NEWS
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2021
HERMISTONHERALD.COM • A11
Hermiston American Legion Post Life Chain
links believers
hosts picnic, membership drive
Local group
wants to boost
membership to 125
By ERICK PETERSON
Hermiston Herald
Hamburgers, hot dogs,
salads and desserts were on
the menu Saturday, Sept.
25, as Hermiston’s Amer-
ican Legion and Auxil-
iary Post 37 fed around
100 area veterans at a pic-
nic in Hermiston’s McKen-
zie Park.
The event was an out-
reach to area veterans. The
Hermiston Legion has 106
members, and leadership
would like to increase mem-
bership to 125. By off ering
a fun and free picnic, group
leaders hoped to attract new
members.
Aaron Wetterling, post
commander and Marine
Corps veteran, said his post
is getting older. Some of the
oldest members have died
recently. Others are getting
too frail to attend meetings.
Still, there is a lot of value
in this organization, he said,
and it would be a shame if it
were to fade away.
The Legion has an
important mission, he said.
Its fi rst mission is to support
and rehabilitate veterans.
Suicide rates, he said, are
terrible among past service
members, which is why his
post works with Umatilla
County Veteran Services to
equip needy veterans with
counseling and medication.
Also, they help them fi nd
resources to place homeless
veterans into homes.
The Legion, Wetter-
ling said, also promotes
American
patriotism.
Legion members go into
area schools and speak to
students about their ser-
vice and the importance of
defending the country. They
also promote a school pro-
gram in which students
deliver speeches on Amer-
ican defense.
There also are activities
in the tradition of the Legion
that Wetterling would either
like to enhance or revive.
American Legion Baseball
is one of those traditions, as
is a hunter safety class.
“I love my job,” Wetter-
ling said.
Bob Daniel, fellow
American Legion mem-
ber and part of the cleanup
crew, agreed with his com-
mander that events such as
the picnic are fun. A fi rst
vice commander and for-
mer National Guard mem-
ber, Daniel said he was
happy to promote the
Legion. He said he saw a
few new faces at the picnic,
and he hoped to sign them
up as new members.
Glenn Scott, veteran ser-
vice offi cer, also was look-
ing for new members for
the Legion. In his work, he
assists veterans and their
families. Many veterans,
he said, are unaware of the
benefi ts they are due. Some
others are unable to fi le
for compensation which
is rightfully theirs. So he
works with them, getting
them services through Vet-
erans Aff airs.
Some of the vets are
only in need of money to
tide them over to their next
paycheck, and he is able to
help them, too.
Lola Lopez, also a VSO,
said she feels a special
connection with veterans.
Though she has not served
in the military, she has a
partner who was a medic in
the Army. Also, she has a
son who is in the Air Force
and a daughter is in the Air
National Guard.
Representing the county
veteran service offi ce
She was on the look-
out at the picnic for people
By TAMMY MALGESINI
Hermiston Herald
Ben Lonergan/Hermiston Herald
Mark Wiggins, a member of the American Legion and Alaska
National Guard, left, serves World War II Army veteran Dan
Lopez during a picnic Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, for veterans
the Hermiston American Legion and Auxiliary Post 37 held
at McKenzie Park in Hermiston.
who needed help applying
for benefi ts. While they ate
their lunches, she spoke to
them. She said she thinks
she can help some of the
people she met.
Rose Johnson Gale, 70,
was among those people.
The Legion treasurer, she
was in the Army National
Guard from 1980 to 2004.
She said she is a socia-
ble person who likes to
mingle, which is why she
enjoys her Legion mem-
bership. Unfortunately, she
said, there are only two
women in the post.
Gale boasted the Legion
helps the community, and
she wants more people to
know about it. This is espe-
cially important, she said,
because of the pandemic.
These days, many people
are isolated and lonely.
“Things are so bad with
the virus,” she said. She
would like to reach out to
people and let them know
the Legion is there for
them.
Dennis Aiken, Vietnam
War veteran, said commu-
nication is vital to veter-
ans. Through community
events such as the picnic,
veterans can socialize and
share solutions to common
problems.
Veteran suicide is a
major concern of his. And
he seeks to match trou-
bled veterans up with the
knowledge and resources
which can save their lives.
