Today was a beautiful sunny day in Corvallis, Oregon. Most appropriate to celebrate Memorial Day 2009 and pay respect to those that have given the ultimate sacrifice for their country. 
I was in attendance at the Benton County Veterans Memorial Day program at the Oregon National Guard Armory in Corvallis. There was a standing room only crowd of nearly 500 Corvallis and Benton County residents that came to show their respects to Florence Brett, Gold Star Mother, and all those veterans, living and departed that have served their country. Veterans from World War ll, Korea, Vietnam, and Iraqi Freedom were among those in the crowd. The Corvallis Fire Department was there along with one of Corvallis' best pieces of fire fighting equipment. Les Whittle was Master of Ceremonies for the event and Brigadier General Charles L. Yriarte was the keynote speaker. During my conversation with Les Whittle, a Korean War Veteran, he shared with me the fact that "this year was probably the most satisfying of all the Memorial Day Ceremonies he has been a part of." Florence Brett, mother of Robert "Lefty" Brett Jr., and her son Joe Brett were a part of the posting of the wreath ceremony honoring Robert "Lefty" Brett Jr.. Florence Brett was presented a flag of the United States of America that had flown over the United States Capitol in Washington D.C.. Florence Brett told me that she "was honored to be a part of the ceremony honoring her son". Joe Brett, "Lefty's" brother shared with those assembled the story of how his brother had graduated from Corvallis High school in 1966, attended Oregon State University and ultimately became a pilot. Flying was Lefty Brett's first love. Joe Brett shared the fact that Lefty's first mission in Vietnam would be his last. "Lefty" Brett's F-111 went down in darkness, in dense jungle during the fall of 1972 near the Laos/Vietnam border and was not found until nearly 30 years later. Joe Brett provided a poignant accounting of how his father Robert Brett Sr. never gave up trying to account for his MIA son, Robert "Lefty" Brett Jr.. A Fly-Over by two F-15 fighters was quite a tribute to the Brett family and was most impressive against the backdrop of a crystal blue sky. Les Whittle, Muriel Hilliard and all those who helped make this tribute a reality are to be congratulated for their extraordinary efforts.
| 
