Last
Wednesday the rain and breezy weather set a somber mood for the LBCC Memorial
Day Vigil. It rained enough to move the event from the courtyard to the Eastern
entrance of the campus. The event was sponsored by the LBCC Veteran’s Club and
featured the members of the American Legion Post 10 in Albany and their color
guard, Vets Helping Vets HQ, and Local vets from different wars and different
branches of the service made appearances at the ceremony.
Derek
Smith, the LBCC Vets Club president, presided over the ceremony which included
the LBCC choir honoring the ceremony with a beautiful rendition of the National
Anthem and America the Beautiful, and the Color Guard posted the colors,(the US
and Oregon State flag). Before Smith began the proceedings he requested a
moment of silence for those suffering in Oklahoma during the recent storm.
The
main speaker, Victor Kuhns, President of Vets Helping Vets HQ,
first gave a history of Memorial Day, then explained to the crowd of about 30
to 40 students, staff and guests what Memorial Day meant to him. Kuhns
explained, “Because to them [Veterans] we are able to live in a free society
with liberties that even our most desperate and reviled enemies admire”.
As
he spoke, tears were dapped around the vigil. Kuhns continued with, “The price
was paid for each one of us here today. As my hear weeps and the tears flow”,
he said while choking back his own emotions, “the voice says you will never be
forgotten”. Kuhns also said, “The ones
that have come home have settled into my heart, the ones that didn’t come home
have settled deeper into my heart”.
After
Mr. Kuhns completed his thoughts in words, Derek Smith introduced Eriq Thompson
of the Boy Scout Troop 99 in Albany. The young Mr. Thompson played a heart
wrenching presentation of Taps in honor of all the fallen from the past and
present.
Derek
Smith explained that before the ending of the vigil, there were some very
special guests, Robin and Mecenna Davis, which needed to be recognized. Smith,
struggling with his own emotions, announced the presentation of a memorial flag
to Robin in honor of her father, Staff Sargent Kevin Davis, US Army. Tears
streamed down Mecenna’s face as Robin was presented a folded flag by a color
guard member who handed it to her on bended knee.
Smith
continued after the presentation with, “We would like to extend our sincere
condolences to your entire family”, again Smith battled with his emotions, “The
loss of Kevin was not in vain and we are truly in dept to you”, Smith said as
he spoke directly to the Davis Family members who were there.
Derek
Smith concluded the vigil by thanking all those groups and people who were
responsible in making the event successful, including the LBCC Vets Club, LBCC
Student Leadership Council, campus staff and administration, LBCC Choral Group,
American Legion, Post 10 and Color Guard in Albany, American Legion, Post 51 in
Lebanon, Victor Kuhns, President, Vets Helping Vets HQ, and Eriq Thompson of
the Boy Scout Troop 99 in Albany. After the colors were retired, everyone was
thanked and dismissed.
One
of the things that made this event special was the presence of Dave Adams of
KGAL Radio. The entire ceremony was being broadcasted on KGAL during their
Valley Talk radio show and was also being streamed live on operationeagleswing.com
and vetshelpingvetshq.us. The entire vigil can be seen on YouTube at youtu.be/8hyFNA51JyE
One
of the people in attendance was LBCC’s own theater instructor and director Dan
Stone, who said, “I want thank the Veteran's Club for a memorable heart felt
service today. As a veteran myself who has experienced the loss of friends and
family in the line of duty I am greatly appreciative.”
Even
with the vigil being moved to a less than high traffic area on campus, and with
less than perfect weather, it seems to be very success full. Even though the
attendance was a little less than expected, it seemed to be a wonderful and
emotional event in showing respect to those armed services that have fallen.
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