The Gorge Heroes Club worked with the Oregon National Guard, American Legion Post 22 and other officials from the Veterans Service Council to organize the 2010 Memorial Day ceremony in Hood River. We were proud to once again provide the local community with a service at Idlewilde Cemetery that paid respect to the nation's fallen warriors and honored the brave men and women who are currently defending our freedoms on foreign battlefields.
SFC. Garry Norris, as the keynote speaker, told the audience of about 300 people that the observance of cleaning and decorating the graves of warriors in a showing of respect began in 1863 and was originally known as "Declaration Day" before it became an officially-sanctioned event. "Unfortunately, for many Americans, Memorial Day has simply become a three-day weekend," said Norris. "They have forgotten what the military stands for in our history. They have forgotten that these soldiers died to preserve their freedoms to have a safe three-day weekend."
Mildred Goe, the widow of a Navy pilot lost at sea 66 years ago, was given a flag flown in honor of Ensign Charles Bratcres over the nation's capital. There had never been a funeral service for the World War II veteran because his body was not recovered from the South Pacific. At age 86, Goe was finally able to find closure for this unfinished chapter in her life and has arranged to have a gravestone for Bratcres placed next to her future burial site.
Idlewilde was a busy, and somber, place to be on Monday with hundreds of colorful flags flying, the Hood River Valley High School Band playing patriotic songs and area service organizations carrying floral wreaths to the Veterans Obelisk.
SFC. Garry Norris, as the keynote speaker, told the audience of about 300 people that the observance of cleaning and decorating the graves of warriors in a showing of respect began in 1863 and was originally known as "Declaration Day" before it became an officially-sanctioned event. "Unfortunately, for many Americans, Memorial Day has simply become a three-day weekend," said Norris. "They have forgotten what the military stands for in our history. They have forgotten that these soldiers died to preserve their freedoms to have a safe three-day weekend."
Mildred Goe, the widow of a Navy pilot lost at sea 66 years ago, was given a flag flown in honor of Ensign Charles Bratcres over the nation's capital. There had never been a funeral service for the World War II veteran because his body was not recovered from the South Pacific. At age 86, Goe was finally able to find closure for this unfinished chapter in her life and has arranged to have a gravestone for Bratcres placed next to her future burial site.
Idlewilde was a busy, and somber, place to be on Monday with hundreds of colorful flags flying, the Hood River Valley High School Band playing patriotic songs and area service organizations carrying floral wreaths to the Veterans Obelisk.
Proudly,
Your GHC
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