The end of May teases that the school year is almost at an end and that summer is right around the corner. While the end of the month brings many things to celebrate, not all celebrations are about hot dogs on the BBQ or big weekend parties. This year, Memorial Day will be observed Monday, May 29. On Memorial Day, we stop what we are doing to honor and remember those who have given their lives while serving in the military. Those brave individuals gave the ultimate sacrifice to ensure that we would continue to enjoy our freedoms. While their sacrifices are honored around the Puget Sound in many different ways with various events being held, the best way to honor those who have sacrificed so much, is to never forget them.

Historic Lakewood Event: Mountain View Funeral Home in Lakewood is likely the oldest if not best attended Memorial Day observance in the South Sound.  Situated on their rolling grounds off Steilacoom Blvd. close to South Tacoma Way, May 29 at 2 p.m. The annual event will be held in the Garden of Honor at Mountain View. Several veterans organizations from the Puget Sound area have been invited to showcase their colors during the event. Various groups from both JBLM and local JROTC groups will also be in attendance. Guests can enjoy words from a keynote speaker as well as music and light refreshments. 4100 Steilacoom Blvd., Lakewood

Waterside Service: Tribute to All Veterans Who Perished at Sea, Sunday, May 28, 2 p.m. This waterside service is to remember and celebrate the lives of those veterans who perished at sea. Ceremony begins promptly at 2 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance followed by military protocols. Guests are invited to then drop flowers into the bay in memory of their veteran. Percival Landing Pavilion, Olympia

Memorial Day Celebration at the Capitol Rotunda, Monday, May 29, 11 a.m. to noon, free, doors open at 10 a.m. with music beginning at 10:30 a.m. A canon blast will mark the beginning of the official ceremony at 11 a.m. with Tumwater Mayor Peter Kmet speaking shortly after along with deputy commander of JBLM also making remarks.

Memorial Day Celebration and Monument Unveiling, Monday, May 29, 11 a.m., free. The Tacoma Historical Society and American Legion is proud to host a Memorial Day Celebration at the Tacoma War Memorial Park. The event will include a service and benediction, as well as guest speaker CWO5 Theresa Burgess. The 593rd Sustainment Command as well as the 132nd Army Band will also be in attendance. During the ceremony, brand new monuments commemorating the Vietnam and Korean Wars will be unveiled. 624 N. Meyers St., Tacoma

Vietnam Traveling Wall, May 26-30, open 24/7 with daily events between 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., free. The city of Pasco is proud to host the Vietnam Traveling Wall for one week at the City View Cemetery. 1300 N. Oregon Ave., Pasco

Community Memorial Day Ceremony, noon, free. The city of DuPont will honor our brave servicemember's sacrifice during their annual Memorial Day ceremony Monday, May 29. The ceremony will feature guest speaker Desmond T. Doss, Jr. - he is the son of medic and Medal of Honor Recipient Desmond T. Doss. His story of heroism is depicted in the major motion picture Hacksaw Ridge. Guests to the ceremony can enjoy a reception at Forza Coffee Company following the ceremony. For more info, call 253.912.5245. Ross Plaza, 1500 Ross Loop, DuPont