In August, 1942, Vanport was established to house shipyard workers as part of the World War II effort. On May 30th, 1948, railroad dikes failed, resulting in a catastrophic flood. Fifteen people were killed and thousands left homeless. Black people made up about 50% of the population of that community, and "wartime integration there helped foster examination of the racist policies and racist history of Oregon" (a process still—spasmodically—in progress). And now it is a golf course—two golf courses. But anyone who golfs there (many of whom are Vancouverites) is golfing on a tomb. A tomb which should be a memorial. It should be a place where anyone can go, not just those wealthy enough to afford the greens fees. It should be a memorial as well as a bird refuge (it’s a wetlands area). It is a key piece of Oregon’s history, not a place to hit golf balls around. In its current state, it is an insult to the memory of those who lived and died there. The two or three maps showing where the important buildings stood are like a parody of the memorial which should be in place there.