About 400 people assembled at Idlewild Cemetery Monday morning to remember the men and women who gave their lives for their country.
The annual Memorial Day ceremony saw an impressive turnout — a boost of about 100 people from last year, said Denny Leonard, event organizer and Hood River American Legion Post 22 representative. Leonard attributed the increase in attendance, in part, to weather. He said last Memorial Day was “drizzly” and unpleasant, unlike the clear (if breezy) conditions Monday.
This year’s theme was “Honoring Those Who Have Served,” and its centerpiece was a 6-foot illuminated floral wreath dedicated to all veterans buried in Hood River County. The wreath, designed by Peggy Ross of Hood River, was adorned with flowers, tiny flags and striped ribbons.
“We dedicate this wreath to your service and your sacrifice. And we thank each one of you for our freedom,” said Idlewild sexton Bob Huskey, who lead the day’s presentations.
The ceremony featured speeches by the American Legion, twenty-two veterans’ names added to the Walk of Honor, a flyover by WAAAM pilots, a regal score provided by the Hood River Valley High School band, a musical tribute by local singer Andy Streich and a three cannon salute following “Taps.”
This year marked the final Memorial Day concert for HRVHS Music Director Mark Steighner, who will be retiring in June. The American Legion presented Steighner with a certificate of appreciation and a small flag to honor his partnership with the event, which he has been involved with for decades.
“Every time we make a call, you guys just go 100 percent beyond the call of duty,” said Huskey, addressing Steighner and the band.
Steighner has taught in Hood River since 1979, and has taught choral and instrumental music at HRVHS since 1984. In January, he won the Oregon Music Educators Association award for Oregon’s Outstanding Music Educator of the Year.
Huskey hinted that Steighner could still be involved in directing music in the community in the future. “We’re still going to call on you,” said Huskey.
The music selected for Monday’s ceremony ranged from stoic and proper to lively and uplifting. In a ringing tenor, Andy Streich sang the hymn “The Old Rugged Cross” and Leonard Cohen’s “Halleluah,” giving attendants a dose of contemporary gospel music.
After the ceremony, guests got a chance to see 18 new flags dotted across the south side of the cemetery. Leonard explained that the star spangled display was an Eagle Scout project by Lucas Gilbert of Boy Scout Troop 282.
Gilbert, 16, said he came up with the idea last April. The project took 11 months of planning, and the efforts of 11 scouts and four adults. This spring, his team dug holes eight inches wide in diameter and 30 inches deep, then poured concrete to house the flags.
“The goal was to honor veterans on Memorial Day (with) a new spot for flags in the cemetery,” said Gilbert.
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