ARLINGTON — Although Dec. 7 marks the anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the Stillaguamish Valley Pioneer Hall and Museum take time during the day to honor the service of all American military members as part of their annual “Military Day.”

From 1-3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 7, the Pioneer Hall will host yet another gathering of veterans and civilian members of the public alike, to recognize and pay tribute to all those in branches of service, both those who have served and those who are currently serving.

Pioneer Association President Myrtle Rausch recalled that Military Day began in 2000, with the dedication of a military memorial on site, and has been observed each year since on Dec. 7, making this the 15th annual event.

Myrtle’s husband, Pioneer Museum caretaker Marty Rausch, noted that re-enactors and military vehicles have appeared frequently at previous Military Days, but he agreed with his wife that the day’s main purpose is to afford community members an opportunity to meet veterans, and for veterans to exchange ideas with each other.

“My brother was in the Korean war, and it wasn’t until after he died that I found out that he’d earned a Purple Heart,” Marty Rausch said.

“We enjoy having the veterans here to tell their stories and show their photos,” Myrtle Rausch said. “The community should come on by and say thanks to those who help keep them safe.”

This year’s Military Day will feature the Pioneer Museum opening its doors to showcase military history through the lens of local veterans.

Previous years’ Military Days have fostered lively discussions among veterans about the meaning of their service, and have occasionally even included observances such as the POW/MIA remembrance ceremony, whose empty table represents all the military members who have been prisoners of war or gone missing in action.