The Portland Police Highland Guard will open the
memorial service for Army Sgt. Jason Alan Shaffer with Amazing Grace on
Saturday.
The musical tribute will follow a moment of silence for
the fallen warrior at 2:30 p.m. in the Hood River Valley High School
gymnasium. The Highland Guard also closes the 90-minute ceremony with
“Scotland the Brave,” a dramatic song about homecoming.
“Our contribution to formal funeral and memorial
services is something very special for our performing members,” said
Redmond Police Capt. Al Maich, one of the bagpipers.
“We gather each week to rehearse and improve our
musical skills knowing we will be called upon to support families, friends
and communities in time of great tragedy. We hope our contribution will
aid in bringing honor to the sacrifices their loved one and friend has
given.”
The Highland Guard is a traditional Scottish bagpipe
and drum band. Its members are public safety employees who have adopted
the motto “We Will Never Forget.” They are funded by private contributions
and travel throughout the Northwest and British Columbia. The Guard was
formed as a special project of the Portland Police Historical Society.
The Guard arrives in Hood River on May 19 to
commemorate Sgt. Shaffer’s life and dedication to country. The 28-year-old
Army Scout died on April 5 near Baqubah in Iraq after a roadside bomb
detonated near his patrol vehicle. He had been serving a second tour of
duty in the Middle East with the 1st Calvary Division from Fort Hood,
Texas.
Sgt. Shaffer has posthumously been awarded the Bronze
Star and a Purple Heart. His other military recognitions include an Army
Good Conduct Award, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terror Service
Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Combat Action Badge and National Defense
Service Medal.
At the time of his death, the newly promoted sergeant
was working toward a degree in criminal justice. He enlisted in 2003 with
plans to enter a law enforcement career after leaving military service.
His wife, Kathleen, resides in Hood River with Caeden
Fisher, her young son. She and other family members are joining a
processional prior to the service. (See information box.)
At the service, Congressman Greg Walden will present
Kathleen with a flag that was flown over the nation’s capitol in her
husband’s name.
“I am honored to join the rest of the community in
paying our respects to Sgt. Jason Shaffer,” he said “Every American owes
him a debt that can never be fully repaid.”
Walden, who resides in Hood River, takes on duties as
host to visiting dignitaries on May 19. He will be assisted by Hood River
County Commission Chair Ron Rivers, who acts as master of ceremonies for
the service.
Participating in the memorial program and an Armed
Forces Day Tribute at Saturday Market will be: Gov. Ted Kulongoski, Brig.
Gen. Charles Yriarte, Sen. Rick Metsger and Rep. Patti Smith (see story
below).
Representatives from four branches of the military will
also be present for both events. They are being seated in a place of honor
behind the governor. Soldiers from the Hood River Armory will post and
retire the national and state colors. An Army Military Honors Team adds to
the military protocol with a rifle salute and taps.
The service for Sgt. Shaffer was designed to blend Army
tradition with personal remembrances of a husband, father, brother and
son. His love of outdoor activities and family and friends will be
portrayed in a video montage designed by Kathleen and Anderson’s Tribute
Center of Hood River.
By the widow’s request, local soloist Anita Decker will
sing “At Last,” the couple’s wedding song. Decker will also sing the
National Anthem and join the Mid-Columbia Choir, under direction of Perry
Cole, in performing the “Battle Hymn of the Republic” and the “Army Hymn.”
The Oregon Mourns message is being delivered by
Kulongoski and Yriarte awards the Gold Star Mother’s Banner to Sgt.
Shaffer’s mother, Gwendolyn Shaffer. She and his father, Roger, are
traveling from Huntley, Va., to Hood River for the event. Also attending
will be Sgt. Shaffer’s brother, Eric, of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., and his
best friends, Timothy Kunkle and James Lewis, both from Derry, Penn.
At the May 19 service, Kathleen will receive the
Veterans Service Medal from the Oregon Veterans Motorcycle Association and
an Honorable Service Medal from Veterans of Oregon.
Terri Hansen, the local representative of Soldiers’
Angels and organizer of the service, urges Hood River County residents to
attend.
“Many of us never had the privilege of meeting Sgt. Shaffer. And that
makes his sacrifice just that much more humbling,” she said. “He stepped
forward to become my defender in spite of the fact that he didn’t know me.
I think we all owe him a debt of gratitude for being willing to make that
sacrifice on our behalves.”
