Oregon Communities to Present Veterans Day Events
Oregon Communities to Present Veterans Day Events
Communities and organizations throughout Oregon are planning a variety of special events, parades and gatherings to honor military veterans on or near Veterans Day, Nov. 11. The Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs has compiled a statewide list of many of the events which is posted at: www.oregondva.com.
In Salem, a public ceremony will be held Sat., Nov. 10, at 3 p.m., at the Afghan-Iraqi Freedom Memorial to pay tribute to all veterans and commemorate all Oregon service members who have been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, including three deaths since May.
Since 2006, the names of 137 fallen service members have been inscribed on the memorial's Wall of Honor, located on the grounds of the Oregon Veterans' Building at 700 Summer St. N.E. ODVA Director, Jim Willis, will conduct the unveiling of the newly-added names and military honors will be rendered. The fallen include: Cpl. Keaton G. Coffey, Pfc. Andrew J. Keller, and Spc. Mabry J. Anders.
Willis said America rose to greatness on the shoulders of its military veterans whose responsibility has been to defend freedom and protect their country.
"These brave men and women have pledged their lives to protect our nation's security, creating a debt that we can never fully repay," Willis said. "We remember those who died, those we are blessed to still have with us, and renew our promise that we will never forget their valor or their sacrifice."
The nation's annual tribute to veterans traces its roots to World War I when in 1918, at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, the armistice was signed signaling the end of "the war to end all wars." One year later, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the day as Armistice Day. The tradition of observing it on Nov. 11 continued and since 1954, that date has been set aside as Veterans Day.
