By Cathy Ingalls
Albany Democrat-Herald | Posted: Tuesday, November 11, 2008 12:00 am
The firing of three 105 mm howitzers followed by the playing of echo Taps signaled the end of the annual veterans memorial service this morning at Timber-Linn Memorial Park.
Later this morning, the mid-valley marked Veterans Day with the traditional parade through downtown Albany.
This morning's service was the first at the new veterans memorial, constructed by volunteers. Previously, the annual service was at Eleanor Hackleman Park.
Veterans and their families from World War II onward huddled under blue canopies to get out of the rain and wind during the short service, which started at 8 a.m.
In the front row were friends and family of Lance Cpl. Tyler Troyer, killed in Iraq on Nov. 19, 2005. His mother, Terri Thorpe, said the family has attended all Veterans Day observances since Troyer was killed.
Speakers included Maj. Gen. Raymond F. Rees, adjutant general of the Oregon National Guard, and Jim Willis, director of the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs. They used the words sacrifice, honor, freedom, liberty and service to describe what Americans owe the 1.3 million men and women who have died for their country since its beginning.
"This is the day many veterans of days gone by would like to have taken part, but they couldn't make it home," said Gene Peery of Scio, the master of ceremonies and an Army veteran helicopter pilot. "We're here to celebrate freedom and their memory and to remember to always keep in front of us their honor, and to make this a day of unity and pride."
Referring to the weather, Peery joked that it would have been nice if World
War I had ended in July or August.
The war ended Nov. 11, 1918, and the Armistice Day marking the anniversary later became Veterans Day.
Willis said there are 351,000 veterans living in Oregon. Oregonians appreciate their having served, he said.
Following the speeches, Thorpe and Grace Burkhart, representing Gold Star families, placed a wreath of red, white and blue carnations near the American flag. Another wreath was presented to honor prisoners of war.