A6 COMMUNITY East Oregonian Echo Toy Run gears up for 18th year All come to look for America MATT HENRY O Tiny H THE ROAD NOT TAKEN ne experience from my childhood remains indelibly etched in my memory — that of standing up each morning in primary school, facing a talking box mounted on the wall, putting my right hand over my heart (never the left), and repeating the “pledge of allegiance to America,” this communal pact where we claim “liberty and justice for all.” Even in the fourth grade, I knew I was being lied to, for some have plenty of the two, while most others have far too little. By the time I transitioned to junior high (middle school for young pups), we were no longer being required to salute the box on the wall anymore. The indoctrination having already taken place; i.e., out of all God’s creation, we Americans were the most religious, the smartest, wisest, benefi cent, innocent, morally just and generous nation that ever existed. That is, until 10 years of Vietnam, Watergate, numerous assassinations, Iran-gate, Bill Clinton’s sexual escapades, W’s two wars and Obama’s indiscriminate murder- ing of “collateral damage” civilians by drones did its damage and blew it all to hell. Being a history major and a Christian has not helped my identity of being an “American” in any way. Learning the well-documented history of the attempted holocaust of Amer- ican Indians; the ongoing slavery and lynch- ing of Black Americans; the internment of tax paying, loyal Americans of Japanese descent in World War II — all this and more helped to dispel the myth of the supposed righteousness of Americans. The unspoken tragedy of our involvement in the two major wars of the 20th century did a psychological number on us; this idea that we are the saviors of the world belies the truth of the matter. So, here’s my quandary: What exactly does it mean to be an “American” and who gets to defi ne that? Can it even be defi ned? With the increasing hodgepodge of various peoples coming to the U.S., will being an “American” be the same thing for a Syrian-American as for a Mexican-, Chinese-, Euro-American? Does our great nation provide us all the same great experience? Can we be an honest people without having to be the best thing since sliced bread? Could we actually become a repentant nation, profusely apologizing to the rest of the world for all the damage we cause? I believe what may be our most dangerous fault as a nation, as a people, is our lack of corporate lamentation, of grieving over our past. But herein lies the rub — I write like the white American male that I am. Can I claim the title of “American” while so many of you read- ing this are saying, “That’s not my America?” The American myth is keenly tied to being white. It is the self-serving and self-deluding Bikers to deliver description of the dominant majority rather than holiday gifts to “we the people.” The two words, “American” and “patriotism,” are often confl ated. Good Shepherd That is, it would appear that one cannot be a patriotic American without hugging a fl ag, By TAMMY MALGESINI East Oregonian embracing weaponry, armed violence, the maintenance of military bases all over the world Ben Lonergan/East Oregonian, File ECHO — Area bikers Riders depart Echo for the 17th annual Echo Toy Run on (why doesn’t Egypt have a base in Dubuque?) and other community Dec. 5, 2020. The 2021 event is Saturday, Dec. 4, leaving and the unquestioned demagoguery of U.S. members are getting revved from downtown Echo at noon to deliver toys to Good Shep- politicians sending poor people to their deaths up for the Echo Toy Run. in armed confl ict somewhere far away. herd Medical Center, Hermiston. Participants meet each Recently, I read a statement where some- year on the fi rst Saturday in unwrapped toys, which will to-go bag, Silvani said. 2 Hearing Aids one claimed that 2 they were “as American as Hearing Aids December on Echo’s Main 2 Silvani said there has be Hearing delivered to Good Aids Shep- it gets” in reference to fl ags and the glorifi ca- for low as been At noon, kickstands herd. The as hospital distrib- an overwhelming tion of armed confl ict, while maintaining for as low the as Street. for as low as are up as bikers prepare to utes the gifts to children who desire to keep the toy run illusion of innocence and moral righteousness. deliver toys to Good Shep- are in the hospital during going since her father’s So what does this mean? By birthright herd Medical Center, Herm- the holiday season, as well death. A number of motor- and native citizenship, I am American, but it iston. as throughout the year. Any cycle groups, she said, are is very diff erent from that type of American- 2 Hearing Aids Motorcyclists, as well extra toys are donated to the committed to the cause that ism. So again, what is America and who are as those driving cars and Hermiston Police