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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (May 1, 2019)
PRESORTED STANDARD MAIL U.S. POSTAGE PAID PORTLAND, OR PERMIT NO. 700 Easter Egg Hunt — pg. 11 MAY 1, 2019 Memorial Day event set for Monday, May 27 15 names being added to West Valley Veterans Memorial By Dean Rhodes Smoke Signals editor T he annual Memorial Day event at the West Valley Veterans Memorial on the Grand Ronde Tribal campus will be punctuated by 15 names being add- ed to the four black granite pillars that represent the major branches of the U.S. armed forces. Of those 15, four are Tribal mem- bers – Army veterans Mitchell Spohn and David Kurns II, Navy veteran Lonnie Riddle and Marine Corps veteran Rodney Smith. The event begins at noon with a meal served in the nearby Tribal Community Center. The outdoors ceremony begins at 1 p.m. with Tribal Council member Steve Bobb Sr., a Marine Corps veteran from the Vietnam War era, giving the invocation and serving as master of ceremonies. Grand Ronde drummers will play See EVENT continued on page 5 If you go 17th Memorial Day Ceremony When: Noon Monday, May 27 Where: Tribal Community Center & West Valley Veterans Memorial, 9615 Grand Ronde Road More info: 541-480-5932 How BIG can Grand Ronde become? Photo by Timothy J. Gonzalez A truck heads into the curves along Hebo Road, south of Uyxat Powwow Grounds, on Wednesday, April 3. Roads, highways require upgrades to accommodate growth (Editor’s note: This is the second in a series of Smoke Signals stories in 2019 that will examine the infrastructure of Grand Ronde and how many Tribal members could conceivably return to live in the community safely and comfortably.) By Danielle Frost Smoke Signals staff writer G o to the intersection of Grand Ronde Road and Highway 18 on any given weeknight at 5 p.m. and you’re likely to see a long line of cars. Add in slow-moving semitrucks and traffic heading for the Oregon coast or Spirit Mountain Casino on the weekends, and you have a recipe for frustration and potential hazards. Bringing more Tribal members home to live in the community will mean an increased need to provide adequate transportation to government services, employment and schools, whether by foot, bicycle, private vehicle or bus. With the Grand Ronde Tribe’s Strategic Plan stat- ed goal to “attract new Tribal members, diversify and grow the population, and promote a healthier, sustainable community,” transportation plays a huge role in accomplishing it. “We are very close to capacity as it is (on the roads),” Public Works Coordinator John Mercier See GROWTH continued on pages 12-13 WWII veteran Herman Hudson honored with Quilt of Valor By Danielle Frost Smoke Signals staff writer S eventy-four years ago, veteran Her- man “Junior” Hudson concluded his military service after serving in the Navy from 1942 until World War II ended in 1945. On Friday, April 19, the 94-year-old Trib- al Elder was honored with a Quilt of Valor in the Governance Center Atrium in front of a large crowd of family, friends, fellow veterans and Tribal employees. He is one Photo by Timothy J. Gonzalez of a few Native American World War II veterans still living and most likely is the Grand Ronde Tribe’s last surviving World War II veteran. Hudson, who still drives and is quick to smile, easily walked up to a podium to receive his quilt from fellow veterans and Quilts of Valor volunteers Bob Eldred and JV Torgerson. See VALOR continued on page 9 Tribal Elder and World War II veteran Herman Hudson received a Quilt of Valor from JV Torgerson and Bob Eldred during a ceremony held in the Governance Center on Friday, April 19. Hudson was nominated by Tribal Council member Steve Bobb Sr. Hudson served in the Navy and was assigned to the USS Nevada in the South Pacific.
