Tribute to Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and NIVA Member Marce Norwest
A Tribute to Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and Northwest Indian Veterans Association Member Marce Norwest
was held at the CTGR Gymnasium on January 10th, 2009. There was a huge outpouring of respect and affection for Marce, who has
served the people of the Grand Ronde Tribe, area Veterans and the community for many years.
Marce's contributions
and accomplishments are nothing short of amazing. Marce is a Tribal Elder within the Grand Ronde Tribe. He
is a founding member of the Grand Ronde Chapter of the Northwest Indian Veterans Association. In this capacity, Marce has
spent a staggering amount of time and effort serving the people of the Grand Ronde Tribe, area Veterans and the community.
He, together with wife Sharon, founded the Grand Ronde Veterans Pow-Wow and has attended and participated in each one without
fail. Even in the shadow of failing health, Marce could be seen at the Pow-Wow just dancing his heart out. In the photos
below, Marce can be seen leading the Pow-Wow "Grand Entry" with other NIVA Members and Veterans.
Another
of Marce's accomplishments was his contribution to the West Valley Veterans Memorial. Although the Memorial was founded
by CTGR Councilman and US Marine Veteran Steve Bobb, Sr., Marce helped make it possible that the Memorial was completed way
ahead of schedule. Marce attends the annual dedication of new names on the Memorial and, in fact, serves as a speaker every
year, as the below photo illustrates.
Marce serves with the local Honor Guard as a Burial Flag Presenter
to the fallen Veterans family. He conducts himself at each and every one as polished as possible out of respect
for the fallen Veteran. He volunteers and is requested in this capacity because very few Veterans are able to present the Flag
to the family as he does.
Finally, as a Tribal Elder, Marce serves as a mentor to younger Veterans and
the youth of the Tribe.
However, the main purpose for this Tribute was that Marce had become inflicted
with cancer and was given a short time to live. But, the fighter that he is, and through medical treatments, his cancer
has now been mostly brought under control and his health, fortunately, has shown improvement. He still serves whenever
called upon.
It is our hope that Marce's numerous contributions and accomplishments will be enjoyed and carried
on by the youth of the Grand Ronde Tribe and the Veterans community for many generations to come.
AMVETS Tri-City Post 2000