Dear fellow King County employee,

As we prepare to observe Memorial Day, I want to take a moment to recognize the profound significance of this day.

Memorial Day honors the brave members of our country’s armed forces who gave their lives fighting to protect and preserve freedom here at home and around the world. We owe a debt of gratitude to all who have served, and particularly to those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Their sacrifices—and the sacrifices of their families—remind us of the true cost of the freedoms we enjoy. We owe them a great debt; one we can never fully repay.

We honor those we lost by remembering their courage and living up to the values they died defending. They fought for freedom, democracy, and human rights—ideals that must be protected and upheld, and never taken for granted. At a time when these ideals are once again under threat in many parts of the world, remembrance becomes not just a tribute, but a responsibility.

We also honor their memory by ensuring that our active-duty personnel, local veterans, and military families continue to receive the support they need and deserve to build healthy, thriving lives. Thanks to King County’s Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy, we can fund a wide range of programs to help them do just that.

On Monday, May 26, I ask you to join me in a moment of remembrance and respect for all who have died in service to our country, and to thank the more than two million active-duty and reserve personnel who serve today.

Whether you spend the day with family, in quiet reflection, or participating in a memorial event, I hope you’ll take a moment to reflect on the meaning of this day, and the service and sacrifice that have helped shape the nation we live in.

Sincerely,

Shannon Braddock
King County Executive