Swinomish community holds 75th Memorial Day services

The Swinomish Tribal Community has held Memorial Day services for three-quarters of a century, one of its longest-standing traditions.

But Monday’s program at Swinomish Cemetery was like no other.

The COVID-19 pandemic and a steady rainfall kept attendance down, and among those who did turn out many wore masks and observed social distancing guidelines while visiting grave sites and listening to speakers.

“Times have changed for us,” said Swinomish Tribal Senator J.J. Wilbur, who served as master of ceremonies. “We’re still trying to adjust. But we’re thankful for being able to keep this tradition going.”

“With this pandemic,” Tribal Senate Chairman Steve Edwards added, “we knew our crowds today would be smaller. But we must be protective of our elders, our children and our community members.”

Still, the 75th annual Swinomish Memorial Day Services – coordinated under challenging conditions by Tribal Cultural Affairs Director Aurelia Bailey – checked most boxes in terms of paying homage to deceased Swinomish veterans, saluting the tribe’s former service members and recognizing those on active duty.

The virus crisis shelved one time-honored Swinomish Memorial Day feature, however.

“The highlight for me,” Vietnam Era veteran Doug York said, “has always been when the community comes forward to shake our hands and thank us for our service, but this year we know it won’t happen.”

Even so, York said the double whammy of coronavirus and rain couldn’t take away from the enduring focus of Memorial Day.

“We put on the brakes and slow down on this day and honor those who didn’t return (from war),” he said.

Former Tribal Senate Chairman Brian Cladoosby, who also served two terms as President of the National Congress of American Indians, read aloud the list of 80 deceased Swinomish veterans, always one of the more emotional moments of the tribe’s Memorial Day services.

Cladoosby also praised Marvin Wilbur, Sr., whose late wife, Joan, was recently laid to rest. “I want to recognize Marvin Wilbur for being here representing his family and the warriors in his family who served,” Cladoosby said.

The sacrifices of Swinomish veterans, both living and departed, were lauded by a series of prayer warrior speakers.

“We are thankful,” said Barb James, her voice frequently cracking, “for those who have gone on that they continue to watch over us.”

“I have so many in my family,” Joe McCoy said, “who went to war or who helped in the war. I heard a few of them who told stories of anguish and what they had to live with when they came home.”

Cladoosby noted that Swinomish veterans have always been embraced upon their return.

This year, with social distancing in place to stop the spread of COVID-19, those embraces are more verbal – in multiple languages – than physical.

As an example, the ancestral language of Lushootseed was shared by Swinomish Executive Assistant Janie Beasley and La Conner High student Sarah Cook as part of their Memorial Day blessing.

“Language and culture,” Beasley explained, “is part of who we are.”

That and thankfulness, said Wilbur, who arrived early at Swinomish Cemetery Monday morning to place a flag at the grave of his grandfather, veteran Claude Wilbur, Sr.

“I want to thank everyone for coming out,” he said, “and braving the rain, the cold, and COVID-19 to honor our veterans.”