Memorial Day Observance Ceremony

0:00 ♪♪ Ladies and gentlemen, we'd like to welcome you to our observance of Memorial Day. I hope everybody's comfortable. This could be a long ceremony. It's scheduled for about an hour and a half. It may go a little longer, so please be comfortable. We do have a few Gold Star families here.

0:57 I didn't get all the names, but you'll see them there. Please, as you get a chance after, greet them and let them know you care. Let's do this. I'm going to remind you that there will be some noisy activity during the program. During the military honors portion, there will be artillery fire and rifle fire. There will also be a flyover of F-15s from the 142nd Air Wing in Portland. So if you have children, pets or others who may be affected by the noise, please take appropriate precautions. So we're ready to get started. Welcome, everybody. We begin with the posting of the colors and the national anthem.

1:55 The Veterans of Foreign Wars, post 7824, will serve as the honor guard posting the colors, followed by color guards from the Lewis and Clark Young Marines, the Civil Air Patrol, I believe they're here. I didn't get a confirmation. The Vietnamese Community Color Guard and the Cowlitz Warrior Color Guard. A reminder, I mentioned this earlier, just so you know, you are on Native American soil. That's why we have them involved and by all of the Cowlitz Warriors are also veterans. If you're able, please stand and stand for those who cannot for the posting of the colors and singing of the national anthem. VFW, post 7824, post the colors. Take care, up and go. Forward, halt.

2:54 Forward, halt. Detailed, halt. Present, halt.

3:53 Post. The national anthem will be sung by Talyan, a Vancouver, Washington resident.

4:48 She is active in community, enjoys volunteering with children's after school programs and is currently on the board of directors and is president of our neighborhood association. Talyan. Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light what so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming. And bright stars through the perilous fight o'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming.

5:48 And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.

6:06 Oh, say does that star spangled banner yet wave o'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

6:52 Oh. Thank you to our color guards. You can tell it wasn't rehearsed, but they're all volunteers. And we can't get by without volunteers. Very well done. Very well done.

7:51 Again, thank you for joining us for the observation. Please be seated, everybody. I'm sorry. Memorial Day is a partnership. This observation is a partnership with the Community Military Appreciation Committee of Clark County, the Historic Trust, the National Park Service and the city of Vancouver. I'm retired Air Force Captain Rod Williams, a member of CMAAC in the Columbia River chapter of the Military Officers Association of America. I'm honored to be your master of ceremonies again today. During the program, you'll hear about the history and meaning of this very special day across the USA. Our Memorial Day observance here will give you an opportunity to remember those veterans you have lost during or subsequent to many conflicts in our history and those who have otherwise been lost while or because of their service protecting our nation.

8:50 Today, we remember all veterans lost due to their service. You should have been offered a small US flag as you entered the area. You will see how this part plays part in your personal and our collective remembrance later in the program. A reminder, silence your phones. You're welcome to take photos. Just be considerate of others. And a reminder again about all the noise. But we've said that three times now, so OK. Before we begin, I would like to thank all the many volunteers and supporting organizations without whom a program like this would not be possible. You just heard the Vancouver Community Concert Band play a medley of patriotic songs conducted by Aaron Hanson. You'll hear more of them later.

9:45 At about 1031, there will be a flyover of F-15's. We're the first one on their list. They're going to 18 different sites in Washington and Oregon. And it's 250 F-15's piloted by Captain Justin Slammerkymph and Captain Dustin Thud Cop. They like those names, don't they? Somewhere in our group, Colonel Josh Hovannes is out here. He's the deputy commander for 142nd. His call sign is slash. In your program, you'll see a list of sponsors, participants, partners, and volunteers who have contributed financially and through many voluntary hours and support to bring this program to you.

10:34 We thank them all. We could not list them all up here. Please go to your programs and you'll see that list. To get the program started, let me introduce our official party on stage in no particular order. Chief of CMAQ, Ron Powers. Superintendent of National Park Services, Tracey Fortman. Vancouver Mayor, Anne McEnerny-Ogle. Vancouver Chief of Police, Troy Price. Clark County Councilman, Glenn Young. Washington State Representative, Sharon Wiley. U.S. Representative, Marie Glusenkamp-Perez. And our keynote speaker, retired Navy Captain Marv Sirhan. Also, Pastor Donal Singleton.

11:27 I think I got everybody. Did I miss anybody? We got them. Good. Larry Smith snuck up here. He's the former co-chair of CMAQ and one of the founders of CMAQ. I'll ask Reverend Singleton, Chaplain for CMAQ, to offer an invocation. Donal Singleton was a Navy Submariner, served 22 years, including aboard USS George Washington and USS Asheville. He was an electronic warfare officer, division officer at the guided missile school. Pastor Singleton is also the president of the Moses Williams Chapter of the Buffalo Soldiers.

12:21 Good morning, family. I pray that you're well. This morning, as we start a prayer, I want you to understand something. I'm a Baptist minister, so I'm going to say Jesus a lot. Now, if you don't believe in Jesus, I want you to say who you call on when I say Jesus. Can we agree to that? Amen. So let's just bow our heads and get started here. Almighty and graceful God, we gather here today with grateful heart and pause to remember and honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. We thank you, oh Lord, for your courage. I don't know how you were able to, in the midst of everything that was going on, to run in the midst of fire towards that fire.

