It seems that nearly every vehicle in Umatilla County has yellow or red, white and blue ribbon-shaped magnets on their vehicles.

My Blazer wasn’t one of them, at least not until last Wednesday when a friend suggested he needed a couple for his family and friends north of the border.

No, I’m not talking about the Oregon-Washington border, I’m talking about the U.S.-Canadian border.

British Columbian journalist Keven Drews came to Pendleton to check up on me and see how the newspaper business was in northeast Oregon. Actually, he was working on a British Columbian story with a Bend connection. But while working in Oregon, he, nonetheless, took the opportunity to check out this area.

One of the first things he noticed was how patriotic the community here is.

Keven quickly pointed out that in the parking lot, on the highway and on the side of the road, cars and trucks alike sported patriotic magnets with slogans like “Support Our Troops” and “God Bless the USA.”

What a novelty to take home to Canada, he said.

So we began searching the stores to find the magnets he had rarely seen in Canada, or even near the border.

We thought it likely that chain stores such as Wal-Mart, Rite Aid and even Schucks would have the magnets. But cursory checks of the stores, and chats with those at the register, turned up nil.

Someone suggested DG Gifts downtown. But it was late, the store was closed, and Keven was headed out of town.

Another store suggested Dean’s Market and Deli. Sure enough, at the quick stop beside the interstate, there were both yellow and red, white and blue magnets.

Keven bought the supply nearly out and suggested I put one of each on my rig, which now sports two patriotic magnets.

Ironic, isn’t it: A Canadian – he’s actually a dual citizen having been born in Spokane – loading up on magnets that won’t exactly be welcome in liberal British Columbia.

I told Keven I was sure he was inviting trouble for himself north of the border.

Nevermind, he said. He had a plan.

Keven wanted to share the magnets with his liberal friends in the coastal resort town of Tofino, located on Vancouver Island, several hours drive northwest of Victoria.

Of particular interest was putting one of the red, white and blue ribbons on a school principal’s vehicle there. It’d be a hoot.

I don’t know what happened to the ribbon magnets, or even if he’s had the opportunity to share them with his liberal B.C. friends.

But Keven did leave me with parting words for Pendleton: You should be glad you live in a great community that supports the men and women who will gladly give their lives for the safety and future of the world.

There aren’t enough places in the United States, or for that matter Canada, that are proud of their sons and daughters serving in combat areas around the world.

And make no mistake about it, he said, Americans are fighting at least two wars and paying the price others around the world should be sharing equally.

I can’t agree more.

Note: Ribbon magents are now sold at the East Oregonian in both Pendleton and Hermiston, with proceeds supporting families of soldiers.