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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Emergency services Ashland council calls for divestment from fossil fuel Shots fired into Medford home Wind pushes tree over onto Grants Pass woman's car Bates-Dotterrer race leads state's campaign spending spree Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency services Shots fired into Medford home Wind pushes tree over onto Grants Pass woman's car Elderly woman's kidnapper sentenced to 15 years Emergency Services Politics and Elections Fire chief has sheriff's back Phoenix council races draw a crowd — and debate Winters worn down by criticism Eagle Point might get on the bus Richardson accuses Kitzhaber of 'corruption' in final debate Education Kids Unlimited Academy awarded $450,000 grant County helps fund RCC job training SOU student says free speech issue overblown SOU interim president leads in a different direction Medford school officials consider costs of full-day kindergarten Environment Ashland council calls for divestment from fossil fuel Reintroduction of McCloud River salmon inspires film, tribe Rite Aid bear cub may be released into the wild in spring Rite Aid cub well, could come back to southern Oregon Neighbors smell trouble in proposal to spread waste on Sams Valley farmland State news Nation - World Obituaries Donna Lee Norvell Faith Ann Honer Sherry Nell Bean Pat V. 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Health Community blog: Finding My Roots Dr. Jeff Hersh: Controversy over breast cancer screening Dr. Murray Feingold: Choose a diet best for you Community blog: The Crowd And The Win - Better Health Joan Endyke: The importance of a healthy diet when pregnant Hiking Biking Faith Religion Briefs Religion Briefs Religion Briefs Religion Briefs Milestones and Achievements Engagement Wedding: Potter-Hazel Wedding: Martin-Berg Wedding: Hale-Lombardi Wedding: Henderson-Carroll Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Patty Griffin plays the Historic Ashland Armory Puss 'N' Boots Costume Ball and Auction Southern Oregon Repertory Singers present harmonious voices, dissonant notes Beekeepers Ball is one sweet soiree Scottish music duo plays highland magic Theater Review: Funny 'Lion in Winter' roars to life at Camelot Theatre Camelot presents 'The Lion in Winter' 'Carnage' is short, smart, darkly funny Music Patty Griffin plays the Historic Ashland Armory Live Music in Local Clubs Southern Oregon Repertory Singers present harmonious voices, dissonant notes Beekeepers Ball is one sweet soiree Scottish music duo plays highland magic Community Events Puss 'N' Boots Costume Ball and Auction Theater's haunted house not for faint of heart Third Fridays in downtown Medford Works in progress Southern Oregon Pride Festival celebrates diversity Dining Back Porch Bar & Grill Yu's Yummy Yan's offers great take-out Agave offers tasty tacos Asian cuisine for all seasons at Misoya Bistro Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines & Special Sections NEWS NOW Ashland council calls for divestment from fossil fuel ... Shots fired into Medford home ... Wind pushes tree over onto Grants Pass woman's car ... Ashland council calls for divestment from fossil fuel ... Shots fired into Medford home ... Wind pushes tree over onto Grants Pass woman's car ... Memorial Day message: 'Honor the sacrifice' World War II vets among those gathered at Eagle Point National Cemetery holiday commemoration Bill Smallback and Dave Sergent enlisted in the U.S. Merchant Marines in 1945 at the age of 16 and, one year later, joined the Marine Corps. By Teresa Thomas MailTribune.com By Teresa Thomas Posted May. 27, 2014 @ 2:00 am Updated May 27, 2014 at 12:22 PM By Teresa Thomas Posted May. 27, 2014 @ 2:00 am Updated May 27, 2014 at 12:22 PM » RELATED CONTENT • VIDEO: Memorial Day Ceremony • Memorial Day Ceremony • Memorial Day » Social News Bill Smallback and Dave Sergent enlisted in the U.S. Merchant Marines in 1945 at the age of 16 and, one year later, joined the Marine Corps. On Monday, both men, now 86, sat in the front row at the annual Memorial Day ceremony at the Eagle Point National Cemetery. When the Marine Corps League presented the colors, Smallback stood and saluted the flag and remained in that posture until after Brian Williams had finished singing the national anthem. Sergent, accompanied by three of his grandchildren, could not stand but crossed his heart and faced the flag. The Merchant Marines suffered the highest casualty rate — 1 in 26 was killed — during World War II, Sergent said after the ceremony had ended. "So many of the guys never made it back," he said. "Many of them were the ages of my grandkids — 16 to 20. It's important to honor the sacrifice they made. We came back. They didn't." Hundreds of other veterans were among the large crowd that gathered Monday morning on the grassy knoll in the cemetery to remember those who had paid the ultimate price. Across the cemetery grounds, small flags, placed by Scenic Middle School students, danced in the wind at the grave sites of the nearly 17,000 veterans and their loved ones resting there. Oregon Army National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Mark Dalton paused for two yellow WWII Boeing-Stearman biplanes to fly over before making his opening remarks and introducing the keynote speakers, Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Rep. Greg Walden, R-Ore., and retired Marine Col. Dave Dotterrer. Wyden took a moment to recognize and applaud all the families of soldiers who have served or are currently serving. "We have a sacred covenant with veterans that says when they sacrifice for all of us, then we will be there for them and their families," he said. This year, he added, marks the 100th anniversary of the start of World War I, which claimed the lives of 116,000 American men and women, but, unfortunately, was not "the war to end all wars" as so many had hoped. Walden and Dotterrer echoed Wyden's sentiments, urging everyone present not just to remember the fallen but also to give their families a hearty "thank you." "This is about recognizing those who have given so much for us," Walden said. "And taking a few moments out of what some say is a 'holiday weekend' to say 'thanks' and to honor their service and their sacrifice and to tell their survivors and families that we are deeply appreciative and deeply in their debt." Dotterrer reminded everyone that freedom is not the product of the Declaration of Independence but rather the blood of American forces. "Hold our fallen sailors, soldiers, airmen and Marines close to your hearts," he said. "And, in addition to honoring the memory of those who gave their lives for our country, I urge you to reach out to their families, to the living veterans and servicemen and women who continue to defend our freedom." At the close of the ceremony, the Southern Oregon Scottish Bagpipe Band played a somber "Amazing Grace" before the Marine Corps League retired the colors. After the crowd broke, some meandered up and down the rows of graves. Dana Gowen said he was searching the headstones for others, like him, who had served in Vietnam. In September 1969, Gowen, a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army, was serving in Kien Hoa, Vietnam, when his "hooch" or hut was hit by a rocket. "It blew me tumbling across the floor," he said, adding that he was fortunate that it struck 8 feet above him. Gowen, who currently lives in Orlando, Fla., makes a point to attend a Memorial Day observance no matter where he is. "I came here to make sure these people get the proper honors because when we came back, we didn't get that," he said. Adam and Regina Davis braved the warmer temperatures Monday with their four children, ages 11, 8, 6 and 2. This was their first year attending the ceremony, but they hope to make it a tradition in their family. "We want our kids to understand the value of their freedom and what soldiers sacrificed," Adam Davis said. "And what patriotism means," Regina Davis added. Former U.S. Army Maj. Brett Keller served two tours in Iraq and was present Monday with his wife and 7-year-old son. "It's important to teach our young ones the meaning of today," he said. Reach reporter Teresa Thomas at 541-776-4497 or [email protected]. Follow her at www.twitter.com/teresathomas_mt. By Teresa Thomas MailTribune.com By Teresa Thomas Posted May. 27, 2014 @ 2:00 am Updated May 27, 2014 at 12:22 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2014 Local Media Group, Inc. 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