13:19 I don't know how you built the courage up to protect us no matter what, that you gave all you had to make sure that we would have a better life. And not only a life, but a life more abundantly. We're so thankful as we remember what you did for us. Oh Lord, bless everybody under the sound of my voice. This is not an easy day, Father, but we've come here today to remember, remember those who have gone on before us. Bless us, Lord. All these things we asked in Jesus' name, for in Jesus' name we pray, and the family and church said, "Amen." Thank you.

14:18 We had to give him a certain time, he could have been here for a while. I'd also now like to introduce Ron Powers. Ron, he's been around for quite a while here in Vancouver. He's a veteran, educator, and community leader. He enlisted in the U.S. Army right out of high school and served four years during the Vietnam War era. He then earned his bachelor's degree in business administration through the G.I. Bill. He later completed an MBA while employed for 32 years of Kraft Foods and Mondelez International. For 12 years, Ron has been an adjunct professor for business at Clark College and at Larch Correctional Center. Ron has been married to Paula for 47 years.

15:10 They have three children, five grandchildren, two step-grandchildren. His life and work continue to reflect deep commitment to service, education, and community engagement. Ron? Thanks a lot, Rod, and of course I've got a place to follow Reverend Donnell, so hopefully I can come across excited to see you. Good morning, and welcome to our Memorial Day ceremony here at Fort Vancouver. On behalf of CMAQ, the National Park Service, the City of Vancouver, and the Historical Trust, thank you for joining with us today.

15:46 And of course we appreciate our elected officials that are with us, community leaders, veteran organizations, active duty military that you see around in uniform today, of course the Gold Star families, and the volunteers of a cast of thousands that have helped put this on, and all members of the community who have come together to honor this very important day. Memorial Day is far more than just beginning the summer. It is a sacred day of remembrance. It is a day when we pause as a nation to remember the men and women of our armed forces who gave their lives in service to our country and in defense of the freedoms that we enjoy every day. Many of us are gathered today with family and friends on this holiday weekend, but before we do, we should take a moment to reflect on the true reason we are here today.

16:43 The freedoms we often take for granted, the ability to speak freely, worship freely, pursue our dreams, and live in a free nation come at a tremendous cost. Today we're going to honor those who never came home. We remember their courage, their sacrifice, and the families who continue to carry their memory forward. We also remember the Gold Star families whose sacrifice continues long after the battlefield. As we begin today's ceremony, I ask that we keep the spirit of remembrance in our hearts and commit ourselves to ensuring that the sacrifices of our fallen heroes are never forgotten. Thank you for being here, and thank you for helping us honor their legacy.

17:32 And I would like to introduce our next speaker, Tracy Foreman. Tracy Foreman is a career National Park Service employee who began her career as a political analyst stationed in Washington, D.C. She has worked in a number of national parks, including the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, the Jewel Cave National Monument. She has also served on major fires, storms, oil spills, and large-scale public events throughout the national park system. Tracy oversees multiple historical areas in Washington and Oregon. As a superintendent of Fort Vancouver National Historical Site, the park's visitation has more than tripled to cover over one million annually. Under her tenure, the park has assumed responsibility for the McLaughlin House site in Oregon City and the East and West Vancouver Barracks.

18:28 With the responsibility of preserving and sharing the many stories associated with the 19th and 20th century here, she has forged strong partnerships with CMAQ and other nonprofit organizations that thoughtfully speak to this nationally significant historical U.S. Army post. On a personal note, as a military dependent, she grew up on bases and posts within the United States and overseas. Ladies and gentlemen, Ms. Tracy Fortman. Wow, I didn't deserve that much, but thank you very much. So, on this very special Memorial Day of 2026, I welcome you to Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, your national park.

19:21 Every year, our community assembles on the old Vancouver Barracks Parade Ground to reflect and pay our respects to the American soldiers who gave their lives for our nation. And I'm going to move away from my script here for just a second and ask everybody, CMAQ, particularly Katie out there, raise your hand. All of the volunteers, CMAQ, don't hide, Katie. Katie's been the lead, the workhorse in making this happen. So everybody who volunteered, Scouts, I see you out there, raise your hand so we really have a true sense of how many people made this event happen.

20:14 Although every Memorial Day is important, this year in particular, on the 250th anniversary of American independence, requires us to recognize the many battles, wars, conflicts, and other events over the years that have claimed the lives of so many brave soldiers. Two hundred and fifty years ago, still in its infancy, our nation stepped forward in a bold act of defiance and claimed to England sovereign, "No more. We have had enough." King George III had already made his feelings publicly known about the 13 colonies by referring to us as disaffected upstarts who were due a day of reckoning.

21:12 But our nation was composed of scrappy, passionate, fiercely independent souls who dared to bind together to rebel against the unjust sovereign. The first major general to die in defense of our country, Dr. Joseph Warren, fought as a volunteer at the Battle of Bunker Hill on June 17, 1775. His dying words were, "I am a dead man. Fight on, my brave fellows, for the salvation of your country." This year, I believe we all have a duty as Americans to take the time to reflect and consider our past.

22:01 We all recognize that the American Revolution, by rebuking a tyrannical king, was necessary, even essential, for us to move forward and grow as a free nation, liberated to determine our own principles and form of government. There was, however, a cost of seeking our freedom 250 years ago. For some, the supreme cost was paid. Many soldiers from the Continental Army and militia were killed in battle or died due to the extreme hardships and horrific conditions that wars bring. There were also the cost to others, the unbearable trauma to the families who survived the loss of their loved ones who died in defense of a fledgling country.

