Published 5/25/26
Today, Ferndale observes Memorial Day and honors those who have died in U.S. military service. Ferndale’s Kenneth Rasmussen VFW Post 6353 will lead a procession at 10 AM from Veterans’ Hall down Main Street to Ferndale Cemetery for a remembrance ceremony, a local tradition since 1882.
Pictured is this year’s window display at Ring’s Pharmacy on Main Street, telling the story of four Ferndale-area men killed while serving in the Pacific Theater in World War II: Frank Lewis, Morris Boots, John “Bernie” Campbell, and Kenneth Rasmussen.
“It’s nothing for us to dedicate a window,” Ferndale pharmacist Tom Renner told the county’s Times-Standard newspaper. “I mean, that’s minimal, the minimal investment in time and energy.”
As told by the exhibit, the four local men were among thousands of American troops taken prisoner of war in the Philippines in 1942 and forced onto the Bataan Death March. All four survived the march itself but were killed within the next two years of the war.
For history lovers — and those touched by these historical events — Ferndale offers many opportunities to dive deep, thanks to our renowned museum, historic cemeteries, preserved architecture, and nearly 150 years of local newspaper archives. Here are a few ways to learn more about the history of Ferndale and its service members:
— Visit the Ferndale Museum or watch its documentaries "Letters Home" (winner of the 2011 Autry Public History Prize from the Western History Association) and "Coming of Age in Korea."
— Visit the stunning Ferndale Cemetery and St. Mary’s Cemetery, both just steps from Main Street, and explore history through the online Burial Census.
— Pick up a Ferndale Enterprise Souvenir Edition on Main Street or read it online, featuring a self-guided cemeteries tour and additional stories of Ferndale’s service members.
We wish everyone a peaceful Memorial Day — and if you’re visiting Ferndale today, thank you for spending it with us.
More ways to connect with FERNDALE, NAMED ONE OF AMERICA’S 10 MOST CHARMING SMALL TOWNS:
Check our year-round event calendar
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