Jay Longmire, a senior at Rochester High School, was midway through singing the national anthem to a packed crowd at the Lucky Eagle Casino Wednesday night when her nerves got the better of her.
When her voice faltered, hundreds of local veterans and their families, gathered together to celebrate Veterans Day, raised their own voices in support.
The crowd sang several lines on their own while Longmire found the strength to continue.
They sang the end of the Star Spangled Banner together.
The moment captured the spirit in which local veterans and their families came together on Wednesday, Nov. 11, to honor each others’ service, courage and sacrifice.
This year marked the 25th anniversary of the annual event, hosted by Chehalis Tribal Community Volunteers with support from the Chehalis Tribal Loan Fund.
The dinner was free and open to not only veterans and their families, but active duty service members as well.
“As we break bread together, we pause to remember the sacrifice, courage, and unwavering devotion of those who stood up and answered the call to defend liberty and justice,” said Pastor David George of the Assembly of God Church in Oakville.
Along with the veterans and their families enjoying a free dinner, raffles were held and attendees enjoyed speeches from KIRO 7 meteorologist and U.S. Navy veteran Robert Van Winkle, and from retired Lt. Col. Michael Bartoldo of the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force.
“Veterans Day gives us an opportunity to pause and recognize service and sacrifice,” Bartoldo said Wednesday. “And it's not just about the veterans; it's about the families. The families sacrifice just as much.”
Thurston County is home to an estimated 30,685 veterans.
The county has the seventh highest veteran population in the state, according to 2026 census data released by the Washington State Department of Veterans.
