They could do this all day
Loyalty Days is worthy of some atten-shun this weekend
This year’s Newport Loyalty Days and Sea Fair Festival, running from Friday, May 5, through Sunday, May 7, recognizes all military veterans and active duty personnel, with a special honor given to those who served during the Vietnam War.
“On March 29, the United States recognized National Vietnam War Veterans Day on the 50th anniversary of the date the last combat troops left South Vietnam,” said Loyalty Days president and Oregon National Guard recruiter Luke Bobeda. “Loyalty Days honors Vietnam Veterans and their families for their service and remembers the men and women who put others’ lives ahead of their own to serve during one of America’s longest wars. Newport Loyalty Days officially says, ‘Welcome Home Vets.’”
The festival will begin at noon on Friday with a veterans luncheon at the Newport 60+ Activity Center. The next event will be held at 8 pm at the Newport National Guard Armory. The Loyalty Days Princesses will start the program followed by the Reading of the Names.”
“The greatest sacrifice is giving one’s life for the freedom of others,” Bobeda said. “The Reading of Names honors those men and women for their courage, sacrifice and devotion to duty and country.”
The three princesses will present their speeches prior to the recognition of these veterans of previous wars who made the ultimate sacrifice in the course of duty.
“I am so honored and thankful to be a Loyalty Days Princess and to have the chance to express my gratitude for this town and this country,” Princess Lilliebelle Bassingthwaite said. “I’m also grateful to have the opportunity to welcome home our Vietnam veterans 50 years after the last of our troops came home. It’s amazing being a part of something that means so much to these individuals and our community as a whole.”
“The Loyalty Days Parade unifies our community as a whole, with people from different backgrounds and roles in the community,” Princess Kasin Schwab said. “Watching from the crowds on the side of the street and participating in the Newport High School Marching Band for several years, I had always dreamt of being a Loyalty Day Princess for what they represent.”
“Loyalty Days Parade has always been a place of celebration and belonging for our community,” Princess Julie Zeng said. “I grew up watching the Loyalty Days Princesses and wanted to be in their place and contribute to the tradition. As a Chinese American, I also hope to be a representative example for children overcoming sociocultural barriers to feel belonging and support.”
The Saturday Loyalty Days Parade will start with the Loyalty Days One Mile Run beginning at 11:35 am.
At noon, the parade will be led by the Honor Guard from Coast Guard Station Yaquina Bay, followed by other first responders, the Grand Marshall, the Loyalty Days Court and the Loyalty Days Home Town Heroes.
This year’s Heroes include: Chris Gilbert, a firefighter/EMT for Newport Fire Station 31, chosen for his enthusiasm for his job and because he genuinely enjoys helping those in need; Sue Giles, animal care specialist for the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, selected because she has shown her love for animals by being a 4H leader for more than 40 years teaching youngsters how to care for their animals; Anthony “Tony” Lorange, member of the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Team, chosen mainly because of his expertise in training and deploying two SAR dogs, one in air scent and another for human remains detection; Renee McCaslin, records clerk for the Newport Police Department, selected as the department's hero because she can be counted on to handle any assignment quickly and thoroughly; Matthew Roque from Coast Guard Station Yaquina Bay, proved his hero designation by saving the captain of the F/V Legion by tending a surface swimmer’s line during a historic wind event in 2020; and Jordan Young, SPC Oregon National Guard, honored for his leadership role, effectively managing and supervising the Maupin track project while also training soldiers.
Numerous community organizations, schools and businesses will advance the parade along Highway 101 beginning at the Pacific Plaza parking lot at NE 20th Street, concluding just before the intersection of Highway 20 and Olive Street. An open house will be held at 1:30 pm at the American Legion Hall Post and at 2 pm at the National Guard Armory.
On Sunday, the Newport Fishermen's Wives will begin their day of events, starting at 9 am with the Survival Suit race. Teams, including the three princesses, will compete in the race between Port Dock 1 and Port Dock 5. The Blessing of the Fleet, a community ceremony honoring local fishermen and their families, will begin with the boat parade at 11 am.
The Newport Fishermen’s Wives annual BBQ will be held at 1 pm at the Yaquina Bay Yacht Club at 750 SE Bay Blvd along with the Highliner Competition. The lunch is free and open to everyone in the community until the food runs out. The Memorial Service, remembering Lincoln County fishermen who were lost at sea, will be held at the Fishermen’s Memorial Sanctuary at Yaquina Bay State Park at 4 pm.
The Newport National Guard Armory is located at 541 SW Coast Hwy. American Legion Hall Post 116 is located at 424 W. Olive Street. For more information, go to newportfishermenswives.com or the Newport Loyalty Days & Sea Fair Festival page on Facebook.