Though there won’t be the traditional firework display over the Columbia River in Columbia View Park this year, St. Helens will have Independence Day activities in McCormick Park that honor the United States and the service of veterans.
The theme for this year’s event is “Tour of Duty,” and is a collaboration with the American Legion, VFW, Elks Veteran Bunker, and the City of St. Helens. Judy Thompson is the volunteer coordinator of the event, and this year’s Independence Day celebration will also be the 10th annual “Let Freedom Bells Ring” ceremony as well.
Thompson said that even though there aren’t fireworks this year, they will continue the Let Freedom Bells Ring tradition, and this year is a great opportunity to recognize those who have given so much to secure liberties for the United States. Thompson explained how the theme was chosen.
“[Tour of Duty] was chosen as words that would give thought to what a Tour of Duty means in one’s life who has taken an oath to serve one’s country,” Thompson said. “To think of the how a tour of duty not only comes with hardships and the risk of the ultimate sacrifice, there are opportunities that benefits one as well. A chance to grow as a person and yes, see the world, see who America is.”
The Independence Day Celebration will last from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and there will be a lineup of activities and guest speakers on the theme of Tour of Duty. There will also be a dedication of the “Branch of Service Podiums and Flags” by Gene Hester. Hester is Judge Advocate with VFW Post 1440 and is a Veteran U.S. Army Special Ops Airborne Pathfinder who served in Vietnam in 1968 and 1969. The event will wrap up with a “birthday cake for America,” and an hour of music from Larry Jackson Big River Big Band featuring Ellie Wieneke.
The full schedule for the day includes:
• Starting at 10 a.m.: Veterans of Columbia County Photo Gallery
• 11 a.m.: Freedom Walk (Registration at 10:30 a.m.)
• Noon: Highway 30 Cruisers
• Noon to 1 p.m.: Prizes for patriotic kids, pets, and cosplay characters of 1776
• 1:15 p.m. Dedication of Stone Service Flag Pedestals at Veteran’s Memorial with Gene Hester
• 1:30 p.m.: American Legion & VFW Flag Raising Ceremony, National Anthem, and speakers including Frank Hupp’s “Tour of Duty,” Columbia County Commissioner Margaret Magruder, Doug Walker’s “Run for The Wall,”Rian Hamblin’s “Voice of Democracy,” Staff Sergeant James Omelina of the Oregon National Guard and Mayor Rick Scholl’s “Countdown.”
• 2 p.m.: “Let Freedom Bells Ring” Ceremony and George Washington signing the Declaration of Independence
• 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.: Birthday Cake for America and Larry Jackson Big River Big Band featuring Ellie Wieneke
The St. Helens City Council plans to host fireworks again in 2025 when the current Riverfront District construction is complete. Funding allocated for the 2024 fireworks show will be carried over to help pay for the 2025 fireworks show.
Let Freedom Bells Ring
The Let Freedom Bells Ring tradition is something that Thompson created with her neighbor Steve Topaz.
“10 years ago my neighbor Steve Topaz and I were talking about July 4th and there needs to be more meaning, not just about Potato salad, beer, and fireworks,” Thompson said. “I asked, what do we have in our town that serves the test of time with community meaning? Our Courthouse Clock Tower Bell was outstanding and then I researched how big bells are a part of July 4th Independence Day celebrations around our country. I found reference to ‘Let’s Ring Freedom Bells.’ A proclamation President John F. Kennedy revived in 1963.”
They needed bell ringers and Veterans is who they wanted to ring the freedom bells. Thompson and Topaz presented the idea to local American Legion and VFWs and “they were immediately onboard!”
Next, they sought big bells to be rung. Many of the organizations they asked who had them available were happy to be part of the budding tradition. The Columbia County Courthouse has the clock tower and big bell on the Courthouse steps and behind the courthouse in Warrior Rock Replica. Columbia River Fire & Rescue, First Methodist Church, St. Frederic Catholic Church, Plymouth Presbyterian Church, Christ Episcopal Church, and even reaching out to St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Scappoose have been the main big bells.
Thompson said a decade later, most of “the same veterans have rung the same big bell.”
“The purpose of ringing the big bells at 2:00 p.m. is for the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the big bells are rang 13 times for the 13 Colonies. ‘Let Freedom Bells Ring’ is to honor those who protect our freedoms, our veterans, service members, law enforcement, and firefighters,” Thompson said. “To give our country a sense of unity and connection to our past.”
Another piece of heritage that will be celebrated is the Flying Eagle canoe. “Willow” Bill Goulardt is the current caretaker of the canoe and will have it on display at the Independence Day Celebration. The canoe, carved by hand from a 191-year-old Western Red Cedar by hundreds of children and adult volunteers, was carved in 2006 to celebrate the bicentennial anniversary of the Lewis and Clark expedition.
Goulardt is hoping that the city and the county will recognize the accomplishment of the kids and volunteers who carved the canoe all those years ago.
Thompson had a message to share with the community ahead of this year’s event.
“Just come with goodwill and kindness and support our veterans and service members,” Thompson said. “Be a good citizen."
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