25 YEARS AGO

June 1, 1999

More than 330 American flags lined the paths during Memorial Day weekend at the Hermiston Cemetery to honor America’s fallen heroes.

Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion Post were joined by volunteers to raise the patriotic stars and stripes along the Avenue of Flags. The display flew for three days. Under the shadow of these flags, individuals placed flowers on the graves of loved ones.

Lt. Col. Martin Jacoby, commander of the Umatilla Depot Chemical, gave a speech about the purpose of Memorial Day.

“By being here today, you’re not forgetting the sacrifices of our service men and women,” he said. “You’re remembering what they did and what they stood for.”

Following the speech, a 21-gun salute was led by Sgt. 1st Class Dan Couzens, of Hermiston, and Sgt. 1st Class Paul Russell, of Baker City. Patriotic music was presented by Desert Rain, a Hermiston Assembly of God choir directed by Lorraine Ellis. Brittany Hefner and Ric Sherman brought the ceremony to a close by playing taps.

50 YEARS AGO

May 30, 1974

Chief Robert Shannon, of the Hermiston Police Department, was beyond belief upon hearing the city was awarded a grant for more than $60,000 for emergency medical equipment.

“It’s fantastic,” he said. “We never thought it would happen!”

Shannon said about 90% of the grant would be used to purchase radio and medical equipment, including sophisticated technology like electronic blood pressure and pulse monitors. Two transmitters would be installed in each ambulance — one to send data and the other for communication. This second transmitter would provide paramedics with a direct and immediate communication link, enabling doctors to instruct them in emergency medical procedures that previously would not have been performed until the patient reached the hospital.

The remaining funds, Shannon said, would be put toward paying for the 120 hours of advanced medical training for all members of the Hermiston police and fire departments.

The grant was awarded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation of Princeton, New Jersey, and was just one of two grants awarded in the Pacific Northwest. Hermiston medical personnel and government officials were extremely grateful for this grant and excited to provide greater service to local residents.

75 YEARS AGO

June 2, 1949

The second phase of the McNary Dam project was soon to be underway.

This phase would see the construction of a concrete substructure for two main drills, a station service bay for the powerhouse, a main second-step cofferdam and the abutment on the Oregon shore. All this was expected to be completed by May 1, 1951.

Col. William Whipple, Walla Walla district engineer for the Corps of Engineers, said bids would be advertised June 6. Prospective bidders could survey the site and equipment during a tour on June 28.

The first major construction phase included a navigation lock, 13.5 bays of the spillway dam, the shore fishway and a portion of the shore abutment on the Washington side. This work came under a nearly $22,000,000 contract and would terminate Sept. 30, 1959. It was reported to have progressed rapidly, as McNary officials hoped the case would be with the construction on the Oregon side.

90 YEARS AGO

May 31, 1934

A thunderstorm helped break Umatilla County’s heat wave.

The temperature had reached 102 degrees earlier in the week, setting the high mark for the year. Within four days, the storm lowered that temperature by nearly 30 degrees. The thunderstorm also brought water for the parched and maturing wheat.

Shortly after this rainfall, a cloudburst was reported in Heppner. As water cascaded through the town, it caused considerable damage by moving several buildings off their foundations and completely uprooting fences and railings. The Rhea Creek also overflowed, washing away nearby haystacks, crops and the Clyde Wright sheep sheds. No lives were lost during this torrential downpour.