Memorial Day 2011...

Two Memorial Day Traditions…

Two traditions to honor fallen soldiers are traced to the Civil War era…. Setting aside one day to decorate the graves of fallen soldiers… Memorial Day was adopted by many northern communities in the mid 1860s, emulating a southern tradition that was meant to remember family members and friends who had passed away.

The Commander of the Army of the Republic, John A. Logan, issued the first official proclamation of Memorial Day in May of 1868. That was after several communities in upstate New York set aside one day in May to honor slain Civil War Soldiers by decorating their graves.

The tradition of playing “Taps” is associated with military funerals but it actually began as a way of signaling ‘lights out’ in military encampments. Shortly after the introduction of the simple, yet haunting melody, a funeral was held for a fallen soldier and the man’s commanding officer decided the traditional rifle volley over the soldier’s grave might trigger more fighting. So instead, he called in the bugler to play the ‘new’ tune.

Two Memorial Day observances are being held on the Central Coast today… in Florence the traditional 11 AM ceremony, organized by the American Legion, will be held at the Veteran’s Memorial Park on Bay Street. The service will include all branches of the military, as well as recognize the different veteran’s groups. It will end with a “laying on of wreathes”. Memorial Wreaths honoring fallen members of each branch of service will be laid in the water by the U.S. Coast Guard at the end of the service.

In Reedsport the 29 Palms Marine Corps Band will hold an afternoon concert at Hahn Memorial Park… that’s after a noon parade through downtown Reedsport. The Oregon Air National Guard is scheduled for a flyby during the parade. A Community barbecue is set at the park along with the concert. The band will play two more concerts tomorrow… one at two, the other at six, in Winchester Bay.

Turning to other news… Florence Police responding to a 9-1-1 call Saturday afternoon and discovered a young man dead of a single gunshot wound in the parking lot across from the Florence Events Center. Police Chief Maury Sanders said 21-year old Ross Matthew Bradley ended his own life. Sanders said it wasn’t immediately clear when it occurred, but his remains were found by a passer-by just before one pm Saturday.

Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press

McMINVILLE, Ore. (AP) - A deputy with the Yamhill County
Sheriff's Office has been arrested and placed on administrative
leave. The Statesman Journal reports that the 48-year-old deputy
from Newberg is facing criminal mistreatment and assault charges,
but no further details of the allegations were immediately
available. An investigation is ongoing.

WHITE CITY, Ore. (AP) - Organic frozen-food maker Amy's Kitchen
is poised to expand its Oregon operations with the construction of
a new warehouse and freezer unit in White City. Industry observers
estimate that such a project could easily cost more than $10
million. However, a company official tells the Mail Tribune that
that the project won't generate a lot of new hires. Instead,
current staff will be reassigned.

GRANTS PASS, Ore. (AP) - A southwest Oregon employment agency is
cutting nearly half its workers. The Job Council helps connect
unemployed people with job training and services in Josephine and
Jackson counties. An agency official tells the Daily Courier his
staff is expected to shrink from 89 to 50 employees - a 44 percent
reduction.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Authorities say reports of a BASE jumper
crashing to the ground near railroad tracks yesterday morning
temporarily shut down Burlington Northern-Santa Fe's operations
along the West Coast and as far east as Kansas City. Authorities
say the rescue mission was called off and rail lines re-opened
after a caller with credible information said the jumper suffered
only minor injuries and had left the area. BASE jumping involves
parachuting off man-made structures and cliffs.


(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Taking a look at Coast Radio Sports…

For the first time since they returned to the college baseball diamond in 2009 the Oregon Ducks swept a three game Pac-10 series… this one was an important one all around. The three losses knocked the number 6 ranked Oregon State Beavers out of first place in the conference and left them tied with second place with Arizona, a game behind UCLA. It also may have left the Diamond Ducks in position to get an invitation to one of 16 regionals in the NCAA playoffs… they’ll find out later today.

One thing that three straight losses did not do was spoil the Beavers post-season chances… Oregon State will host three other teams beginning later this week in one of those 16 NCAA Regionals.

Number 11 Oregon Softball dropped two straight games Friday and Saturday to Florida, ending their season at one of eight “super-regionals”. The Number 3 Gators won the first game of the best-of-three series Friday night in a weather shortened five inning 9-1 game. Florida then shut-out the Ducks 7-0 Saturday to clinch the series.