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Honoring our nation's veterans Photo by Steve Johnson Honoring our nation's veterans - Members of the Oregon Army National Guard march along Medford's Front Street during the annual Veterans Day Parade Thursday. Hundreds of spectators, many waving flags, lined the streets to watch and salute the men and women in uniform. Other events celebrating the last Veterans Day of the century included ceremonies at the Veterans domiciliary in White City, a concert at Medford's National Guard Armory and a poetry reading in Ashland by Steve Mason, national poet laureate of the Vietnam Veterans of America. American GIs loom large in 20th century Veterans Day event honored their sacrifices By PAUL FATTIG WHITE CITY -- Patriotism stood center stage at the last Veterans Day ceremony of the century at the Department of Veterans Affairs Domiciliary. It was an old-fashioned stars-and-stripes affair, complete with rousing songs by the Star Spangled Singers, a local group. In Medford, hundreds of flag-waving spectators lined the streets for the annual veterans parade featuring members of the Oregon Army National Guard, military equipment, local high school bands, Boy Scout troops and others. The reason for Thursday's celebration, explained Veterans Affairs Domiciliary director George Andries during the ceremony, is that America's men and women in uniform loomed large in the 20th century. In fact, Time magazine has named the American GI as the man of the century, he noted. "They did it for a very good reason," said the Air Force veteran. "This century has been marked by wars throughout the world. Unfortunately, Americans have had to fight in these wars. "But it wasn't to gain land for a country," he added. "It was to help that country gain its freedom and to hold that freedom. That's what makes the American GI different: a citizen soldier who does his job and comes back to become a citizen." U.S. Rep. Greg Walden, R-Hood River, who represents the 2nd Congressional District, agreed. "We are indebted to those who wore the uniform in all our wars," he told the roughly 200 gathered in the Domiciliary theater. Although Walden is not a veteran, his father and an uncle are veterans of World War II. And his father-in-law served in Korea. "Right now, the median age for our nation's defenders who served in World War II is 77 years old," he said. "Throughout America, some nine million veterans are 65 years of age or over -- more than one-third of the veteran population. "By the end of this century, the number age 65 or more will increase by 300,000," he added. "Like all aging Americans, these brave men and women will have more chronic medical needs that require more health care services." This year, Congress has increased spending on veterans health care by $1.7 billion to help meet those needs, he said. "I firmly believe that maintaining a strong American military into the 21st century requires that we live up to our obligations to active duty and retired military men and women," he said. Keynote speaker Hoon Sohn, consul general of the Republic of Korea, whose offices are in Seattle, said his country owes a debt of gratitude to the American veteran. "It is because of your bravery, dedication and sacrifice that we are here today," he told the veterans in attendance. "More than 36,000 American soldiers gave their lives to defend Korea during the Korean War," he said. "Even now, America has troops stationed in Korea for deterrence against the North. "We will never forget what you veterans have done for us," he added. "Your sacrifices have ensured our survival. ... I extend my gratitude to all the veterans who are here." While North Korea retains a communistic dictatorship, his country is a democracy, thanks to sacrifices made by American GIs and his country's veterans nearly half a century ago, he said. He also addressed the connection that his country has to the Pacific Northwest, particularly Oregon, as well as the economic ties between the United States and the Republic of Korea. Oregon shares a special bond with South Korea, he said, noting that major Oregon cities as well as Jackson County have sister cities in Korea. "It's important to me that 289 soldiers from the state of Oregon gave their lives to protect our freedom from communism aggression," he said. "...It is unfortunate that, for many Americans and Koreans, their work (during the war) has become a distant memory.'' Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA