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The Chronicle & The Chief
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Memorial Day 2021
Jeremy C. Ruark Publisher - Executive Editor
Memorial Day Observances As our communities mark Memorial Day 2021, we do so under the current COVID-19 pandemic health and safety guidelines, which will limit the typical events and memorials. Memorial Day is typically the kickoff of the summer travel and vacation season. The day itself was established in 1883 and declared a national holiday by an act of Congress in 1971. It is a day to reflect the sacrifices by the people serving in the Armed Forces today, those who gave their lives in the line of duty and all our veterans. We are honored to dedicate this special section to those people we call heroes.
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Memorial Day 2021
2nd Lt. Dwight William Johnson
Prisoner of War 1944-1945
Melvin Dale Shores II Vietnam 1965-1969 March 21, 1948- March 29, 2020 USMC
Thomas A Friedlein 375 484 Coast Guard
Sgt. Dennis E. Edge
Army Vietnam 1968 KIA Nov. 1967 - Dec. 11,
Sgt. Major Dennis L. Thompson
Memorial servic
es in a local cem
etery
Brigadier General Reuben F. Bernard
Photos courtesy of the Rainier Oregon Historical Museum and the Columbia County Museum Association.
U.S. Army 1959 - 1980 Cold War 1959 - 1980 Vietnam War 1965 - 1966, 1967 - 1973 POW
Bernard gained a widespread reputation as one of the “bravest and most efficient Apache fighters in the army.” He began his service in 1855 as a Private, then Corporal, Sergeant and First Sergeant with the First Dragoons at Fort Craig. He retired in 1896 as Lieutenant Col. in the 9th Calvary. He has been in 101 actions during his 41 years of military service.
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Memorial Day 2021
THE STORIED HISTORY OF MEMORIAL DAY AURORA BIGGERS chronicle2@countrymedia.net
Memorial Day has a storied history throughout the U.S. Though the holiday took shape in many forms for years prior to its formal establishment, in 1873, New York State formally recognized Memorial Day by making the day a legal holiday on the state’s calendar—other states started following suit. Then, Memorial Day was declared a national holiday in 1971 by an act of Congress, though it was formerly known as Decoration Day because mourners would place flowers on the graves of fallen soldiers they were memorializing—which defined the holiday as a time to memorialize the people who died while serving in the U.S. military. The holiday, which was once observed every May 30, is now observed on the last Monday in May. And on a less somber note, for many,
it unofficially marks the beginning of summer. The date is not without controversy for this reason— some veterans groups, concerned that more Americans associate the holiday with the first long weekend of the summer and not its intended purpose-to honor the nation’s war dead, continued to lobby for a return to the May 30 observances. Memorial Day has its roots in the anniversary of the Civil War ending in 1865. By the late 1860s, Americans in various towns and cities had begun holding springtime tributes to these countless fallen soldiers, decorating their graves with flowers and reciting prayers. Among historians, the consensus is unclear about where exactly this tradition originated; numerous different communities may have independently initiated the memorial gatherings—including Black soldiers who
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Photo courtesy of the Rainier Oregon Historical Museum and the Columbia County Museum Association.
had served in the war and now celebrated their freedom from white slave owners in the North and the South—According to American historian Barbara Maranzani, on May 1, 1865, more than 1,000 people recently freed from enslavement, accompanied by regiments of the U.S. Colored Troops (including the Mas-
sachusetts 54th Infantry) and a handful of white Charlestonians, gathered in the camp to consecrate a new, proper burial site for the Union dead. The group sang hymns, gave readings and distributed flowers around the cemetery, which they dedicated to the “Martyrs of the Race Course.”
