The Pacific Northwest Naval Air Museum and Fleet Reserve Association Branch 97 are teaming up to commemorate Memorial Day this year with the seventh annual Service of Remembrance.

The ceremony at Oak Harbor’s Maple Leaf Cemetery, 1961 Northeast 16th Avenue, begins promptly at 10 a.m., with people welcome to arrive at 9 a.m.

All community members are invited to join in person for the traditional and reverent Service of Remembrance. People can also observe online for a live broadcast on the Oak Harbor Memorial Day YouTube Channel.

The keynote speaker will be Capt. Nathan Gammache, commanding officer of Naval Air Station Whidbey Isalnd. Colors will be presented by Oak Harbor High School NJROTC, ORION Sea Cadets and Sons of the American Revolution, with Patriot Guard Riders at attention.

The special guest speaker will be Capt. David Ganci, commander of Electronic Attack Wing U.S. Pacific Fleet. Music will be performed by by local artists: All Island Community Band, Under the Radar a cappella vocal quartet, Everett Sea Cadet c/CPO Yosefa Orloff and Scottish American Military Society Bagpipes.

A traditional VFW, Legion and Fleet wreath-laying ceremony will be included. The service will conclude with a Missing Man Formation flyover by four EA-18G Growlers from Naval Air Station Whidbey’s VAQ-138 Yellowjackets after rendering Military Funeral Honors.

Gold Star Families are encouraged to attend, with special accommodation provided for parking and seating. Please RSVP to Kelly Davidson at kdavidson@pnwnam.org to be added to the VIP attendees list.

Annually, more than 500 people attend the ceremony at Maple Leaf in person. When parking, please look for lot attendants and plan on walking to the event space. Golf cart escorts will be available to those who need assistance getting to the site.

In addition to the service at Maple Leaf, Sunnyside Cemetery, at 90 Cemetery Road in Coupeville, will have a short, traditional wreath-laying service at 1 p.m. with the VFW, Legion and Fleet present. An open house reception for all community members at Fleet Reserve Association Branch 97 in Oak Harbor will follow at 2 p.m..

Volunteers are needed at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 24 and Tuesday, May 27 at Sunnyside and Maple Leaf cemeteries concurrently to assist American Legion with Flag-In. Sign-up not required. Those with questions can contact the American Legion at 360-675-2411. Join Legionnaire volunteers supported by Sons of the American Revolution and NJROTC cadets in placing and then retrieving flags at veteran graves throughout both cemeteries.

Event coordinated Kelly David noted that the audience and list of participating organizations has grown four-fold sine the first Service of Remembrance in 2019.

“Memorial Day is a relevant and somber holiday that gives us the opportunity to recognize veterans’ sacrifices,” event coordinated Kelly Davidson said. “Our event supports those veterans and their families, who are grieving our nation’s heroes that sacrificed their all for our freedoms. All attendees to our service (in-person and online), will leave our event feeling they have been given the opportunity to pay their respects; and our youth participating will learn the value and importance of remembering our heritage through traditional, reverent reflection and dedication to mission.”