November 6, 2009

Communities honor veterans

By Sam Craig
The Chronicle

     Veterans Day has always held a special meaning for Americans. If it weren’t for the first American veterans we’d still be printing pictures of British royalty on all our currency.
     Wednesday, Nov. 11, will be Veterans Day, but numerous events throughout the area will be taking place on Tuesday, Nov. 10 as well.
Middle School
     The Dalles Middle School is inviting veterans, as well as the general public, to attend their Veterans Day celebration at the school on Tuesday.
     A World War II Jeep and National Guard vehicles — including tanks — will be on display all day in the school’s parking lot near the flag pole.
     At 10 a.m., the Veterans Day assembly will begin in the gym, where veterans Brian Goodwin and Jack Sherman will speak to the crowd. The National Guard Color Guard will be on hand to display the flag and lead in the pledge and the National Anthem.
     Following the assembly, at 11:20, the school will treat veterans to a free lunch in the cafeteria. To reserve a spot, call 506-3449, extension 400.
     Around noon, displays of military memorabilia from local veterans will be set up in the library. And at 12:20, students will have a chance to take a look at the exhibits and to visit with veterans. If you would like to display items, call Kelly Smutz at 506-3449, extension 4103.
     Sometime between noon and 1 p.m., a CH-47 Chinook helicopter will be landing on the upper football field at the school.
     To honor veterans, the school will have each student in the Success Class decorate a star with the name of a veteran, their branch of the military and the dates of their service. The stars will be hung in the hallway that leads to the gym.
Staff and students will also be celebrating the date with a Red, White and Blue Day.
     The Dalles Middle School is located at 1100 E 12th St. in The Dalles.
     Dufur School
     Dufur School will also host a Veterans Day celebration on Tuesday.
Letters were sent to local veterans, inviting them to attend the assembly that begins at the school at 9 a.m. The community is also invited to the school assembly.
     The school’s choir will be singing, as will the kindergarteners. The Color Guard from the National Guard will be coming to present the flag.
Dufur School’s ASB officers will run the assembly, and will talk a little bit about the history of Veterans Day.
     Following the half-hour assembly, veterans and their spouses are invited to a coffee get-together in the cafeteria, hosted by Dufur’s National Honor Society students. Local veterans can get together and chat at the school coffee hour.
If a student has a grandfather, grandmother, mom or dad who is a veteran, they can invite them personally down to their classrooms, but the school won’t be setting up any specific visitations, as in past years. Veterans are also welcome to go into classes if they’d like if they know a particular student or teacher.
Visiting veterans will receive a certificate of appreciation and have their names announced during the assembly.
     Dufur School is located at 802 NE Fifth St. in Dufur.
     Patriot Guard Riders
     In celebration of the 234th birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps on Nov. 10, the Patriot Guard Riders will be holding their Second Annual Marine Birthday visit to the Oregon Veterans Home in The Dalles. The group will visit the nine Marines living at the Veterans Home. Each Marine will receive a blanket emblazoned with the Marine Corps insignia. The blankets were a donation from Sgt. Grit Marine Suppliers coordinated by Marine veteran Mike Chaddic of The Dalles.
     Parade
     On Wednesday, Nov. 11, the Veterans Day Parade will kick off through downtown The Dalles. The parade lineup begins at 11 a.m. at Sixth and Webber, next to The Dalles National Guard Armory at 713 Webber St. The parade begins at noon, as the parade route heads east on Sixth Street, through downtown and back to the Armory.
     Applications are still being accepted for parade entries. It’s free to participate and everyone is welcome to participate. Decorations and themes for the parade need to be patriotic, of course.
     A community potluck will follow the parade in the Armory. Organizers ask that participants bring either a hot dish, a large salad or dessert. Plates, cups and utensils will be provided, as will coffee, tea, milk and fruit punch.
For more information, call 298-5692 or 298-2377.
     Sonrise Academy
     Following the parade, Sonrise Academy will visit the Oregon Veterans Home, where students will sing to veterans and spend some time chatting with them as well.
     Maryhill Museum
     Maryhill Museum — as well as the Stonehenge Memorial and the Klickitat County War Memorial — will open its doors for free to all veterans who show up on Veterans Day. The museum is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The memorial sites are open from 7 a.m. to dusk.