Evan Sorce, Chief of Staff for Representative Paul Evans, views uniforms on display by the VFW #661 Uniform Display Museum during the “A Tribute to Veterans” event in 2019. (Courtesy/Oregon Capital Foundation)
Oregon is resuming an in-person celebration of its veterans this year with a Wednesday afternoon event outside the Oregon Capitol.
The Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs said the outdoor ceremony “will feature remarks by federal, state and local dignitaries and ceremonial elements such as a color guard, national anthem, wreath presentation and the playing of ‘Taps,'” according to a news release.
The ceremony begins at 2 p.m. at the Oregon State Capitol Park in Salem. While it will honor all Oregon veterans, Vietnam veterans will be highlighted, the agency said. After the event, Vietnam War Memorial Fund President Steve Bates will lead an optional walking tour of the future site of the state’s Vietnam War Memorial.
Tthe event will also be livestreamed on ODVA’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/odvavet.
The Oregon State Capitol will separately have a Veterans Day exhibit on display this week through noon Friday, featuring service member uniforms. The annual “A Tribute to Veterans” event includes uniforms from each service branch from the Veterans of Foreign Wars #661 Uniform Display Museum, and matching service flags.
The Capitol is open to the public weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will be closed on Thursday in observance of Veterans Day.
-Rachel Alexander
