The Hillsboro American Legion Post 6 is located on West Main, just past the post office on the right-hand side. Their numbers are down in terms of membership- no different than almost every organization from our past. Their diminishing membership may no doubt have something to do with the fact that we have not had a major War in quite a while – certainly not one that our Nation unified behind. Let’s hope we never have one. But as I sat and spoke with their leaders there at 285 West Main Street, it was easy to feel their love for those that have served and the reverence for those that have fallen. This is a small but mighty and committed bunch.
Here is a link we did last year after attending the honors ceremony at the Hillsboro Pioneer Cemetery.
American Legion Honors Veterans At Hillsboro Pioneer Cemetery
This year I went back, and I think I will every year. Maybe it is something we should all do- after all, had the men and women of our armed forces and service units not served, we would not enjoy the freedoms we do. This year’s event was well attended. Members of the local Legion had arrived early in the field of honored stones on Hillsboro’s Western boundary to mark every grave of every fallen soldier who rests there. From the Civil War to Afghanistan, our sons and daughters are remembered.
One after the other, post members and veterans all spoke the words of the Grand Army of the Republic ceremony. The flag was raised and then placed at half-mast. Prayers were offered. Salutes were given. Strong words were spoken, and the echoes of the voices of our dead floated across the fields. As the ceremony concluded, a beautiful rendition of TAPS was played, which cut through the din of traffic passing by on TV Highway. As hundreds of cars sped by to points East and West in a hurry, the time inside the graveyard stood still.
As I watched, a young man caught my eye- clearly, a Veteran who had suffered from his service. Within a few minutes, he, his mother, and I talked about what it means to serve. He is Gary Davis, a 1997 graduate of Lakeridge High School in Lake Oswego, Oregon. Gary entered the Army right after High School joining the 5-3, the 5th Battalion, 3rd Regiment based out of Joint Base LEWIS-MCCHORD in Washington (USA). Gary served most of the next 13 years in Afghanistan in the field artillery unit. Gary would still be serving and getting ready for retirement if a roadside bomb had not ended his career.
“It all happened so quickly. The explosion destroyed our armored vehicle, and everyone was screaming. I knew we had to get out, and it was me that had to undo the hatch to get us out. The problem was that I was strapped into the seat and my legs were broken off and up by my head. That was the hardest and most painful thing I ever had to do in my life,” he said, looking across at the American flag.
The next thing he really remembered was waking up in Germany. Both of his legs were amputated. Two years later, in 2012, he came home. We spoke openly about his service and his life. He has a pragmatic and relatively positive outlook on things. He really had no choice. One of his fellow soldiers died that day, and all were injured. Today he and his folks live in Aloha, Oregon. They came to Hillsboro to pay their respects, remember, and be with others who have served.
I was impressed with Gary – and I want to thank him again for his service. I hope to meet him down the road, maybe next year, when we return.
Here are some photos from the day – a mixture of the moving tribute and some stone markers of our fallen Hillsboro citizens- our finest.
#Salute
