Formerly known as Decoration Day, the last Monday in May has come to be known as Memorial Day, a day for remembering those who have died, specifically those who have died in the service of their nation. It is a time for our nation to remember, reflect and heal.

For decades, the Pierce County Veteran's Advisory Council has been proud to sponsor an event commemorating those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of our country. Mountain View Funeral Home, Memorial Park and Crematory, at 4100 Steilacoom Blvd. SW, Lakewood, WA, is honored to once again host this annual remembrance and celebration on Monday, May 27, at 2 p.m. by the Joint Services Memorial in the Garden of Honor.

The service has long included a tribute to Master Sgt. Llewellyn Chilson who was considered by many to be "the fightingest man" in the 45th Infantry division and is the second-most decorated soldier of World War II. Previously, the tribute was held at Chilson's interment site in Mountain View Memorial Park.

In recent years, Mountain View dedicated the Joint Services Memorial in their newest veteran's section, the Garden of Honor. The memorial features two monuments: one for Master Sgt. Chilson and one for Gen. John M.D. Shalikashvili who served as Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff under President Clinton and was a resident of Steilacoom at the time of his passing.

Wreaths will be laid during the service to honor these local heroes, and servicemembers from every branch of the Armed Forces will place commemorative wreaths while members of local high school Junior ROTC groups raise the service flags. An honor guard and firing detail from JBLM will be present.

Mountain View Funeral Home, Memorial Park and Crematory, along with the Pierce County Veteran's Advisory Council, invite the public to join them for this special observance.  Hot dogs and other refreshments will be provided at no charge, and admission is free to the public. There will also be flowers for sale onsite. Horseback rides for donation will be offered by Buffalo Soldiers of Seattle.

For more information, contact Mountain View Funeral Home, Memorial Park and Crematory at 253.330.5449 or visit their website at mountainviewtacoma.com.