Memorial Day in Oysterville
Like beach areas everywhere in our country, Tourist Season officially begins today, the Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend. There is some irony in that situation, at least as far as Oysterville is concerned. This particular weekend has a very local focus and doesn’t have much to do with tourists at all.
It is traditionally the weekend of our Annual Everything Meetings – the Oysterville Water company usually (but not this year) meets at nine o’clock at the church followed by the Oysterville Restoration Foundation and then the President’s Picnic for everyone in town.
The Memorial Day Weekend was chosen at “meeting day” back in the seventies because it was the weekend that property owners in the National Historic District were sure to be here. Whether folks with Oysterville roots lived locally or at a distance, they made a point of being in town for the yearly gathering at the cemetery to clean-up the graves and to decorate them for the holiday. It was the one time of the year that every house in Oysterville was sure to have someone in residence.
Memorial Day at the Oysterville Cemetery
That’s not so true anymore – not since many of the properties have been acquired by those without local roots – at least not roots that extend to the Oysterville Cemetery. The upshot is that our meetings are not as well attended. On the other hand, the Memorial Day Celebrations on Monday have grown to include the ‘Greater Oysterville Area’ and, thanks to Diane Buttrell, have become the true focus of the weekend.
Festivities begin at the cemetery with a short program in conjunction with the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ traditional lowering and raising of the flag. Some years a bugler is present to play taps for that part of the ceremony and, if that is not enough to cause the tears to flow, Dobby Wiegardt’s reading of the Gettysburg Address followed by Nyel’s recitation of “In Flanders Fields” put most people right over the edge. To say nothing of those who speak about their loved ones, past and present, who have served in the name of our country.
The graveside ceremony is followed by a gathering at the church and topped off with a brunch at the Oysterville School – all well-attended and all orchestrated by Diane with lots of help from community members. I do believe it now qualifies as Oysterville’s Biggest Day of the year.
So perhaps, after all, it is a fitting kick-off to the Tourist Season. It’s our last opportunity of the year to have the village (mostly) to ourselves and to those near and dear to us. The next big season – Hunting Season – doesn’t have quite the same draw, at least not for many of our newer residents. But that’s another story…
Oh my goodness, Sydney!
I had no idea it was all that. You are exceedingly generous with kudos.
Thank you.
See you tomorrow