Veteran's Memorial dedication draws a large crowd

A full house listens intently to the speakers
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

The Shoreline Veteran's Memorial was formally dedicated at a ceremony at City Hall on Saturday, May 21. The ceremony was quickly moved inside to the City Hall lobby when the weather turned bad, but it didn't discourage the crowd.

Rod Dembowski, left, and Dwight Stevens
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

The memorial is the work of American Legion veterans Dwight Stevens and the late Frank Moll of the Shoreline Veterans Association, with major assistance from County Councilmember Rod Dembowski.

Part of the ceremony was able to be held outside, with presentation of the flags, and military units.

Brigadier General Raymond W. Coffey led the presentation
of the colors and the Pledge Of Allegiance.
Photo by Jerry Pickard

Speeches were held inside.

• Chaplain (Col) Olen Crowe gave the Invocation
• Brigadier General Raymond W. Coffey led the presentation of the colors and the Pledge Of Allegiance.
• City Manager Debbie Tarry welcomed the public and introduced the speakers.
• King County Representative Rod Dembowski related the county's involvement in the creation of the plaza and funding that the county provided.
• Shoreline Mayor Chris Roberts recognized City Council members and recognized members of the Shoreline Veterans Association who have worked hard to create the Veterans Recognition Plaza from beginning to completion,
• Doug Moll, son of Shoreline Veterans Association co-founder Frank Moll (dec.) related his father's involvement in the formation of the SVA and his dream of a recognition plaza.
• Dwight Stevens,  co-founder of the SVA addressed the public and relates how the plaza went from dream to reality.

Presentation of the flags
Photo by Jerry Pickard

Brigadier General Raymond W. Coffey directed the audience outside to the Plaza for the Flag Presentation ceremonies and conclusion of the dedication of the plaza.

Flags were presented by the following:

• U.S. Army SPC. Brandon J. Grazier presents the U.S. Army Flag.
• U.S. Marine Sergeant Dengshi Ruan presents the Marine Corps Flag.
• U.S. Navy Masterchief Quartermaster John Zambrano presents the U.S. Navy Flag. 
• U.S. Coastguard Seaman Kaitlin Taylor presents the U.S. Coastguard Flag.
• U.S. Air Force Master Sergeant Edwin Nuegent presents the U.S. Air Force Flag.

Photo by Steven H. Robinson

After the ceremony, many people stayed outside to look for the brick they had purchased in honor of a veteran.

--Jerry Picard contributed to the reporting of this story.