Some records show that one of the earliest Memorial Day commemorations was organized by a group of formerly enslaved people in Charleston, South Carolina less than a month after the Confederacy surrendered in 1865. Nevertheless, in 1966 the federal government declared Waterloo, New York, the official birthplace of Memorial Day. Over the years, Memorial Day has seemed to die out within the zeitgeist; yet cities and towns all across the United States host Memorial Day parades each year, often incorporating military personnel and members of veterans’ organizations. Families hold barbecues and graveside services, and Veterans of Foreign Affairs (VFW) posts gather to memorialize their fellow soldiers. Some people wear a red poppy in remembrance of those fallen in war—a tradition that began with
the World War I poem, “In A Flanders Fields,” by John c McCrae. Despite the increasing celebration of the holiday as a summer rite of passage, h there are some formal rituals r still on the books, Maranzani t c wrote. The American flag should be hung at half-staff t until noon on Memorial Day, t then raised to the top of the staff. And since 2000, when the U.S. Congress passed legislation, all Americans are k encouraged to pause for a National Moment of Remem- D brance at 3 p.m. local time. P The federal government has r also used the holiday to honorl non-veterans—the Lincoln T Memorial was dedicated on e Memorial Day 1922. M For more information, contact the Rainier Oregon Historical Museum at 360751-7039. The Columbia County Museum Association may be reached at 971-2253971.
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Memorial Day 2021
MEMORIAL DAY 2021 LOCAL EVENTS AURORA BIGGERS chronicle2@countrymedia.net
COVID-19, like last year, has placed most Memorial Day plans on hold, but throughout Columbia County, cities and their veterans are trying to maintain the spirit of the holiday. St. Helens In St. Helens, the city is known to hold a Veteran’s Day event in McCormick Park each year—which residents, fingers crossed, can look forward to in November. The city doesn’t have any events on the calendar for Memorial Day. Scappoose Scappoose—like St. Helens—is holding off on a citywide event this year, but the local VFW post is planning a donation drive.
Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chronicle
Columbia County and its veterans are trying to maintain the spirit of Memorial Day this year.
“With the continuing restrictions and unpredictable schedule imposed by our state government, there has been no official plan for a Memorial Day gathering at any of our local monuments for the second year in a row. Be assured that the Memorials will
have informal participation from the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Foreign Legion members, and anyone stopping by your local memorial will be greeted by a veteran,” local VFW member Tom Ford wrote in a letter to The Chronicle.
As has been the local custom for many years, said Ford, the VFW will be present at multiple public locations on May 21-22 offering the traditional “Red Poppy” pin and seeking small donations “to assist in the efforts the VFW provides for veterans all year around.” “This past year many have experienced difficulties, such as sickness, economic hardships coupled with losses of family and friends due to this deadly virus,” Ford wrote. “On the holiday, Monday May 31st, pause a moment and reflect on the sacrifices made, and are still being made on behalf of the citizens of our nation by our relatives, friends, and neighbors.”
Rainier VFW Commander William Nowling said. Even with restrictions lifting, “it’s too late to even attempt a celebration,” he said. The local VFW post will place flags by the cemetery, if residents want to drive by or hold their own personal services at the cemetery. Some local businesses will also accept donations to the VFW’s Poppy Donation Drive—starting the weekend before Memorial Day. Some of Rainier’s businesses will be accepting donations on behalf of the VFW, Nowling said. To donate, you can contact the local VFW directly at (503) 556-6758 or you can ask businesses if they are participating in the drive.
Rainier
Clatskanie
Rainier’s VFW typically holds a service on Memorial Day at the Woodbine Cemetery. However, COVID-19 has made that a bit difficult,
A memorial ceremony will be held at the Clatskanie Veterans Memorial on May 31 at 11 a.m., and the city’s veterans will put flags out on
May 29 and May 30 at 9 a.m. Volunteers are welcome to attend and help veterans place the flags. Students from Piercing Arrow Private School will place small flags at the Memorial Wall and line Highway 30 with gold painted boots to honor veterans who gave their lives in the line of duty. Columbia City
In Columbia City, Memorial Day celebrations will mostly be up to citizens to plan. “Unfortunately, we had to cancel our Memorial Day Celebration that we hold in our Veterans Park every year,” City Administrator Michael S. McGlothlin told The Chronicle. “We are having our flags, service branch and American flags, put out the day before Memorial Day, and I am encouraging our citizens to visit the park to honor our veterans.”
