The Community Military Appreciation Committee’s 15th Our Community Salutes event was held Wednesday at Skyview High School, with dozens of recruits taking their ceremonial oaths of enlistment

Paul Valencia
Clark County Today

They marched toward their seats to the sound of the songs of their branches of service.

Army.

Marines.

Navy.

Air Force.

Coast Guard.

Dozens of enlistees made their way to the front seats of the auditorium, awaiting their ceremonial swearing in — an opportunity for them, and their families, to be honored by the community.

It was the annual Our Community Salutes, with the Community Military Appreciation Committee (CMAC) organizing this event to say thank you to those who volunteer to serve in the armed forces.

Recruits from not only Clark County, but all over Southwest Washington and Oregon were invited to take place in this ceremony, held at Skyview High School in Vancouver on Wednesday. Many of the recruits are seniors in high school who are planning to head off to basic training, or boot camp, soon after graduation.

Thijs Lowe of Union High School said he does not know what job he will have in the military just yet, but he selected the Marines because it is “the best branch.”

Josh Webb, who grew up in California but recently moved to the Northwest, said he will learn a trade in Marines.

Edgar Martinez of La Center is going infantry in the Marines.

Toni Forbes of Tigard, Ore., said she has siblings in the Army. She was looking to get a jumpstart on life and travel before eventually attending college.

Hayden Ebel of Tillamook, Ore., said he saw a lot of opportunity in the Army and he is looking forward to his future.

The dozens of recruits recognized at this event heard from political and community leaders, and met with decorated veterans. The future service members received a commemorative coin and a United States flag.

Our Community Salutes began across the nation in 2009. It started in Vancouver in 2011. This was CMAC’s 15th local OCS event, highlighting Northwest recruits.

Donal Singleton, who served in the Navy for 22 years and is now a pastor, prayed for the recruits.

“Protect them as they make this journey. Allow them to understand that we have their back. That each and every step they take, we’re taking with them,” Singleton said.

Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp-Perez recorded a video from Washington D.C. that was presented on screen in the auditorium.

“What you are choosing to do is huge. You’re stepping up and saying that you are willing to put yourself between whatever comes next and your community. That takes a particular kind of courage that we all have respect for,” Gluesenkamp-Perez said.

Brett Blechschmidt, interim superintendent of Vancouver Public Schools, and Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle also welcomed recruits.

The featured speaker was Tyler Venneri, a Battle Ground graduate and Army veteran. He gave recruits some advice.

“Make the best out of every situation. Basic training and AIT (Advanced Individual Training) is going to be really hard. It’s a culture shock,” Venneri said. “But that training is going to set you up later on in life. It will teach you your discipline, your respect, and how to be a better person.”

Lt. Col. John A. Scott, commander of Portland-Pacific Recruiting Battalion, would give the oath of enlistment. But first, he told the recruits: “I can assure you … you are about to become a better version of yourself.”