S moke S ignals
MAY 1, 2019
9
‘This is beyond words’
VALOR continued
from front page
“This is beyond words,” he said
after the ceremony had concluded.
“To be honest, I am very humbled
by it.”
Hudson was nominated to receive
the honorary quilt by Tribal Coun-
cil member Steve Bobb Sr., a Viet-
nam War-era Marine Corps veteran
who previously received a quilt and
then was asked to nominate a wor-
thy veteran to receive one.
“Junior, which he prefers to be
called, is one of our beloved Tribal
Elders,” Bobb said. “He represents
our Tribe and people with majestic
dignity and vigorous energy. He is
one of the ‘Greatest Generation.’ ”
Hudson is the Tribe’s
fifth eldest Elder and the
eldest male Elder.
Quilts of Valor are indi-
vidually made and World
War II veterans are cur-
rently being prioritized to
receive them due to their
advancing age.
Friday’s ceremony began
with a procession by the
Grand Ronde Color Guard,
followed by an honor song
led by Cultural Advisor
Bobby Mercier, Historic Preserva-
tion Technician Nicolas Atanacio,
Cultural Resources Department
Manager David Harrelson, Cul-
tural Protection Specialist Chris
Bailey, Cultural Education Coor-
dinator Jordan Mercier and Cul-
tural Collections Specialist Nick
Labonte.
After an invocation by Air Force
veteran and Tribal Elder Jerry
George, Tribal Council Vice Chair
Chris Mercier spoke to attendees.
“I always feel really inadequate
when I am asked to speak at these
events,” he said. “Since I came back
to the Tribal community, I have
learned a lot about veterans, more
Photos by Timothy J. Gonzalez
Tribal Council Secretary Jon A.
George worked on making a
traditional dentalium necklace on
Tuesday, April 16. The necklace is
based at the colors of the World War
II Victory medal and was presented
to Herman Hudson during the Quilt
of Valor ceremony held on Friday,
April, 19.
than at any other point in my life. I
can’t imagine being 18 and serving
in a time of war. Whenever we get a
chance to honor veterans, we should
jump at it. World War II, where Mr.
Hudson served, was one of those
times when the fate of the planet
was hanging in the balance. On be-
half of Tribal Council, I thank you.”
Other Tribal Council members in
attendance were Michael Langley
and Secretary Jon A. George. Ma-
rine Corps veteran Reyn Leno and
General Manager Dave Fullerton
also attended.
Maureen Orr Eldred, the Oregon
coordinator for Quilts of Valor, said
that a passion for creating quilts
Eastern Oregon University’s
49th Annual Powwow and
Indian Arts Festival
Specials:
When:
Hand Drum
Men’s Slick Style
May 17th
and 18th
Women Short
Fringe Traditional
Where:
Quinn Coliseum,
EOU La Grande
Oregon
Free Admission
provides the organization’s volun-
teers an opportunity to acknowl-
edge veterans.
“We quilters believe that the right
way to handle any situation is to
make a quilt,” she said.
The Quilts of Valor Foundation
was founded in 2003 by Catherine
Roberts, a nurse in Delaware whose
son was serving in Iraq. The first
quilt was awarded in November
of that year at Walter Reed Army
Medical Center to a soldier from
Minnesota who lost his leg in Iraq.
Since then, the foundation has
awarded almost 213,000 quilts to
military personnel and veterans.
“We’re privileged to honor you
today,” Eldred said to Hudson. “You
served our country when asked and
then returned without acknowl-
edgement. Thanks for your service.”
Smoke Signals file photo
Navy veteran Herman Hudson
served in the South Pacific during
World War II, assigned to the USS
Nevada.
Hudson attended high school in
Keizer and Salem until his junior
year at Salem’s North High School,
when he joined the Navy in 1942. He
served in the South Pacific aboard
the U.S.S. Nevada, escorting fleet
oilers. He was discharged in 1945.
The quilt, “From Sea to Shining
Sea,” was designed in a medley of
blues, creams and golds by Marianne
Fons of Iowa, and pieced together by
Tom Korn of Salem. After the quilt
was wrapped around Hudson, he was
gifted a traditional dentalium neck-
lace made by Jon A. George, which
was based on the colors of the World
War II Victory medal.
Hudson’s daughter, Kathryn
Dunham of Lacey, Wash., wiped
away tears as the ceremony ended.
“I have no words,” she said. “He
is the most amazing father ever
and a caregiver to everyone and
everything.”
Gathering of
Grand Ronde Tilixam
May 21 – 23, 2019
Gymnasium
9:00am to 4:00pm Daily
A community gathering to discuss historical and
intergenera3onal trauma, historical and intergenera3onal
wisdom, culture, iden3ty, healing and more!
Register at hHps:/www.eventbrite.com/e/gona-‐
gathering-‐of-‐grand-‐gonde-‐3lixam-‐
3ckets-‐60152865841
Or call Social Services at 503-‐879-‐2034
Lunch Provided Each Day
Sponsored by the Confederated
Tribes of Grand Ronde Social
Services Department and
facilita3on provided by the Na3ve
Wellness Ins3tute.
