OPINION READER’S FORUM
Founded in 1906
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2021
A4
OUR VIEW
Brave National Guard citizen-soldiers deserve support
I
t is never an easy task to say goodbye
to some of the region’s best, but we
want to wish the members of Hermis-
ton’s Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 116th
Cavalry (Armor) the best as they depart on
an overseas deployment.
The recent ceremony for the 75 mem-
bers of the Oregon Army National Guard
outfi t at the Eastern Oregon Trade and
Event Center sent the citizen-soldiers off in
style as they will travel to Fort Bliss, Texas,
to complete training for the deployment to
somewhere in southwest Asia.
The deployment is certainly an import-
ant milestone for the regional Guard unit,
but the 3rd Battalion, 116th Cavalry is no
stranger to overseas duty.
Twice during the war on terror, the 3rd
Battalion deployed to Iraq. The battalion
also can trace its lineage — or history —
to units from the 41st Infantry Division
that deployed to the Pacifi c Theater during
World War II.
The key point to the deployment is a
simple one and as old as the nation. When
citizen-soldiers are deployed to foreign
shores, they represent their towns and
regions in a very real way. When Guard
soldiers are sent overseas, their actions are
linked directly to Main Street.
They are not regular Army person-
nel who come from all over the nation but
natives of a specifi c region with strong ties
to their communities. In a sense, when they
deploy, so does a piece of Hermiston or
Pendleton or La Grande or Baker City.
That is the unique aspect of the Oregon
Army National Guard. They are men and
women plucked from the rural heartland
and will complete their mission and then
return to civilian life and a part-time gig
with the National Guard.
For the fi rst time in a long time the
nation is not at war but the deployment of
the 75 citizen-soldiers is no less meaningful
or, to some extent, dangerous. The world
is a complicated, messy place and while
we wish the very best to our Guardsmen,
we hope the community understands their
commitment and courage.
We wish the citizen-soldiers of the 116th
Cavalry Godspeed and a safe return.
PETERSON’S POINTS
The kids are alright so let’s follow their lead
A
t some point, I’ll ratchet
somehow corrupt them, as we
up my complaints about
often do.
young people. I’ll diss
If you take issue with this, let
their fashion, their morals,
me know. But before you
their work ethic and their
do so, please look back
adherence to technology.
to last week’s Hermiston
I’ll say, they aren’t as good
Herald, in which an arti-
as kids were in “my day.”
cle describes some amaz-
Of course, I’ll be wrong.
ing kids working with 3D
All of my future opinions
printers, VR simulations
about kids will be incor-
and more.
rect, and I hope someone is Erick
Or, take a look at this
able to convince me of my
week’s
front page, where
Peterson
wrongheadedness and steer
we describe Veterans Day
me on the right path.
activities in which young-
The truth as I see it now is that
sters were involved. They were
the kids are alright. They always
terrifi cally respectful to our
have been and they probably
veterans.
always will be, unless we fogeys
Virtually every time I encoun-
ter someone under 18, I am
impressed. Whether they are chess
players, writers, athletes or activ-
ists, today’s young people are
amazing.
My biggest issues are with peo-
ple around my own age. In my age
range are some real louts, bullies
and loudmouths. I know, because
I am sometimes guilty of my gen-
eration’s pitfalls, and I need to
apologize.
I am sorry to young people,
for every time I did not listen to
them, argued against them or even
browbeat them to get my way. If
it means anything, I sometimes
meant well.
If they face existential threats,
they did not cause them. We did.
Our parents gave us problems
from their parents, and then they
blamed us in similar ways that we
now accuse our children.
Now, I feel we can either lead,
follow or get out of the way. And,
frankly, I do not think my gen-
eration and all older generations
have it within ourselves to be the
best leaders. There are great older
people, sure, but the best peo-
ple among us are followers. Such
individuals use their resources,
talents and strength to serve young
people and their world.
I hear of faraway politicians
and businesspeople who are work-
ing for younger people. Maybe
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
INSIDE MY SHOES
While digging Thanksgiving,
I really can’t wait for spring
love fall — October and November typ- diately torn into the box. However, just last
ically marks that hoodie season is in full year I read about people receiving unsolic-
swing.
ited seeds from China. And earlier this year
The colors of autumn and the rak-
there were reports of questionable white
ing of leaves signals that my favorite holi-
powder being sent in letters.
day is just around the corner. I have always
After a quick internet search, I learned
enjoyed Thanksgiving — with fond
the return address of Old House Gar-
memories of family meals growing
dens was a legitimate nursery in
up, a few extra days off from school
Michigan. I left a voicemail, but
and leftover turkey.
didn’t expect a call until after the
However, I’m ready to fast-for-
weekend.
ward to spring. For anyone that views
Erring on the side of caution, I still
my Facebook page, you know it’s
didn’t open the package. I decided to
“Tulip Central” when spring hits. My
take a photo of the box and posted it
page is fi lled with photos of the var-
on the “What’s Happening Hermis-
Tammy
ious stages — from when they fi rst
ton?” Facebook group.
Malgesini
push through the ground to buds
After reading a few comments, my
forming to the magnifi cent blooms.
behavior was edging toward paranoia.
And this coming spring is going to be
I asked my husband to put it outside on top
awesome — with fi ve new varieties, thanks
of the garbage can.
to Jody Brittain. I CAN’T WAIT.
