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East Oregonian
OFF PAGE ONE
Tuesday, May 28, 2019
Tribute: Memorial Day ceremonies in Umatilla County honor fallen vets
Continued from Page A1
The origins for Memorial Day go back
to the late 1860s, when the day of recogni-
tion was May 30. That remained the stan-
dard until 1971, when the Uniform Monday
Holiday Act went into effect to establish the
observance of certain holidays on Monday.
The change to three-day weekends,
Tangney said, “contributed greatly to the
general’s public’s nonchalant observance of
Memorial Day.”
Tangney closed his remarks with these
words from President Abraham Lincoln’s
Gettysburg Address: “ …from these hon-
ored dead we take increased devotion to
that cause for which they gave the last full
measure of devotion — that we here highly
resolve that these dead shall not have died
in vain.”
John Cook, VFW service offi cer, said
post members erected 141 United States
casket fl ags in Olney for the “Avenue of
Flags” to honor the local fallen. The fl ags
stay up until Tuesday morning. He asked
anyone who would like to volunteer taking
down the fl ags to pitch in.
The VFW was not alone in recognizing
the signifi cance of the day. Oregon Grain
Growers Brand Distillery at Southeast
Court Avenue and Sixth Street reported
continuing it tradition of the “Missing Man”
table, a small, round table with seating for
one to symbolize the isolation of the absent
service member. The items on the table also
carried symbolic meaning, from a the sin-
gle red rose representing the blood service
members shed to the salt on the bread plate
for the tears from families waiting for the
return of fathers and sons and brothers.
Pendleton’s ceremony wasn’t the only
one in the area.
In Hermiston, family members of James
“Odie” Otis Wilcox wiped away tears as
the U.S. Army Honor Guard presented
a fl ag-folding ceremony in the airman’s
honor during a Memorial Day service at the
Hermiston Cemetery.
Wilcox, who served in the United States
Air Force, died in August 2018 at the age
of 83. Born in Heppner and growing up in
Hermiston, after his military service Wil-
cox worked for the city of Hermiston for
more than 30 years and was a volunteer
fi refi ghter.
Also on hand during the Monday ser-
vice that drew more than 100 people were a
handful of Gold Star mothers. Ron Jardine,
VFW Post 4750 commander, led the short
ceremony, which was presented by mem-
bers of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No.
4750 and American Legion Post 37. A roll
call featuring the names of 85 local veter-
ans who have died in the past year was read
during the service. The group also led ser-
vices at Desert Lawn Memorial Cemetery
in Irrigon.
Jardine, who served in the U. S. Army
from 1966-68, was thrilled with those who
turned out to pay tribute to those who have
served.
“It’s nice to see people come out and
honor our fallen comrades,” Jardine said.
Jardine encouraged people to lin-
ger at the cemetery, to take some time to
honor those who have served the country.
Many did just that, including decorating
gravesites. Others set up chairs and held
informal gatherings for their loved ones.
A number of people commented to Jar-
dine about the majesty of the Avenue of
Flags, which were fl apping in a slight
breeze at the cemetery. Upwards of 800
casket fl ags — each connected to a veteran
— were erected Friday. Volunteers assisted
with the local veterans groups in putting up
the display,
“We couldn’t do it without the Hermis-
ton High School football team and the Boy
Scout troops,” Jardine said. “They come
and dig out the holes and help put the fl ags
in place. It’s a big job.”
MEMORIAL DAY
Staff photo by Kathy Aney
Staff photo by Tammy Malgesini
Arnold Chorazy and his father Dave Chorazy play “Echo Taps” during a Memorial Day
observance Monday at Olney Cemetery.
Featuring nearly 800 fl ags, the Avenue of Flags blows in the breeze after a Memorial Day
ceremony at the Hermiston Cemetery.
Staff photo by Kathy Aney
Sonja Sallee, member of the Pendleton Veterans of For-
eign Wars auxiliary, lays a wreath during a Memorial Day
observance Monday at Olney Cemetery.
Staff photo by Kathy Aney
A member of the honor guard salutes the fl ag during a Memorial Day observance Monday at Olney Cemetery.
Staff photo by Kathy Aney
Patriotic attire was on display during a Memorial Day ob-
servance Monday at Olney Cemetery.
Staff photo by Tammy Malgesini
Staff photo by Kathy Aney
Tom Tangney, a member of the Pendleton Veterans of Foreign Wars Let ‘er Buck Post 922, spoke during a Memorial Day
observance Monday at Olney Cemetery.
Family members of James “Odie” Otis Wilcox look on
as members of the U.S. Army National Guard present a
fl ag-folding ceremony in the airman’s honor during a Me-
morial Day service at the Hermiston Cemetery.