Depart- dear to her dad’s heart. Americans? Are we always to be defi ned by as Christmas low Express as was Sells, trucks, are invited to gather for who led the pack ment’s our military threat, our fl ag, our propensity to Saturday, Dec. 4, for the 18th program, Silvani said. for 15 years, always had be a schizophrenic people lulled by the myth annual toy run. The event is Good Shepherd requests stuff ed animals strapped to of being both innocent and morally just? If coordinated by family and that donated toys are pack- the front of his 2004 Harley you’re comfortable there, I do not recommend friends in memory of Alan aged in a way that enables Wide-Glide and on the back, getting an honest education or attending a Sells, according to Amanda them to be wiped down a large American fl ag waved church where the pastor cares more about the Silvani, one of Sells’ daugh- and sanitized. In addition, in the wind. In addition to prophetic honesty of the gospel than being tied ters. The Stanfi eld man orga- participants are asked to catching up with his motor- to a paycheck paid by “my country — love it or nized the toy run for the fi rst observe social distancing as cycle buddies, Sells often leave it” congregants. 15 years of the event’s exis- much as possible while plac- jokingly said, “It’s the one And about that rather hackneyed phrase, I’ve tence. He died in a motorcy- ing donations in bins in the good thing I do every year.” always felt the inaccuracy of its apparent dual- cle crash Aug. 1, 2019. For more infor ma- hospital’s parking lot. Good ity of outcomes, either unquestioningly loving Those planning to attend tion, call or text Silvani at Shepherd is providing each or regretfully leaving. No, the bumper sticker are asked to bring new 541-720-9304. rider with refreshments in a in my mind has always read it as “love it or change it.” Patriotism has always meant for me the genuine feeling of pride from the off ering of TM TM a nation’s gifts for the global neighborhood, not TM in its ability to bomb and assassinate. Northwest Musicians are excited to pres- Symphony holiday festival Thus, true American patriots for me are Handel’s “Messiah,” directed by R. Lee off ers free general admission ent Emily Dickenson, Aaron Copeland, Mary Friese. Cassat, Thurgood Marshall, Clara Barton, The free holiday concerts are Satur- PENDLETON — The Oregon East Jonas Salk, Jesse Owens, Caesar Chavez, Meryl Symphony will present the in-person return day, Dec. 11, at the Hermiston Commu- Streep, Bob Dylan, Billy Graham, Muhammed nity Center, 415 S. Highway 395; and of its annual Holiday Music Festival. Ali, Spike Lee, George Gershwin, Duke Elling- The festive holiday concert is Sunday, Sunday, Dec. 12, at the Weston Memo- ton, John Steinbeck, James Baldwin, both MLK Dec. 12, 2:30 p.m. at the Vert Auditorium, rial Hall, 206 E. Main St. Both perfor- and RBG, and countless others who defi ne 480 S.W. Dorion Ave., Pendleton. Masks/ mances begin at 4 p.m. A reception will “America” and what it means to be “American.” face coverings are required of all audience follow each show. So, to be completely honest and accurate, I For the safety of the performers and the members. cannot claim to be an “American.” I can only To celebrate, the symphony will off er community, audience members are asked claim to be what I am: A Christian who lives in free general admission. To fi nd out where to to wear face coverings during the concert. America. Perhaps Paul Simon got it when he Founded in 1999, Inland Northwest obtain complimentary tickets through part- wrote, “’Kathy, I’m lost,’ I said, though I knew nering local businesses and organizations, Musicians includes volunteer musicians she was sleeping. I’m empty and aching and I from throughout the region. INWM perfor- visit www.OregonEastSymphony.org. don’t know why. Counting the cars on the New Balcony seating and reserved fl oor seat- mance ensembles include the Inland North- Jersey Turnpike, they’ve all come to look for ing are available by purchase — $15 to $65 west Orchestra, Inland Northwest Chorale America. All come to look for America.” — through either the symphony offi ce, and the Willow Creek Symphony. Admis- For many of us, we’re still looking. 345 S.W. Fourth St., Pendleton, by calling sion to all concerts is free of charge, funded ——— by corporate sponsors, grants, local concert 541-276-0320 or visiting the website. Matt Henry, a native Buckeye, is a Roman sponsorships and individuals. Donations Catholic musician, a retired ABC/UMC pastor Inland Northwest Musicians are accepted at performances. For more and a volunteer at the Outreach and the Warm- information, visit www.inlandnorthwest- to perform holiday concert TM TM TM musicians.com. ing Station. No one should be cold, hungry or UMATILLA COUNTY — The Inland — EO Media Group lonely. 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