The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

A crowd showed up at the Elochoman Slough Marina on Sunday afternoon to celebrate the installation of a memorial to local men and women involved in commercial fishing.

Diana Zimmerman

Tracy Ostling Tomlinson took a moment to sign in at Sunday's dedication for the memorial to local people involved in commercial fishing, while her daughter Emery, held by a friend, looked on.

David Nelson welcomed the visitors and thanked the Lindwall family for their vision. He thanked Stephanie and Doug Olsen, and Muriel and Greg Prestegard for working with the Lindwall family, as well as for the organization and construction of the project. Nelson also thanked Chris and Julie Doumit for donating materials from their cannery building, Dick Seaberg for the carved salmon, and Forrest Mora for landscaping. Finally, he thanked donors and the people who purchased the plaques memorializing friends and family involved in the fishing industry.

"The immigrants and early settlers were talented, industrious, hard working people," Nelson said. "It was not uncommon for your grandfather, your dad, your great uncle, your uncles, neighbors, friends, to fish. Many also worked a full time job, logging, farming, or local businesses, then returned home in the evening and jumped in their boat and hit the river to make an extra dollar.

"Many commercial fishermen, with their can do attitudes, built their own homes and helped others do the same, becoming valued members of the community, contributing to local business, schools, churches, and strengthening the economy."

After the dedication, the group migrated to the covered area at the marina for more conversation and refreshments.