Sisters woman recalls family's service

Willie Carl Tindal

Four generations of Dorothy Gridley's family have fought for freedom.

Her father, William Carl Tindal, served in World War I. In 1917 he was a private in Company L, 144th Infantry, in the United States Army.

Elmer Dale Gridley, the love of her life, swept her off her feet at a cowboy dance in Culver City. The year was 1945. She confides that they have been dancing ever since, even though he passed away in 1980. Private First Class Elmer Dale Gridley fought in World War II.

Elmer Dale Gridley

Vietnam, 1974: Dorothy and Elmer's son, the fourth of eight children, was a Senior Airman in the Air Force.

Iraq, 2003: Marine Corps Cpl. Shaun M. Gridley, grandson, is still actively serving his country. He bears a remarkable resemblance to his great grandfather, Private William Carl Tindal. Dorothy is sure he carries his courage.

When asked how she would describe freedom, Dorothy doesn't hesitate. Gazing at the photographs in her lap, she said, "This about says it all."

Dorothy's pride is obvious. She is the grand matriarch of 18

Warren Carl Gridley

grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. She speaks of husband Elmer as though he were sitting beside her.

"Elmer rode horses to the school on Cloverdale Road, sometimes in three feet of snow," she said. "He graduated from Sisters High School and is laid to rest at Camp Polk Cemetery.

"And Dad's brother, Roland 'Corky' Gridley, was into the rodeos. He married Linda M. Warren," said Rusty, Dorothy's youngest son.

Dorothy's blue eyes appear to be as young as they were when she

Cpl. Shaun M. Gridley

was an usherette at the Capitol Theatre in Salem, just before Elmer asked her to dance. Mischievous, with a belle of the ball charm, she is still very much a cowboy's sweetheart.

"I go to Redmond every Wednesday to the Senior Center to dance," she said. "We dance the Cowboy Waltz."