50th Anniversary of Multnomah’s Memorial Rock Celebrated

Article contributed by Lowell Swanson, taken from the Multnomah Historical Association Newsletter, Volume 2 Issue 1, Winter 1997

On May 11, 1996, Southwest World War II veterans and their families celebrated the fifitieth anniversary of the dedication of the Memorial Rock located at the Multnomah Center in Multnomah. The event was sponsored by the Multnomah Historical Association in conjunction with the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. 

The Mulnomah Historical Association decided a year ago to put on the celebration. They began by opening the sealed rock capsule to get the names of the veterans to notify them of the celebration. In so doing, they found many names were missing from the scroll in the capsule. A committee was formed, headed by Bob Peebler and Marjorie MacQueen, the president of the Lincoln High School Alumni Association, to locate and notify as many veterans as possible. Of the more than fourteen hundred names they were able to identify, they found more than five hundred of them as well as more than one hundred that were deceased, 

The program itself was orchestrated by Red Bennet, Commander of V.F.W. Post 4053. Music was provided by the Robert Gray Middle School Concert Band with Jeanne Berg as instructor and with Monikue Rogers as vocalist. The American Legion Portland Post 1 presented the colors and the national anthem was sung by William C. Miller. The unveiling and rededication of the Memorial Rock was done by Dorothy Wilson, American Legion Auxiliary and Mary Lyman Becker, president of the Multnomah Historical Association. Invocation was by the Reverend Walter Fruitger, Pastor Emeritus, Hillsdale Community Church. Oregon State Senator Dick Springer read the welcome and greetings from U.S. Senator Mark O. Hatfield. Mark William Convers placed a wreath on the rock and a moment of silence followed. The V.F.W. Post 4053 furnished the rifle team and taps was played by Andrew Boughton, Boy Scout Troop 427. The program concluded when the American Legion veterans retired the colors. Mr. Miller sang ” God Bless America” and the Rev. Mr. Frutiger gave the closing prayer. World War II music played in the background throughout the program. 

Although a light rain fell, more than four hundred veterans and their families showed up and renewed acquaintances, many who had not seen their friends in more than fifty years. Rosters of veterans and other memorabilia were shown in the Multnomah Center following the ceremony. A program was distributed that contained the history of the Memorial Rock and the names of those who had been killed during the war followed by all the names that were found to have served from the greater Southwest area. MHA president Mary Becker stated that if there is anyone who did not receive this program, they can call her and a copy will be sent to them. 

The Memorial Rock was originally dedicated on May 19, 1946 and had been placed on the grounds of the then Multnomah Grade School. The rock itself had been found near a huge slide east of Multnomah Falls. A plaque scroll listing the known veterans at the time was placed in a copper tube and sealed in a niche behind a bronze plaque. The plaque reads: 

This memorial is erected in honor of all men and women from this community who served God, country and the cause of freedom during World War II and under this plaque iş an urn containing a parchment scroll of their names. These have served and we have entered into the fruits of their service. 

May 19, 1946