The nation which forgets its defenders will itself be forgotten.
Calvin Coolidge
Despite the gloomy weather, the spirits of over 500 community members remained high as they gathered to dedicate the Maple Valley Veterans Memorial on Veterans Day, Monday, November 11, 2024. While some work remains, the memorial is nearing completion after a decade of planning, fundraising, and construction.
Brett Habenicht, President of The Greater Maple Valley Veterans Memorial Foundation and a Navy veteran, spoke about the vision behind the project, located at the corner of Witte Road and SE 248th Street. The memorial has been designed with three key objectives, he said: to be visually striking and aesthetically pleasing, to complement and enhance the natural surroundings and nearby structures, and to stand as a dignified tribute worthy of the veterans it honors.
During the dedication, the centerpiece of the memorial—a large American flag flying proudly from a thirty-foot flagpole—was unveiled for the first time. This was followed by the raising of a POW-MIA flag and service branch flags on twenty-five-foot poles. Soon, a walkway of inscribed and charter bricks will guide visitors into the memorial. Inside, five walls, each representing a branch of the military, will feature black granite inlays etched with the names of veterans who have lived or currently reside within the historic boundaries of the Tahoma School District. In front of each branch wall, granite benches will provide visitors with places to reflect and honor the service of these men and women. The design ensures privacy for individual visitors and families while also offering ample space for public ceremonies and events.
The dedication ceremony provided the Memorial Foundation with an opportunity to express its gratitude to those who contributed their time, money, energy, and resources to bring the memorial to fruition. The project could not have been realized without their support. Their unyielding dedication serves as an inspiration to all and stands as a personal tribute to the military veterans of our community.
No mention of the Maple Valley Veterans Memorial would be complete without recognizing the late United States Marine, SSgt. Storm McNeil. As Vice President of The Greater Maple Valley Veterans Memorial Foundation, SSgt. McNeil worked tirelessly from his home on Dorre Don, laying the groundwork for the memorial in its earliest stages. His fellow board members are united in their praise, that he was the driving force behind many of the project’s key accomplishments, always pushing forward with his unwavering determination that “WE GET THIS BUILT!”
The Greater Maple Valley Veterans Memorial will serve as a lasting tribute to the community, providing a space to remember, pay tribute to, and thank those who have served. According to Brett Habenicht, its significance is profound. “Our community, like many small towns across the country, is home to men and women who answered the call to serve their country,” he explains. “The memorial foundation was created with one clear goal in mind: to build a fitting tribute to our veterans and to offer a powerful, visual reminder to all who live here that we are surrounded by real-life heroes.”
