Sisters pays tribute to fallen

At precisely 11 a.m., in the warm gentle breezes at the Village Green Park, the trumpet sounded assembly for the observance of Memorial Day in Sisters.

Master of Ceremonies John Turner stepped forward to make the call to colors. Redmond High School's Marine Corps JROTC Color Guard, commanded by Colonel David Ferguson, presented and posted the Stars and Stripes.

The National Anthem was performed beautifully in a cappella by the Sisters High School vocal jazz ensemble, led by Michelle Summers, as the crowd of more than 350 stood to attention.

One hundred and forty-one years have passed since the first proclamation in 1868 in General Orders No. 11 to designate May 30 "...for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country..."

Known as Decoration Day till after World War II, Memorial Day was moved from its traditional May 30 date to the last Monday in May by the Uniform Holidays Bill which took effect nationally in 1971.

Guest speaker Dick Tobiason, LTC USA (Ret), opened his speech by recognizing a man in the front row with a full military uniform in his arms. When asked about it the audience heard that it belonged to the man's grandfather who was at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. He had brought the aging uniform in memory.

Tobiason said, "We are here to honor the 1.5 million veterans who have given their lives for our country ...they gave the supreme, the ultimate sacrifice."

Tobiason, who earned 17 air medals, the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart, completed two tours in Vietnam with a total of 140 combat flight hours.

Veterans of Pearl Harbor, Chuck Sellentin and Marvin Emmarson, had the honor of laying the wreath at the memorial stone embedded at the Village Green.

Stephanie King accompanied Sisters High School choir and music teacher, Michelle Summers, as she sang "My Buddy," a World War I-era song about veterans. Reverend Ted Rodrigues of the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration gave the benediction.

Old glory, at half mast, gently moved in the breeze as Jody Henderson reverently blew taps over those who came to pay their respects.