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About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 30, 2006)
Page 8 Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR Wednesday, August 30, 2006 Jerry Buell, a man with many well-deserved honors, grand marshal for I.V. Lions Club Labor Day Parade Illinois Valley native Jerry Lee Buell — grand marshal for the Illinois Valley Lions Club Labor Day Parade — is a man of much merit. For not only did he serve the U.S. Army Corps and U.S. Air Force for 28 years, being awarded two USAF Commenda- tion Medals for meritorious achievement and service, he has been a major mover in the Illinois Valley Lions Club for many years. And, after the parade Monday, Sept. 4 in Downtown Cave Junc- tion, he will hold the distinction of being the only person to serve as grand marshal for both the I.V. Lions and the Cave Junction Lions clubs parades. The latter honor, marking July 4th, occurred several years ago when the CJ Lions first organ- ized. Plus, he has been and continues to be extremely active at many levels for the American Legion. In fact, he has been noted as an outstanding Legionnaire, being chosen as a member of 40/8 Voiture 1378; and as a member of the American Legion Dept. of Oregon White Hats. Buell, a 6-1 modest gentleman with a sense of humor, does not blow his own horn. But a look around his home office -- with its many awards and citations adorning the walls -- shows that his Illinois Valley native and four-time I.V. Chamber Citizen of the Year nominee, Jerry efforts for organizations through the years are recognized Buell, with his wife Ellie. (Photo by ‘Illinois Valley News’) and appreciated. For I.V. Lions he served seven years as Lion Tamer and hospital equipment chairman. He’s also helped with many club projects including the annual Labor Day festivities. Other awards include being honored as a Helen Keller Benefactor in the Lions Sight & Hearing Project; and he’s been honored with the Melvin Jones Award for commitment to humanitarian work. As well, he was I.V. Lions “Lion of the Year” four times; and he was “Lion of the Year” for 1994-95. As hospital equipment chairman, he served many in the community. He, among others who have held the volunteer job, often went out of his way to ensure that those who needed help received it. Plus, he has been nominated no less than four times as Citizen of the Year in the I.V. Chamber of Commerce annual program. Buell, born in 1928 on his family’s 168-acre homestead in Selma up Thompson Creek, has seen numerous changes in the valley. He went through the former Central School, which was located near the present-day Deer Creek Ceme- tery. He recalls businesses that have come and gone in and around Cave Junction. They include what was a service station and motor court where Nacho Mamas is located now. He remembers the old Hwy. 199, and the time when there was no I-5. He graduated in 1946 from the former Kerby Union High School. In fact, his photo is one of five still on a corridor wall. He joined the Army Air Corps in June ‘46, the year before it became the Air Force. “Actually, I served 27 years, 11 months and 18 days,” Buell said, “but I get paid for being in 28.” During his service he performed duties in numerous locations, including the Far East. He served in Japan during its occupation; was in Guam; and saw duty in Korea twice. He also served in locales including Alaska, Pennsylvania, Massa- chusetts, and Washington state. “I was an administrative supervisor,” he said, noting wryly that the title meant he could get involved in most any area for any task. He earned the rank of master sergeant, and oversaw many efforts including the closure of the prov- ing grounds near Three Mile Island. Buell is a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars, BPOE, and Eagles, although not as active in any of them as he used to be. He’s currently American Legion District 4 sergeant-at-arms; and Glenn Morrison Post 70 adjutant and service officer in Cave Junction. He is a past commander of the post. Buell married Ellie 10 years ago on the land in Selma where he grew up. They still laugh, recalling that he kept using a stage whisper to get her to stress the “obey” part of her vows. The couple live in Cave Junction on property that was owned by his parents. These days, Buell relaxes more than he has in the past. He used to fish and bowl, among other activities. Now he enjoys watching bowling on TV and “playing with my home computer.” He likes to cut wood too. He and Ellie travel, as she is first vice president of the American Legion state organization. “He’s my adjutant,” said Ellie with a warm smile at her husband. They take time on those trips, criss-crossing the state on business, for a bit of time for themselves. They try to take back-roads whenever possible. But come Labor Day, they’ll be on the main street of Downtown Cave Junction waving to the crowds -- riding in a 1976 Bicentennial Limited Edition Cadillac convertible owned by Bill Koenig. Watch for Jerry Lee Buell: he’ll be the big smiling guy next to his (by com- parison) diminutive wife. Lions motto... “We Serve” Since 1917, Lions clubs have offered people the opportunity to give something back to their communities. From involving members in projects as local as cleaning up an area park or as far-reaching as bringing sight to the world's blind, Lions clubs have always embraced those committed to building a brighter future for their community. Lions Clubs International is the world's largest service club organization with nearly 1.35 million members in approximately 45,000 clubs in 200 countries and geographical areas. Lions are men and women who volunteer their time to humanitarian causes. Founded in 1917, the volunteer organization's motto is "We Serve." Worldwide, Lions clubs are recognized for their service to the blind and visually impaired. This service began when Helen Keller challenged Lions to become "knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness" during the 1925 Lions Clubs International Convention. Today, Lions extend their commitment to sight conservation through countless local efforts, as well as through their international SightFirst Program and Lions World Sight Day, a global partnership of United Na- tions agencies, eye care and philanthropic organizations and health pro- fessionals, held the second Thursday of each October to increase aware- ness of the need to eradicate blindness. Lions also collect and recycle eyeglasses for distribution in developing countries year-round and espe- cially during May, which is Lions Recycle for Sight Month. In addition, Lions make a strong commitment to young people through youth outreach programs. Lions also work to improve the environment, build homes for the disabled, support diabetes education, conduct hear- ing programs and, through their foundation, provide disaster relief around the world. Based on a recent report of Lions clubs worldwide, it is estimated that each Lions clubs donates US$9,900 to charitable causes, total- ing US$449 million. Each year Lions club members volun- teer approximately 76 million hours, which is equivalent to 36,500 people working full time for a year.