I then wrote, “A lot of my friends know
The funny thing is, if left to my own
I’m into tulips, so maybe somebody was
devices, I might have missed out. You see,
sending me a gift. I guess I can put on a
I usually forget to order new bulbs until it’s
hazmat suit and open the box and see if
too late.
there’s a gift note in it hahaha.”
Several years ago, my husband ordered
I would have pieced together a reason-
some tulip bulbs as a Christmas present.
able facsimile of personal protective equip-
He planted them when I was at work one
ment before resorting to throwing away a
day. Several weeks leading up to Christ-
box that might contain fl ower bulbs. But
mas, I passed by the furrowed ground going about six hours after my original post, I
to and from my rig. I thought the neighbor’s received a message from Jody, who had
cat must have been digging around in the
ordered the tulip bulbs for me this past
garden.
spring.
A few days before Christmas, John gave
I learned a lot about fellow Hermiston
me a hint about one of my gifts. He said
residents, friends, acquaintances and even
I walked by it everyday. Not wanting to
strangers. But the most important thing I
wake him late at night, I shined a fl ashlight
gained from this is you never know when
all over the living room — looking for my
your actions will touch someone else’s heart
present.
— giving me a renewed hope that maybe we
Anyway, this year was no diff erent —
really are all in this together.
I neglected to order new bulbs. However,
———
right before Halloween, I received a small
Tammy Malgesini, the Hermiston
package that had a sticker on it that read,
Herald community writer, enjoys spending
“Live plants. Please handle with love.”
time with her husband and two German
In days gone by, I wouldn’t have given
shepherds, as well as entertaining herself with
it a second thought — I would have imme-
random musings.
I
The Bureau of Land Management can protect more of Oregon’s
public lands
This spring I volunteered in the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s
Adopt-A-Lek program. Hiking across the vast sagebrush sea in the predawn light
to watch the greater sage-grouse perform their elaborate mating dance is an expe-
rience I hope every Oregonian gets to witness.
Unfortunately, their populations have declined signifi cantly with an 80%
range wide decline since 1965. The 4.6 million acres of public lands that are part
of the vast Vale Bureau of Land Management District in the southeast corner of
Oregon provide some of the best remaining sage grouse habitat left in the West
and are important to this bird’s future.
Right now, the Vale BLM is updating their Resource Management Plan, an
important plan that guides and balances multiple land uses across this entire area.
Due to top-down meddling from Washington, D.C., during the previous admin-
istration, the current version of the plan falls far short of conserving some of our
last, best and most intact fi sh and wildlife habitats in this area.
In the current version of the plan, not even one acre of 1.2 million acres of
wilderness-quality lands would be managed to protect their wild and intact
nature. The plan also needs to include more science-based, forward-looking man-
agement strategies to ensure these public lands are resistant and resilient to a
changing climate.
Fortunately, the BLM can still fi x this plan and provide a balanced approach
to conserving and managing our public lands in Malheur County. I urge them to
do so. Future generations deserve a healthy and wild Owyhee Canyonlands.
Karl J. Findling
Bend
Learn the facts about the River Democracy Act
Misinformation is fl oating around regarding the River Democracy Act. The
Act, S. 192, was proposed by Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, Democrats,
and Oregonians assisted by nominating streams for this bill.
It adds 4% of Oregon’s rivers and streams to the National Wild and Scenic
Rivers Act and provides amendments to NWSR to help reduce wildfi re risk and
protect water for people who use rivers as their drinking water source.
In Wyden’s own words to the Eastern Oregon Counties Association, the River
Democracy Act “does not aff ect management of private property.” The River
Democracy Act amends the NWSR Act to say that “nothing in this act or an
amendment made by this act aff ects private property rights.”
The River Democracy Act does implement a management plan and fi re risk
reduction plan on federal lands, restore water quality after a fi re, give Native
Americans a voice in how rivers are managed on federal lands, and retain exist-
ing rights on federal land, including mining and grazing permits.
The catastrophe unfolding for salmon in the Lower Snake River shows clean
water and fi sh survival do not automatically remain intact even if they are good
quality now.
If there are provisions that opponents of this bill would like, I encourage peo-
ple to contact Wyden’s offi ce to discuss them. Spreading misinformation is not
helpful to the discussion.
I appreciate Wyden and Merkley for working to preserve our beautiful rivers.
Elnora Cameron
Joseph
CORRECTIONS
Printed on
recycled
newsprint
VOLUME 114 • NUMBER 45
Andrew Cutler | Publisher • acutler@eomediagroup.com • 541-278-2673
Erick Peterson | Editor • epeterson@eomediagroup.com
Audra Workman | Multi-Media consultant • aworkman@eastoregonian.com • 541-564-4538
Tammy Malgesini | Community Editor • community@eastoregonian.com • 541-564-4532
Multi-Media consultant • 541-564-4531
To contact the Hermiston Herald for news,
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The Hermiston Herald (USPS 242220, ISSN
8750-4782) is published weekly at Hermiston
Herald, 333 E. Main St., Hermiston, OR 97838,
541-567-6457.
they are, possibly.
I am sure, though, that top
notch older servants exist in our
own community. They include the
librarians who encourage literacy
and joyful hobbies, the teachers
who relay information, the pas-
tor who shares wisdom, the retiree
who helps build a playground and
the nurse who vaccinates against
disease. These people, and more,
are examples for the rest of us.
So, to all my fellow olds, let’s
all become better followers, or at
least get out of their way.
———
Erick Peterson is the editor
and senior reporter for the Herm-
iston Herald.
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