Sweet Land of Liberty

The tiny town of Wasco saw arguably its largest crowd yet at the annual Memorial Day celebration Monday.

Folks traveled from across the state to take part in the festivities, which kicked off at 10 a.m. with a Memorial Service and flag raising at the historic train depot. Wasco Mayor Beth McCurdy opened the ceremony with a welcome greeting, followed by an opening prayer from pastor Joe Burgess.

Tri-County Veteran Services officer Eric Akin paid tribute to fallen soldiers and offered a moment of silence for female Marine Corps veteran Sandra VanGilder, a beloved Wasco resident who died this past year.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with her husband Arlen VanGilder and family after this tremendous loss," Akin said at Monday's service. "We would like to dedicate a portion of this Memorial Day celebration to Sandra and all the veterans who never made it home."

Sherman County Judge Joe Dabulskis introduced the 2024 Grand Marshal, Sheriff Brad Lohrey, who is retiring this year after a 28-year career with the Sherman County Sheriff's Office.

The Memorial Service ended just in time for a stunning military jet flyover by the Oregon Air National Guard. Hundreds of people then lined the street to view the parade, one of the largest in recent memory, organizers say.

The annual Wasco Memorial Day celebration is in its 40th straight year, although there are historic photos in Wasco that indicate the festivities have been taking place in some manner for at least 100 years.

Monday's event was organized by a small but mighty City of Wasco planning committee, the mayor said, and supported by Oregon Frontier Chamber of Commerce and Sherman County Cultural Coalition, along with numerous sponsorships from local businesses and nonprofit organizations.

Brittany Dark of Oregon Frontier Chamber led the parade organization and registration table and said this year's parade was one of the best yet.

"The parade prizes were a hit, and everyone loved the decorated pulled wagons," Dark said. "Such a great idea and an opportunity for people to get creative."

Mayor McCurdy said she met folks from as far as Banks, Ore., who raved about the event and planned to go home to their own small towns to sing Wasco's praises.

"I am very pleased, thankful and thrilled by the hard work of our small group of volunteers that worked so very hard to make this year's celebration so awesome," McCurdy said. "The crowd was great, the weather was perfect and lots of smiles were happening."

McCurdy said she would love to see more locals join the planning committee in 2025 and hopes the event continues to draw visitors from across the region.

"If I had to pick a special moment or two, the jet flyover and the large flag coming down the street always give me chills," she added. "Soon we will start plans for next year, so please mark your calendar."