With a break in the gloomy weather May 27 a large Memorial Day crowd paid tribute to the 24 Bainbridge Island soldiers who lost their lives in battle.

Bill Beck, who joined the Navy in 1962, and is one of the founders of the military memorial at Bainbridge High School, read aloud the names of the dead. The majority were in World War II, but the Korean War and Vietnam claimed their share of islanders as well. Even World War 1 soldiers were on the list. There have been no more names added from the last 21 years of war in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Cmdr. Gary Sukuma of the Colin Hyde post of the American Legion and his fellow veterans maintained the tradition of both honoring those who died, but also passing on the meaning of their sacrifice for future generations.

Alongside the veterans, dozens of young Scouts listened to one of their own, Eagle Scout and BHS senior Bodie Harrison Strom, who gave the keynote speech.

Mike Wilson, a 1967 BHS graduate and Navy veteran of the Vietnam War, knew the five soldiers from his class who died in Vietnam, “A good friend of my wife is on that plaque, another good friend of my brother. It’s still sad.”

Wilson closed the ceremony by playing Taps on a silver bugle as veterans stood and saluted the flags flying at half-staff.

A large crowd turns out for the Memorial Day event at Bainbridge High School.

Eagle Scout Bodie Harrison Strom gave the keynote address.