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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (June 1, 2016)
22 Wednesday, June 1, 2016 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon FALLEN: Speaker extolled the virtues of service and sacrifice Land proposal could spark standoff Continued from page 1 Karl Baldessari, Captain, U.S. Coast Guard (Retired). A vet- eran of drug interdiction and search and rescue mission in the Atlantic and Caribbean, he completed a 25-year career serving as Chief of Response for the 13th Coast Guard District, which has respon- sibility for all Coast Guard operations conducted in the Pacific Northwest. Captain Baldessari urged the audience to be mindful of those who are serving in dan- ger right now. “For every one of us here today, there’s somebody put- ting themselves in harm’s way in support of their coun- try and each other,” he said. For Baldessari, that is the very definition of heroism. “Call me old-fashioned, but I don’t consider actors and actresses or professional sports figures heroes,” he said. Heroes, for him, are “ordinary people, separated by a single act — or perhaps a lifetime — of sacrifice.” The Coast Guard Captain reflected upon the nature of serving in an environment where “we literally held each others’ lives in our hands.” By Andrew Selsky Associated Press photo by sue stafford Pat Bowe, double Purple Heart recipient; John Ferguson; Lance Trowbridge; Wendell Halterman; and Earl Schroeder with new sign. In that kind of environ- wrong question for us to ment, politics, race, creed, answer,” he said. “Instead it economic status all fall into should be our commitment to the background and become make it worth it.” nearly meaningless. All that That requires creating a matters is the bond of trust society that is worthy of the between those who serve and sacrifice of the dead, where seek to complete the mission. higher values are ascendant Baldessari noted that the over petty concerns. question is sometimes asked The observances were fol- regarding the death of a ser- lowed by a community barbe- vicemember: Was it worth it? cue, where all were invited to “Was it worth it is the attend. SALEM, Oregon (AP) — Sparks flew Monday, May 23, during a hearing attended by ranchers and environmen- talists in the state Capitol on a proposal to turn 2.5 mil- lion acres of canyonlands and desert in southeastern Oregon into a federally protected monument. Cattlemen said their liveli- hoods could be threatened. Malheur County Sheriff Brian Wolfe told a panel of state lawmakers that he was worried armed outsiders would exploit the situation, with families in the remote area having been involved in cattle business for genera- tions and being suspicious of the federal government and what restrictions it might impose. “If a monument is declared in Malheur County, I am con- cerned about people from outside the county who will come with their own agen- das ... and I fear that they will not be reasonable,” Wolfe said. Declaring the Owyhee Canyonlands, an area known for its spectacular, stark scenery and used by fisher- men, rafters, ranchers and others, a national monument would require no legislation. President Barack Obama could endorse the proposal, but it would go through the U.S. Department of Interior first. In a statement to The Associated Press, the depart- ment said: “No recommenda- tions have been made from Interior to the White House about this proposal but we know that this is an important issue to many, and we con- tinue to carefully consider all input about how to best man- age these lands for current and future generations.” The hearing room in the Capitol was so packed with its supporters and opponents that some had to go into an overflow room and watch the proceedings on TV. Many drove for seven hours from the region to attend the informational h e a r in g o f th e H o u s e Interim Committee On Rural Communities, Land Use and Water. Quilt Drawing for FURRY FRIEND S 501 ( c )( 3 ) FOUNDATION 100% of the proceeds go to Furry Friends Foundation. “Friends of Furry Friends” quilt was pieced by Valerie Fercho-Tillery. The bold colors and incredible detail make this a spectacular quilt. The quilt is currently on display at The Nugget offi ce, 442 E. Main Ave. Bring your pup by for a dog cookie and have a look! Tickets may be purchased at The Nugget offi ce or online at our website www.furryfriendsfoundation.org. Tickets are $1 each, six for $5 or go for it, 25 for $20. Info: 541-549-9941 “Friends of Furry Friends” - by Valerie Fercho-Tillery (46"w x 59"h)
