31 memorialized during annual Tribal salute to those who served

Memorial Day officially started in Grand Ronde at 8:44 a.m. Monday, May 25, when area residents heard the gun salute emanating from the Tribal Cemetery.

For most people, the holiday began on Friday when local residents got off work and started getting ready for the three-day weekend, but for local veterans and their families the day of remembrance and ceremony begins when those shots are heard.

The Grand Ronde Color Guard then made its way to several West Valley cemeteries for services before returning to the Community Center for a noon community meal.

Tribal Cook Kevin Campbell, Prep Cook/Driver Charles Neujahr, Public Affairs/Publications Administrative Assistant Chelsea Clark, Tribal Council Administrative Assistant Shannon Simi and Tribal Royalty princesses served an elk stew meal to more than 160 people in the Tribal Community Center.

Veterans Special Event Board Chairman Steve Bobb Sr., a Vietnam War-era Marine Corps veteran, was master of ceremonies and he started the event with an invocation.

Tribal Elder Jolanda Catabay sang the national anthem and the Royalty princesses performed “The Lord’s Prayer” in sign language before the colors were traditionally drummed in by Bobby Mercier, Jacob Holmes, Kai Kanim Mercier, Travis Stewart and Brian Krehbiel. Alton Butler then carried in the American flag, Raymond Petite carried in the Tribal flag, Mike Lane carried in the POW/MIA flag and Albert Miller carried in the Oregon flag.

 Bobb introduced each Grand Ronde Tribal Council member present and each addressed the gathering.

“I would like to thank everyone for coming today and I would like to honor our soldiers who are serving – the ones who have served in the past and the ones who have never come home,” said Tribal Council member Denise Harvey.

Harvey read the poem “The Unknown Soldier.” “I would like to thank you for your service,” she added.

Harvey said she hoped visitors to Grand Ronde felt welcome and that they would return for events like the Marcellus Norwest Memorial Veterans Powwow in July and the larger contest powwow in August.

Tribal Council member Chris Mercier recalled how he met Bobb for the first time and how that meeting changed his outlook on veterans.

“When I started working for the Tribe and started working with a lot more veterans, especially while serving on Tribal Council, I developed a much deeper appreciation for what you guys have done for this country and some of the sacrifices you have made for people,” Mercier said. “I think it is important that we take the time every year, especially on this day, to honor you guys for what you have done. My heart goes out to you.”

Mercier recognized past Tribal Council members in the crowd who are veterans that he had worked with – June Sherer, Wink Soderberg, Wesley “Buddy” West and Jan Reibach.

“I’ve learned more about veterans from these people than any other people in my life,” said Mercier.

Tribal Council member Cheryle A. Kennedy said she comes from a family of veterans who have served.

 “It is always a pleasure for me to come and to give honor to those that served our country and served our people,” said Kennedy. “You know I think about the courage it took to step forward and to step out and to say, ‘I will serve, I will defend, I will protect,’ and that is what enables us to do our work here. This day is here to celebrate and to honor our veterans and remember to always remember what this country is about – it’s about liberties and freedom.”

Tribal Council Vice Chairman Jack Giffen, Jr. said the event made him think of an earlier time in Grand Ronde.

“Sitting back there brought back memories of before we had this beautiful memorial,” said Giffen. “We had our cemetery down there and the gathering was just a few Tribal members and family members coming back to honor those veterans that gave their life for the freedoms we have. We want to take a moment and thank all the veterans for your commitment to this great country we live in and for the freedoms that we enjoy. I give you the highest honor I can give you.”

Bobb introduced Tribal Council Chairman Reyn Leno as not only a fellow Marine, but also a Vietnam veteran as well.

Leno asked all veterans stand and be acknowledged with applause.

“We need to recognize why we are here today,” said Leno. “In 13 years since we put this memorial up it’s amazing to think how many of our veterans used to be here with us and now they have passed on and they are not here with us, but we are still recognizing those people. This is one of my favorite ceremonies we do every year.”

Leno said all wars are “horrible,” but he wanted to acknowledge his fellow Vietnam War veterans for what they brought back with them. He also said he wanted to remember his cousin Tom Leno who passed away on New Year’s Eve.

“We live with it every day,” said Leno.

Yamhill County Veterans’ Service Officer Jerry Wilson said his affinity for the culture of veterans came while serving 30 years in the Air Force. He said coming to Grand Ronde is one of his favorite stops each Memorial Day.

Wilson said much of his job is working with veterans who need a variety of help and that he calls on many resources to help them get what they need.

“I rely a lot on service organizations to step in and help me,” said Wilson. “When I call, they always respond. The people who respond are the veterans themselves so they know. I deal with veterans from all eras. It's always an honor to see them.”

Keynote speaker Cameron Smith, the director of the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs, was a Marine Corps captain and served three tours in Iraq.

Smith said that he came to Grand Ronde after spending the morning at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland.

“On behalf of Governor Kate Brown, it is an honor for me to join you today,” said Smith. “First and foremost I want to thank our hosts – the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. The Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs has long had a strong relationship with the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde.”

Smith said he is always impressed with the service record of Native Americans.

“Tribal citizens served in the military at a higher rate per capita than any other group,” said Smith. “Despite a long and complicated history between our Tribes and the federal government, our Tribal citizens have never hesitated to serve and protect our shared homeland. That service and sacrifice speaks absolutely volumes for the Tribe’s warrior culture. Our Tribes are incredibly generous in their support for our military and veterans with events like this one and you have my and the governor’s deep appreciation.”

When the speakers concluded for the day, Bobb introduced local veteran Ernie Keeler to read the one Marine Corps name (Timothy J. Giddings); Albert Miller read the 13 names for the Navy (Tribal member Allen Langley, Cal Edward Landon, Gerald and Anthony Eisele, Emil Evans, Richard Houston, Jerry Babcock, Andrew Schryvers, William Carl, George Spelts, Ronald Ksionsk, Janos Sandor Vamos and Michael Carl); Veterans’ Royalty queens Amelia Mooney and Savannah Ingram read the four Air Force names (Robert Voytilla, Dan Ham, Harlan Houston and Anthony Foster); and Tribal Elder and veteran Raymond Petite read the 13 Army names (Richard Werst, Lee Roy Smith Jr., Matthew McCandless, Eric Boyce, Vernon Edwards, Jacob Schryvers, Tribal member Abraham Tom, Darrell Burres, Bruce Carl, Tribal members Peter Sulkey and William Langley, Larry Baker and Ray Brown).

A total of 31 names were added to the West Valley Veterans Memorial this year, bringing the total to 2,314.

Tribal Elder Bob Tom said that his father, Abraham, was full-blooded Grand Ronde and was born in 1891. Tom said his father served in Company B of the 163^rd Infantry. Forty-five Tom family members traveled to Grand Ronde to honor Abraham.

This year’s event marked the first time those present to witness their names read and added to the memorial were welcomed to meet and greet the dignitaries in attendance so they could be recognized.

“The reading of the names is to honor and to salute those that have served this nation from our communities of Grand Ronde, Willamina and Sheridan,” said Bobb. “Thank you for being here with us today as we celebrate those who have honored and served this nation. Think about those people today who are out there serving, defending and protecting freedoms that we not only have here, but for those that are living in turmoil in other countries. Take care of each other.”

After a poem reading by Bud Abbott, Land and Culture Manager Jan Looking Wolf Reibach played “Amazing Grace” on the Native flute and then played the opening of taps before giving way to Bob Thornton who finished the traditional veterans’ solo on his trumpet.

The colors were then retired until next year when new names and new stories will be added.