22:57 Our nation has taken up arms since the Revolution. Each war has tested the mettle of us as a people, and we have learned that no war, battle, or conflict is or should be entered into easily. Yet, each time we have been called upon to unsheathe our sword, citizens that believe with full certainty in our nation, our Constitution, and our democracy have willingly stepped forward and placed themselves in harm's way. Nathan Hale, a schoolteacher from Connecticut, volunteered as a spy for the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. He was captured by the British and executed.

23:54 According to legend, his last words were, "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country." Although not well known or written about, there have been many, many, many others who have died who have had the same sentiments as Hale. Our country has no shortage of heroes. We are grateful to all who have taken up arms, who come from all walks of life, and who choose to protect our nation and our ideals. We can never and we must never take them for granted. The heartbreaking cost of war is that some of our soldiers will not return. Their deaths must be remembered and commemorated.

24:46 Their sacrifice speaks to our democracy and what we hold so true, so dear. This year, the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, let us all take the time to remember and honor these proud patriots and the families they left behind. Let us remember that without these heroes, our nation, our homes, our democratic way of life would not exist. Without them, we would not be here today. Today, we remember them. Today, we honor them. Today, in our hearts, we know we will never forget them.

25:40 And now it's my distinct honor and pleasure to introduce Chief Troy Price who joined the Vancouver Police Department in 1997. He rose through the ranks, so he's homegrown. He's one of us, to become Chief of Police in 2024. He has served as a patrol officer, street crimes detective, property crimes detective, joint terrorist task force agent, sergeant, lieutenant, assistant chief, and deputy chief. He's done his time, and he's now our chief. So, with further ado, come on forward, Chief. Thank you. Those that know me, and thank you for that introduction, it makes me feel even older. Those that know me know that I'm a student of the Bible.

26:39 Those that really know me know that I teach a weekly online class to people who want to know me.

27:09 Do we need to pass on a flyover?

27:39 One of the things that I found interesting, whether I'm studying Bible or studying history, is there's a recurring theme. Can't hear you. Can't hear me. We don't have electricity up here.

28:20 Do the master can. Okay, hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on.

28:57 Testing, testing, testing. I'm gonna talk faster in case it happens again. In my study of the Bible and history, one of the things I've noticed is there's a recurring theme, and it's about sacrifice. And it's because of sacrifice that we're actually here today. People, men and women, who were dedicated to something bigger than themselves, gave something that they valued for the betterment of us all.

29:52 And so we see it in going back in history all the way to the beginnings of our country to now. Our folks who gave their lives back in World War I had no idea, it never even entered their mind, that we would have streets being overrun with electric cars. They never imagined that we would be a nation that would actually help the world because of their sacrifices back then. In fact, those who are serving right now have no idea what their sacrifices will equal 50, 100, 200, 250 years down the line. So what we do, we just come and serve. That's the sacrifice. It's I'm willing to give up anything to make sure I get the job done. And the results down the line, I can't even imagine what those will be. So we honor those who just show up and do the job.

30:43 We honor those who said, I'm going to raise my hand, I pledge allegiance to this flag and to this country, and I'm going to serve and serve well. Because of the sacrifices before, I get to live in a nice house in a nice country. I have the freedoms that I have. I get to serve the greatest city in the United States of America, Vancouver, Washington, and I do it proudly. You know what? There are sacrifices being made by each one of us. Anytime we take time to not do what we want to do, but what is good for others, that's a sacrifice. The ultimate sacrifice was paid by those who laid their lives down. And I bet even they, in that moment when they departed this world, had no idea that we would be sitting here today honoring them. And we have to honor them. The families who lost, you're not alone.

31:36 Our entire country mourns with you because that loss wasn't just yours, it was ours collectively as a nation. Each sacrifice of a life is a down payment, an investment on a sound, secure future for our nation. We can never stop making that payment. I look forward to a day when there is no war, but until then, let's keep doing what we came here to do. Let's keep doing our jobs. Let's understand that there will be sacrifices made and that we can't avoid that. But let's never, ever, ever stop honoring those who came before us and paid the price. It is my distinct pleasure to introduce the mayor of the greatest city in America. She's had three terms as mayor. I asked her how many more she's going to do. She said as many as I can get away with.

32:35 Mayor Ann McNerney-Ockel. It's always fun to follow Troy. This is his last Memorial Day. He has announced that come January he'll be retiring and we will miss that voice of Vancouver. Thank you so very much for joining us today. Thank you to my colleagues. You saw Mayor Pro Tem Sarah Fox in the flag posting of the colors. I've seen Diana Perez, Ty Stover. I understand Bart Henson is here somewhere. But we also have several county counselors that are with us. If you are an elected official, whether it's for the school board, the sewer district, the cemetery district, whatever.

33:31 Would you please stand for us? Thank you so very much. It's always an honor to welcome you at this Memorial Day observance. And as Tracy pointed out, a lot of folks volunteering from CMAQ. Money's from National Natural Gas Waste Connections are sponsoring it. Tracy, thank you so much for mowing the lawn and getting everything ready for us. It's kind of like when mom comes to visit, we clean house, make sure everything is looking pretty sharp for everyone. Marv is our retired naval flight officer. He'll be talking to you in a moment. But you heard from the previous speakers about the Gold Star families. And if you didn't notice, they have little chairs in front here with gold seat covers on them.

