A huge American flag suspended from the top of a tall ladder on a Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue fire truck fluttered over a large crowd gathered at the edge of the Lake of the Commons for Tualatin’s annual Memorial Day ceremony on May 26.
Jesse Thompson, an Army veteran and a member of VFW Post 3452, started off the program by announcing the arrival of the West Coast Ravens in a missing-man maneuver flyover. Following the singing of the national anthem by the Tualatin High School Crimsonnairs, the colors were posted.
The Tualatin VFW Post 3452 chaplain led the crowd in the opening prayer, which was followed by reciting the pledge of allegiance led by John Knippers of VFW Post 3452.
Mayor Frank Bubenik, an Army veteran himself, welcomed everyone and told them that the grand opening of the Veterans Memorial across the lake had just occurred. “I’m very pleased it is here,” he said.
Ree Armitage, representing Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Oregon), read a statement from Wyden noting that 2025 is the 250th anniversary of the Army, Navy and Marine Corps; this year also marks 80 years since the end of World War II and 50 years since the end of the Vietnam War.
“Let us honor and mourn these service people no longer with us,” Armitage read. “For 250 years, our fallen heroes have known our way of life is worth fighting for. I will continue to fight for the benefits of our veterans.”
Oregon Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (D-Dist. 6) said that Memorial Day is a time for us “to come together as a community to honor, remember and reflect. Let’s remember those who never made it home. I want to particularly acknowledge our Gold Star families. We carry your loved ones in our hearts. Let us renew our commitment to be worth of our sacrifice.”
Jeff and Kim Keller were the honored Gold Star parents at the event, and Jeff was the keynote speaker, telling the crowd that their beloved son Andrew died at age 22 on Aug. 15, 2012, in Southeast Afghanistan.
After the audience rose and applauded Andrew’s service and the family’s sacrifice, Jeff said, “This is the 13th Memorial Day my wife and I have endured. We grew up in non-military families, and Memorial Day didn’t have much meaning for us. It meant baseball and barbeques.
“Aug. 15, 2012, there was a knock on our door, and our lives changed forever… Now every day is Memorial Day to us. Every day, every hour, every minute is Memorial Day. Let us not celebrate just Memorial Day. Every day is Memorial Day so we can say thank you to those who served.”
Kathy Walsh, the longest-term member of VFW Auxiliary 3452, read the poem, “In Flanders Field,” which was followed by remarks from Jennifer Rainwater, auxiliary president.
The audience was reminded that 90 veterans are buried in nearby Winona Cemetery.
Finally, bugler Martin Murrell played “Taps,” and many attendees went on to enjoy a free picnic in Tualatin Community Park sponsored by VFW Post 3452.
