Mountain View Funeral Home, Memorial Park & Crematory

JOINT SERVICES MEMORIAL CEREMONY HONORS AMERICAN HEROES AT MOUNTAIN VIEW MEMORIAL PARK – LAKEWOOD, WA

Presented by PCVAC (Pierce County Veterans advisory council)

and

Mountain View Memorial Park

More than 700 guests expected as we pay tribute to all U.S. Soldiers and Veterans who have gone before us acknowledging the service and sacrifice given to our Nation.

Dedication of monuments honoring General John M.D. Shalikashvili

and Master Sergeant Llewellyn M. Chilson

photo and video opportunity:  MONDAY, May 27, 2013 (1:30 – 3 p.m.)

WHAT: Mountain View Memorial Park, the honored final resting place to thousands of U.S. veterans, will host a Joint Services Memorial Ceremony anticipating more than 700 guests, participation by local veteran and Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps groups and a Monument dedication ceremony conducted by family and military service members for two highly decorated military Heroes:

• General John M.D. Shalikashvili “General Shali” – Former Chairman of The Joint Chiefs of Staff from 1993 to 1997. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom (the highest civilian award given by the U.S. government) by President Bill Clinton.
• Master Sergeant Llewellyn M. Chilson – The second most decorated soldier of World War II with 29 medals. Known by many as the “fightingest” man of the 45th infantry, he is buried at Mountain View Memorial Park.

WHERE: MOUNTAIN VIEW MEMORIAL PARK 4100 Steilacoom Blvd. SW Lakewood, WA 98499

WHEN: Memorial Day, Monday, May 27, 2013, 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. (ceremony)

(Best time for videos/photos: 1:30 – 3 p.m.)

WHO:    

• Ceremony Keynote Speaker, Major General Bret D. Daugherty, Washington National Guard
• Participants include active military and veterans and JROTC groups
• Joint Base Lewis McChord Band members
• Anticipating More than 700 guests, including friends and family of veterans buried at Mountain View Memorial Park

PHOTO & VIDEO OPPS:

Interviews are available with Mark Gilmore, Family Service and Cemetery Manager

Mountain View onsite media contact: Dave Salove (206.518.4496; dave.salove@nsmg.com)

Day of event media contact: Gretchen Krueger: 925.914.0102; gretchen@landispr.com

FOR FURTHER INFO: For more information about Mountain View Funeral Home, Memorial Park & Crematory, click here

ABOUT MOUNTAIN VIEW FUNERAL HOME, MEMORIAL PARK & CREMATORY

Mountain View Funeral Home, Memorial Park & Crematory provides end-of-life services to families from diverse religious, ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Established in 1915, Mountain View Funeral Home, Memorial Park & Crematory has served families in the Tacoma region for four generations. Mountain View Funeral Home, Memorial Park & Crematory is part of a family of cemeteries, funeral homes and crematories with locations throughout the U.S.   For more information, visit www.mountainviewtacoma.com.

MEDIA, PLEASE NOTE: To request high resolution images or an interview with a Mountain View Funeral Home, Memorial Park & Crematory spokesperson, please contact Hilary Burns (415.561.0888/hilary@landispr.com).

Joint Services Memorial Ceremony on May 27th

Visit These Sites For Helpful Funeral Tips

At Mountain View Funeral Home, Memorial Park & Crematory of Tacoma, we understand that you come to us at a very difficult time. We hope that our family-owned and operated cemetery service and funeral home can offer comfort in your grief. You could also visit the resources below for inspiration on planning a meaningful, beautiful service.

• Learn more about making pre-arrangements with this introduction to the subject from WhyPreplan.org.
• The International Cemetery, Cremation, and Funeral Association (ICCFA) discusses some of the most frequently asked questions about cremation.
• Are you considering preplanning your funeral? Get some helpful tips on the process with this link to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
• FuneralWise.com builds a compelling case in favor of making pre-arrangements for a funeral.
• Read about purchasing a cemetery plot and some factors to consider at this page from Funeral Consumers Alliance.

Please call us at (888) 757-3958 to learn more about planning a funeral for your loved one.

Memorial Day Monday 27th at 2pm!

Tips for Pre-Planning a Funeral

Pre-planning one’s own funeral is not a new idea; for instance, Charles Dickens dictated the dress code for the mourners at his funeral. Still, pre-planning has become increasingly popular in recent years for a number of reasons. Making pre-arrangements allows you to choose your own preferences regarding the funeral home and burial, and reduces the emotional and financial burden of your surviving family members. The extent of the pre-arrangements you wish to make is completely your decision. Here are a few suggestions to help you get started:

Evaluate Cemetery Sites Choosing a family cemetery site is a wonderful way to ensure closeness among your family members when life’s journey has ended. Selecting plots well in advance allows you to keep your family together. Visit the potential sites and decide on your preferences carefully. If you prefer cremation, you may wish to designate a memorial plot.

Consider Prepaying for Services Prepaying for funeral services will help reduce the burden on your family members. You may choose to pre-fund all or part of your funeral services. For example, you can choose to purchase your casket or urn, but forego paying for the funeral service itself. Speak with a funeral home representative to decide which options are best for you and your family.

Decide on the Arrangements Making pre-arrangements allows you to be as flexible as you wish with your options. You can customize your entire funeral, right down to the flower arrangements and even the obituary if you wish. Alternatively, you may prefer to take a less involved approach and designate only your burial plot or the type of service you would like.

Make Your Preferences Known After you’ve decided on your pre-arrangements, make sure your family members know what they are. Write down all of the details and make multiple copies. Give one copy to your attorney, other copies to your family members, and place another copy in a safe place where it is likely to be found.

For assistance making pre-arrangements, contact Mountain View Funeral Home, Memorial Park & Crematory of Tacoma at (888) 757-3958. Our compassionate, friendly staff is always happy to answer your questions. You might also visit our website to request our pre-planning guide.