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MEMORIAL DAY Thank you for your service
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Memorial Day 2021
CLATSKANIE HONORS ITS VETERANS JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
Each year on Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day, students from Piercing Arrow Private School join the school director, Lori Sherman, in placing flags and gold boots at the Clatskanie Memorial Wall and along Highway 30 in the city. Sherman said she began the project several years ago to honor her father who had served in the United States Air Force and other local members of the armed forces. The recognition takes planning and a little exercise as Sherman and the students load up her red van with hundreds of small American flags and dozens of gold painted military boots with cards attached that have the name of a member of the military who died in action. Sherman and the students take the boots and flags to the Clatskanie Veterans Memorial and carefully placed them
Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chronicle
Lori Sherman and students from Piercing Arrow Private School place small America flags along Highway 30 in Clatskanie honoring all veterans as a Memorial Day tribute.
at the site in Copes Park. The students also plant flags along Highway 30 to honor the veterans. Sherman also hopes people seeing the tribute will remember America’s heritage,”and that our freedoms are not free,” she said. “Somebody paid a price for our freedom.” A community memorial
will be held at the Clatskanie Memorial Wall at 11 a.m. Monday, May 31, Memorial Day, according to organizer Gerry Simmons, the Clatskanie American Legion Commander and the vice commander for the Clatskanie VFW. “It is vitally important that we recognize and remember our veterans, both living and
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These gold painted military boots have been carefully placed at the Clatskanie Veterans Memorial to honor those veterans who have lost their lives in action.
deceased,” Simmons said. “We have been holding the celebrations for decades. When I was a kid growing up in Clatskanie, there was a Memorial Day parade held on that holiday.” While there is no parade, Simmons, Sherman and other members of the community continue to hold memorials so that the veterans are never
forgotten. According to Simmons, Clatskanie resident Arnie Sundberg came up with the idea in the late 1980s for the Memorial Wall. “He went to various businesses to seek donations,” Simmons said. “He even held a can collecting money at Safeway to build the memorial wall.”
K
A friend of Sundberg G drew a sketch of what the wall could look like, according to Simmons, and the community rallied around the idea. “Local businesses and citizens contributed in building the wall,” Simmons said. “We add to it as we have the funds contributed. We put 27 names on the wall at a time because it is less expensive per column.” Simmons said it costs about $1,100 to place the names on each column. “Everything for the wall is donated,” he said. People may donate to support the Clatskanie Memorial Wall at Wauna Credit Union or the Clatskanie branch of Umpqua Bank under the Clatskanie Veterans Memorial. Memorial Wall Ceremony 11 a.m. Monday, May 31 Clatskanie Memorial Wall 11 Lillich St., Clatskanie
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Memorial Day 2021
REFLECTING ON UNITY, STRENGTH THROUGH DIVERSITY KELLY FITZPATRICK Guest Column
For the second year in a row, Memorial Day observances in communities, organizations and even within family groups will look very different later this month because of the COVID pandemic. The parades, large ceremonies and other occasions, which I and so many others in the Oregon veteran community have always found moving and meaningful, have not yet been able to safely return in many places. Emotions, memories Yet, the importance of this day — and the emotions and memories that it brings — have not changed. For countless families across our communities, our state and our nation, Memorial Day is a stark and, often, painful reminder of those loved ones who went to serve their country and never came home.
Whether they volunteered during a time of war, stood guard over our peace or never expected to wear the uniform until their draft card arrived — their service and selfless sacrifice represent the best and highest ideals that America has to offer. We continue to feel their loss today. In recent months, and particularly as we have approached this year’s Memorial Day holiday, I have found myself reflecting on the themes of unity and strength in diversity. It was just before the Korean War, in 1948, that President Harry S. Truman issued Executive Order 9981 — abolishing discrimination based on race, color, religion or national origin in the United States Armed Forces. When war broke out in 1950, our country entered the fray with a fully integrated and desegregated military. I believe those who have served our nation in uniform know the meaning — and the value — of unity more than
We proudly support and honor all who are currently serving, and those who have served before them. We may not know them all, but we owe them all. Thank you, Heroes
HOMETOWN HER ES OF COLUMBIA COUNTY
almost anyone else. We were trained to protect those on our right and those on our left — and to trust that they would do the same for us. Every day in service, all that mattered was that someone had your six, and was there to offer a hand when you stumbled. Their color, nation of origin, religion or sexual orientation were not part of the equation. After service, the diversity of our veteran community is a source of immense pride and strength. We are Black, White, Latinx, Asian American and Pacific Islander, men, women, transgender and non-binary, young and old, urban and rural, of every race, religion and creed — unified through our shared service and sacrifice. The honored ranks of the fallen include Sgt. John Noble Holcomb, who was born in Baker, Oregon. John was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his extraordinary courage and sacrifice during the Vietnam War — where he singlehandedly
forced an enemy retreat, despite being mortally wounded, saving many American lives. They include Erin McLyman, from Eugene, Oregon, who proudly enlisted in the United States Air Force after recovering from a severe, years-long addiction to drugs and alcohol that began when she was in just her first year in high school. , She later enlisted in the Oregon National Guard, and was eager to deploy to Iraq. She died March 13, 2010, in an enemy mortar attack. “Purple Heart Battalion” They include the 100th Infantry Battalion — which became known unofficially as the “Purple Heart Battalion” — The unit was one of only two combat units during World War Two that was comprised of second-generation Japanese-Americans (known as “Nisei”) who had briefly had their rifles stripped away due to prejudice following the attack on Pearl Harbor.
