Monday, Sep. 28, 2009

Hundreds gather in W. Richland to honor fallen servicemen, women (w/ gallery)

By Dalina Castellanos, Herald staff writer

WEST RICHLAND -- Barbara Hemmann stood silently and embraced her daughter Melissa on the grass of Flat Top Park in West Richland as the name of her son, Army Pfc. Deveran Lee Owen, was read.

Surrounded by the flags of the five U.S. military branches and the nation they protect, other people stood and many more followed as 363 names of fallen servicemen and women from five states were called during a remembrance ceremony Sunday.

Hemman had driven from Arlington to join other Gold Star families -- those who have lost a family member to war -- from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska and Hawaii during this year's Time of Remembrance observance.

The sunny memorial service was the culmination of a weekend of private and public activities for the families, including workshops, concerts and a candlelight ceremony Saturday.

"Being around these people is awesome," said Hemmann, who rode on motorcycles with servicemen and veterans during the weekend. "These men looked out for me the way my son would have."

The memorial included a speech by Gov. Chris Gregoire, who was accompanied by her husband, Mike, a veteran and regular attendee of the Time of Remembrance.

"I come here on behalf of 6.5 million Washingtonians to thank you for (your family member's) service," the governor told the crowd of about 500.

She called the event "heart wrenching" yet necessary.

"We will not only remember (the families') sacrifice today, but we will remember it forever," she said. "Today's the day for us to let them know how much we honor and respect them."

Time of Remembrance was conceived two years ago by Shirley Schmunk of Richland, whose son, Army Spec. Jeremiah Schmunk, died July 8, 2004, while serving in Iraq.

"I find it exciting that the community is still supporting the families," Schmunk said.

The ceremony included remarks by four-star Marine Corps Gen. James Mattis of Richland and a performance by Curtis Nettles, father of fallen Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Marcques Nettles.

"There's a lot of healing that can happen for the families that participate," Nettles said before the ceremony, tears welling in his eyes.

Though it's still difficult for him and his wife to participate in the weekend activities, Nettles sang the song To Where You Are as part of his own healing process.

After the memorial, Mattis stopped to salute his fellow Marines, shake hands and offer encouraging words and support to many families.

"It's a somber event, but the support is very heartening as we all stick together in these tough times," he said.

Mattis, commander of the U.S. Joint Forces Command, arrived home Friday and is expected to return overseas "very soon."

When he leaves, he's taking a message to the troops with him.

"I'll make sure they know how much support there is here for them," he said.

Time of Remembrance continues to grow, both in support and in numbers of fallen soldiers honored, but Schmunk says the unity is what helps her carry on.

"It ain't easy," she said.

"It'll never be easy, but we all know where we're coming from. The pain never goes away, but we help each other learn to deal with it."

Schmunk gave a bag filled with 365 pennies to the Gold Star families, citing a line of poetry: "When an angel misses you, they toss a penny down. Sometimes just to cheer you up to make a smile out of your frown."

With the pennies, the families can be others' "angels" every day for a year, she said.

"And when they're out of pennies, it'll be time for them to come back," she said with a smile.