Steve Lundeberg

In 19 years at the DH and a quarter-century in the newspaper business, I have had occasion to attend all manner of notable events, including:

– The NBA Finals, twice.

– An anniversary party where one of the guests was Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Feller.

– The first game played by the original Dream Team (Drexler, Bird, Magic, Jordan, etc.)

– Lectures by Pulitzer Prize winner Doris Kearns Goodwin and famed filmmaker Ken Burns (met them both; they were very nice).

Though all of those occasions were fun in their own way, none surpassed the luncheon I was at Thursday at a Corvallis hotel.

The event honored the Everyday Heroes of Linn and Benton counties as determined by the Oregon Pacific Chapter of the American Red Cross, which put on well-done show that, as much as can be possible, did justice to a collection of terrific people within our various communities.

The honorees included, but were not limited to, an Albany veteran of the Marine Corps who’s donated gallon upon gallon of his blood, a Corvallis dentist who provides care for kids who would otherwise go without, a pair from the Linn County Sheriff’s Office who rescued a lost mushroom picker from a precipice, and a Comcast technician whose administration of CPR saved a man’s life.

The Red Cross produced a well-done video for each award-winner, and in every way, the event was a highly professional show. And donors provided funds so that all of the roughly 50 people in attendance, honorees and guests alike, ate an excellent lunch at no cost.

Among it all, one thing that really stood out was how humble all the honorees were. They were just “doing their job” or “doing what anyone would do in the same situation” and were in no way making their contributions for the purpose of recognition.

Nevertheless, recognition is what they deserve. Thanks to the Red Cross and all who attended Thursday for providing it.

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