BY: JESSICA PROKOP
nrtoday.com
Bruce Makela of Winston makes an etching of the name of a family member as his wife, Marilyn Makela, takes a photograph at the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall in Sutherlin Thursday.
 | Ted Henderson of Sutherlin reaches out to the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall in Sutherlin Thursday. |
 | Fred Berry of Roseburg, middle, visits the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall in Sutherlin Thursday with his son, Aaron Berry, right, and his grandson, Grant Berry. |
 | Spouses Judi and Phil Jones of Canyonville make an etching of the name of a friend Thursday at the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall in Sutherlin. |
 | Shirley Owens of Sutherlin reaches out to touch the name of a friend Thursday at the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall in Sutherlin. |
SUTHERLIN — Sutherlin Central Park buzzed Thursday with the chatter of men, women and children as they strolled past exhibits and tributes. But all grew silent when a bugle sounded. The crowd stood and the ceremony started.
About 100 people attended the Salute to Our Heroes Seniors Day ceremony. Observers shed tears and sought comfort from friends and family. Others stood silent, dressed in full dress military uniform.
“It's a wonderful welcoming home that we are getting now,” said Vietnam War veteran Dana Foley, 58, of Sutherlin.
About 100 people attended the Salute to Our Heroes Seniors Day ceremony. Observers shed tears and sought comfort from friends and family. Others stood silent, dressed in full dress military uniform.
“It's a wonderful welcoming home that we are getting now,” said Vietnam War veteran Dana Foley, 58, of Sutherlin.
Sutherlin's Salute to Our Heroes features the American Veterans Traveling Tribute, an 80 percent-sized replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C. The wall will be on display at the park through Sunday.
Foley, who served 12 years in Vietnam and saw four years of combat, retired as a sergeant in the Army. He has three children who are serving in the Navy and Marines. He said he attends just about every military event, dressed in his uniform.
“I do it for my children and the veterans that can't come,” Foley said.
Maddie Bright, the daughter of the late Dean Bright of Sutherlin, sang the national anthem. Dean Bright was killed while serving in Iraq in 2006.
Following the anthem, Mayor Denny Cameron, a Vietnam veteran, read a proclamation from the city. Organizers thanked the community and various organizations for supporting the event.
“This event is a tremendous thing for the community,” said an organizer, Pam Cameron, 58, of Sutherlin.
The idea of bringing the traveling wall to Sutherlin originated with the Evening Branch of the Sutherlin Lions.
“It's a patriotic area, and there are a lot of veterans in the Lions Club. It just felt like a natural match,” she said.
Organizers planned a series of ceremonies through Sunday.
The committee dedicated Thursday's ceremony to seniors, making sure they had convenient places to park and volunteers to guide them to displays in the park, said Bertha Egbert, president of the organizing committee.
“This has been an event that everyone has flocked to. I couldn't be more pleased to see veterans here in numbers. It's what this is all about,” Egbert said.
In the community center, next to the park, is Sutherlin's Hall of Heroes, a tribute to area servicemen who died in the line of duty.
Ron Gorremans, 58, of Lincoln City lent his military memorabilia for the exhibit.
“For this being a first-time event, it's pretty awesome. It's been a great turnout, and the patriotism here is amazing. The servicemen deserve it,” Gorremans said.
Robert Johnson, 80, of Oakland agreed. Johnson sketched a drawing of an eagle and the flag for the event's posters.
A Marine and Korean War veteran, Johnson and his wife, Carol, 72, said that they were honored and pleased to be a part of the festivities.
Viet Nam Vets Motorcycle Club member Bruce Makela, 62, and wife Marilyn Makela, 59, of Winston, were among those at the ceremony who have been touched by war .
Bruce Makela served in the Navy for 20 years, two months and five days. He was in Vietnam on three different occasions, he said. His father was a World War II veteran, as were his uncles.
“A lot of veterans can't talk about it. (In the motorcycle club) we can cry on each others' shoulders and share things that we can't with other friends,” Bruce Makela said.
Marilyn Makela's youngest son served in Iraq, and she prayed every day that he would make it out alive, she said.
“It's very emotional. It's just amazing how everyone has been affected,” Marilyn Makela said.
Foley, who served 12 years in Vietnam and saw four years of combat, retired as a sergeant in the Army. He has three children who are serving in the Navy and Marines. He said he attends just about every military event, dressed in his uniform.
“I do it for my children and the veterans that can't come,” Foley said.
Maddie Bright, the daughter of the late Dean Bright of Sutherlin, sang the national anthem. Dean Bright was killed while serving in Iraq in 2006.
Following the anthem, Mayor Denny Cameron, a Vietnam veteran, read a proclamation from the city. Organizers thanked the community and various organizations for supporting the event.
“This event is a tremendous thing for the community,” said an organizer, Pam Cameron, 58, of Sutherlin.
The idea of bringing the traveling wall to Sutherlin originated with the Evening Branch of the Sutherlin Lions.
“It's a patriotic area, and there are a lot of veterans in the Lions Club. It just felt like a natural match,” she said.
Organizers planned a series of ceremonies through Sunday.
The committee dedicated Thursday's ceremony to seniors, making sure they had convenient places to park and volunteers to guide them to displays in the park, said Bertha Egbert, president of the organizing committee.
“This has been an event that everyone has flocked to. I couldn't be more pleased to see veterans here in numbers. It's what this is all about,” Egbert said.
In the community center, next to the park, is Sutherlin's Hall of Heroes, a tribute to area servicemen who died in the line of duty.
Ron Gorremans, 58, of Lincoln City lent his military memorabilia for the exhibit.
“For this being a first-time event, it's pretty awesome. It's been a great turnout, and the patriotism here is amazing. The servicemen deserve it,” Gorremans said.
Robert Johnson, 80, of Oakland agreed. Johnson sketched a drawing of an eagle and the flag for the event's posters.
A Marine and Korean War veteran, Johnson and his wife, Carol, 72, said that they were honored and pleased to be a part of the festivities.
Viet Nam Vets Motorcycle Club member Bruce Makela, 62, and wife Marilyn Makela, 59, of Winston, were among those at the ceremony who have been touched by war .
Bruce Makela served in the Navy for 20 years, two months and five days. He was in Vietnam on three different occasions, he said. His father was a World War II veteran, as were his uncles.
“A lot of veterans can't talk about it. (In the motorcycle club) we can cry on each others' shoulders and share things that we can't with other friends,” Bruce Makela said.
Marilyn Makela's youngest son served in Iraq, and she prayed every day that he would make it out alive, she said.
“It's very emotional. It's just amazing how everyone has been affected,” Marilyn Makela said.
• You can reach intern reporter Jessica Prokop at 541-957-4213 or by email at jprokop@nrtoday.com.
