Memorial Day weekend ceremonies are planned for Camas-Washougal area

Local veterans organizations are planning several opportunities to commemorate Memorial Day weekend in the Camas-Washougal area. Originally called Decoration Day, it is a day of remembrance for those who have died in the nation’s service. The following events are open to the public:
Fern Prairie Cemetery
A ceremony, conducted by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4278, will begin at 11 a.m., Saturday, May 27, at the Fern Prairie Cemetery, 25700 N.E. Robinson Road, Camas. The names of veterans buried at the cemetery will be read aloud.
Refreshments will be served, and genealogy books will be available to view. Fern Prairie Cemetery Board members and volunteers will be available to answer questions Saturday, Sunday and Monday, from 9 a.m. to dusk.
For more information, call 360-833-9176 or contact Will Zalpys, Fern Prairie Cemetery Board chairman and cemetery caretaker at 360-608-2258.
Camas Cemetery
Boy Scout Troop 562 will participate in a flag ceremony at 9 a.m., Monday, May 29, at the Camas Cemetery, 630 N.E. Oak St.
Members of VFW Post 4278 will supervise Boy Scout Troop 565 and Cub Scout Packs 424 and 610 as the scouts place small flags at each veteran’s grave site at 2 p.m., Saturday, May 27.
A master list of all veterans buried at the Camas Cemetery is maintained. Forty-five American flags, as well as five flags for each branch of service, will be placed around the cemetery Saturday, Sunday and Monday mornings and taken down in the afternoons.
Members of the Friends of the Cemetery will be available to answer questions and help people find gravesites from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Cemetery vases will be available for a donation. Local volunteers recently cleaned the cemetery grounds, in preparation for the holiday weekend. For more information, call the cemetery at 360-834-4220 or Camas City Hall at 360-834-6864.
Washougal Memorial Cemetery
The City of Washougal and American Legion Cape Horn Post 122 will present the observance at 11 a.m., Monday, May 29, at the Washougal Memorial Cemetery, 3329 “Q” St.
The American Legion Post Honor Guard will provide military honors and the firing of a rifle salute, and members of VFW Post 4278 will present the national colors.
Representatives of a variety of organizations — including Spanish American War Veterans, World War I Veterans, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Navy Mothers, Gold Star Mothers, Vietnam Veterans, The Order of the Silver Rose and VFW Auxiliary — will present commemorative wreaths.
The American Legion Women’s Auxiliary will provide refreshments.
Boy Scouts will place flags around the cemetery on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
For more information, call Chris Fuller at 360-837-3470 or Washougal Parks, Cemetery and Facilities Manager Suzanne Grover at 360-835-2662.