By Larry Judkins
Glenn County Observer
A ceremony dedicating a monument and sculpture to the memory of Orland’s soldiers who died while on active duty was held in town on Monday, Memorial Day.
The event took place on the lawn in front of the main entrance of the Orland Memorial Hall. A very large audience attended the ceremony.
The monument consists of a granite base that bears the names of 63 men who lived in Orland at least part of their lives. Atop this granite base is a sculpture of a riderless horse led by a soldier.
The statue is the work of Orland artist Ulises Meza.
Early on, the late Bob Pasero was a powerful force for the memorial. The Motor-Icicle runs and other fundraisers promoted by the former Orland Chief of Police helped to turn the vision into a reality.
More than one person at Monday’s event expressed regret that Pasero was not able to see the completed work.
The organization originally known as Orland Pride, now renamed Orland Patriots, with former Orland City Councilman, former Glenn County Supervisor, and soon to be former Glenn County Superintendent of Schools Tracey Quarne in a leadership position, worked on the project for years.
The Memorial Day program began with a welcome and opening remarks by Tracey Quarne. This was followed by an invocation by Pastor Jason Ross.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Tom Fields of the Orland VFW Post #1992. The National Anthem was then sung by Lexi Velazquez.
“The Why” was recited by Hendrik Feenstra, and the flag was lowered to half-staff. The Glenn Chorale, with Mack Caywood directing, performed a salute to each of the armed services.
Phil Heuchert read the names of Orland’s fallen. After each name was recited, Wendell Lower rang a bell.
The 63 names on the memorial are:
John Clark;
Alfred Foster;
Lester Johnson;
Frank Keating;
Roscoe Leonard;
Harry McKinsey;
Kenneth Morrisey;
Harvey Nagels;
Arthur Sherman;
Tommy Thompson;
Charles Warnock;
David Woodlridge;
Jack Asdell;
Roy Brand;
Louis Brodnansky;
Lawrence Cardoza;
William Creamer;
Phillip Donahue;
Gordon Foster;
Stanley Foster;
Robert Frizzell;
Stanley Fullwood;
Lewis Gahre;
Roy Griffith;
James Henderson;
Earle Hendricks;
John Hurley;
Robert Kirkpatrick;
Herman Kolousek;
Franklin Kurtz;
Ralph Lambert;
Thomas Zuniga;
Lloyd Lane;
Herbert Madden;
Nelson Madden;
Philip Miller;
Ray Millsaps;
James Mitchell;
Joseph Nash;
John Riffel;
Robert Ross;
Robert Schatz;
Clyde Smith;
Dennis Smith;
Chester Snodgrass;
Phillip Spencer;
Richard Tout;
Donald Van Wagenen;
Nicholas Vlasoff;
Granville Wilson;
Alvin Winter;
Joseph Woodhead;
Donald Woods;
Robert Zimmerman;
Raymond Cowles;
Merl Cripe;
Lee Dixon;
Carlos Gonzalez;
Dale Sievers;
Clayton Squier;
Clark Stickler;
Harvey Parkerson; and
Clarence Lambert.
The flag was next returned to full-staff, then lowered again and removed. This was followed by a 21 gun salute by the Willows VFW Post #1770.
“Taps” was played by Riley Cloyd, and the flag was folded, again by Willows VFW Post #1770. Tracey Quarne presented the memorial to Orland VFW Post #1992, and it was received by Ernie Simpson of the Orland VFW.
Claire Arano introduced the Orland Patriots Committee, and Pastor Ross ended the formal event by delivering the benediction. After Stephanie Campbell invited the audience to stay for refreshments, the public began to mingle and chat.
The weather, everyone seemed to agree, was almost perfect for the observance.
[Note: The editor apologizes for the tardiness of this story. He has been without Internet until today.]
The Glenn County Observer 