Oregon Citizen-Soldiers And Airmen Take Part In Memorial Day Ceremonies Around The State (Photo) - 05/27/24
SALEM, Ore. – Oregon National Guard Soldiers and Airmen took part in Memorial Day services and community events around the state of Oregon on Monday, May 27, 2024, pausing to remember fallen service members who have given their lives in defense of the nation.
Beaverton Mayor Lacey Beaty, an Army veteran, along with her husband, Oregon Army National Guard Maj. Ian Beaty, spoke to those in attendance about their own family experiences in uniform before introducing Oregon Army National Guard Col. Russell Gibson, 82nd Troop Command Brigade Commander, who was the Keynote speaker for the Memorial Day service at the Veterans Memorial Park in Beaverton.
“I welcome any opportunity to gather with my brothers and sisters in arms, and it is truly a gift to have the opportunity to honor those that gave the ultimate sacrifice in service to our great nation—may their memory be a blessing,” said Gibson, during his opening remarks. “Through their selfless service, they portray the values and ideals for which this country was founded.”
Gibson, who has deployed twice to combat areas of operations, spoke about those who have been lost in recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“I know that many of you have stories of loved ones, friends and fellow service members you hold in your memory and in your hearts,” he said. “I would also be remiss during this solemn day of reflection to not also recognize and honor those providing support from the home front. Those that paid the personal sacrifice for us and our nation—our Gold Star Families.”
U.S. Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (Oregon 1st Congressional District) also spoke and the American Legion Post 185 Band provided patriotic music throughout the event in Beaverton. The 142nd Wing and the West Coast Ravens conducted two separate flyovers during the ceremony.
In Salem, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek and Brig. Gen. Alan Gronewold, Adjutant General of the Oregon National Guard, spoke at the Oregon World War II Memorial. Both the 142nd Wing and the 173rd Fighter Wing conducted flyovers around the state as well as in SW Washington at parades, memorial services and other gatherings.
The Memorial Day holiday can be traced back to the conclusion of the Civil War. On May 5, 1868, John A. Logan, as Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, issued General Order No. 11. This order was designated May 30, 1868, “for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion.”
Since 1971, Memorial Day has been observed on the last Monday of May, marking a solemn time each year to mourn those who have died while serving in the U.S. military — while reflecting on their ultimate sacrifice to our nation.
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Released Photos:
240527-Z-CH590-1281: Oregon Army National Guard Col. Russell Gibson, 82nd Troop Command Brigade Commander, addresses those attending the Memorial Day ceremony in Beaverton, Oregon, on May 27, 2024, and was the keynote speaker for the ceremony held at the Veterans Memorial Park in Beaverton. Oregon National Guard members and other elected officials took part in ceremonies held around the state of Oregon on Memorial Day. (National Guard photo by John Hughel, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)
240527-Z-CH590-1255: U.S. Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici, (Oregon 1st Congressional District) addresses those attending the Memorial Day ceremony in Beaverton, Oregon, on May 27, 2024, held at the Veterans Memorial Park in Beaverton. Oregon National Guard members and other elected officials took part in ceremonies held around the state of Oregon on Memorial Day. (National Guard photo by John Hughel, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)
240527-Z-CH590-1309: Oregon Army National Guard Specialist Michael Banks, assigned to the 234th Army Band, plays TAPS at the conclusion of the Memorial Day ceremony held at the Veterans Memorial Park in Beaverton. Oregon National Guard members and other elected officials took part in ceremonies held around the state of Oregon on Memorial Day. (National Guard photo by John Hughel, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)
240527-Z-CH590-1255: Beaverton Mayor Lacey Beaty, addresses those attending the Memorial Day ceremony held at the Veterans Memorial Park in Beaverton. Oregon National Guard members and other elected officials took part in ceremonies held around the state of Oregon on Memorial Day. (National Guard photo by John Hughel, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)
240527-Z-CH590-1203: Veterans, families of fallen service members, and other supporters of the military community stand for the Posting of the Colors during the Memorial Day ceremony in Beaverton, Oregon, on May 27, 2024, and was the keynote speaker for the ceremony held at the Veterans Memorial Park in Beaverton. Oregon National Guard members and other elected officials took part in ceremonies held around the state of Oregon on Memorial Day. (National Guard photo by John Hughel, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)
