 |
||||||||
 |
||||||||
 |
FEATURE ARTICLES | |
Memo Calendar | Memo Pad | Business Memos | Loaves & Fishes | Letters | Home |
 |
| In the front row during the ceremony honoring veterans of World War II and the Korean War are Jack Lamb, Marv Smith, Phil Lamb, Gene Mousley and Aldo Rossi. |
 |
 |
| With the color guard from the American Legion Post No. 1 behind him, Earl DeKay, Parkrose High School Class of 1945, addresses those assembled during the sometimes emotionally charged ceremony honoring Parkrose veterans of World War II and the Korean War. |
|
 |
| White doves signifying closure, and hopes and dreams set free, were released during the ceremony honoring World War II and Korean War veterans. |
|
 |
| Chatting before the ceremony honoring all veterans of World War II and the Korean conflict, from left, are Jim Dandy restaurant owner Vivian Lonegan, along with Jack Lamb, Shirley Barton and Marv Smith. |
| MEMO PHOTOS: TIM CURRAN |
TIM CURRAN
THE MID-COUNTY MEMO
As part of the weekend long series of events for its 60th reunion held last month, the Parkrose High School Class of 1945 reunion committee not only included all Parkrose alumni from the 1940s, but specifically created an event to honor all Parkrose High School veterans of World War II and the Korean conflict.
The emotional event, held Saturday, Sept. 17, at Parkrose High School and the Parkrose High School Community Center, included flag ceremonies, a plaque unveiling, patriotic songs, a releasing of doves, an Oregon Air National Guard jet flyover and the awarding of five diplomas to former Parkrose students who left school to enlist in the military. The five honored by the school, the community, friends and family were: Earl Hanneman of Beaverton, class of ‘41; Gene Mousley, class of ‘42; and Robert Mitchell of Gresham, Marvin Smith of Vancouver and Jack Lamb of Oregon City, all class of ‘46.
After deciding to include all 1940s graduates as part of their 60th reunion festivities, the reunion committee, which included Shirley Barton, Earl DeKay, Lorrie Schenck and Al Jarvis, saw attendance at its planning meetings grow.
“At each reunion meeting more people showed up wanting to help and be part of it,” says Barton, who, with her artist husband Austin, split their time between homes in Battleground, Wash. and Joseph, Ore. “We wanted to touch hearts with the Saturday event and I think we succeeded.”
During a conversation with Parkrose High School Principal Roy Reynolds as they were scheduling events at the school, Reynolds asked Barton if there were any members of her class that never received their diplomas because of wartime circumstances. The word went out, and five veterans whom had left school to enlist were located. Now in their late 70s and early 80s, the men left to join the Merchant Marine, Navy and Army without completing the necessary credits for graduation. Under a special provision recently approved by the Oregon Legislature, these men were now eligible to receive diplomas.
Also at the ceremony, Parkrose’s super patron Aldo Rossi unveiled a plaque to be installed inside the high school, dedicated to all Parkrose veterans of World War II and the Korean War.
Many of the veterans present said this was the first time they had ever been publicly recognized for their contribution.
Before ceremonies began, sculptor Austin Barton formally donated “Range Boss” to the high school. It’s an 18-inch high bronze sculpture of a Bronco looking skyward.
Later in the evening, a formal dinner for all graduates of the 1940s and their families was held at the Gateway Elks Lodge, followed by a stage show and dancing.
On Sunday, at Parkrose Community United Church of Christ, 22 World War II brides were feted at a silver tea and presented with a large wedding cake.
Others receiving special recognition at the ceremony and reunion were the Muramatsu brothers, George, Frank and Hank. A short time after the attack at Pearl Harbor in December 1941, and only because they were Japanese Americans, the brothers were abruptly removed from school and sent to internment camps. George Muramatsu was student body president when his education was interrupted.
 |
 |
 |
MEMO Advertising | MEMO Archives | MEMO Web Neighbors | MEMO Staff | Home