San Juan Memorial Day celebration honors fallen soldiers today and beyond

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More fallen soldiers from San Juan County will be permanently honored, thanks to a new plaque at Memorial Park in Friday Harbor.

This Memorial Day, attendants gathered to honor fallen soldiers, but locals have created a new commemorative to honor them year-round as well.

The original, separate memorial at the park honors island soldiers who died in WWI. Local American Legion Post Commander Daven Holzer said the new plaque recognizes those who passed in later battles.

“There are three names on it right now; two that fell from WWII and one from Korea.”

The memorial was dedicated on May 19 and installed with the help of the legion, San Juan Masons and town staff. Holzer said the installation was a long time in the making.

“It’s a conclusion of a 70-year project that the legion has been doing ever since WWII to add the names [of] those who fell from San Juan County.”

The new memorial adds a missing piece to the history of San Juan County, said Town Administrator Duncan Wilson.

“It’s something that had been missing here and now a great addition to the park.”



Staff photo/Hayley Day                                This new plaque at Memorial Park honors the fallen soldiers from San Juan County in WWII and the Korean War.

Staff photo/Hayley Day This new plaque at Memorial Park honors the fallen soldiers from San Juan County in WWII and the Korean War.

Staff photo/Hayley Day                                Memorial Park’s original monument honors the San Juan County soldiers who died in WWI.

Staff photo/Hayley Day Memorial Park’s original monument honors the San Juan County soldiers who died in WWI.