Sometimes, he brings food
to people in need. Other
times, he tells them about
medical techniques which
have been shown to help.
Cathy Stolz, president
of the Hermiston Auxiliary
Unit, said the Legion has a
brilliant past. The national
organization started in
1919, and the Hermiston
group was an early mem-
ber. She said she wants the
group to continue so it can
have this picnic and yard
sales and more.
She said while the post is
only for veterans, the aux-
iliary is open to spouses,
children,
grandchildren,
great-grandchildren
and
siblings of veterans.
People interested in
joining the American
Legion can call Wetter-
ling at 541-720-1815. The
Legion and Auxiliary meet
the fi rst Monday of every
month at Agape House
in Hermiston.
Described as a peaceful
event that bears witness to
beliefs in the sanctity of life,
Deanna Leonard said the
annual Life Chain is Sunday,
Oct. 3, in Hermiston.
“It’s not a protest,” the
Hermiston woman said.
“We’re Christians praying and
giving a personal witness of
our beliefs.”
To participate, meet at
2 p.m. in the parking lot
behind Banner Bank, 101 E.
Main St., Hermiston. After
briefi ng participants, includ-
ing passing out signs, Leon-
ard said the group will spread
out along North First Street
(Highway 395) near Gladys
and Hermiston avenues.
Kristi Smalley, who attends
Our Lady of Angels Catholic
Church in Hermiston, learned
about the event from Leonard
a handful of years ago. The
regent of the Catholic Daugh-
ters of the Americas Court No.
1692, Smalley had been pro-
viding fi nancial support to
anti-abortion causes but felt
compelled to do something
more.
“I wanted to do something
physical to hopefully help peo-
ple realize how precious life
is from conception to natural
death,” she said.
Sometimes, Smalley said,
people aren’t aware of avail-
able resources when faced
with an unplanned pregnancy.
She shared about engaging in
a conversation with an expect-
ant mother while taking a walk
in her neighborhood. The
young woman, Smalley said,
was feeling pressure from her
boyfriend to have an abortion.
“It was heart-wrenching to
witness her anguish,” she said.
Whether it’s engaging in a
sort of “sidewalk counseling”
or participating in an organized
anti-abortion event, Smalley
said it’s important to let people
know they are not alone and
options are available.
Luke Banes/Contributed Photo
Participants of a past Life
Chain event line Highway
395, Hermiston. This year’s
anti-abortion event will
initially gather Sunday, Oct.
3, 2021, in the city parking
lot behind Banner Bank.
According to the national
organization’s website, the
event is in its 34th year. Held
the fi rst Sunday in October,
the eff ort encourages the faith
community to link together to
lead the nation in prayer for
the unborn. Leonard has taken
the reins in organizing the
Hermiston event for around 17
years. The silent and prayer-
ful approach, Leonard said,
is a non-confrontational way
to express their anti-abortion
beliefs.
While the signage dis-
played ranges from messages
of support, like “Adoption is
the Loving Option” and “Jesus
Forgives & Heals,” some are
more direct, such as “Pray to
End Abortion” and “Abortion
Kills Children.”
Leonard and Smalley said
they don’t endorse using
graphic photos or harsh ver-
biage. Smalley called it “a dis-
traction,” saying it takes the
focus off the positive message
they’re trying to convey.
“We’re hoping to plant a
seed,” Leonard said.
For more information,
visit www.LifeChain.org or
call Leonard at 541-571-3592.
Lunch is On Us!
October 5 & 6
October is National Cooperative Month so we’re
celebrating YOU! UEC members drive thru our
limited contact event and pick up a free boxed lunch
and gift bag that includes an energy efficiency kit
with an LED lightbulb! *While supplies last
Tuesday, October 5
Wednesday, October 6
Hermiston Headquarters
Boardman Operations Center
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
At Umatilla Electric,
we’re shaped by the people we serve. As a
community-owned utility, we are driven to be more
than a business, we are an energy partner.
Learn more about how
UEC is helping to power communities at:
Hermiston Office
Boardman Office
750 W. Elm Ave.
Hermiston, OR 97838
(541) 567-6414
400 N.E. Eldrige Drive
Boardman, OR 97818
(541) 481-2220