Highline Honors Veterans: A Living Memorial and Local Gatherings

A look at Highline’s history of remembrance, plus local Veterans Day events.

A Living Road of Remembrance

For more than a century, a road through the Highline area has carried a promise to remember those who served.

In 1921, the Seattle Garden Club launched an effort to plant more than 1,400 elm trees along a brick roadway between Seattle and Tacoma. The trees would honor Washington residents who died in World War I, creating a canopy reminiscent of the French boulevards where American soldiers had fought.

According to City Habitats’ “Planting Trees Rooted in History,” Washington pioneer Ezra Meeker planted the first tree on Armistice Day, November 11, 1921. The plantings eventually stretched about 10 miles to Des Moines. Today, we know the roadway as Des Moines Memorial Drive.

Historic tree planting along the Living Road of Remembrance — *Planting American elm trees along the Living Road of Remembrance, 1922, according to City Habitats. Photo courtesy of the Des Moines Memorial Drive Preservation Association, via cityhabitats.org.*

A Memorial in Our Neighborhoods

Over the decades, disease, utility work and road construction damaged or destroyed many of the elms. A granite memorial erected in 1963 preserved the names of those honored, but residents continued working to protect the living memorial.

The granite memorial along Des Moines Memorial Drive, the “Living Road of Remembrance,” stands in front of historic Sunnydale Elementary School in Burien. November 11, 2025. Photo: Katie Kresly, The Highline Journal.

In 2000, King County and the cities of Burien, Normandy Park, SeaTac and Des Moines joined in an agreement to restore and promote the corridor. The Des Moines Memorial Drive Preservation Association formed to support that work.

“We celebrate our freedoms by honoring those who died to preserve it; historical monuments, living and built, are important foundations of a community’s heritage and need to be maintained and protected,” association chairperson Rose Clark told City Habitats.

The article also described Port of Seattle funding that supported Forterra’s work to help replant disease-resistant elms along the drive.

“Thanks to the leadership of the Preservation Association and Forterra, future generations will be connected through these trees to the sacrifices of the past,” Port Commissioner Fred Felleman said in the article.

That history gives Highline’s Veterans Day gatherings a local connection. The road began as a tribute to the WWI fallen. This week’s observances also offer a chance to thank living veterans, hear their stories and recognize military service across generations.

Historical information and quotations above are credited to City Habitats, “Planting Trees Rooted in History,” by Dr. Sarah Yarwood-Lovett and Ali Yeates Lakehart.

Veterans Day Gatherings Around Highline

Neighbors are invited to the following observances on November 10 and 11, 2026.

Burien: A Living Road of Remembrance

Wednesday, November 11, at 11 a.m.
Historic Sunnydale Elementary School, 15623 Des Moines Memorial Drive South

A commemorative bell ringing will open the ceremony honoring veterans and the preservation of Des Moines Memorial Drive.

The program includes colors presented by Burien American Legion Post 134, an eagle standard presented by Unkitawa, speakers and music. If weather permits, there will be a display of an authentic WWI-era ambulance. A reception with refreshments and historical exhibits follows inside the schoolhouse.

Dress for the weather. On-site parking is available, and the facility and grounds are ADA accessible.

Des Moines: Veterans Day Ceremony

Wednesday, November 11: reception at 10:30 a.m.; ceremony at 11:11 a.m.
Steven J. Underwood Memorial Park, 21800 20th Avenue South

The gathering will include a bugle call, flag raising and remarks from local veterans Tony Hettler and Pat Nardo. Boy Scout Troop 361 will post the colors. Families, friends and neighbors are welcome.

Normandy Park: Honoring Veterans a Day Early

Tuesday, November 10, from 10 a.m. to noon
Normandy Park City Hall, 801 Southwest 174th Street, near the Blue Star Memorial Garden

Blue Star Memorial By-Way marker in Normandy Park. Photo by Stuart Jenner, The Highline Journal

Veterans and community members are invited to an open house for remembrance and fellowship. Coffee and baked goods will be served. Representatives from the Parkside Garden Club and the Des Moines Memorial Drive Preservation Association are scheduled to attend.

The gathering takes place on Nov 10, a day before Veterans Day because City Hall will be closed November 11.

SeaTac: A Place to Honor Veterans

SeaTac Veterans Memorial, SeaTac Community Center, 13735 24th Avenue South

SeaTac’s Veterans Memorial honors military veterans past and present and welcomes visitors from every community.

*SeaTac Veterans Memorial at the SeaTac Community Center. Photo: City of SeaTac Facebook page.*

According to information provided by the city, engraved 12-by-12-inch granite pavers offer a lasting tribute to loved ones who served. Pavers cost $225.

Orders are accepted year-round, with engraving once a year. Orders and payment are due July 15 for engraving by Veterans Day, so new orders would be for a future observance.

View SeaTac’s memorial paver order form.

Seattle wanted to honor Washington citizens who died serving in World War 1. In 1921, the Seattle Garden Club planted 1,400 elm trees along King County's historic Hwy 14 from Seattle to Tacoma; eventually, this stretched all the way to Des Moines. This photo shows the first tree, which was planted on Armistice Day, 1921, by Washington pioneer Ezra Meeker. The photo was not taken in Des Moines; however, the project later extended into Des Moines, and the photo captures the beginning of the endeavor. Later, this road became Des Moines Memorial Drive and is the only remaining national "Living Road of Remembrance" dedicated to WW1 fallen. - Photo from Des Moines Memorial Drive Preservation Association.

Cities around the Highline Region are celebrating Veterans Day. See below to learn more about the various celebrations as we remember and honor our fallen heroes.

Burien

For more historical information, see the following article.

Des Moines

Normandy Park

SeaTac

The following information is from the City of SeaTac's website

The SeaTac Veterans Memorial pays tribute to men and women military veterans of the past and present for their service at the SeaTac Community Center at 13735 24th Ave. South, SeaTac.

While located in SeaTac, the Veterans Memorial is a welcome place to honor veterans from every community.

The memorial incorporates engraved paver tiles as a lasting way to remember our loved ones who have served. Paver tiles are 12x12 granite tiles and cost $225.00. Orders are always accepted; however, tiles are engraved only once per year.

Donation order form and payment are due by July 15 to be engraved by Veterans Day.

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