Leonard Dean Hammer |
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Condon, Oregon |
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October 9, 1987 |
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Sea Plane Mechanic on USS Wright & USS Williams |
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For Memorial Service Snapshots, Click photo below: August 19, 2011 |
Full Military Honors For Francis Paul Harrison & Leonard Dean Hammer Francis Paul Harrison, my father, was born in Condon, OR May 7, 1918. He was of pioneer stock and Second Generation Oregonian. WW II broke out when he was a young man, and because he had a congenital heart defect, he had to hound the local Army Recruiter for over a year before he was allowed to enlist. This was about a year after his boyhood friend, Leonard Hammer, whom we also honor today, had enlisted in the Navy. He was not allowed to serve overseas, but spent his most of his enlistment at Ft. Knox, KY where he taught about the electrical systems of armored vehicles. He was an intuitive mechanic and for all his life was responsible for the repair and maintenance of anything with wheels or tracks: from the boss’ son’s motorcycle to gigantic log unloaders with tires taller than he. While in Kentucky, he met my mother, Mary Elizabeth Howard and wed her on Christmas Day 1943. He had a 24 hour pass for both their wedding and honeymoon. His lifelong buddy Leonard Hammer served in the Navy in the South Pacific and in 1946 married my Mother’s sister, Hallie Margaret “Snooks” Howard. They all lived in Condon, OR for a time, and then moved to Portland where they ran an auto repair shop. Dad was a lifelong member of the American Legion as was Mom of the American Legion Auxiliary. Mom and Dad maintained a close relationship with Aunt “Snooks” and Uncle Len for all of their lives. When he died and 1993 and my mother died in 2009, it was Len and Snook’s children who stood by me and helped us through these most difficult of times. My Father’s love of Country was unconditional as was his support for our Veterans. He profoundly respected the sacrifices of our Warriors and our Veterans as I do now. To paraphrase the Chief Justice of the Oregon Supreme Court (a Viet Nam Veteran Himself) speaking at the Memorial Day Service, here, last year: Our Veterans have given so much. We must continually honor their sacrifices and do whatever is needed to make the living whole again. We owe special respect for our Viet Nam Veterans to make amends for their shameful treatment on returning to the States. The Patriot Guard has become a place of healing for our Viet Nam Veterans as we strive to ensure no returning Warrior, standing or fallen is ever disrespected again. I have a policy within my practice: when I am finished with a first session with a Warrior or a Veteran, I thank them personally for their service. Dad, Uncle Leonard: I thank you for your service to our Country. Mother, Aunt Snooks: Thank you for Standing by your Warriors and your Veterans for so many years. And to all the Warriors out there beneath the sea of headstones, thank you for your service. We would no longer exist without the sacrifices of your blood, your sweat and your tears. We are in your debt, forever. |
Don't Let The Memory Of Them Drift Away
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