34:26 And those are the families that we honor today, among others. They are with us with their families, mothers and fathers, partners and children whose loved ones gave everything for our freedom. To the Gold Star families who are here today and all across our state and nation, your grief is our grief. Your loss is our loss. And your courage and resilience inspire all of us. We stand with you not just today, but every day in remembrance and gratitude. But we also have Blue Star families. And if you don't know what a Blue Star family is, you need to find that out. Because if you have a service member, you need to be wearing that Blue Star. These are the families with ongoing sacrifices for the good of our country that need to be noticed.

35:26 So thank you for your steadfast support of our military and our nation. And like many in our community, I feel fortunate, just as Troy said, to live in a place with such rich military history. For more than 160 years, thousands of soldiers have called the barracks their home. And in 2011, when the Army officially moved out, the barracks began a new chapter in its history. But the legacy of the barracks will live on. And through preservation and education, led by Tracy and her staff in the National Park Service, the Historic Trust and the City of Vancouver, it will honor the history of this place and the memory of all of those who served here. And not just on Memorial Day, but every day. While we often celebrate Memorial Day with barbecues and, yes,

36:22 1,000 hot dogs over there that we expect you to eat. But also with picnics and sales for mattresses and everything else. These gatherings reflect the beautiful freedoms secured through great sacrifice. A sacrifice shaped by a deep love of country and the quiet courage to step forward and run toward danger in defense of all of us. Our country is what it is today because of the service members whose names are carved on the Clark County Veterans Memorial, on countless other memorials across our nation, neighbors who selflessly served and died for this country. Today, we respectfully acknowledge their bravery, their service, their commitment and their sacrifice.

37:22 And in their honor, I ask that you take a moment today to reflect on what Memorial Day really does mean to you. What will you do for your country today? What will you do tomorrow? For our country to look like this, how will we help it continue to be our country and those who are still fighting for us? We owe them all and we owe their family a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid. Individuals who fought for the love of their country with a sense of loyalty and bravery beyond some people's comprehension. What will you do for your family, your neighbor, your city, your county, your nation?

38:18 What will you sacrifice because we owe so many this day and so much more? Thank you so much. Our next speaker is Sharon Wiley, Washington state representative. You're now in your eighth term. She's represented Vancouver in the state legislature since 2011. Sharon, please. Today, we're here to honor and respect those who have died to protect our country, our institutions and the freedom of people they will never meet.

39:13 I've never been asked to speak at this event before, and it was a huge honor to be asked. I do a lot of speaking, but this felt very different. This moment has me reflecting on history and thinking more deeply about what it means to share this moment with all of you. The first Memorial Day was observed right after the Civil War, when thousands and thousands of soldiers died to keep us together as a country. We're honoring the history of our country this year, and we were honoring our history and our country after emerging from an incredibly bloody and costly divide. I thought a lot about what it means for human contact to be lived on a small screen lately. We're surrounded by technology now, and I worry a lot about the loss of empathy and the loss of true connection. But technology is also shaping how wars are fought.

40:13 This has always been true, but today drones and cyber warfare are making the deaths of our dedicated soldiers distant stories on a small screen. But homes and people are still destroyed. Our soldiers are at risk of bombs and long-range devices. Technology has reduced human cost and suffering to the visual equivalent of a video game sometimes, a game where pieces of buildings and opponents fly apart and are back together to start all over again. For me, this means community is more important. We have an obligation and a sacred duty to each other. We have a sacred duty to be connected and to take care of each other so that the sacrifices our sons and daughters have made will not be for nothing. Today, in this moment, we have an opportunity to look into the eyes of our neighbors and friends

41:12 who have lost people they love to the fight to preserve our democracy. They've made sure that even if we are not in the military, we will never lose our freedom to gather, speak, tell the truth, disagree, or find ourselves incarcerated without the protection of the rule of law. Years ago, a writer named John Nesbitt wrote about the impact of technology on humans, and he coined the phrase "high tech, high touch." When we have technology, we have to work harder to stay connected to each other. He believed that human health and well-being depended on that connection and that the connection was more important when we're surrounded by technology. The most powerful experience I have had personally to define the value of freedom happened right after 9/11. My husband and I were stranded in the South to take a trip when 9/11 happened.

42:10 We didn't get home, so we continued on our trip, and we ended up at the POW Museum in Andersonville. That national park monument honoring the dead was built on the death of the Civil War veterans and the prisoners of war. It was a video movie that had live conversations from people going back to World War I through the Iraqi war, people that risked everything and were taken prisoner. To me, that was another view of what our freedoms cost and what that obligation is to live well and to do well by each other. It increased my commitment to my community, to my country, and to our military members and their families.

43:06 For me, that means reaching out to each other, looking into our faces and those who have sacrificed and lost the people they love. I urge us all to truly see each other and to not let those small screens weaken our ability to see and hear our neighbors and to act on that, to see how we can help each other, to ask how others are feeling, to notice body language and to look into people's eyes, to make sure our neighbors have what they need, to participate in our government and hold our leaders accountable to our values, and to thank our military families more often than just on Memorial Day, to make sure that our promises to the families of our soldiers are kept and to make sure that when our other soldiers who live do return after serving,

44:01 that they are seen, respected, and welcomed home. Thank you. Our next speaker is U.S. Representative Marie Glusenkamp-Perez. Marie Glusenkamp-Perez's working class roots run deep in Washington State. Her great-grandpa, Bert Gilmore, was a quarry foreman who helped build the Washington State Capitol. Her grandmother, Carol Gilmore, was born in a logging camp in Sappho, I hope that's the right pronunciation, Washington. Marie's own parents met in Western Washington University after her father immigrated from Mexico. Before being elected to Congress, Marie and her husband, Dean, built an independent auto repair shop.

