Acta non verba.
For some, it translates to “deeds not words,” but for fallen Yelm High School graduate Sean Collins, it was a way of life.
Now, when motorists traverse through Yelm and pass the local gun store, Long Shot, Collins’ personal motto of “acta non verba” is immortalized along with three portraits of the fallen serviceman in the form of a mural.
The mural was unveiled in a community gathering from 10 a.m. to noon on Sunday, Nov. 9, at Long Shot in Yelm. Over 50 community members gathered to pay their respects to Collins and to celebrate the reveal of his honorary mural.
Collins, who served as a Sergeant in the U.S. Army and was a 2004 YHS graduate, dreamt of serving in the military since kindergarten and later chased his dreams by enlisting. He initially served two deployments to Iraq, and during his third mission, this time in Afghanistan, Collins and five other servicemen died in a suicide bombing attack on Dec. 12, 2010, in Kandahar.
Nearly 15 years after his tragic death, guest speakers including Wayne Fournier, Thurston County commissioner, Linda Racy, Collins’ mother, Pete Helmlinger, former commanding general of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Northwestern Division, and Wyatt Mendel, organizer and emcee of the event, spoke before the community about the ultimate sacrifice paid by Collins.
“Sean wasn’t just a soldier, he was a brother, a son and a friend who lived by the motto tattooed on his skin: acta non verba, deeds not words. That phrase now graces this mural, a fitting tribute to a man who let his actions speak louder than any speech,” Mendel said in his opening statement at the ceremony. “This mural is more than just paint on a wall. It’s a medium through which we provoke thought, stirring motion and keeping Sean’s story alive. Art has the power to connect us versatilely to history and humanity, turning abstract sacrifice into something tangible that inspires reflection and gratitude.”
Collins’ mother, Racy, gave thanks in her speech to all of the individuals who helped make the mural possible at Long Shot.
“My name is Linda Racy, and I’m the proud mother of Sean Collins, the fallen soldier honored in this mural,” Racy said. “I would like to thank all of you, my family and friends, some of whom travelled quite a distance to share this special day. Also, I give my appreciation to our local community members. Thank you to retired Brigadier General Helmlinger, and retired Lieutenant Colonel May, who represent our military and have been so supportive and kind. Gentlemen, we are grateful for your service to our country. Your sacrifices are always in our minds and held to high esteem in our hearts.
“To Wyatt Mendel, who initiated and oversaw this wonderful community project and whose service and support to my family has been a blessing,” Racy continued. “Lastly, to Jeff Jacobson, our esteemed world class mural artist who agreed to take on this project. His fine work and the love he has put into this piece of art is evident and heartwarming. Throughout the project, I was touched every time I came to see him as he worked on Sean’s portraits. Jeff has truly captured Sean’s spirit and has embodied his personality.”
Helmlinger also thanked those associated with Long Shot, including Jason Pearson, David Swetz and Mike McGraw, for allowing the mural to be painted on their facility. He noted over 30,000 cars pass the gun shop’s location each day, and while the wall could’ve been used for many commercial purposes, they rather dedicated it to memorialize Collins’ legacy.
“I must also add that Long Shot firearms co-owner, Jason Pearson, and their business manager, David Clinton, are proud veterans of the 101st Airborne Screaming Eagles — just like Sean Collins. I therefore cannot imagine a better use of this wall,” Helmlinger said.
The retired commanding general added that the timing of the mural’s unveiling was fortuitous with Veterans Day being just two days away from when the event occurred.
“There is no sacrifice greater than that of Sean Collins, who was killed in action 15 years ago. He now stands in eternal vigil and reminds us that freedom is not free. We are here today to pay tribute to him,” Helmlinger said. “Our nation was established by patriots. It was defended across the generations by patriots. Sean is one of those patriots.
“His personal motto was acta non verba, deeds not words. He answered the call to duty when our nation needed him. His noble deeds made a positive difference for us all,” Helmlinger continued. “ It is altogether fitting that we are here today to honor his deeds and pay tribute to his sacrifice. I pray that he's smiling with us here today from above. Our nation will never forget Sean's sacrifice or that of the nearly 7,000 service members who died in Iraq or Afghanistan.”
Fournier said he felt honored to join attendees at the ceremony, and that it was great to see a community come together to honor Sgt. Collins. Although Fournier didn’t know Collins personally, he said he knows the fallen serviceman’s story and sacrifice lives on in the hearts of the Yelm community.
“From his early days here in Yelm, to his service with the 101st Airborne, Sean represented the very best of what our community stands for — courage, duty and love of country,” Fournier said. “This mural is more than a work of art, it is a reminder that behind every name and every uniform is a person who loved, laughed and dreamed, and who chose to serve something greater than themselves.
“To Sean’s family, please know that we stand with you proud and grateful,” Fournier added. “The funds raised beyond this mural are now set to create a memorial scholarship in Sean’s name. We’ll ensure that his spirit continues to guide and uplift future generations. May this mural remind everyone who passes by that freedom has a face, a name and a story, and that story will forever include Sgt. Sean Collins of Yelm, Washington.”
