Well, today marks the 150th anniversary of statehood for Oregon, a process begun by Robert Gray, Jefferson and Lewis and Clark, the Astorians, Jedediah Smith and his exploring party and completed by the thousands who risked all for a new start 2000 miles west of Independence, Mo., at the end of the Oregon Trail, where they raised homesteads among the Metis and retired Hudsons Bay trappers at the northern end of the Willamette Valley. It took gumption, sweat, tears and dreams and I believe it paid off. I was 6 years old for the Oregon Centennial in 1959, and will not live to see the bicentennial. But I love this place and respect the men, women and children who went before me to make Oregon a reality.
My low-crowned hat is off, and I bow deeply to the dreamers who ignored the risks to listen to the whispers of their inner children.
May we all have ears to hear ...
Bill Powell
Rogue Valley
Oregon Country
My low-crowned hat is off, and I bow deeply to the dreamers who ignored the risks to listen to the whispers of their inner children.
May we all have ears to hear ...
Bill Powell
Rogue Valley
Oregon Country