44:58 Like so many working families in Washington, Marie and Dean know how tough it is it has been to navigate this economy. She worries about the rising cost of essentials like childcare, gas, and medicine. Marie's connection to her district, Washington's third district, is deeply personal. She and Dean are raising their young son in a home they built themselves, just like many of their neighbors in rural Skamania County. Her experiences as a small business owner, mother, and active community member give her a unique perspective on the challenges faced by people she represents. Thank you for that introduction. Every year I spend a lot of time writing the speech before I come up here, and every year I find myself rewriting it because of the depth of thinking and seriousness of feeling that I hear from our speakers here.

45:54 And like a former speaker, I also find myself sort of irked by the mattress sales and the appropriation of Memorial Day as something jovial or frivolous. And I also, in some ways, see the urgency here, the appropriateness of the beginning of summer marked by Memorial Day, that the security of harvest, the security of bounty, is predicated and reliant on sacrifice, on what it takes to have a strong country, and to stay grounded in that, and recognize that this is not free. This is a bitter, enduring cost for so many families, and families I've spent time with this year, to meet these parents, and as a mother myself, to see what a profound loss and a durable loss it is.

46:48 And to all of you who have gathered here today, I want to thank you. As Sharon was saying, the necessity of community, especially now, if you yourself have not lost a family member, a close friend, to stand alongside those who are, because that loss doesn't leave us. It's a durable hole. And instead of choosing isolation, to choose community, to not have the recriminations or bitterness amongst each other, but to support and an urgency in choosing that community. And so I'm so proud of you all here today for choosing to be in real life together. Earlier today, I was reminded by a woman, Ruth, to hold my flag up straight, please.

47:34 Kindly, she reminded me. But the seriousness of respect for the material world around us, that is not a piece of paper, it is not a piece of fabric, that it has a much deeper meaning to us, and that we ought to honor that and be cognizant of it, not be subservient to our own feelings of nervousness before a speech. Not just on thoughts of inward thinking, self-consciousness, but to think about the greater good, to think about the seriousness of the task. We have inherited a great country, a strong country, a country that was built on deep sacrifice, and to hold that close to our hearts above our own feelings of recriminations or isolation or whatever it is, but instead to say that the seriousness of the gift we've been handed requires a gift,

48:25 and a lack of self-conscious sacrifice on our part also, to choose community, to choose honor, to choose to make this country stronger than it is today through action every day, not just on Memorial Day. At this time of year, I also am reminded of my grandpa, who is in the 82nd Airborne, and I'd like to, on the behalf of daughters, granddaughters, wives, to any of you here who have blown your knees out jumping out of airplanes or any other kind of service, please stop using your tractor as a mobility device. Go out and get a scooter from the VA, and if you have trouble getting a scooter from the VA, I am here to help you. That is my job, and often the issues that you point to are not, these are not self-interested problems.

49:12 You're pointing to a systemic problem, and I've been so grateful to all of the veterans who have come alongside me, who had no background in real elected experience, and taught me how to be useful, who guided me in my work, and I want to affirm for you that the work that you are doing in leading me in the roundtables you come to in the letters that you send is truly shaping policy in Washington, D.C. This year alone, we are able to move legislation, getting us closer to having, somebody asked to be able to park their RV at the VA when they have a low-level procedure. I have veterans in South Bend who are not making appointments because of the amount of time it takes to drive back and forth to the VA. You know, if you need to have your eyes dilated, you can drive your camper there and stay the night if you need to.

50:00 That's the idea of what we're going for. Transportation for highly rural veterans, having the ability to use VA home loans to purchase a slip for a mobile home, these are all things that have been led by veterans that we've been able to move through step by step in the appropriations process where I serve. And I'm so grateful to all of you for guiding my work and for setting an example of what service looks like at a time when honestly it can be hard to find people that lionize self-sacrifice. You all here do that in a way that I am profoundly grateful for and that all of us in this country are. It's not just your family members, it's all of us who stand here in awe and grateful and gratitude to you.

50:46 And so today as we kick off our hot dogs and our celebration of community, let's remember what our security, what our bounty is based on, where it comes from, and stand resolute in supporting the families and the service members who have made a sacrifice to bring us the security we enjoy today. Thank you. (applause) Thank you very much for that. Our keynote speaker today is a retired Navy captain whose career spanned 27 plus years as a naval flight officer and squadron commander. Captain Marv "Rip" Sirhan flew combat missions in Operation Desert Storm, later had command of a West Coast Fleet Aviation specialized training command,

51:44 and logged more than 4,000 flight hours and 1,020 carrier arrested landings in fighter aircraft on nine conventional and nuclear powered aircraft carriers. Whoa. That's awesome. A distinguished Toastmaster and respected speaker on character and ethical leadership, Captain Sirhan brings to us a message forged in the cockpit and tempered by decades of service. Captain Sirhan's talk today is titled Character Plus Circumstance Equals Destiny. Please welcome to the podium, Captain Rip Sirhan.

52:32 Thank you, Colonel. Much appreciated. We gather here this Memorial Day not to speak for the fallen, but to remember a simple, sobering truth. We live because they no longer can. Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests, Gold Star families, we're honored by your presence. Fellow veterans, veterans of the greatest generation, your service set the standard and we thank you.

