On November 9, 2025, the Yelm community gathered to honor Sgt. Sean Collins. Collins was a 2004 Yelm High School graduate and a U.S. Army serviceman who died in Afghanistan. The community unveiled a mural at the Long Shot gun store. The mural features three portraits of Collins and his motto, ‘acta non verba.’ The ceremony took place 15 years after his death.
More than 50 people attended the event. Collins’ mother, Linda Racy, thanked those who helped with the project. She recognized the support from family, friends, and local military representatives. Retired Brigadier General Helmlinger and retired Lieutenant Colonel May were present.
Sgt. Collins had wanted to serve in the military since he was a child. He completed two deployments to Iraq before his final mission in Afghanistan. He died in a suicide bombing in Kandahar on December 12, 2010, along with five other soldiers…