EVERETT — Snohomish County employees gathered Friday around a new plaque adorned with more than 200 brass medals. They pointed at ones bearing their names, honoring them for their military service.
They laughed and shared memories, and then looked for their colleagues’ names.
The plaque was unveiled Friday at the county’s Robert J. Drewel building.
Speakers at the ceremony included County Executive Dave Somers, County Councilman Nate Nehring and special projects director Joshua Dugan.
Dugan, a Navy veteran, said it was important to recognize the people who served their country — and who continue to serve the community by working in public service.
The lobby near the building’s entrance was an underused space in need of sprucing up, he said. Another plaque naming those who died in wartime hung on the wall, but not much else. The renovation goes further to recognize local veterans, he said.
County employee Robert Thurston said he appreciated the effort. He served in the Navy from 1994 to 1998, fueling aircraft aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier.
As the fourth generation in his family to serve in the Navy, Thurston said he was instilled with a sense of service early in life. He views his current work with emergency management, and as a volunteer firefighter in Gold Bar, as an extension of that calling.
After the remarks, people bowed their heads in a moment of silence for those who died while serving. “Taps” played.
“To every veteran it means a lot hearing Taps,” Thurston said. “We all know people who have had Taps played for them, because they’re not here anymore.”
Zachariah Bryan: 425-339-3431; zbryan@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @zachariahtb.
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