They would go on to fight bravely in Europe, even as their families remained in internment camps back in the United States. The men of the 100th Infantry Battalion earned recognition as the most decorated American unit of its size and length of service. The 18,000 men who served earned nearly 9500 Purple Hearts, 21 Medals of Honor, and an unprecedented seven Presidential Unit Citations. And the honored ranks of the fallen include Army Sergeant 1st Class Alwyn Cashe, who was the first Black service member to receive the Medal of Honor for service in Iraq or Afghanistan for the heroism he displayed after his Bradley struck a roadside bomb. The explosion ruptured the Bradley’s fuel cell, engulfing both the vehicle and its occupants in flames. Enemy fire soon rained down on their position. But none of that stopped Sergeant Cashe from acting quickly to save his soldiers. Drenched in fuel, he pulled the driver and five other soldiers from the burning vehicle — saving their lives, while suffering second- and third-degree burns over 72% of his own body. Despite this, he insisted on being the last person on a medical evacuation helicopter. Alwyn exhibited incredible courage during that attack. Despite the fact that both the vehicle and its occupants were engulfed in flames, and amid unrelenting enemy fire, Sergeant Cashe acted quickly to save his soldiers. Putting the welfare of his soldiers ahead of his own and ignoring the terrible burns over 72 percent of his body, he insisted on being the last person on a medical evacuation helicopter. Sergeant Cashe died 22 days later — on Nov. 8, 2005. He was only 35. It is impossible to know exactly what was going through the minds of Sergeant Cashe, Sergeant Holcomb, Private McLyman, the members of the 100th Infantry Battalion, and so many other heroes as they made the ultimate sacrifice. But we who have served
know they were motivated by the rare courage and devotion that is common to those who have borne the battle — to protect our nation, our loved ones back home and our fellow servicemembers. Harsh reality
The harsh reality of war and conflict is that not everyone will make it home. Let us honor the memory of heroes no longer with us — not just on Memorial Day, but every day. And let us strive to live up to the incredible example they have set for all of us. May we never forget our fallen heroes. They were the best our country had to offer, and their memory inspires us to be better. Their courage moves us. The world is a better place because of them, because they lived and because they served. May we never forget what they sacrificed, and what their loved ones have lost. Thank you for joining us today. And on behalf of the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs, I wish you and your loved ones a safe, reverent and meaningful Memorial Day. Director Fitzpatrick and the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs will host a virtual Statewide Memorial Day Ceremony this year. All Oregonians are welcome to join for the live premiere at 10 a.m. May 31, or tune in at a later time. The ceremony will premiere on ODVA’s Facebook page (www.facebook. com/odvavet) and YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/ channel/UCAQVavs9KmvDeJ42ySFtY8A). Kelly Fitzpatrick is the director of the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs and Gov. Kate Brown’s policy advisor on veterans’ issues. She is a retired Army officer. Her military awards and decorations include multiple awards of the Meritorious Service Medal, the Southwest Asia Service Medal and the Army Parachutist Badge. Fitzpatrick may be reached at the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs office in Salem at 503-3732085.
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Memorial Day 2021
you for your service Thank
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To those who fought, to those who tried, to those who gave their very lives.
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