2011 Memorial Day Celebration

More than 400 gathered at Mountain View Cemetery on Monday, May 30, 2011 to celebrate Memorial Day.

Special guest speakers included Oregon City Mayor Doug Neeley, Oregon City Police Chaplain Chuck Boman and keynote speaker Michael Brown. A special tribute was performed by Don Wright, accompanied by Mike Hotchkiss on harmonica, in honor of the American Civil War's Sesquicentennial (150th) Anniversary.

Additional highlights from the event included a warm welcome by Master of Ceremony David Bone; traditional military honors with 21-gun salute performed by Oregon Army National Guard; playing of "Taps" by Randy Leasure; music from Gardiner Middle School band; singing of the "National Anthem" by Anna-Marie Wood; invocation and benediction performed by Certified Celebrant Dee Mitchell and presentation of flowers by Neil Birch of VFW Post 1324.

Activities and crafts were provided for the kids, including fire truck tours, coloring activities and birdhouse construction kits. Attendees also took part in special historical tours of the pioneer cemetery, guided by Don Wright.

We would like to thank the following for their participation and contributions to our event:

• Boy Scout Troop Number 220
• Company D, 186th Infantry, World War 2
• VFW Post 1324 - Neil Birch and Mike Dec
• Parents of Murdered Children (POMC)
• Gardiner Middle School Band - Cheri Rizzo, Director
• Beaver Creek Cooperative Telephone Company (BCT)
• Oregon City Optimist Club - Lisa Normand, President
• Serres Nursery - Dan and Pat Serres, Owners
• Dee Mitchell - Certified Celebrant
• AA Rental Sales and Service
• Hillside Chapel - David and Darcey Bone, Owners
• Oregon City High School JROTC
• Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
• Oregon Army National Guard - SSG RJ Lawrence
• Holman-Hankins-Bowker and Waud Funeral Service
• Wild Strawberry Florist
• Heritage Pacific International

Friends of Mountain View Cemetery

• Mary Elledge
• Don Wright
• Suzanne Wood
• Oscar Geisler
• David Bone
• Randy Thommen
• Joy Fotta
• Mary Edwards
• Margie Tosi
• Don Anderson
• Ed Allick