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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (May 30, 2017)
REGION Tuesday, May 30, 2017 East Oregonian Page 3A HERMISTON Veterans, loved ones remembered on Avenue of Flags By JAYATI RAMAKRISHNAN East Oregonian It was a picture-per- fect day for the annual Avenue of the Flags at the Hermiston Cemetary. About 50 people gathered at the cemetery’s covered pavilion to honor those who died serving in the military. The presentation, organized by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4750, American Legion Post 37 and the U.S. Army Honor Guard, included a short speech by VFW member Ron Jardine reading the names of all local veterans who died in the past year, the playing of “Taps” and the presentation of the colors. Several Gold Star Mothers were also recognized at the event. June Spearman, Shirley Huston, Jane Poole and Paula Trueax were named in honor of their children who died during military service. Spearman and Huston were present at the event. “Today we pay a tribute of respect to our fallen comrades,” Jardine said. “The self was forgotten in cause of the greater good.” Jardine said between 700 and 800 flags were installed on the cemetery grounds for Memorial Day, with help from Boy Scout Troop 630 and the Hermiston High School football team. The names of 71 veterans who passed away this year were read during the roll call. Several other people were also roaming the cemetery grounds, putting down flowers, or setting up chairs and chatting near the graves of loved ones. Staff photo by Jayati Ramakrishnan ABOVE: The annual Avenue of the Flags ceremony at Hermiston Cemetery was Monday morning, and included between 700 and 800 flags installed around the grounds. RIGHT: A member of the U.S. Army Honor Guard plays “Taps” during the Avenue of the Flags ceremony at Hermiston Cemetery on Me- morial Day. PENDLETON Staff photo by Tammy Malgesini Lorie Morrison looks on while Sarah English and Chelle Hankinson, facilitator of Lovin’ Spadefuls, connect a drip line May 23 at the Hermiston com- munity garden. Community garden plows into summer By TAMMY MALGESINI East Oregonian Staff photo by Kathy Aney Travis and Trish Lundquist and sons Rhys, Elliott and Zac stand Monday during a Memorial Day ceremony at Olney Cemetery in Pendleton. Considering the sacrifices of others Never too young to recall those lost serving their country By KATHY ANEY East Oregonian The Lundquist family stood out during the Memo- rial Day ceremony at Olney Cemetery. For one, Travis and Trish Lundquist and their three sons, Zac, 12, Rhys, 9, and Elliott, 7, were decades younger than most of the others who came to honor veterans and embrace their inner patriotism and pride of country. Each carried a miniature version of Old Glory. The boys wore flag shirts that Trish had found at J.C. Penney. “There was only one shirt left in each of their sizes,” Trish said with a laugh. While most everyone else escaped to the shade of some of the nearby trees, the Lundquists parked their lawn chairs in the sun with a straight-on view of the action. They watched as two members of the VFW Let’er Buck Post 922 posted the colors. The boys stood during the national anthem and bowed their heads during the invocation by pastor Chris Clemons. The trio of boys focused hard during a speech by state commander and local VFW member Richard Halverson. “Today,” Halverson said, “we pay tribute to those heroic patriots who made the ultimate sacrifice, who bravely rose up and fought for something greater than themselves, protecting a home to which they never returned. We honor their service, mourn their loss and remember the families they left behind.” The Lundquists and about 50 others on the cemetery lawn watched as a wreath was laid and listened to the haunting notes of “Taps” coming from the bugle of Dave Chorazy, who stood off Staff photo by Kathy Aney Dave Chorazy plays “Taps” during the Memorial Day cer- emony Monday morning at Olney Cemetery. in a grove of trees. Afterwards, as the Lund- quists folded their chairs and got ready to go, Travis and Trish said the boys hadn’t been wildly excited about coming, but had willingly agreed. Travis explained why they had pushed their sons to attend. “It’s an appreciation of who was here before us,” he said. “We get to do this. We get to have the choice. Others don’t. We’re trying to teach our kids to be participants. There are people who can’t participate anymore – they sacrificed that opportunity for us.” Trish nodded at her husband. “It’s important for them to see some of the faces of people who’ve been there and have known people who’ve made the ultimate sacrifice,” she said. “It just brings it home a little bit more. It makes it real for all of us.” The boys put in their two cents, too. “It makes me have a good feeling,” Rhys said. “We have freedoms,” Elliott said. “In some other countries, people can’t even go to school.” “Memorial Day was made so we can respect the ones who made the sacrifices and gave us freedom in this United States,” said Zac. “The schools have this day off so that we can respect those who gave their lives for us.” Music to their parents’ ears. Travis and Trish, who own Pendleton’s KOA Campground, gathered up their progeny and headed to the car with smiles on their faces. ——— Contact Kathy Aney at kaney@eastoregonian.com or call 541-966-0810. Lovin’ Spadefuls, the Hermiston community garden, is taking shape. A community service crew joined volunteers recently to assist in erecting a fence around the garden and put the finishing touches on the drip irrigation system. “It’s coming right along,” said Chelle Hankinson, garden facil- itator and a member of the Healthy Communities Coalition. “We’re excited to have the help.” Due to on-going construction at Good Shep- herd Medical Center, the garden, which is in its sixth season, is in a new location on the hospital’s property. Accessible from West Elm Avenue, Hankinson is hopeful the more visible location will result in addi- tional interest in the garden. The garden, she said, truly is a community effort. In addition to donations of materials from American Fencing and Elmer’s Irri- gation & Supplies, both of Hermiston, master gardener George Clough was able to obtain additional supplies from Toro of the Tri-Cities. The garden, Hankinson said, is a great resource to the community. For people who don’t have the space, live in apartments or even people who don’t want to deal with remembering to water, the garden provides the perfect solution, she said. “All people have to do is plant, weed and then tend to what grows in their plot,” Hankinson said. “They don’t have to worry about watering — it’s all automatic.” Currently, the garden has room for about 48 plots — with room to grow, Hankinson said. About 24 spaces are still available for people to plant in. However, Hankinson encourages anyone who is interested to register as soon as possible. “Right now is the best time to plant,” she said. Any leftover spaces are filled with donated items from Kopacz Nursery & Florist. Food harvested from those plots, Hankinson said, are donated to Agape House or families in need. Anyone can register for garden space. The cost is $10 per plot, which is approximately 12 feet by 12 feet. For an application, visit www.umchs.com or stop by Umatilla Morrow Head Start, 110 N.E. Fourth St., Hermiston. To get to the garden, turn onto the hospital property on Elm Avenue. The access road is across from the Peterson Clinic, 1002 W. Elm Ave. Also, some gardeners share their bounty. A recent posting on the Lovin’ Spadefuls Facebook page announced tomato plants were available in a bucket by the garden’s shed. HEALTHY FRIDAYS FREE health screenings & health coaching: Blood pressure checks, weigh-ins, body mass index, cholesterol and glucose. First Friday of every month 8am-11am GSMC Conference Center 7 (by Education Dept) TECHNIQUES OF RELAXATION FREE class to effectively combat stress. Come learn about different ways to relax your body and take some time for yourself. 8 weekly classes. Space is limited. Mondays Starting June 5th • 10-11am Must pre-register, call 541-667-3509 BABYSITTING BASICS For babysitters ages 10-15. Learn childcare techniques, children's developmental stages and what to expect, basic first aid and infant and child CPR. $50, includes lunch & all class materials. 9:00am - 3:00pm Join us today! Apply Online: June 10, Aug. 5 or Sept. 9 Must pre-register and pre-pay, call 541-667-3509 Text for more info: Information or to register call (541) 667-3509 or email healthinfo@gshealth.org www.gshealth.org
