January 17, 2021

As I watch National Guard troops being dispatched to the nation’s Capitol and state capitals around the United States, I am reminded of late summer 1970 when my unit was activated for Vortex 1, the only state-sponsored music festival in the country ever and one of the most brilliant ideas coming from politicians that I can remember. For a little history, the summer of 1970 was at the height of the Vietnam war, on May 4th four students at Kent State University had been killed by Ohio National Guard troops during protests there, and protests were occurring all over the country. The American Legion was holding their national convention in Portland from August 28th to September 3rd and would bring about 25,000 Legionnaires to town, along with President Nixon. The FBI reported that they were expecting 50,000 anti-war protestors coming into Portland at that time to protest and riot. There was much concern by authorities that there could be widespread damage caused by the supporters of the two groups Anyhoo, the Governor at that time was Tom McCall, a person known for thinking “outside the box.” One of Governor McCall’s staff was a gentleman by the name of Ed Westerdahl, who had been meeting with the organizers of an idea to have an anti-war “biodegradable festival of life” called Vortex 1. The gov, acting on the suggestion by Mr. Westerdahl, made an agreement to have the festival, Vortex 1, held at the same time as the American Legion Convention and Nixon’s scheduled visit, which is why I consider this so brilliant. He and his staff secured a site about 30 miles from Portland at McIver State Park on the Clackamas River near the city of Estacada. Furthermore, he said that the police and Oregon National Guard would largely ignore non-violent offenses, like drug use and public nudity, and the festival became known as the “Governor’s Pot Party.” So where do I fit in all this? Those that know me would think that I would be right in the middle of a big party like this. Weed and naked girls. Unfortunately, I was a member of the Oregon National Guard at that time and the 41st Infantry Brigade was activated for the Legion Convention and Vortex. We had to report for riot training every weekend and some evenings during August in preparation for this event. Some units would be posted at the water reservoir’s around the city, some at Washington Park, and other’s, like mine, stationed at our headquarters with our jeeps and riot gear at the ready if rioting began. Fortunately, there were very few issues, and the Portland Police were able to deal with them without Guard intervention. The picture above is of my 51 year old fatigue shirt and the new combat boots that the Army gave me with 3 months left of my 6 year commitment. I told the Quartermaster that I was getting out in 3 months, but he said I had to take them anyway. I never did wear them because it would take too much work to get them “spit shined” like my other two pair.

I wish I had thought about Vortex 1 sooner. I could have shared it with the proper authorities as an antidote to the chaos in Washington. My idea would be Deliverance Festival 1, to be held somewhere away from D.C., just like Oregon did in 1970. You could advertise it to the tRumpanzees as a Patriot Party with lots of banjo players, some pigs and sheep available for your personal pleasure, prayers lead by Franklin Graham, some demolition derby cars, Rollin’ Rock in cans — you get the idea.

Enough rambling for today. Have a great evening! Ziggyman