Matthew Lundh’s Post

I can't help but be profoundly saddened by this news. Participating in the Junior State of America (JSA) program was one of the highlights of my time in high school. It helped me strengthen my debate skills, taught me how to look at issues from other perspectives, and, most of all, how to talk about hard subjects with those I didn't agree with curiously and to disagree without being disagreeable. I would often debate the counterpoint to my own belief to put myself in the shoes of someone on the other side to better understand their argument and become more educated on an issue. In this time of hyperpartisanship, where people throw away friendships, stop talking to family members, and worse, commit violence over political disagreements, we need programs like this more than ever to improve our civic health. So, thank you, JSA, for all you did to help millions of kids like me to become better citizens.

I'm very grateful to my peers from across the state for retaining me on the Association of Washington Cities Board of Directors at our annual conference a few weeks ago. It's an honor to represent the cities and towns in Kittitas and Yakima counties on the board and be another voice for small cities.

Drove to Vancouver this morning for the Association of Washington Cities Annual Conference this week. Today is the AWC Board of Directors meeting where I represent District 4 (Kittitas & Yakima counties).

On this National Medal of Honor Day, we honor the brave men and women who have received our nation’s highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor. Cle Elum is honored to be the final resting place of Signalman First Class Douglas A. Munro, a true American hero, and the U.S. Coast Guard's only Medal of Honor recipient. Coast Guardsman Munro's citation, when his medal was presented at the White House to his mother Edith by President Franklin D. Roosevelt read: "For extraordinary heroism and conspicuous gallantry in action above and beyond the call of duty as petty officer in charge of a group of 24 Higgins boats, engaged in the evacuation of a battalion of marines trapped by enemy Japanese forces at Point Cruz, Guadalcanal on 27 September 1942. After making preliminary plans for the evacuation of nearly 500 beleaguered marines, Munro, under constant strafing by enemy machine guns on the island, and at great risk of his life, daringly led five of his small craft toward the shore. As he closed the beach, he signaled the others to land, and then in order to draw the enemy's fire and protect the heavily loaded boats, he valiantly placed his craft with its two small guns as a shield between the beachhead and the Japanese. When the perilous task of evacuation was nearly completed, Munro was instantly killed by enemy fire, but his crew, two of whom were wounded, carried on until the last boat had loaded and cleared the beach. By his outstanding leadership, expert planning, and dauntless devotion to duty, he and his courageous comrades undoubtedly saved the lives of many who otherwise would have perished. He gallantly gave his life for his country."

It’s an honor to serve my neighboring cities in this capacity at AWC.

Thanks so much to the second grade teachers at Cle Elum-Roslyn Elementary for having me out to talk to their students about local government. The kids had really great questions about my job as mayor, different functions of city government, and a lot of fascination with public works. To top it all off, I got to play a rousing game of “Heads Up, Seven Up” for the first time in 30 years with Ms. Camastro’s class!

I’m honored to have been elected to the Association of Washington Cities Board of Directors for District 4 (Kittitas and Yakima counties). I’m looking forward to working with the fantastic elected officials on the board and the dedicated AWC staff to make this organization even stronger and more effective.

I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as Mayor at City of Cle Elum!