By Larry Coonrod, Lebanon Express writer | Posted: Tuesday, November 13, 2007 12:00 am
When American Legion posts in Oregon decided to name an annual teaching award after an outstanding educator, Santiam Post 51 in Lebanon was quick to nominate long-time member Lois Abrell.
Bob Babcock, Post 51 commander, said Abrell was nominated because of her commitment to teaching, community service and patriotism.
Oregon American Legion Posts chose to name their annual teaching award after considering a number of nominations from around the state, Babcock said.
"She was picked after a lot of review and fact finding. She most fit what they wanted represented in an award," Babcock said.
Abrell served in the Army Band during World War II. She started teaching music in Lebanon in 1962, eventually becoming music director for the Lebanon School District. She retired in 1978.
Abrell was elected commander of Santiam Post 51 in 1997, the first and only woman to hold that position.
The Post's drill team bugler for many years, she performed at her last ceremony on July 4, 2007.
Coincidentally, the first annual Lois Abrell Teacher of the Year Award went to Santiam Post 51's nominee, Tonya Cairo.
Babcock presented the award to Cairo on Nov. 8, during a dinner honoring veterans hosted by Cairo's students at Pioneer Middle School. For the past four years, her students have spent two months studying the history of veterans' contributions and presenting what they learn at a free dinner for veterans and their families.
Cairo said she was surprised and honored by the award and gave credit to her students for making the dinner a memorable event for so many veterans.
"The kids may not have all the history, but they have empathy," she said.