By Marianne Lincoln

Memorial Day 2016 is the 150th Anniversary of the celebration in the United States. The date also falls on the original celebration day, May 30,  before the USA moved to Monday holidays to provide 3 day weekends to workers.

Behind Bethany Lutheran Church on the Mountain Highway, is a small cemetery which is not only currently in use, but the resting place of many pioneers, including many of those descended from the Hudson Bay Company presence in Pierce County.

Sandy Cooper provided the welcome and Pastor Galen Gallimore, the invocation. The speaker was Major Jay Cash, US Army. The 2ID DIVARTY provided the flag ceremony and 21 gun salute. The church ensemble played music, Michael Marion on the trumpet, played Taps. David Bacher, Daniel Bacher, and Rachael Scott filled out the quartet.

Present were a few public officials including County Councilman McCune, his assistant Amy Cruver and…