Charles A McAllister

Charles was born in Ballard on May 7, 1893. Little is known today in regards to Charles' life, but he enlisted in the Army at the age of 23 and served in World War One. He was killed in action in France on July 19th, 1918 at the age of 25 during the Franco-American counter-offensive against German positions at Aisne-Marne in northern France, but at the time was considered Missing in Action.

His remains were discovered in an unmarked grave in France in 2002, but remained unidentified for 22 years.

Through forensic science and DNA technology, in 2024 the Army was able to finally positively identify Charles. His remains are being repatriated to the United States, and will be coming home to Washington on August 15, 2024.

He will be laid to rest with other members of his family at Acacia Memorial Park on August 21st, 2024 at 1:00 pm. He will receive full military honors.

For the Fallen

By Laurence Binyon

With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children,

England mourns for her dead across the sea.

Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit,

Fallen in the cause of the free.

Solemn the drums thrill; Death august and royal

Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres,

There is music in the midst of desolation

And a glory that shines upon our tears.

They went with songs to the battle, they were young,

Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.

They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted;

They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them.

They mingle not with their laughing comrades again;

They sit no more at familiar tables of home;

They have no lot in our labour of the day-time;

They sleep beyond England's foam.

But where our desires are and our hopes profound,

Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,

To the innermost heart of their own land they are known

As the stars are known to the Night;

As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust,

Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain;

As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,

To the end, to the end, they remain.