APRIL 1, 2003
MA
ECE
A Publication of the Grand Ronde Tribe
www.grandronde.org
j
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Highlight Small Forward Ruben Patterson of the Portland Trail Blazers splits three Toronto Raptors on his way to a first half layup as the Blazers defeated the Toronto Raptors
125-103 in Portland on Wednesday, March 13. Patterson scored 14 points in the victory. The Trail Blazers, who are currently 44-26 and in fifth place in the Western Conference
standings, are sponsored by the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde's showcase Spirit Mountain Casino. More Trail Blazer photos inside on page 6.
Davidson's Have Reopened
Eyvette's Brookside Cafe
Popular local business survives, family faces
years of recovery.
By Brent Merrill
Life brings change. Tragedy tests
our resolve and it measures our
strength. Courage born of tragedy
is not inherent it's either part of
you or it isn't. When the time
comes you will know.
For Grand Ronde Tribal member
Loren Davidson, the time came be
fore he was ready. The time to face
his courage came without warning
and it took a heavy toll on his life.
It changed his life. Forever.
"The car was in flames before I
knew it," said Davidson of the mo
ment that tested his courage and
changed his life. "I got the door open
and tried to get out, but my leg got
stuck in the seat belt. I pulled and
pulled Benny shot past me - and
finally the belt broke."
Davidson recants the moments of
the car fire that claimed the lives of
two of his children, Janesse and
Eyvette's continued on page 3
Iff
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War Mote Kksxnrae
Operation Iraqi Freedom will have a local commitment.
Editor's note Victory in the war with Iraq will depend on the strength and
commitment of thousands of our country's finest citizens - citizens from our state,
our cities, our neighborhoods and our families. No matter how you feel about the
war, please consider supporting our people as they defend our freedom. This story
focuses only on some of the local people involved in the war. Let us know how your
loved ones are doing and we will try to cover their story as the war unfolds.
By Ron Karten
Second Class Petty Officer Tony
Norton is on the USS Elliott, a strike
destroyer based in San Diego. "He is
in charge of all the electrical wiring,
for TVs, telephone systems, all com
munications," according to his mom,
Pattie Norton, a Risk Management
Specialist with Spirit Mountain
Casino's Human Resources Depart
ment. "I called him last night," said Norton
of her latest son to join the military.
Of five, the oldest, Jerry, served in the
Navy, next in line Darren served in
the Marines in Desert Storm, Stephen
served in the Navy, and now Tony also
has joined the Navy. "They come from
a military family," said Norton whose
late husband, also Jerry, was a mem
ber of the U.S. Navy Sea Cadets.
Youngest son Matthew is still unde
cided about
military ser
vice. There was
little doubt
in Tony's
mind, how
ever, accord
ing to his
mom. He
graduated
(from
Willamina
High) on
Y 7
V
Tony Norton
June 3, and left for the Navy on June
9, she said.
"He said, 'What took you so long (to
call), Mom?" The battle group of which
the USS Elliott is a part was in the
Persian Gulf in November, 2001, and
War continued on page 3