By Hailey Palmer, Puyallup Tribal News
A single drum beat followed as the names of Tribal Veterans that have crossed over were read aloud by James Young at the Puyallup Tribal Veterans’ Memorial Day Ceremony Monday, May 26.
Time was taken to honor each Tribal Veteran as Young shared the names, giving every veteran a moment to be remembered at tubšədədadiʔ ʔə tiiɫ spuyaləpabš — Warrior wall of the Puyallup people.
Puyallup Tribal Veteran Michael Sisson said he doesn’t know much Lushootseed, but he made it a point to learn how to say the name of the memorial in the language.
“When we first started teaching our language up at UWT, it was important for me to be able to say the name of this memorial in our Native language,” he said. “I don’t know much more of the language than that, but I do know how to say this is the veterans’ memorial.”
Puyallup Tribal Council Chairman Bill Sterud acknowledged the importance of supporting those who have served and continue to serve.
“We need our Warriors and we need to treat them right. We need to do whatever it takes to make their lives easy, to make their family’s lives easy,” he said. “We should honor them and take care of them in all aspects. … Thank you all for coming here. You’re all honored people.”
Local veteran Josh Wheeldon was the ceremony’s guest speaker.
“Too many veterans return to silence and misunderstanding and isolation,” Wheeldon said. “We must make a change, we must honor the Warrior spirit, not just in words, but in actions. We must make room for those who return not just with parades, but with purpose. We must say their names and we must remember those who never made it back.”
Following Young’s reading of the names, taps was played as the Tribal Veterans presented a wreath at the front of the memorial.
Tribal Veterans and guests shared a meal together after the ceremony at the Emerald Queen Casino and Hotel in Tacoma.
