Lincoln
City to Hold “Celebration of Honor”
September
23-27, 2009
In the past five years, Lincoln City merchants and community organizers have worked to welcome those who have made our freedoms possible. They’ve hosted many events, from a Field of Flags to the traveling Vietnam Wall, and from a dinner for the Oregon Army National Guard to the rededication of the veterans’ memorial at Chinook Winds Casino Resort. These have become an annual celebration dedicated to veterans, active duty personnel and their families: the Celebration of Honor.
Lincoln City Mayor Lori Hollingsworth has proclaimed the fourth weekend in September to be Lincoln City’s Celebration of Honor for United States military veterans and active duty personnel.
This year’s schedule, set for Sept. 23 to 27, is full of events both somber and celebratory. Among the most moving will be the “Field of Honor,” a collection of 1,000 U.S. flags installed in a field near Chinook Winds Casino. Placed and guarded by members of Veterans of Oregon, these flags are individual reminders of the Oregon soldiers who have served and died for their country. They’ll remain on display through Sunday, Sept. 27.
There will also be three presentation ceremonies for the Oregon Veterans Medal, a custom-designed, engraved medal signifying appreciation for the service and sacrifice of veterans who reside in the state of Oregon. To qualify for the medal, an application form must be completed in advance of the ceremony, with proof of military service attached.
Forms are available now at Chinook Winds Casino Resort, or online at veteransoforegon.com. Presentation ceremonies will be held at the casino at 6 p.m. on Friday, and 1 and 6 p.m. on Saturday.
The casino is sponsoring a free concert with Blue Eyed Soul, the duo of Michelle DellaFave and Lindsay Bloom. Both women are former members of Dean Martin’s Golddiggers and Ding-a-Lings, and have resumes as long as both your arms. They’re dedicated to entertaining soldiers and veterans, and they offer an exciting and nostalgic show. It’s set for 4 p.m. Saturday.
You can get a taste of the real chow line on Saturday morning, as Henry Quandt hosts his annual S.O.S. Breakfast, from 7 to 11 a.m. at Henry’s Lighthouse Donuts in Lighthouse Square, Logan Road and Hwy. 101. It’s $5 a plate, with all proceeds going to the Oregon Coast Veterans Association. See story, page 17.
The Lincoln City Parks & Recreation Department invites veterans and their families to take part in its “Adventures in Geocaching” event. Supported by the technology of GPS, or global positioning system, this new craze challenges participants to find caches hidden all over the world. A free geocaching event will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Lincoln City Community Center, 2150 NE Oar Place. Admission at the community center, with workout facility and open gym, will be free all day.
The hide-and-seek will continue on the beaches, where 40 red, white and blue glass floats will be carefully placed by Lincoln City’s volunteers as part of the 2009-2010 “Finders Keepers” promotion.
And that’s not all that’s free — popcorn at the Bijou, coupon books at Tanger Outlet Center and a festival at the cultural center are all gratis.
Veterans Appreciation Fair
A new addition to the Celebration of Honor will be taking place at the Lincoln City Cultural Center, 540 NE Hwy. 101. From 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, the Roundabouts for Veterans and Community will be hosting an outdoor fair with vendors, live music, and a barbecue. They’ll be selling tickets for their Alaskan cruise raffle, at $25 each. The cultural center will be hosting an exhibit of military uniforms, some dating back to the Civil War, from the collection of Ron Gorremans. Admission to the festival and the exhibit are free.
The Roundabouts are also launching a brand new Coastal Capes Poker Run, which is open to all vehicles starting at 9 a.m. (with the last bike or car out by 11 a.m.). The route will take them north to Tillamook, down the Three Capes Scenic Route, and down to Cape Foulweather before returning to Lincoln City.
The fee is $35, which includes the first poker card, limited edition t-shirt and meal ticket. The first 100 registered will receive a limited edition ride pin. Passengers cost $15, including a poker card and meal ticket. Additional hands will available; shirts and pins will be available for sale while supplies last.
Event sponsors include Sports & Imports, Rhoades Trucking Inc., Station 3 Embroidery, The News Guard, Mo’s Lincoln City, Brian P. Fitzsimmons CPA, Depoe Bay Chiropractic, 23rd St. Auto Wrecking, Murf’s Welding, Siskiyou Insurance Marketplace, Roadhouse 101, Chinook Winds Casino Resort, All Ways Traveling, Robben Heating, Air Conditioning and Gutters, and the Ross and Erwin Family — in honor of all American troops.
Roundabouts are a non-profit club of local motorcycle riders whose main purpose is to help local communities achieve goals for the common good of citizens, and to provide public recognition and assistance for veterans. For more information, head to roundaboutsforvetsandcom.com, or call vice president Ed Rhoades (541-921-1020) or public information officer Sharon Erwin (541-601-1811).
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| Kites on the beach at Lincoln City. In September, colors like these will be joined by overwhelming displays of red, white and blue. |
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