Nearly 200 gather in Forest Grove to honor fallen U.S. service members

Nearly 200 people gathered on the grounds of Forest Grove's Forest View Cemetery Monday morning to honor members of the U.S. armed forces who have died while serving.

The event's packed agenda lasted just under an hour. Scouts BSA Troop 2060 and the Post's Auxiliary 2 helped present the flag. Music, including the National Anthem, God Bless America, From the First Hello to the Last Goodbye, and America the Beautiful, was performed by the Tualatin Valley Harmony Masters.

Local dignitaries in attendance included State Sen. Janeen Sollman, Forest Grove Mayor Malynda Wenzl, city councilors Brian Schimmel and Donna Gustafson, and Cornelius Mayor Jeffrey Dalin.

As members of the Tualatin Valley Harmony Masters Sasquatch 5 quartet sang a barbershop rendition of "God Bless America," two F-15 Eagle fighter jets flew about 1,000 feet overhead at around 400 mph, part of a 15-location flyover by the Oregon Air National Guard's 142nd Wing.

Mt. Olive Lutheran Church Pastor Nick Koschmann delivered the invocation and benediction, while Post 2 Commander Dale Thaler welcomed the crowd and served as master of ceremonies.

"Our gratitude must last longer than their sacrifice," Thaler said of those members of the U.S. armed forces who have died while serving.

Post 2 Adjutant Wendy Berger-Wood spoke on the history of the Purple Heart and the Medal of Honor. Berger-Wood also noted the installation of new signs in Forest Grove to replace aging signs noting the city's status as a Purple Heart City.

"To those members of Forest Grove's Veterans Advocacy Committee and to the city workers who facilitated the installation, we thank you," she said.

The event featured guest speaker U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sergeant Douglas Watson.

"I'm extremely honored to be able to take part in commemorating the legacy of our nation's most noble heroes," Watson said. "Those members who have given the full measure of their devotion to this country," he added.

Following the laying of a memorial wreath, Oregon Army National Guard's 2nd Battalion, 218th Field Artillery Regiment, based out of Forest Grove fired a 21-gun salute with three howitzers, firing seven groups of three shots that echoed throughout Forest Grove.