Tom Koenninger Nov. 12: Vancouver parades its patriotism

Is Vancouver, USA the most patriotic city in America? Last week provided more evidence for laying claim to super patriotism.

On Wednesday, Cheryl Bledsoe of Vancouver was recognized as the 2008 recipient of the George C. Marshall Public Leadership Award. The award honors the legacy of Gen. Marshall, a World War II commander and creator of the Marshall Plan that aided economic recovery of war-ravaged Europe. Marshall received the Nobel Peace Prize for that, and later served as secretary of state and president of the American Red Cross. He was commander of the Fifth Infantry Brigade at Vancouver Barracks from 1936 to 1938, and greeted the Russian aviators who landed here in 1937 and completed the world’s first transpolar flight.

Bledsoe, 34, is emergency management manager for the Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency. The award is based on leadership ability, public service commitment, academic achievement and potential for continuing public service. This is the 20th year of the program, one of several organized by the Vancouver National Historic Reserve Trust under the theme “Celebrate Freedom.”

Saturday the trust, through organizers Kim Hash and Deborah Walstra, presented the 22nd annual Veterans Day Parade along Officers Row, ending at Esther Short Park. There were 109 entries, many Scout troops and marching bands from Heritage, Hudson’s Bay, Camas and Columbia River high schools. An estimated 2,500 people of all ages rode or marched in what is touted as one of the largest Veterans Day parades on the West Coast.

The soul-stirring moment came just after 11 a.m. as Kyra Smith sang “God Bless The USA” through the roar of a 21-gun salute by the 2nd Battalion, 218th Field Artillery unit of the Oregon National Guard, and a jet flyover by the 142nd Fighter Interceptor Group of the Oregon Air National Guard. Vancouver Police Officer Rey Reynolds opened the event by singing the national anthem.

Presiding as master of ceremonies at the Officers Row reviewing stand, Elson Strahan, trust president, announced the estate of Frank and JoAnne Lough is providing a $1 million endowment to cover expenses of future Veterans Day parades and educational programs.

Vancouver Mayor Royce Pollard recalled how Jerry Bloss and Fred Robertson approached him 22 years ago with the idea of staging a Veterans Day parade when he was commander of the Vancouver Barracks.

Pollard said veterans were “prepared to give their lives to protect us against those who would do us great harm. You’re here,” he told the crowd, “because you care about our patriots.”

Retired Navy Rear Admiral Mark Feichtinger, reviewing officer and practicing Vancouver attorney, spoke of the many military people who gave their lives to serve a purpose — “the pursuit of peace.” Veterans, he said, are men and women, people of every color, who served so that we can “exercise our rights in a robust democracy.” Each generation steps up to the responsibility of peacekeeping and each seeks a lasting peace, he noted. The admiral said, “the military is a leadership machine,” and that leadership carries into civilian life.

That rainy Saturday served up a strong reminder of the valor, and strength of many who protect us, and of this special place of longtime military presence.

Vancouver has distinguished itself in national history through the services of thousands who once resided here: Marshall, Ulysses S. Grant, O.O. Howard, Phil Sheridan, Thomas Anderson and others. They are part of nearly 200 years of history represented on the 366-acre historic reserve.

Among the distinguished people connected to our community are four Medal of Honor recipients buried in the Vancouver Barracks Cemetery just east of Interstate 5: First Sgt. James M. Hill, First Sgt. Moses Williams, First Lt. William W. McCammon and Bugler Herman Pfisterer.

That’s why the passion of patriotism runs strong and deep here on the north shore of the Columbia River.

TOM KOENNINGER is editor emeritus of The Columbian. His column appears on Wednesdays. Reach him at koenninger@comcast.net.