You’re invited to our annual Memorial Day Observance on Monday, May 28th at the Winona Cemetery, 10:45AM, followed by a Memorial Day Picnic at the Tualatin Community Park at 11:45AM – 1:30PM.
PROGRAM
Opening of Ceremony 10:45 am Emcee: Dale Potts, Vietnam War Veteran
Missing Man Maneuver Flyover Narrator: Norb Murray, Vietnam War Veteran
National Anthem and Posting of Colors Crimsonnaires and the Tualatin Police Honor Guard
Opening Prayer Darrion Bowers, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Army vet
America the Beautiful Tualatin High School Crimsonnaires
Pledge of Allegiance Jerry Larsen, Navy/Vietnam War Veteran
Welcome Mike Hannegan, Winona Cemetery Board President
Remarks Lou Ogden, Mayor of Tualatin
Remarks State Representative Julie Parrish
Honored Veteran Gorden Sunde, Korean & Vietnam War Veteran
Poem, “In Flanders Fields†Kathy Walsh, Winona Cemetery Board
Remarks Phyllis Houston, Tualatin VFW Auxiliary 3452
Order Arms/Taps • Tualatin Police Honor Guard: Eric Herman, Wes Girardi, Jack Rose and Matt Messina • Bugler: Martin Murrell
—Moment of Silence—
GORDEN SUNDE
Gordon had three years of college when summoned to meet with his local draft board. When they told him was going to drafted, He told them that he had “a better offer, as an Air Force aviation cadet.†By that time, the Army Air Corps had become a separate branch of the U.S. military. After completing flight training, Gordon was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant, at age 24, in 1955. Our country was in the “cold war†stage by that time. He was assigned to the Air Defense Force which was designed to provide a defensive air shield against a possible attack by long-range, manned Soviet bombers. Stationed at Stewart Air Force Base in New York. He flew both jets and propeller driven planes, T33 shooting Star, B25, C47 and F86F fighters. These planes provided radar and air weather service information to bomber and fighter squadrons as well as overseeing weather stations. When not flying, he oversaw plane maintenance records.
After active duty, Gordon continued as a pilot in the Air Force Reserve where he advanced to the rank of Major. He finished college, graduating with a BS in Psychology from Arizona State University. He did graduate work and then went to work as a Probation/Parole Officer for the Tri-County area. He was temporarily activated many times while in the Reserves; flying a C-141 Starlifter (with four jet engines) for the Military Airlift Command. transporting soldiers, equipment, and supplies from McCord Air Force Base to Vietnam and also between Vietnam bases. He returned with body bags, KIA military.
MISSING MAN MANEUVER FLYOVER
The Ravens are a group of pilots from our nation’s western states who fly their RV airplanes in formation at air shows and various other aviation events. They fly with a degree of discipline and precision that rivals any other realm of civilian aviation.
When a fellow aviator passes away, a wonderful way to honor them is the Missing Man formation. This is a four-ship formation fly-over in which one pilot pulls up and out of the formation, leaving a symbolic empty slot in honor of the “missing man.†While it is a solemn experience, it can be incredibly emotional and moving for the family and loved ones who wish to honor those who have passed on.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Flags donated by Hillsboro Post 2666 Auxiliary, placed on Veteran’s graves by Cub Scout Pack 35, Bryon Elementary and Cub Scout Pack 480, Bridgeport Elementary, and coordinated by Kathy Walsh
Thanks to Sherilyn Lombos, Tualatin City Manager and Jerald A. Postema, Tualatin Public Works Director
Thanks to the Tualatin Valley Fire Department
Thanks to Boy Scout Troop 530 H Thanks to Patriot Guard Riders
Thanks to Kim Kroeger, Crimsonnaires Director
Flyover thanks to the West Coast Ravens, Pilots: Steve Christopher, Wendell Foltz, George Ford, Pete Forsyth, Cliff Gerber, Len Kauffman and Steve Payne.
Operations Director: Jared Summers
Sound System: Mike Moore — Big Screen Presentations
Program Printing: Graphic Expressions
Program Design: Tualatin Life
Photography: Chad Baker Photography
Advisors: Brian and Carolyn Horne
FREE PICNIC
Don’t miss the free picnic at Tualatin Community Park 11:30 to 1:30 brought to you by Tualatin VFW Auxiliary 3452.
Business sponsor donations paid for food; Dalton’s Northwest Catering donated food preparation, tableware and service.