Washougal Memorial Day ceremony will celebrate those that gave all and local public servant, Phyllis Hutchinson
WASHOUGAL — The city of Washougal, along with the city’s Memorial Cemetery Board, will host a Memorial Day ceremony in honor of a local resident at 11 a.m. on May 27, at Washougal Memorial Cemetery.
In addition to honoring the men and women who have given their lives for the country, Washougal is dedicating this year’s ceremony to Phyllis Hutchinson, who served on the cemetery board for more than 40 years.
“Phyllis was extremely generous to the cemetery, that is where her heart was,” said Suzanne Grover, the park and cemetery program manager. “She loved the city of Washougal and particularly the cemetery. I actually have not enough words to cover what an important person she was to our community.”
Hutchinson was born in 1926, and passed away in June of last year, at the age of 92. She lived and served in the area of Camas and Washougal since 1944, when she started work at the paper mill during WWII.
While serving with the cemetery board she often loved giving out hot dogs at events, such as Memorial Day. When the health department changed the regulations, and she could no longer give out the food, she was pretty saddened, Grover said.
“The hot dogs kind of went away and it broke her heart a little bit,” Grover said. “So, we decided that we would honor her, since she passed this last year … by bringing that back.”
Hutchinson willed $20,000 to the cemetery program. Her devotion to those that rest there will be a critical part of the Memorial Day event, along with a gun salute and the calling of the names of veterans who have died, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
The one hour event will also be joined by the American Legion and American Legion Women’s Auxiliary. Refreshments and one complimentary (Phyllis Hutchinson inspired) hot dog will be provided for each guest.
“This is a really good opportunity to give her the honor that she didn’t want when she was living,” Grover said. “She passed without getting that recognition but now it’s time to give her the credit she deserved.”
For more information visit the city of Washougal’s website.
