STEILACOOM, Wash. -- If you drive along Interstate 5 near Joint Base Lewis-McChord, you would have no idea what you had passed.
A collection of approximately 66 trees, many squeezed in between the highway and a railroad fence, represent the remains of the Boulevard of Remembrance, a memorial to American soldiers lost in World War I, which has been largely forgotten.
Around 500 trees in total were planted starting in 1928, state historical records show. Over time, many were cut down to make way for I-5. None of the plaques remain.
"I was first kind of shocked that this just dropped," said State Rep. Dick Muri (R-Steilacoom), who served at Joint Base Lewis-McChord and, like most, had no idea about the boulevard.
State and county records show an effort to preserve the boulevard in 1989, but nothing ever came of it.
"Everybody agreed to it, but it wasn't done." said Muri, "This is twice. And I can tell you, right now, we're not going to forget again."
In October, Washington's Transportation Commission is expected to approve naming I-5 between Nisqually and Lakewood the Boulevard of Remembrance. Part of the motivation is to make up for decades of forgetfulness, but it is also because many of the trees along the highway will be cut down to make way for additional lanes.
"This Boulevard of Remembrance is going to be present," said Muri, who brought the issue to the Transportation Commission, "It is going to be appropriate and it's going to be an honor to those people who served our country at some of the most difficult times in our country's history."
