A Salute to Veterans

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
PROUD SPONSORS

PRESENTING SPONSOR

PARTNER SPONSORS

COMMUNITY SPONSORS

ALOHA
Crunch Fitness

BANKS
Five Star Builders

BEAVERTON
Minuteman Mortgage, Robert Groves

CANBY/MOLALLA
Willamette Egg Farms

CLACKAMAS – MILWAUKIE
Weston Dealerships

CORNELIUS
City of Cornelius

ESTACADA SPONSOR
Weston Dealerships

FOREST GROVE
ACE Hardware Forest Grove

FOREST GROVE
The Elms Retirement Center

GRESHAM
Weston Dealerships

GRESHAM
Gresham Ford

HAPPY VALLEY
SBDC – Small Business Development Center

HILLSBORO
On Site Tire Pros

LAKE OSWEGO
Marcia Kies, Cascade Hasson Sotheby’s International Realty

MADRAS – JEFFERSON COUNTY
Phil’s ACE Hardware

NEWBERG 
Pacific West Roofing

OREGON CITY
Oregon Military Museum

PORTLAND
Global Solarium

PORTLAND
Mr. Plywood

CROOK COUNTY
Parr Lumber

SANDY
Dick Hannah Chevrolet and Ford

SCAPPOOSE
Scappoose Sand & Gravel Co.

ST. HELENS
Michael Ismert Insurance Agency

SHERWOOD
Veronica Park, Keller Williams

TIGARD
Crescent Grove Cemetery

TUALATIN
Woodland Heights Assisted Living

WEST LINN
Oswego Hills Vineyard and Winery

WILSONVILLE
Republic Services

WOODBURN
Pacific West Roofing