Veteran Elm Project

My name is Emma Sundance. A few years ago, I participated in an event at the Western Washington Extension campus in West Mount Vernon, to honor the veterans of Skagit County that had served our country during World War I. During the service, I learned that Memorial Highway, which runs through the west side of town, was named in memory of these men. 181 Elm trees were planted in memory of those men from Skagit County that served, 50 of them did not make it home. In the early 1950's the highway was widened and all but 3 of the trees were cut down. During the event, I was asked to tap the drum after each soldier's name and age was read. As they read the names and I tapped the drum, the beats began to resonate in my soul as I heard the young ages of many of these soldiers. Many of them were not much older than I am now. The WSU Master Gardeners were launching a campaign to replant a minimum of 50 trees along Memorial Highway, one each to honor the fallen. I really wanted to help Mr. Call make that happen! They say that each man dies two deaths, one when he draws his last breath and the second when his name is mentioned for the last time. The greatest casualty is to be forgotten. Please help me fund the planting of these 50 trees, and sponsor one of the "Boys of Skagit County". The plan is to have a granite plaque next to each Elm, to create a memorial. Each tree costs $215.00 and the granite plaque is $85.00. You can sponsor a tree for $300.00 and the plaque will be engraved with the name of the fallen soldier and your name as the sponsor of that tree. Or you can give what you can and we will pool the funds to buy each tree.

Thank you for considering assisting me with my project!
https://www.goskagit.com/entertainment/standing-tall-in-honor-group-student-hope-to-bring-back/article_10b54862-d7fe-589b-8579-36bfea2fe87c.html