Measures of Devotion
In his immortal address at the battlefield in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, President Abraham Lincoln said,
“The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us — that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they here gave the last full measure of devotion …”
We have all heard or read stories about veterans who gave the last full measure of devotion, but those aren’t the stories we highlight in our Salute to Veterans section.
Instead, we chronicle those who have moved on from their dedicated service and found new paths in life. For some, the journey has been a difficult one. For others, the transition has been seamless. And for some, their service continues. But for all — whether they were drafted or volunteered — they served our country faithfully, which makes their stories worth telling. But what stands out is the number of veterans who continued giving back to their country and community through other kinds of service.
Kevin Ritcheson served as an aircraft mechanic in the U.S. Air Force, but now he is the Captain of the Cornelius Fire Department, where he inspires and educates emerging firefighters.
Ryan Shockley, who did tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, would rather talk about his work with the American Legion Post 56 in Sherwood than his time in the Army.
Dennis Lane, now a teacher for the Oregon Trail School District, said his experience in the Air Force gave him perspective, order and structure. “In the bigger picture,” said Lane, “’What’s our mission?’ And now our mission is students.”
As you read these stories, you will see several facets of military service, and hopefully will take away some inspiration from these remarkable people. These are stories of people who continue contributing to the places we call home. Simply by their service to their communities, they have exemplified Lincoln’s closing words, “… that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain — that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”
2023 SALUTE TO VETERANS
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