Do you know the origins of Memorial Highway’s name in Mount Vernon? It honors the 50 Skagit County men who died in World War I. To commemorate them, the road was originally lined with 50 elm trees. Most of the trees planted for them in 1933 had been cut down by the State Highway Department in 1952. The two that shaded the popular drive-in The Net were removed last summer when it was discovered they were diseased.

Three years ago, the Skagit County Master Gardener Foundation started a project to restore the road with majestic elms. Spearheaded by Master Gardener Al Call, the project was completed last Saturday, when 24 elm trees were planted by Skagit County volunteers on Dike District 1 property along Memorial Highway near Avon Allen Road.

Funding efforts for the project were led by Emma Sundance, a Mount Vernon High School student. Individuals and groups contributed, including the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Club (Fire and Iron), elementary school children, the Master Gardener Foundation and citizens.

Last Friday, La Conner resident and heavy equipment operator Jerry Shull donated his time and machinery to dig the 24 holes for the trees. The next day, over 50 volunteers, led by seven Skagit Master Gardeners, planted and staked the trees. Among the hardworking volunteers were five members of La Conner Rotary and eight from Fire and Iron.

Veterans Day, Nov. 11, marks the 100th Anniversary of the end of World War 1. To commemorate that event and to celebrate the completion of the Memorial Highway Elm Tree Project, a ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. Nov. 10 at the west end of the WSU Research Center on Memorial Highway. The short ceremony will include an exhibit of plaques honoring the fifty men who died, a flyover by jets from NAS Whidbey, and tours of a Navy Rescue Helicopter. Parking will be nearby.