Purple heart recipient to speak at Memorial Day ceremony

Purple Heart-recipient Sgt. Joel Dulashanti will be the keynote speaker at this year’s 14th annual Memorial Day Ceremony in Grand Ronde, according to Tribal Elder and Veterans’ Special Events Board Chairman Steve Bobb Sr.

Bobb, a Vietnam War-era Marine Corps veteran, said that Tribal youth J.C. Rogers, 15, will sing the national anthem at this year’s event. Rogers is currently recovering from a brain operation and vows to be ready by Monday, May 30.

“She (Rogers) started singing the national anthem a couple of years back and she does really well,” said Bobb. “She’s a fighter and, of course, for us veterans that’s the kind of spirit we like.”

Bobb also presented the names that will be added to the West Valley Veterans Memorial this year. Tribal Council Chairman Reyn Leno, who also is a Marine Corps veteran who served in Vietnam, will read the names at the ceremony.

Representing the Army will be Irvan G. Williamson, Leslie L. Larson, Donald C. Hayes, Marshall F. Dunkin and Larry R. Baker. Barry Ford and Glen A. Larson will be added to the Air Force pillar and Albert D. Miller, Larry M. Godsey, William M. Drake and Clyde D. Van Atta will added to the Navy pillar. None of the new names is a Tribal member.

Miller, 81, is a current member of the Tribal Veterans Special Event Board and although he lives in Silverton his name is being added for his willingness to repeatedly volunteer for veterans’ events in Grand Ronde and across Oregon with the Veterans’ Color Guard.

“We have made exceptions for people that have gone over and above to help us out,” said Bobb. “He’s one of our guys that shows up every time regardless, comes out to all the meetings, always shows up ready to go and stays all day.”

The 11 names added this year bring the total number of names on the West Valley Veterans Memorial to 2,325.

Dulashanti was an Army sniper with the 82^nd Airborne Division who lost a leg in battle in Afghanistan in 2007 after being shot four times with an AK-47 at close range during an ambush. His right leg was amputated above the knee and he spent two years recovering from his injuries at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. He received a Purple Heart from President George W. Bush in 2008 at the age of 22.

A Purple Heart is awarded to soldiers wounded as a direct result of enemy action as well as those who died of their injuries.

Since receiving a Purple Heart, Dulashanti has traveled throughout the Pacific Northwest speaking on behalf of the Military Order of the Purple Heart organization’s Portland chapter. He is married to wife, Samantha, and they have a 1-year old daughter.

The organization’s mission is to foster an environment of goodwill among combat-wounded veterans and their families, to promote patriotism, to support legislative initiatives and to make sure Americans never forget their sacrifices.

Bobb said commemorations of bravery are important to the community.

“I think anytime you can honor veterans it brings out people’s patriotic feelings for sure,” said Bobb. “To be able to have a day that has been singled out strictly for them is a big moment, especially for the ones who get their names up there.”

Bobb said he always feels a sense of pride when he organizes and participates in the ceremony each year.

“This is always a great honor for me,” said Bobb. “To be fortunate enough to get to stand in front of my fellow people that have served this nation … to be able to do that is a big deal for me to be a part of that.”

Memorial Day events will start at noon with a traditional meal served in the Tribal Community Center. Honoring of veterans having their names added to the memorial will start at approximately 1 p.m.