'Where heroes rest' — New county street signs honor nation’s veterans
New street signs near the Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent were installed during the first week of November
as a permanent memorial to honor all United States military veterans.
The auxiliary street signs designate nearby Southeast 240th Street as King County’s “Street of Heroes.”
A small audience was on hand for the unveiling of the new signs, including (from left): King County Department of Transportation Director Harold Taniguchi; Tahoma National Cemetery Director Mary Ann Gillispie; and DESA members Warren Stewart and Dick Willard. [Enlarged view of photo, 301K]
The effort was spearheaded by the North Pacific Chapter of the Destroyer Escort Sailors Association (DESA), a group of
naval veterans who served in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. The local veterans wanted to highlight the increasing importance of the
Tahoma National Cemetery to our community and nation.
“We as a community need something like this to remind us that service to our
nation is a dear thing, and that it deserves a prominent place in everyday affairs,” said John Bess, president of the local DESA chapter.
The retired sailors made their request to Cemetery Director Mary Ann Gillispie and King County Executive
Ron Sims, who enthusiastically supported the idea. The King County Roads Services Division had 16 signs made saying
either “Street of Heroes” or “Where Heroes Rest.” These supplemental street signs have been mounted
on signposts in front of the cemetery and at nearby key intersections.
This type of auxiliary signage is a first for King County.
“The members of the local chapter of DESA are typical of our citizens who have served
with loyalty, courage, and valor to advance the cause of democracy and freedom around the world,” said Sims. “And, they
continue to serve by making sure we never forget those who gave their lives for this country.”
For more information, visit these Web sites:
» Tahoma National Cemetery
» North Pacific Chapter Destroyer Escort Sailors Association
» National Destroyer Escort Sailors Association
Also see the related media articles:
» "Part of SE 240th is now Street of Heroes - County grants veteran's request," South County Journal
» "Street renamed in Kent," Seattle Post-Intelligencer
» "County installs honorary signs on way to cemetery," Tacoma News Tribune
Taking Winter by Storm
The King County region will head into this winter more prepared than ever before thanks to a new
landmark agreement that will allow agencies to better respond to any type of weather event or disaster. The new
Regional Disaster Plan is a system that will allow agencies and businesses to more tightly coordinate their response to future
emergencies, whether it’s related to flooding, snow or earthquakes or acts of terrorism. Since completion of the
core plan earlier this year, 95 agencies and major companies have formally signed on to the agreement.
The Regional Disaster plan will allow a variety of agencies such as cities, health, fire, law enforcement,
schools and hospitals to more easily share equipment, expertise, personnel and other resources, when necessary.
Project emphasizes safety and fish
King County Road Services Division recently completed pedestrian improvements along 108th Avenue Northeast in the Juanita area. Near the entrance to Edith Moulton Park, the project crosses two waterways, which flow through culverts under the roadway. Part of the project included improvements to sidewalks which are used by some 150 school children and their parents to travel to school every day. As a way of drawing attention to the presence of creeks, the pedestrian handrails were enhanced with decorative laser cut stainless steel fish above the culverts.
Change in bus fares for young children
Effective Oct. 1, 2002, the upper limit for a child to ride fare-free on King County Metro Transit was raised from age four to age five. Up to four children age five and under may ride free when accompanied by a responsible person paying an adult fare.
Road closure on Cougar Mountain
The King County Road Services Division will close 189th Avenue Southeast (the Klein Hill Road) to through traffic on a daily basis for nine days starting this week. The road will be closed on weekdays from Tuesday, Nov. 12 to Friday, Nov. 22 from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. between Southeast 60th Street and 190th Place Southeast. During the closure, crews will be installing a new drainage system under the roadway. Motorists should avoid the area during work hours, and follow the detour signs.
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