WWII and Korean War Veterans Honored on the USS Sampson

This year Portland Rose Festival fleet, David Wu, Congressman, First District of Oregon and the United States Navy presented Oregon's WWII and Korean Veterans with Congressional Certificates today June 5, 2010. This honored presentation took place aboard the USS Sampson docked along the banks of the Willamette River at the Rose Festival Fun Center.

The program began with the Presentation of Colors by the Honor Guard, Beaverton American Legion Post 124, volunteer members, Marvin E. Doty, Commander, Honor Guard; Robert Gelhar, Honor Guard; Frank Passmore, Honor Guard; Louis Haga, Honor Guard and Fred Meyer, Honor Guard were not only honored Veterans but had volunteered for the position of the Presentation of Colors.

Congressman David Wu and his team of workers spent long hours putting together this Honor for our Veterans. Along with our Honored Veterans family members were present to take place in this memorable event.

Special Guests on the USS Sampson were, Vice Admiral Hunt; Rear Admiral Symonds; Rear Admiral AuCoin; Rear Admiral Biesel; Rear Admiral Caldwell; Rear Admiral Blore and the above listed Beaverton American Legion Post 124 Honor Guard. The Benediction was presented by FCCM John Schwanke.

It was an honor to be present for this great moment in the lives of Oregon's WWII and Korean Veterans.

Oregon Veteran's and their families spent a pleasant morning aboard the USS Sampson under one of this summers first sunshine filled day in Portland and the presentation was extremely heart warming. I along with the families and Oregon Veterans would like to thank Congressman David Wu, First District Oregon and the US Navy for their active participation in this Honor Ceremony.

For making this a special day for Oregon's Veteran's and a life long memory for their family members, a special thanks goes out to:

Vice Admiral Hicks, U.S. Navy

Commander Gregory Hick, U.S. Navy

LCDR Commander Charles Hubbard, U.S. Navy

Mr. Jim Lasher, U.S. Navy League & Portland Rose Festival

Marv Doty and the Beaverton American Legion Post 124

Stories of these WWII and Korean Veterans will be passed along in a series of articles written by this journalist over the course of the next few weeks. Please return to learn of the deeds and great service to our Country in the words of the Veteran's who served this great nation.