By Jean Janes
As your family explores the Hands On Children’s Museum, it’s inevitable that you will walk down the first-floor hallway, lined with swimming salmon. As you walk by, you might happen to read a few of the messages or names inscribed on the salmon while admiring the vibrant colors and dynamic shapes. Look closely to find one specific salmon, reading “In Memory of Daddy, SSG Michael Simpson, Love Mic and Gabe.” This special salmon, lovingly dedicated by his wife and two young sons, is worth a second look. It pays tribute to a soldier who gave his life in Afghanistan to ensure our way of life and that the lives of his wife and children can always be filled with such things as joy, education, and play.
The Hands On Children’s Museum is the area’s premiere location for fun and education for kids, but through their thoughtful actions toward this military family, HOCM has achieved new heights as a provider of heart as well as entertainment. The Museum honored the Simpson family’s priceless contribution by recognizing their fallen soldier, Staff Sergeant (SSG) Michael Simpson in a kind, lasting, and meaningful way.
No stranger to community outreach, HOCM values educational family fun. Designed for children from zero to ten, the Museum emphasizes learning though play. Krista Simpson and her family are frequent visitors, before and since the death of her husband in May of 2013. After SSG Simpson was killed in action, Krista was faced with going through his emails where she discovered correspondence describing his clear intention to donate to the Museum on behalf of their two young sons, Mic and Gabe, and the fun they’d had there as a family. She explains that “We ended up doing a Salmon…putting a Salmon because that would be something that could stay on the walls forever.”
Lauren Rodriguez, the Development Manager at the Museum, explains, “We are always delighted when family members call us about honoring someone through a Salmon dedication, but when she told me the special reason for this particular donation-dedication, my heart broke.” Reflecting on the day of the dedication, she describes, “flanked by Museum staff who rerouted the foot traffic, Krista and her family and friends watched as our Exhibits Technician Jasen Holstrom lovingly place the King Salmon… I believe it was a very special and emotional moment for all!”
Now on permanent display, Mic and Gabe’s salmon will serve as a reminder of their father’s love, as well as the sacrifice of a soldier for his country. Rodriguez reflects, “We couldn’t have been more moved or more honored to share in those intimate moments with this family.” She explains, “every time I walk down the hallway now, I look at their fish and the inscription, and—having been raised by a military father and grandfather—I do a mental salute.”
Memory and recognition is what Krista hopes the inscription on the salmon will inspire for those who take the time to read their message. She explains how, often when discussing her husband, people first react with sadness or pity. While she understands this reaction, Simpson would prefer that people “recognize what the sacrifice is, and what my children sacrifice every day.” Placed in a location designed for happiness and the enrichment of children, SSG Simpson’s salmon will serve to remind all that, not only has he given all, but also his family continues to give.
Rodriquez describes the significance of meeting the needs of their military patrons, saying, “regardless of your own political viewpoint, the sacrifices these military families make are undeniable.” In fact, with the needs of military children in mind, the Museum, “through partnerships with many organizations like JBLM, has a unique opportunity to be a safe haven and a place where all families can experience the benefits of the Museum.”
The Hands On Children’s Museum is more accessible by “providing discounted Museum admission and memberships to families like Krista’s” which “helps to ensure access for these families as well as it represents our way of honoring them for their service,” explains Rodriguez.
As Krista points out, it is not necessarily the monetary consideration that makes the biggest impact, “it’s the fact that you support the military and that makes us feel good.”
In honor of her husband, Krista also runs with wear blue: run to remember, has had SSG Simpson’s name listed on Mike Viti’s flag during his “Hiking for Heroes” project, and has created the foundation, The Unquiet Professional in his memory, as well.
SSG Michael Simpson is clearly remembered and dearly loved. As long as his salmon is displayed at the Hands On Children’s Museum, we will always remember how much he loved his family, too.
414 Jefferson Street NE
Olympia, WA 98501
360-956-0818
