Westport’s Street Of Flags and Veterans Memorial Wall
As you drive into Westport during late spring, summer, and fall, you can’t miss the 50 flags of the United States waving in the breeze. If you take the time to stop and walk around the park-like setting you will also see the All Veterans Memorial Wall, which honors more than 450 military veterans.
Westport’s Street of Flags
Street of Flags
The Street of Flags was designed by Westport Mayor Harold Hardy. The project was sponsored by the Westport-Grayland Chamber of Commerce and completed by the Washington Youth Conservation Corp and local volunteers. In April 1986 Mayor Hardy dedicated the Street of Flags during a downpour. The National Anthem was played by the Ocosta High School Band and Yolonda Jones sang, “You’re a Grand Old Flag.”
All Veterans Memorial Wall
In August 1995, the All Veterans Memorial Wall was incorporated, which honors both living and deceased veterans of the US Military and Merchant Marines. The wall, consisting of four sections, each holding 120 names, was financed through $1,000 contributions from major sponsors that included the Ladies Auxiliary to South Beach VFW Post #3057, the Estate of Rev. William Quick, the family of Robert M. Rogers, Lempi K. Lillegaard, and Barb Aue. The City of Westport allowed the wall to be constructed at the park, and then accepted ownership of it following completion.
All Veterans Memorial Wall
Any living or deceased U.S. Military veteran last discharged under conditions other than dishonorable is eligible for inscription on the All Veterans Memorial Wall, regardless of where they or their families reside. Each inscription includes the honoree’s name, rank, branch of service, year of birth, and year of death when applicable.
To date, four wall sections have been erected. When the fourth wall is filled with names, a fifth black granite slab will be installed, with the wall sections ‘marching’ down the park’s length parallel to the flags that fly there in honor of each of the 50 states. The wall and flags are wheelchair accessible.
If you are interested in more information about an inscription on the All Veterans Memorial Wall for yourself or a loved one, living or deceased, please call Barb Aue at (360) 268-0736 or email septembersong79@comcast.net for an application form. Inscriptions cost $125. Engraving orders are taken year round, but engravings only occur once each summer due to weather and scheduling conditions. This summer's engravings deadline was April 30th for work that will be done in August. Thirteen more names, along with three date of death additions, will be added this year.
Memorial Day Ceremony- All are Welcome to Attend
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #3057 will host a Memorial Day Ceremony at the Street of Flags and All Veterans Memorial Wall on Monday May 27th at 11am. Master Commander Dennis Hall says, “It may seem surprising that little old Westport would have such a grand thing (Street of Flags/Memorial Wall). Every year we have a ceremony. The American Legion marches, they play “Taps.” We go around looking at all the names on the monuments, and then host refreshment back at the VFW Hall.”
-The Drift would like to thank Barb Aue for the information in this article and for her all her work on the Veterans Memorial Wall-