240527-Z-ZJ128-1006: Chaplain (Col.) Jacob Scott, State Chaplain of the Oregon National Guard, delivers prayers to open and close the 2024 Oregon Remembers Memorial Day Tribute at the Oregon World War II Memorial in Salem on Monday, May 27, 2024. Scott's invocation and benediction bookended the annual ceremony honoring fallen U.S. service members. Oregon National Guard members and other elected officials took part in ceremonies held around the state of Oregon on Memorial Day. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)
240527-Z-ZJ128-1001: World War II veteran Vern Staley, a former combat medic, talks with Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek during the 2024 Oregon Remembers Memorial Day Tribute at the Oregon World War II Memorial in Salem on Monday, May 27, 2024. Staley shared his experiences from the war with the governor at the annual event honoring fallen service members. Oregon National Guard members and other elected officials took part in ceremonies held around the state of Oregon on Memorial Day. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)
240527-Z-ZJ128-1005: Oregon National Guard Brig. Gen. Alan Gronewold, Adjutant General of the Oregon National Guard, speaks during the 2024 Oregon Remembers Memorial Day Tribute at the Oregon World War II Memorial in Salem on Monday, May 27, 2024. Gronewold delivered remarks honoring fallen U.S. service members at the annual commemoration event. Oregon National Guard members and other elected officials took part in ceremonies held around the state of Oregon on Memorial Day. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)
240527-Z-ZJ128-1002: Cadet Kester, a North Salem High School JROTC color guard member, salutes the flag during the 2024 Oregon Remembers Memorial Day Tribute at the Oregon World War II Memorial in Salem on Monday, May 27, 2024. The JROTC color guard participated in the annual ceremony honoring fallen U.S. service members. Oregon National Guard members and other elected officials took part in ceremonies held around the state of Oregon on Memorial Day. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)
240527-Z-ZJ128-1003: Two F-15 Eagle fighter jets from the Oregon Air National Guard's 142nd Wing conduct a flyover during the 2024 Oregon Remembers Memorial Day Tribute at the Oregon World War II Memorial in Salem on Monday, May 27, 2024. The flyover was part of the annual ceremony paying tribute to fallen U.S. service members. Oregon National Guard members and other elected officials took part in ceremonies held around the state of Oregon on Memorial Day. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)
240527-Z-YI240-1001: Army Staff Sergeant Thomas Richards plays Taps during a Memorial Day Ceremony at Restlawn Memory Gardens and Funeral Home in Salem, Ore., on May, 27, 2024. Oregon National Guard members and other elected officials took part in ceremonies held around the state of Oregon on Memorial Day. (Army National Guard photo by Spc. Michael Germundson, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)
240527-Z-YI240-1002: Oregon State Senator Brian Boquist speaks to guests in attendance during a Memorial Day Ceremony at Restlawn Memory Gardens and Funeral Home in Salem, Ore., on May, 27, 2024. Oregon National Guard members and other elected officials took part in ceremonies held around the state of Oregon on Memorial Day. (Army National Guard photo by Spc. Michael Germundson, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)
240527-Z-A3543-1002: Oregon Army National Guard Lt. Col. Joshua Rapp, commander of the Oregon Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment headquartered in Ashland, delivers a speech during the Memorial Day Celebration at Memory Gardens Memorial Park & Mortuary in Medford, Ore., on Monday, May 27, 2024. Rapp's remarks paid tribute to fallen U.S. service members at the annual commemorative event. Oregon National Guard members and other elected officials took part in ceremonies held around the state of Oregon on Memorial Day. (Photo courtesy of Chief Warrant Officer 3 Klare Rapp, Oregon Army National Guard)
240527-Z-A3543-1003: Members of the Oregon National Guard Military Honors team perform a flag folding ceremony during the Memorial Day Celebration at Memory Gardens Memorial Park & Mortuary in Medford, Ore., on Monday, May 27, 2024. The solemn ceremony was part of the annual event honoring fallen U.S. service members. (Photo courtesy of Rylee Rapp, Oregon Army National Guard)
240527-Z-A3543-1001: Oregon Army National Guard Brig. Gen. Eric Riley, Land Component Commander of the Oregon Army National Guard, delivers a speech during the Memorial Day Celebration at Memorial Gardens in Roseburg, Ore., on Monday, May 27, 2024. Riley's remarks honored the sacrifices of fallen U.S. service members at the annual commemoration event. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Lt. Col. Jared Carpenter, Oregon National Guard)
