Swearingens to lead the 2009
Round-Up Westward Ho! Parade

Wayne and Mervin Swearingen

Brothers Mervin and Wayne Swearingen of Pendleton will serve as grand marshals for the 2009 Westward Ho! Parade to be held Sept. 18. Parade Director Billy Lorenzen announced the grand marshals at the Introductory Party held Saturday (March 28) at the Red Lion. The parade had two grand marshals only once before, in 1969 when Walt and Sid Seale of Condon led the procession.

“This whole rodeo goes on because of its volunteers,” Lorenzen said. “They have 95 years of volunteering between them. Kids start out by selling programs. You guys have gone full circle.”

The Swearingens man a popular booth selling programs at Round-Up, a job they began about seven years ago. “I enjoy meeting the people,” Wayne Swearingen said of their job. “They come from all over.” “We do get those few people who come in and try to give us a hard time,” Merv Swearingen said of some of the duo’s long-time friends. “It’s all in good fun, though.”

Round-Up President Randy Severe said the brothers are a great example of what makes the rodeo run so smoothly year after year. “It’s a great honor to have men of that caliber involved in Round-Up,” he said.

Wayne Swearingen has been volunteering for Round-Up since 1957. He’s retired from his job of driving truck and sales for Pendleton Grain Growers after 41 years. “That’s the only full-time job I’ve held in my life,” he said. “I wanted to farm, but I liked the fringe benefits.” He and his wife Corrine have raised three children, Jim, Brett and Jill.

While his brother dreamed of working the land, Merv Swearingen did it. “I’ve been a farmer all my life basically,” he said. He and his late wife Betty have raised three children — Gary, Terri Reiman and Dan. He began volunteering for Round-Up in 1965, operating the tractor and sled that pulled animals out of the arena. Merv Swearingen was also a founding member of the Heart of the Country Rodeo, held every Memorial Day weekend in Helix.

Both men are now enjoying their grandchildren, who they say seem to be growing up too quickly. “When the grandkids leave, it felt the same way as when my children did,” he said. “It’s a big void.”

The brothers don’t hesitate when asked whether they’ll ride a horse or sit in a buggy for the Westward Ho! Parade. “Buggy,” they exclaimed in unison. “I haven’t been on a horse in years,” Merv Swearingen added.

When Billy Lorenzen called to ask if they’d serve as grand marshals together, they were also in agreement. “I was in shock,” Merv said. “I don’t think I even answered at first,” Wayne added. “I think Billy thought the line went dead. It’s like Mervin says. I still can’t comprehend it. It’s a real honor.”

Both were excited that two men who were volunteers but have never served on the board of directors were chosen to lead the parade. “All of us volunteers have been doing our jobs for so long I believe Round-Up could run without the directors,” Merv said.