53:27 Throughout our history in moments of grave danger, Americans have risen to the occasion to serve. In every generation, soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, Coast Guardsmen, National Guard, and merchant mariners have endured hardship, faced danger, and given their lives to preserve our way of life. One of those Americans is a gentleman by the name of Niall Kinnock. In 1941, this young patriot chose to serve his country rather than pursue a lucrative career in professional sports or politics. Niall Kinnock was a consensus All-American football player, the 1939 Heisman Trophy recipient, and one of the famed Ironmen of the University of Iowa.

54:17 At a time when war raged across Europe and America was still recovering from the Great Depression, Niall Kinnock was setting collegiate records and earning national acclaim on the grid irons of the Big Ten Conference. But even more significant than his athletic genius was his character. At age 21, he possessed a value system far beyond his years. When he accepted the Heisman Award in 1939 at the New York Downtown Athletic Club, he gave a speech, and in that speech he said this, "I thank God that I was warring on the grid irons of the Middle West and not on the battlefields of Europe. I can say confidently and positively that the football players of this country would much rather fight for the Heisman Award than for the Croix de Guerre."

55:12 Three days before the attack on Pearl Harbor, Niall reported for active duty voluntarily at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida to commence flight training. As he entered the Navy, he wrote in his ledger, "Every man who I've admired in history has willingly and courageously served in his country's armed forces in times of danger. It is not only a duty, but an honor to follow their example the best I know how. May God give me the courage and ability to so conduct myself in every situation that my country, my family, and my friends will be proud of me." Later on, he wrote a letter home to his parents, and in that letter he stated this, "There is no reason in the world why we shouldn't fight for the preservation of a chance to live freely. No reason why we shouldn't suffer to uphold that which we want to endure."

56:12 After he earned his Navy wings, he was on the USS Lexington. He manned up his F4F Wildcat and he launched. They were operating just off the coast of Venezuela. He had engine problems, oil pressure related, and he had to ditch his aircraft. Lexington launched a rescue effort, but when they got there all they found was an oil slick. No sign of young Nile. Nile's body was never found. So on June 2, 1943, Americans felt as though they had not just lost a great athlete, they had lost the promise of what Nile Kinnock might have become. In the days that followed, an Associated Press reporter wrote, "He had energy, ambition, intelligence, courage, sensitivity.

57:08 Offhand it is hard to think of any good quality which Nile Kinnock did not possess in abundance." With a bright future ahead of him, a promising career, and opportunities in law or public service, Nile Kinnock nevertheless chose another path. Like so many of his peers during that era, and for the members of the greatest generation that might be here who served, God bless you for what you did. Nile felt a deep sense of duty. He willingly left behind home, family, and friends to answer his country's call. Nile was 30 years old. I'm sorry, Nile was 24 years old. Young boy. Nile's story is one of many thousands of stories of Americans who set aside ambition and comfort

58:05 to don the uniform of the profession of arms and to go off and serve our country. Like Marine Sergeant Nicole Gee, only 23 years old. She embodied compassion even in the midst of chaos. Her dedication to service and humanity was evident in her final moments when she cradled a young child in Kabul in 2021. Tragically, she lost her life along with 12 other American patriots due to a devastating bomb, a suicide bomber. Their sacrifice reminds us that true patriotism often shines brightest during times of crisis, and all who gave their lives that day are patriots. How about Captain Harley Hall? I'm sure some of you know that name. United States Navy, the son of the Pacific Northwest and a native of our Vancouver community.

59:04 Pardon me? I was just told that his sister is here, so thanks for being here. As the Vietnam conflict drew to a close, Harley was manning up his F-4 Phantom on the flight deck of USS Enterprise, and he launched. That was the final day of the war, and Harley ended up being shot down that day, not recovered. So more than five decades have passed, and his legacy lives on. He was an outstanding officer, a tremendous fighter pilot. I mean, he commanded the Blue Angels at one point in time, and a respected leader, an amazing individual. How about the story of Army nurse Lieutenant Frances Slanger? She served with extraordinary courage tending to the wounded under enemy fire during World War II.

1:00:03 Her dedication and commitment to service left a lasting impression on everybody who encountered her in the line of duty. To honor her, I'd like to read her letter. She wrote a letter on October 21, 1944 from the combat cell, so allow me to read that letter to you. It is 0200, and I've been lying awake for an hour listening to the steady breathing of the other three nurses in the tent, thinking about some of the things we had discussed during the day. The fire was burning low and just a few live coals around the bottom.

1:01:01 With the slow feeding of wood and finally coal, a roaring fire has started. I couldn't help but think how similar to a human being a fire is. If a fire is not allowed to run down too low, and if there is a spark of life left in it, it can be nursed back. So can a human being. It is slow, it is gradual, it is done all the time in these field hospitals in the European Theater of Operations. We had several articles in different magazines and papers sent in by grateful GIs praising the work of the nurses around the combat zones. "Praising us for what?" she wrote. "We wait ankle deep in mud. You have to lie in it. We are restricted to our immediate area, cow pasture or hay field. But then who is not restricted? The wind is howling, the tent waving precariously, the rain beating down, the guns firing.

