UMATILLA COUNTY â Members of the American Legion Auxiliary, Hermiston Unit 37, are distributing poppies leading up to Memorial Day.
The bright red paper flowers will be available at small countertop displays throughout Hermiston and Umatilla, including Harvest Columbia Foods in Umatilla and the Hermiston Safeway store. Auxiliary members will be at those locations Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The flowers are free but donations are accepted. All money received will be used to help veterans. The purpose of the annual outreach, which was canceled last year, is to honor the fallen and support the living, said Cathy Stolz, president of Hermistonâs American Legion Auxiliary Unit 37.
American Legion Post 37 and the Auxiliary recently hosted a Quilt of Valor ceremony at its spring potluck, honoring 94-year-old Clinton J. âMikeâ McMichael of Hermiston.Â
The Quilt of Valor is a handmade quilt presented to a veteran, considered a civilian award to the soldier for their bravery in service.Â
According to the biography put together by American Legion, McMichael was a 17-year-old farm boy in Curtis, Nebraska, when he was inspired by accounts of D-Day in newsreels and on the radio. Three months later he joined the Army and was trained as a combat engineer. He was shipped across the Atlantic to England in a troop ship and crossed the English channel to a newly liberated France. He made his way through Europe clearing landmines until Germany s surrender.
After August, the City of Hermiston will no longer operate the Community Recreation Center.
City councilors Monday approved a lease for the building with the ARC of Umatilla County. The lease will run on a yearly basis for the fee of $1 each year, beginning in August. The organization will pay for all utility and maintenance costs of the structure.
2) With the business sections of Hermiston spreading like wildfire, another motel complex rented its first room Friday.
Best Western Hermiston Inn offers guests an indoor heated pool, plus a continental breakfast served on the premises.
Owned by Choice Realty, Best Western Hermiston Inn opened their 34-room facility one month later than their original March 1 completion date, according to manager Vijay Narain.