10
S moke S ignals
july 15, 2014
‘Once a vet, always a vet’
POWWOW continued
from front page
Kulongoski. He served as chair for
one year, becoming the fi rst Native
American to serve on the commit-
tee, as well as serve as its chair.
LaBonte worked toward two goals
during his term on the Governor’s
Advisory Committee: ensuring
continued funding of the existing
veterans’ home in The Dalles and
building a second one in Lebanon.
Veterans build the homes and
support them with private contri-
butions.
The Dalles home has been funded
without a break since LaBonte
served on the Governor’s Advisory
Committee.
The second home is “coming
along,” LaBonte said, and is sched-
uled to open in September.
LaBonte also sought legislation to
equalize payments to all veterans.
The so-called “a vet is a vet is a vet”
bill ensures that veterans are paid
equally, whether they served in a
battle zone or were based in the
United States. LaBonte has been
practicing that policy for years in
Grand Ronde.
He has been a longtime member
of the Grand Ronde Color Guard.
His leadership and hard work made
it possible for the Tribe to supply
color guards to veterans’ events for
many years across Oregon.
He also has worked for many
years with the Northwest Indian
Veterans Association.
“He is a community member who
always goes beyond the call, help-
ing people whenever he’s needed,”
said Tribal Elder and Veterans Spe-
Photos by Michelle Alaimo
Veterans, including Navy veteran Jesse (Peewee) Robertson, front, participate in the 1 p.m. Grand Entry of the 201
Marcellus Norwest Memorial Veterans Powwow held at Uyxat Powwow Grounds on Saturday, July 12.
cial Event Board Chairman Steve
Bobb Sr. “He is a very big part of
all of our lives.”
With typical self-effacing humor,
LaBonte, 73, translated that into,
“I think they want to get rid of me.”
As a way of saying they weren’t
going to succeed, he added, “You
can’t give up on veterans. Once a
vet, always a vet.”
Veteran Bill Stam, who runs the
All Nations Native American Vet-
erans Memorial in Jefferson, said,
“Gene has kept me out of trouble.”
He presented the veteran of the
moment with a copy of a plaque
honoring him. The original will
be mounted at the All Nation’s
memorial.
“You can’t do anything by your-
self,” LaBonte said. “Without (so
many veterans who have helped
him over the years) I could have
been nothing.”
Tribal Council Chairman Reyn
Leno, a Marine Corps veteran, and
Tribal Council member June Sher-
er, an Army veteran, presented a
blanket to LaBonte and draped it
over his shoulders.
“For your effort and commit-
ment,” said Leno, “may you always
be surrounded by warmth and sur-
rounded with love.”
LaBonte also received a plaque
and a gift certifi cate for a stay at
the Oregon Coast.
His wife, Billie, and four genera-
tions of the LaBonte family were in
attendance for the honoring. Later
that day, the family was headed
to the wedding of granddaughter
Brianna Nann.
This year’s Veterans Powwow,
“Honoring Our Warriors Past and
Present,” also honored two Tribal
World War II veterans who walked
on earlier this year – Allen “Biff”
Langley and Eugene Hudson – as
well as a special event honoring
Korean War veterans.
The powwow started with the
fi rst Grand Entry, drummed in by
host drum West Hill Boys, at 7 p.m.
Friday. It was the fi rst of four grand
See POWWOW
continued on page 11
Hailey Lewis-Little does a shawl
dance during an Intertribal dance
at the 201 Marcellus Norwest
Memorial Veterans Powwow held
at Uyxat Powwow Grounds on
Saturday, July 12.