4 JUNE 1,2007
Smoke Signals
Tribe Hosts Annual Memorial Day Event In Grand Ronde
By Toby McClary
On Memorial Day (May 28,
2007), the Tribe welcomed vet
erans, families of veterans, com
munity members, and members
of Tribal Council for an annual
event held to honor those who
serve our country and those who
have fallen while serving our
country.
As part of the ceremony, there
was a lunch provided at the Tribe's
Community Center. Shortly there
after, the event moved to the West
Valley Veterans' Memorial where
some of the guests as well as Tribal
leaders spoke to approximately 70
people who were in attendance.
Tribal Council Chair Chris Merci
er let his appreciation and gratitude
be known to the many people that
have sacrificed their lives or "put
themselves in a position to make the
ultimate sacrifice" for this country.
"For all of you who have risked
your lives to assure that people
like me can continue what we're
doing," said Mercier, "I say thank
you from the bottom of my heart. I
hope some day I can repay many of
you, but until then, have my grati
tude and my undying respect," he
continued. "People like you make
our way of life possible."
Another speaker on the day was
Tribal member Brent Merrill who
said he spoke about the "people
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West Valley Veterans' Memorial
behind the people." Merrill went
on to explain that there are a
number of people who have played
significant roles with not only the
creation of the Veterans' Memorial
but the positive direction the Tribe
is headed with all veteran affairs.
Some of those on his list included
Tribal Elders Steve Bobb, Marce
Norwest, and Gene LaBonte. Mer
rill's point was that each of them
had somebody standing beside
them through it all.
"I think that each of them would
be the people to tell you that they
couldn't have done it without
their wives," said Merrill. "I am
proud of our community and I be
lieve that we have created sacred
ground with this memorial."
In addition to the daily events,
there were recently about 25 new
names added to the Veteran's
Memorial.
we
Tribal member Brenna Stone, left, and her ace helper, Rosie Ashman, keep the
barbequed chicken coming at the Memorial Day BBQ held Wednesday, May 23 at the
Elders' Foster Care Facility. Rosie is daughter off Tribal member Ed Ashman and Ellie.
Below, Vernon Kennedy (Burns-Paiute), Health Prevention Specialist for the Tribe, -grabs
a plate of the good stuff. . ....
Jk,
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