1:01:57 Sure, we rough it, but in comparison to the way you men are taking it, we can't complain nor do we feel the bouquets are to us. But you, the men behind the guns, the men driving our tanks, flying our planes, sailing our ships, building bridges, it is to you we doff our helmets. To every GI wearing the American uniform, for you we have the greatest admiration and respect." Yes, this time we are handing out the bouquets, but after taking care of some of your buddies, comforting them when they are brought in, bloody, dirty with the earth, mud and grime, and most of them so tired, somebody's brother, somebody's father, somebody's sons, seeing them gradually brought back to life, to consciousness, and their lips separate into a grin when they first welcome you.

1:02:51 They deserve our praise. These soldiers stay with us, but for a short time, from ten days to possibly two weeks. We have learned a great deal about our American boy and the stuff he is made of. The wounded do not cry, their buddies come first. The patience and determination they show, the courage and fortitude they have is awesome to behold. It is we who are proud of you, a great distinction to see you open your eyes and with that swell American grin say, "Hiya babe."

1:03:47 That letter was published by the Stars and Stripes on November 7th, 1944. Its publication brought in rave reviews from around the country, focused on her service, her commitment, her character, and her courage. Unfortunately, she never got to see that feedback. A couple of hours after she mailed the letter, she was killed by enemy fire in Elzenborn, Belgium. Frances Langer was 30. Her sacrifice reminds us of the countless medical professionals, nurses, doctors, corpsmen, medics from the Army, the Navy, and the Air Force, who have served with the same extraordinary courage and compassion both in peacetime and wartime.

1:04:39 They tended the wounded under fire, comforted the dying, and helped heal the bodies and spirits of those who bore the scars of battle. Like Lieutenant Langer, these medical professionals embody the character we honor today. Their legacy, too, is part of the debt we can never repay. In my 27-plus years serving ashore and at sea in the skies above Navy carrier battle groups, I witnessed fellow aviators and air crew face these dangers daily. Aircraft mishaps and air crew losses during training and during routine flight operations far outnumbered combat.

1:05:36 Each was a patriot bound to their oath by that amazing word, character. Even today, following the completion of Operation Epic Fury, amid escalating tensions in Iran, we mourn the loss of 13 brave service members who gave the ultimate sacrifice. Their valor in the face of adversity reminds us that the defense of freedom is an ongoing mission, one that demands the same unyielding character from every generation. In the same battles, the courageous combat rescue of downed air crew deep behind enemy lines stands as a powerful testament to the skill, the bravery, and the unwavering commitment that defined those who wear the uniform. A living reminder that the character we honor today continues to drive those still standing to watch.

1:06:33 We also remember those who carried the invisible wounds of war, the scars that no one sees, the battles fought long after they came home. Their sacrifice, too, is part of the debt that we can never repay. Ladies and gentlemen, whether training or combat, all these stories portray men and women of energy, intelligence, courage, and resolve. They did not die for slogans. They died fulfilling an oath because character bound them to serve wherever duty called. So from where does this magnificent attribute of American patriotism arise?

1:07:23 To answer that question in part, I need to take you back in time, long before the founding of this nation, take you back to the time of the ancient Greeks, just for a little visit. Aristotle taught that man's highest good lies in the right activity in both mind and body. He stressed to his students that the operative word in that statement is action. It's not what you say, it's what you do when tested that reveals who you truly are. He emphasized that we cannot control the circumstance, the challenge, the pressure, the test, but we can control how we act, react to that test. And our reaction to that test ultimately shapes our destiny.

1:08:13 In addition to action under pressure, the ancients also spoke of arete, the pursuit of excellence or virtue, the pursuit of excellence and virtue in one's calling. Among the Greeks, the war fighter was seen as the highest embodiment of arete. Why? Because the warrior faced a profound choice to defend the city state or not. Those who chose to stand and fight were revered. The greatest honor was bestowed upon those who fell in battle and were carried home on their shields. That willingness to act, to stand firm, to sacrifice or die if necessary was for the Greeks the pinnacle of virtue, the highest form of arete. They recognize the character is the willingness to do what is right even when the cost is irrevocable.

1:09:11 Their collective future, their ultimate destiny depended upon this shared commitment to service and sacrifice. The separated from us by centuries, many centuries, those same ideals from antiquity remain deeply woven into the American ethos and nowhere more powerfully expressed than in the profession of arms. On this Memorial Day, we see that same spirit of arete reflected in our American warriors from Lexington and Concord to the beaches of Normandy, from Inchon to the rice patties of Vietnam and from the sands of Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and Iran and to the mountains of Afghanistan. This enduring legacy does not reside in material things, but in character. The character of those who stand ready to serve something greater than themselves.

1:10:11 It is carried forward through the timeless virtues of honor, courage, loyalty, duty, fidelity and selflessness. Such virtues cannot be seen. They cannot be bought or demanded. Instead, they are cultivated over time by example, by expectation and by a steadfast commitment to honorable conduct. The people who helped shape these athletes are found throughout our lives. Teachers who inspire, coaches who challenge, drill instructors who demand the best. Mentors and role models who guide the way. But above all, it is parents. Parents who set the foundation by their example, actions more than words. They prepare young men and women to rise to the occasion when their nation needs them most.

1:11:10 Bottom line. Character is the key. It is the bound American patriots to serve wherever duty called. It is the common thread that elicits this kind of selfless commitment, producing the courage to risk everything for flag and country. It produces leaders who act rightly under ultimate risk. It reveals who we truly are when everything else is stripped away. It is character that enables a man or woman to take an oath to defend the Constitution of the United States regardless of the risk to their life. And it is character that ultimately will determine the destiny of this nation.

