Col. Kevin Dial holds a salute during the laying of the wreath ceremony at the 2025 Veterans Day celebration in front of the Oregon Capitol on Nov. 11, 2025. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter)
Over a hundred people, including active-duty service members, retired veterans and families gathered in front of the Oregon Capitol Tuesday to celebrate Veterans Day.
The annual Statewide Veterans Day Ceremony, hosted by the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs, was held at State Capitol Park, just outside the Capitol Building.
Veterans stood out among the crowd, some dressed in uniform, and others wearing black and gold caps marking their retirement from service. Politicians, including Salem Mayor Julie Hoy, Marion County Commissioner Danielle Bethell and state legislators, were also in attendance.
The celebration began with the national anthem, followed by speeches from the ODVA officials, representatives reading statements from U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and U.S. Rep. Andrea Salinas, as well as guest speakers retired Col. Kevin Dial and Hoy.
A traditional laying of the wreath – a practice done in honor of veterans and in remembrance of veterans who have died – concluded the ceremony. That coincided with a performance of “Taps,” a 24-note bugle melody played by Air Force veteran Robert Russell.
Flags representing each branch of the military are displayed at the 2025 Veterans Day celebration at State Capitol Park. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter)Alexander Shierman, 7, listens to speakers at the 2025 Statewide Veterans Day Ceremony at State Capitol Park. Shierman – whose dad, Eric, is a Marine Corps veteran – wore his flight jacket, paired with camo pants for the celebration. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter)Col. Kevin Dial, retired, addresses the crowd outside the Oregon State Capitol during the 2025 Veterans Day celebration. Soon after his speech, Dial assisted in the laying of the wreath ceremony in honor of veterans. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter)Lt. John Putz, Air Force reserve member, watches the laying of the wreath ceremony at the 2025 Veterans Day celebration. Putz travelled down to Salem from Portland to attend the event. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter)The wreath is center-stage following the wreath laying ceremony at the 2025 Veterans Day celebration. The laying of a wreath is performed in honor of living veterans, and in remembrance of fallen veterans. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter)State Rep. Paul Evans, left, Air Force veteran, has a conversation with Army veteran state Rep. Rick Lewis, in front of the Capitol Building during the 2025 Statewide Veterans Day Celebration. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter)Daisy, a service dog, lays at the feet of her owner, a veteran, during the 2025 Veterans Day celebration outside the Oregon State Capitol. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter)Robert Russell, Air Force veteran, performs “Taps,” a ceremonial bugle call often signaling the end of day on military bases or the end of a veteran’s service during funeral proceedings. Russell performed the 24-note song during the laying of the wreath ceremony at the 2025 Veterans Day celebration. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter)Veterans listen to letters from U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and U.S. Rep. Andrea Salinas, read by Jay DeFillipo, legislative director of the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs, during the 2025 Statewide Veterans Day Ceremony. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter)Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs Director Nakeia Daniels and retired Army veteran Col. Kevin Dial lay the wreath in honor of veterans during the 2025 Veterans Day celebration at State Capitol Park. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter)Salem Mayor Julie Hoy thanked veterans for their service during a speech at the 2025 Veterans Day celebration in front of the Capitol Building. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter)
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Hailey Cook joined Salem Reporter in 2025, following the completion of an internship through the University of Oregon’s Charles Snowden Program for Excellence in Journalism. She works as a reporter and photojournalist, with a focus on business and entertainment, among other topics.
