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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (June 1, 2016)
S moke S ignals JUNE 1, 2016 19 'All gave some and some gave all' MEMORIAL DAY continued from front page and finished the morning at the Sheridan Cemetery. Bobb, who was master of ceremo- nies at the Grand Ronde ceremony, welcomed everyone to the memori- al event at 1 p.m. following a meal served in the Tribal Community Center that started at noon. The standing-room–only meal was prepared by cooks Kevin Campbell and Charles Nuejahr, and Tribal Council Administrative Assistant Shannon Simi and Public Affairs Administrative Assistant Chelsea Clark helped serve the meal. Tribal Royalty delivered meals to Elders at their tables. Royalty this year are Amaryssa Mooney, Iyana Holmes, Isabelle Grout, Sophie Grout and Kaleigha Simi. They were helped by former Veterans Queen Savannah Ingram. Campbell and Nuejahr estimated they served at least 150 people. Bobb gave the welcome and Navy veteran and Tribal Elder Jerry George gave the invocation for the meal. “All gave some and some gave all,” said George. Jordan Mercier and Nakoa Mer- cier performed a welcome song on hand drums and were backed up by singers Cheyenne Simmons and Clark. An estimated crowd of 200 peo- ple watched as Tribal youth JC Rogers sang the national anthem and Grand Ronde Royalty and Veterans Royalty performed “The Lord’s Prayer.” The Grand Ronde Color Guard posted the flags and Bobb gave an invocation. He then introduced members of Tribal Council who were present for the Memorial Day celebration. Marine Corps veteran Alton Butler carried the Eagle staff, Ma- rine Corps veteran Rich Van Atta carried the American lag, Tribal Elder and Army veteran Raymond Petite carried the Tribal lag, Navy veteran Dennis Keffner carried the POW-MIA lag and Navy veteran Al Miller carried the Oregon lag. “Please join us as we add these 11 among them. “I knew very little about veterans and what veterans have experienced until I ac- tually started working here at the Tribe,” said Mercier. “I’ve worked every day with veterans and I will always give credit to Steve Bobb for teaching me more about veterans and what it was like to serve during war time than anyone has taught me. He real- ly opened my eyes.” Tribal Council mem- ber Denise Harvey emo- tionally remembered her brother Tom and what it was like in her family when he was drafted. “I remember the day Photos by Michelle Alaimo that he got drafted and Tribal Council Chairman and Marine Corps I remember the emotion veteran Reyn Leno addresses the crowd during in my family’s home,” the 14th annual Memorial Day Ceremony held at said Harvey. “I just the West Valley Veterans Memorial on the Tribal want to say thank you to campus on Monday, May 30. all the men and women that have served. Those who did not come home and a spe- cial thank you to my brother Tom.” Bobb then introduced Tribal Coun- cil Vice Chairman Jack Giffen Jr. “Good afternoon everybody and thank you for coming for this spe- names to the memorial and as we cial occasion to honor all veterans,” honor those that have served this said Giffen. “I want to thank all vet- great nation,” said Bobb. erans for their service to this great Tribal Council member Brenda Tu- country. I want to take a moment to omi, an Army veteran, was the irst really thank all the family members council member to address the crowd. of those veterans that have almost “I love that we have Armed Forces the same sacriice – the mothers Day to honor those who are serving and fathers of the kids that went and Veterans Day to honor those over there and gave us the freedoms that have served,” said Tuomi. “It’s that we enjoy today. We honor all important to take time to reflect our veterans today.” what Memorial Day is all about. To- Leno, a Vietnam War-era veter- day we are here to honor the heroes an, said that the Veterans’ Memo- that have given their lives and to rial came from an idea of the late say thank you for their sacriices.” Marcellus Norwest. Tribal Council member Chris “He (Norwest) came to me,” said Mercier said he has learned about Leno. “It took us four or ive years veterans from Bobb and others he to raise the money; we wanted it to has served with on council. He cited really mean something so we did a Jan Reibach Sr., Wink Soderberg, June Sherer and current Tribal Council Chairman Reyn Leno From row from left, Little Miss Grand Ronde Kaleigha Simi and Junior Miss Grand Ronde Isabelle Grout; Sophie Grout, second row, third row from left, Veterans Special Event Board Princess Iyana Holmes and Veterans Special Event Board Junior Queen Amaryssa Mooney; and back row, Savannah Ingram, former Veterans Special Event Board Queen and current Miss Naimuma at Portland State, perform ‘The Lord’s Prayer’ during the 14th annual Memorial Day Ceremony held at the West Valley Veterans Memorial on the Tribal campus on Monday, May 30. lot of fundraising to build this beau- tiful monument. I believe it’s one of the best around. This monument means a lot to me. All these people up here mean a lot to me. I want to thank each and every one of you. I want to thank your families and thank you for coming.” This year’s keynote speaker was Purple Heart recipient Sgt. Joel Dulashanti. Dulashanti, 28, was an Army sniper with the 82nd Airborne Di- vision who served in Afghanistan. He lost his right leg after being was shot four times at close range in an ambush. Dulashanti received a Purple Heart from President George W. Bush in 2008 at the age of 22. A Purple Heart is awarded to soldiers wounded as a direct result of enemy action as well as those who died of their injuries. Dulashanti now travels through- out the Paciic Northwest speaking on behalf of the Military Order of the Purple Heart. Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs’ Deputy Director Ed Van Dyke then spoke about the origins of Memorial Day and its importance to the country. Leno then read the names that were added to the memorial this year. Irving G. Williamson, Leslie L. Larson, Donald C. Hayes, Marshall F. Duncan and Larry R. Baker were added to the pillar representing the Army. Barry Ford and Glen A. Larson were added to the Air Force pillar and Albert D. Miller, Larry M. Godsey, William M. Drake and Clyde D. Van Atta were added to the Navy pillar. Miller and Godsey were present to hear their names read. Bud Abbott gave the annual rec- itation of the poem “Remember Me America” and Robert Thornburg played taps on his trumpet. The 11 names added brings the total of names etched into me- morial since its creation to 2,325 representing all four branches of the military. Ad created by George Valdez