1:11:57 For nearly 250 years, the freedoms we enjoy have been preserved through the service and sacrifice of countless patriots like Nile Kinnock, Francis Slanger, Harvey, excuse me, Harley Hall and Nicole Gee, and hundreds of thousands of others who gave everything for our freedom. They had energy, ambition, intelligence, courage, sensitivity. Offhand, it is hard to think of any good quality. All these heroic patriots did not possess an abundance.

1:12:35 At that point, I'd like to request that we take a moment just to reflect a moment of silence. In closing, ladies and gentlemen, as we remember them, let us carry forward their legacy. May we live every day in a way that honors the debt we can never repay. May we remember the fallen, not only on this solemn day, but in the choices we make tomorrow and every day thereafter. Let their sacrifice be the compass that guides our steps.

1:13:30 May God bless you all. May God bless the United States of America. Thank you. Those are removing, as have been many of the other presentations here. And if I may remind you that over by the gazebo, there's a banner, a wall there where you're encouraged to write a name of who you may have lost. Write a comment to them or whatever you want to do to be part of that memory. On Memorial Day, remember your family and friends who lost. Over by the gazebo, you'll see you. The next part of our ceremony is called the missing man table. It's also known as the fallen comrade table.

1:14:28 It's a ceremony and memorial that is set up in military dining facilities and across the United States Armed Forces and during special official dining functions. In honor of the falling, missing and imprisoned military service members, table services as the focal point of ceremonial remembrance, originally growing out of the U.S. concern of the Vietnam War POW/MIA issue. Listen and remember those you have lost as Patrick Locke explains the traditional elements of the missing man or fallen comrade table. Patrick. Thank you, Rod. Then there are those who have not returned.

1:15:24 This table you see before you is reserved for our missing. It is important that we never forget the brave men and women who answered our nation's call and served the cause of freedom. After I explain each item of this memorial, I will pause and ask you to remember during that time, remember a loved one, a person you knew, a person you knew of, and of every service person who has not returned.

1:16:19 Every element of this memorial you see before you has a special meaning. The table is set for one. This empty place represents those Americans who are missing, they who are with us in spirit. Remember, the table is round to represent our everlasting concern for our missing service members.

1:17:08 Remember, a white tablecloth symbolizing the purity of their motives when answering the call to service. Remember, a single red rose signifying the bloodshed and sacrifice of liberty and the loved ones and friends who await their return.

1:17:53 Remember, a yellow ribbon symbolizing the continued determination for proper accounting and hope for their return. Remember, a slice of lemon reminds us of the bitter fate of those missing or captured and held prisoner in a foreign land.

1:18:36 Remember, a pinch of salt symbolizes the tears of our missing and their families who long for answers. Remember, the lighted candle reflects our light of hope to illuminate their path to return to us. Remember, the glass is inverted to symbolize their inability to share a toast with us this day.

1:19:34 Remember, and the empty chair, they are missing. Always remember. Our next part of our service today, Colonel Larry Smith will now lead members of the official party to lay a wreath at the flagpole for all veterans we collectively remember here today. Colonel Smith retired after 26 years in the Army. He then served our community in numerous public roles, including 12 years on the Vancouver City Council, with eight years of which as Mayor Pro Tem.

1:20:33 He is founder and past chairperson of CMAQ, and as they proceed to the Vancouver Community Concert Band will play "Hymn to the Fallen" by John Williams from Saving Pirate Riot. Marines, come forward to assist with the wreath.

1:21:23 You're good.

1:21:41 The wreath is worn by our young Marines, Lewis and Clark, young Marines.

1:22:57 We will now commence a series of traditional military honors. The National Park Rangers will fire one round by a historic cannon, followed by seven volleys of artillery fire by the Washington Army National Guard howitzer, one volume for each of the seven branches of service. VFW post 7824 correction, the Lewis and Clark young Marines will then give a rifle salute of three volleys. If you're concerned about the noise for your children or pets, or if the sound of artillery or rifle fire affects you please take appropriate cautions.

1:23:57 In honor of Fort Vancouver, the National Park Service Rangers will fire one round by a historic cannon. National Park Service, prepare to fire. Fire one round. The Washington Army National Guard will prepare to fire seven rounds. The National Guard prepare to fire seven rounds.

1:24:54 Fire one round for the Navy. Fire one round for the Air Force. Fire one round for the Coast Guard. Fire one round for the merchant Marines.

1:25:42 And fire one round for the Space Force. The Lewis and Clark young Marines will now perform the traditional rifle salute of three volleys, which is provided military funerals as a final salute to our comrades. Young Marines initiate fire rifle salute on your command.

1:26:36 If you are able to stand, please do so, as Taps has played the Lewis and Clark, young Marines. Wait, that's the bird pilot, right?

1:27:09 I'm on my way back. You may be seated. As the wreath laying party returns to the stage, while yet another military tradition, Amazing Grace is played on bagpipes by Gustav Bauer.

1:28:03 Amazing Grace is played on bagpipes by Gustav Bauer.

1:30:26 The Vancouver Community Concert Band will now play "Hymn to the Fallen" from "Saving Prophet Ryan," written by John Williams, and followed by the Armed Services Medley of all seven service songs, as is custom. If you can, please stand during the service song in which you served is played. Also, if during that song you have lost someone, please wave your flag in remembrance of that person lost.

1:31:08 Amazing Grace is played on bagpipes by Gustav Bauer.