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April 17, 2009

Oroville Mercury Register (OMR)
June 1. 1942

City Honors War Dead On Memorial Day
Better World Can come Out Of This War, Says Critchett
“We have entered World War II in self defense but the fruits of victory will be a better world,” George E. Critchett, past commander of the United Spanish American War Veterans Saturday told a large crowd of Oroville people gathered in Municipal auditorium to honor the nation’s soldier and sailor dead. The Memorial Day ceremonies were the most comprehensive held in Oroville in many years. “In the first World War we won the battle but lost in peace. We were hated by other nations. If America can carry the spirit of war unity into peace it will produce a new era in national life,: he said. “We shall not let heroism die by forgetting the hero,” Crichett said. “Bestowing a medal does not pay all the debt. Heroism has earned the reward of undying memory by a grateful people. “Wars are no longer won on the battlefield, alone,” He pointed out. “The men of Bataan bear evidence of that. The loss of Malay and Singapore does not mean that there are better soldiers under the yellow skin. It does mean that it takes food, and guns as well. In closing he pleaded for the fraternity of American interests-“One for all and all for one.”

A parade consisting of citizens from every walk of life in Oroville, patriotic and civic organizations, Boy and Girl Scouts, school students, lodges and many unaffiliated persons made its way to the Feather River bridge where flowers were strewn upon the water in honor of the war dead. The Rev. Mr. D. D. Champlin of the Congregational church delivered the benediction and the salute to the dead and “Taps” were preformed by the high school cadets. The high school band opened the program at the auditorium with the playing of the Star Spangled Banner and the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was led by V. V. Ricketts, past commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. The address of welcome was given by W. S. Boone, senior vice commander of the United Spanish War Veterans. The American Legion Auxiliary group composed by Mrs. Ellen Walker, Mrs. Bess Phillips, and Mrs. Florence Boyle, accompanied at the piano by Mrs. Carey Strang, presented a vocal number.

Invocation was delivered by Rev. Mr. W. S. Woodhull of the Methodist Church. James Walker, past commander of the American Legion, presented the Gettysburg Address which was followed by Eugene Carter, senior vice commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars who read “Logan’s Orders.” Following Critchett’s address, Mrs. Walker sang “My Buddy” accompanied by Mrs. Strang. Benediction was by Rev. Fr. P. J. McCarthy of St. Thomas Catholic Church. Following the program ceremonies continued at the cemeteries where flowers and flags were placed on the graves.

100 Dine at “O” Banquet
One hundred members and guests attended the Block O banquet at Oroville High School following the initiation of fifty four new members, Wednesday night. Bill Dolan was the guest speaker of the evening and gave a brief history of the athletic activities of the high school. Principal J. C. Nisbet was master of ceremonies and short talks were given by the coaches and Roger Van Duzer, president. During the day-long initiation which saw all initiates come to school dressed in girl’s dresses and wearing make-up was completed by the formal initiation in the gymnasium in the early evening. The entire group enjoyed a banquet with the dinner being prepared by Mrs. Blance Rice and the cooking class. Those initiated were: Darell Porter, Bob Williams, Phillip Sorenson, Floyd Coggin, Walter Frasier, Frank Lind, Harry Gleason, Claude Wilson, Perry Coleman, Al Davis, Kenny O’Brien, Charles O’Brien, Jack Alpers, Darell Crouch, Bobby Worthy, Gene Mitchell, Maclay Burt, Burith Robertson, H. D. D’Amico, Samuel Broadnax, Bob Orange, George Ford, Jim Toland, Don Evans, Donald Richter, Willare Johnson, Ralph Atkins, Joe Evich, Pat Fitzsimmons, Bill Sweeney, Bobby Robertson, George Beard, Bill Dresser, Chester Vance, Bob Thomas, Bob Daley, Gordon Hobbie, Charles Custer, and David Cox.

Stu’s Notes: The Oroville Veterans Memorial Park Committee took responsible for the Memorial Day program a few years ago. Soon, I will give you the names of the committee members. We have been meeting and working hard to put it together. Let’s hope this year we have a bigger turn out, maybe as big as in 1942!. The young men named above are freshmen, mostly and most will go to war. Some will not come home. Please come out Memorial Day and remember them all. Feather Falls Casino has again agreed to help us on a Motorcycle Run, Chairman and Oroville Veterans Memorial Park Committee members John and Joyce Archibald are our ramrods on this event to take place on August 15, 2009.