For the second annual year, thousands of Catholic cemeteries across the United States, including Gethsemane Catholic Cemetery in Federal Way, will participate in the national celebration, “Serving God and Country: A Memorial Day Salute to Our Heroes.”

This national program, developed by the Catholic Cemetery Conference, will honor those men and women who died while serving in the armed forces, as well as recognize both our active military and military veterans who have served our country.

“We were very encouraged by the overwhelming response to last year’s program and can only hope to build on last year’s success of more than 1,000 participating cemeteries,” said Carol Giambalvo, president, Catholic Cemetery Conference. “We encourage Catholic cemeteries, both large and small, to participate in the program, both to honor those members of the military who died in combat, and to recognize our veterans and current servicemen and women.”

For Gethsemane Cemetery, participation will include tribute boards where veterans, active military members and their families can write messages. These boards will be available in the week leading up to Memorial Day. Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, May 26. Active military and veterans are invited to participate and recite uniform intercessions, followed by a moment of silence. The cemetery will conduct a wreath laying ceremony, accompanied by a military honor guard.

“It is important that we honor those men and women who died while serving our country,” said Richard Peterson, director of Cemeteries of Associated Catholic Cemeteries, Archdiocese of Seattle. “We are honored to be participating in this program and are blessed to have the opportunity to celebrate the men and women who have sacrificed in order to defend the rights of all to freedom, justice and peace. We are inspired by these individuals and hope our participation can be just one way to give thanks for all they have done for us.”

The Catholic Cemetery Conference program, “Serving God and County: A Memorial Day Salute to Our Heroes” is an opportunity for Catholics throughout the United States to unite in a meaningful way to remember and pray for those loved ones who made the ultimate sacrifice, and also to recognize and involve our veterans, and our active military who continue to serve our country.

Location: 37600 Pacific Highway S., Federal Way. Contact: (253) 838‑2240.