ANDREW CUTLER
Publisher/Editor
KATHRYN B. BROWN
Owner
SATURDAy, APRIL 23, 2022
ERICK PETERSON
Hermiston Editor/Senior Reporter
A4
Founded October 16, 1875
OUR VIEW
Ceremony
honors
solemn
sacrifice
I
t is not often that a small town in a
secluded area can trace its lineage
to a major historical event, but the
link between Pendleton and the Doolittle
Raiders remains as vibrant now as when
the young American pilots trained at the
airfield eight decades ago.
The ceremony earlier this week at
that marked the 80th anniversary of the
famous raid on Japan during World War
II is both a fitting tribute and a reminder
of not only the cost of freedom but also
the dedication of young Americans who
faced terrible odds.
The story of the raid is now nearly
front-loaded into the American histor-
ical data bank. In April 1942, 16 B-25
Mitchell medium bombers flew off the
USS Hornet aircraft carrier and bombed
selected targets in Japan.
The raid was the first strike back at the
then-enemy that launched the surprise
attack on Pearl Harbor, and while it
triggered little damage, its propaganda
significance was incredible.
The pilots and crews of those bomb-
ers trained for a time at the Pendleton
airfield. Most of the crews crash landed in
China after the raid.
The ceremony earlier this week was
more than just a poignant reminder of a
historical event. The tale of the Doolittle
Raiders is one of determination and brav-
ery during one of the darkest moments of
World War II.
Keynote speaker, retired Army Maj.
Gen. Fred Rees, of Helix, made a number
of excellent points and his crucial role
in the construction of a second Oregon
Army National Guard Aviation Support
Facility in Pendleton in 1996 is a
reminder that the tentacles of the Doolit-
tle Raid run straight through from 1942
to the present day.
The themes of the raid remain vibrant.
A group of young Americans stacked up
against the odds managed to pull off a
tactical victory that shifted public opinion
away from the debacle at Pearl Harbor to
the dim light of victory that lingered on
the horizon.
The best way to honor the members of
this great group of young men is through
ceremonies such as the one earlier this
week and to reflect on the solemn sacri-
fice those pilots and crews made during
what seemed like the darkest days of
World War II.
We won’t forget them. Nor their
commitment to democracy.
EDITORIALS
Unsigned editorials are the opinion of the East
Oregonian editorial board. Other columns,
letters and cartoons on this page express the
opinions of the authors and not necessarily that
of the East Oregonian.
LETTERS
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of 400 words or less on public issues and public
policies for publication in the newspaper and on
our website. The newspaper reserves the right
to withhold letters that address concerns about
individual services and products or letters that
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Unsigned letters will not be published.
SEND LETTERS TO:
editor@eastoregonian.com,
or via mail to Andrew Cutler,
211 S.E. Byers Ave., Pendleton, OR 97801
YOUR VIEWS
God is reflected
in the Constitution
I feel I must address contradictions
and misinformation in a recent letter to
the editor.
The writer is correct: God was delib-
erately not mentioned in the Consti-
tution. God is, however, referenced
and revered throughout. Remember:
colonists were escaping a government
which allowed only a government-ap-
proved religion, much like China today.
They were not free to follow their
beliefs without risking persecution.
The only approved religion claimed the
line of kings were selected by God to
rule.
Naturally, our founders wanted
to avoid this. A lesson they fore-
saw, which today’s governments fail
to learn, is that any power you grant
yourself can eventually be wielded
over you in a democratic society. As
such, they did not want any one reli-
gion to empower or be empowered by
government. This doesn’t mean they
wanted no role for religion, rather that
we would become neither theocracy
nor godless. We are meant to be ruled
by a common religious morality, not a
common religious authority.
That said, the nation is founded upon
Judeo-Christian ethics and reflects this
heavily throughout the Constitution.
Where does the writer believe blessings
come from? Equality, freewill, strength
through unity, defense, welfare, liberty
... all concepts religious in origin, our
birthrights in God, not secular by any
stretch of the imagination. The Consti-
tution merely establishes a government
that secures these.
Mark Elfering
Hermiston
Everything is getting
‘Californicated’
I hate to think the committee of
the Umatilla River Trails Project
would even think about fouling up the
Umatilla River by putting something
like a trail from Umatilla to Echo. Wild-
life is crowded enough as is. There are
plenty of places for walking. There will
be dogs, people with trash, dog crap,
loiterers, bikes and motorcycles.
Hermiston wants to take farmland
for houses. Look at Tri-Cities, look at
Stanfield, everything is getting “Cali-
fornicated.” People use to say Echo is a
nice little town. Well, where is it going
to be if they keep crowding in? Will
they take farmland here too? If they
don’t like where they came from, then
fix it. There is enough mess here from
time to time, and farmers have trouble
getting where they need to go.
William Douglas
Echo
Marc Thielman is
the fighter we need
Oregon Gov. Kate Brown has been
boasting about her “Future Oregon”
bill. Oregon doesn’t need a $200 million
government bailout. It needs a governor
who doesn’t shackle farmers, ranchers,
loggers and anglers so we can all benefit
from Oregon’s natural resources. Marc
Thielman is that candidate.
Oregon’s potential is being ignored
because politicians and courts have
caved to radical special interest groups.
Marc will revitalize Oregon’s deep
water ports. He understands the needs
of farmers because he has worked the
land, grown trees and grew up in a
farming community. Marc Thielman
is the kind of fighter we need in Salem
to rebuild our economy and bring back
this state.
Jeffrey Lawton
Tigard
CONTACT YOUR REPRESENTATIVES
U.S. PRESIDENT
Joe Biden
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20500
Comments: 202-456-1111
GOVERNOR
Kate Brown
160 State Capitol
900 Court St.
Salem, OR 97301-4047
503-378-4582
U.S. SENATORS
Ron Wyden
221 Dirksen Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20510
202-224-5244
La Grande office: 541-962-7691
Jeff Merkley
313 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
202-224-3753
Pendleton office: 541-278-1129
REPRESENTATIVES
Bobby Levy, District 58
900 Court St. NE, H-376
Salem, OR 97301
503-986-1458
Rep.BobbyLevy@state.or.us
Greg Smith, District 57
900 Court St. NE, H-482
Salem, OR 97301
503-986-1457
Rep.GregSmith@state.or.us
U.S. REPRESENTATIVE
Cliff Bentz
2185 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
202-225-6730
Medford office: 541-776-4646
SENATOR
Bill Hansell, District 29
900 Court St. NE, S-415
Salem, OR 97301
503-986-1729
Sen.BillHansell@state.or.us