3rd Annual Blessing of the Never Forget Garden: The Dalles, Oregon
On August 27, 2023 members of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in The Dalles, Oregon gathered on a beautiful sunny day next to one of 13 Never Forget Gardens (NFG) in the State of Oregon. The one in The Dalles was planted in 2020 starting with 21 rose bushes, dedicated to individuals or families with multiple veterans, and on this day two new rose bushes were planted bringing the garden to a total of 39 rose bushes remembering the service and sacrifice of family and friends in the Columbia River Gorge. With the new rose bushes added, this makes it the largest NFG in the Pacific Northwest and possibly in the United States.
Former Navy Aviator, and Vietnam Veteran, LCDR (Ret) Jerry Frazier led the program and talked about the importance of the NFG and how it is expanding every year. He also talked about the “unofficial” NFG Dalles watchman, a neighbor unconnected to the church but with a protective heart. He lives across the street and keeps an eye on those who visit the garden and the flag, which truly makes it a community NFG.
Reverend Deacon Pamela Miller led those in attendance with an invocation.
I was honored to stand with all who have served our country. The roses in our Rose Garden are a wonderful symbol of strength and dignity. Rev. Deacon Pamela Miller
Former Tomb Guard and SHGTUS Immediate Past President Gavin McIlvenna (1997-98), talked about how the NFG program came about during the Centennial of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (1921-2021) as a means to bring communities together to honor those who have served, and gave an example of the impact it has had on many individuals who have created NFGs at their homes:
During the pandemic there was a lady who lost her husband, an Air Force veteran, and she was unable to have a memorial service to honor him. As she walked through her neighborhood she stumbled on an NFG in the backyard of a neighbor and immediately asked about it. The SHGTUS Associate Member told her about the NFG program and she started to shed tears of joy having found a meaningful way to remember her husband's service and sacrifice.
The rose bushes added this year honored 100 year old World War II Army Veteran Richard Scherzinger (Rose: Midas Touch) and Air Force Captain Michael “Moose/Bat” Masterson (Rose: Never Forget). Captain Masterson fell in battle on October 13, 1968 in Vietnam.
Frazier also talked about his fraternity brother and shipmate, LTJG Richard “Skip” Brunhaver, who was shot down on August 24, 1965 over Vietnam and was a Prisoner of War for 8 years at the infamous Hanoi Hilton. A rose bush (Chicago Peace) is in the center of the NFG, and upon conclusion of sharing his memories of having breakfast with “Skip” the morning of his ill fated mission, took off the POW/MIA bracelet from his wrist and placed it around the base of the rose bush. Brunhaver passed away on April 28, 2023.
It was great to have several out of town guests attend that had specific interest in specific persons represented in the garden and a notebook has been started containing historical information about each person represented by the 39 roses contained in the NFG. LCDR (Ret) Jerry Frazier, SHGTUS Associate Member
The blessing of the garden concluded with a prayer of thanksgiving led by SHGTUS Bereavement Director and Army Veteran CPT (Ret) Amy McIlvenna, RN.
Each year the plan is to add more rose bushes as community members provide them, and to record the story behind the name in a special book kept at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church for all to enjoy.
More information on the SHGTUS Never Forget Garden project can be found at Society of the Honor Guard | Projects (tombguard.org) and,
White Rose Journal at WHITE ROSE JOURNAL: The Never Forget Garden Project | Frank Nero | Substack