiting.
Some attendees expressed enthusiasm; others marked the occasion with quiet reflection.
Veterans at the cemetery emphasized that despite being recognized on Veterans Day, their primary focus was remembering fellow service members who lost their lives in service to the country.
Rudy Rivera, a military veteran who visited the cemetery, described the event as an essential opportunity for survivors and community members to reconnect with the memory of fallen service members.
“Well, it means it gives us an opportunity to really come and see where they are and give our thanks to their service and their lives, you know?” Rivera said.
Sherry Rivera traveled with Rudy from Tacoma and emphasized the community’s obligation to recognize the sacrifices made by veterans and military families.
“Thank you for your service, and it means a great deal for all of us, and I know you sacrifice a lot. We appreciate it,” Rivera said.
She also noted that many service members struggle to discuss their wartime experiences, including a friend’s husband who served in several wars and prefers not to talk about his military service.
For Norma Ballard, the visit to Tahoma National Cemetery was deeply personal, as her late husband is buried there.
“Oh boy, I respect them. I honor them, because they put their lives in the line to save our country,” Ballard said.
Ballard also expressed affection and gratitude for her late husband’s role in her family and his military background, and did so with some good humor thrown in.
“Well, my husband is not perfect, but he’s a good father and he loves my children, and he loves me,” Ballard said.
Eric Cowperthwaite, a U.S. Army veteran who served from 1985 to 1998, approached the occasion with somber reflection. While appreciative of public expressions of gratitude for his service, Cowperthwaite knelt in quiet respect for fallen service members during his visit to the cemetery grounds.
“Thank you. That’s it,” Cowperthwaite said.
Cowperthwaite emphasized that honoring military personnel should transcend political views regarding specific conflicts.
“I appreciate that you actually went there and did that, even if I didn’t support the war, or I did, or it doesn’t matter,” Cowperthwaite said. “I know what it takes, and my brothers and sisters who served deserve that. Thank you.”
Cowperthwaite visited family members buried at the cemetery and spent time at the graves of deceased World War II Jewish veterans buried at the cemetery.
Recognizing the importance of Veterans Day, the Tahoma School District announced plans to collect and dry out the flags placed throughout Tahoma National Cemetery to ensure they are preserved for future use.
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