A Remembrance with Honor

Written by Carol Craig

Lyle, Wash.-
Two completely different backgrounds and two men who held the same reverence for the Klickitat River and Mother Nature's offerings were honored by family and friends August 27 at the Balfour Klickitat Trail.

Yakama leader, elder, statesman, broker and chairman of the Yakama Nation, the late William F. Yallup, Sr. and Glen Chilcutt, father and grandfather will be remembered as men who held the highest esteem for the river and it's bounty.

The trail winds by the river on the west side where hikers can now sit and rest at the bench sites overlooking the landscape. The Klickitat flows into the Columbia River at Lyle in the gorge.

The benches were blessed by Yakama religious leaders and prayers were given for the families. Chilcutt and Yallup both have their names on the resting back of each bench. On the first bench the Chilcutt family requested on the plaque the words: "Teach a child to fish." And both are inscribed with "In memory of."

"This was his favorite place. His family knew he was at peace when at this place," said 90-year old Pearl Chilcutt. The Chilcutt family included children and grandchildren.

"The people who respect the environment and hike here will have a place to sit and rest," said Martha Yallup, wife of the late Yallup, Sr. "We fished in this river. It's a special place." Yallup along with her family members, tribal leaders and friends gathered with the Chilcutt family afterwards for a luncheon at the local Lions Club.