Sisters will salute the fallen on Memorial Day

The Memorial Day weekend is the traditional kick-off for summer - an occasion for outdoor activities, barbecues and celebration.

Yet, the real purpose of the national holiday is a solemn observance of the lives lost in armed conflict across American history. Sisters' veterans organizations have for many years made certain that that purpose remains front and center, with a powerful ceremony each year at Village Green Park.

Sisters' annual Memorial Day Ceremony will take place at Village Green Park this year on Monday, May 29 at 11 a.m. The Redmond High School Marine Junior ROTC will post colors and Chelsea Anttila will sing the National Anthem. Mayor Chuck Ryan will make introductory remarks and retired Brigadier General Martha Meeker is the keynote speaker.

Meeker graduated from Eastern Illinois University with a double degree in math and computational science with plans to be a high school math teacher. A summer internship at NASA Langley changed the course of her life. When she walked on the base and saw the wind tunnel and the parts being manufactured for the space station, this Star Trek fan was captivated. Realizing it would take her six more years to earn her Ph.D. to work in the aerospace field, she opted instead to join the Air Force.

Meeker's last assignment, before retiring, was serving as the vice commander of the USAF Expeditionary Center where, for a year, she was the second in charge of a 14,000-person organization supporting air forces around the world. Another yearlong position was as the senior special assistant to the commander of NATO and the European Command.

The ceremony will be followed by a barbecue at noon with burgers, soda, and coffee ($5 suggested donation). The public is welcome.