SALEM – The Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs will hold a memorial ceremony Friday, May 30, at 2 p.m. to honor Oregon’s fallen servicemembers who have died while serving their country in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
 
The Department will unveil five new names added to the Memorial wall, including Sgt. Joshua C. Brennan, Lance Cpl. Dustin L. Canham, Sgt. Zachary W. McBride, Sgt. Mikeal W. Miller, and Pfc. Joshua A.R. Young. The families and survivors of those lost in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom will also be honored.
 
“This memorial has become a place of reflection for those recalling our servicemen and woman who have died on the field of battle, especially in Iraq and Afghanistan,” said Jim Willis, Director of the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs. “Each of these soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines voluntarily stepped forward to serve and protect the nation they loved. We are thankful for their gallant service and are reminded of that when reading a plaque that is near the memorial which says, ‘All Gave Some, Some Gave All.’”
 
Willis will serve as master of ceremonies, while the department’s Val Conley will be the keynote speaker. The Grand Ronde Honor Guard will post the colors. A wreath will be laid and an Army National Guard helicopter fly-over is planned.
 
Memorial Day was first observed on May 30, 1868 and marks the day set aside to remember America’s nation’s fallen men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces. Since 1971, the holiday has been celebrated on the last Monday of May.
 
The Afghan-Iraqi Freedom Memorial was dedicated in November 2006 and is located on the north end of the ODVA grounds at 700 Summer Street N.E. The public is invited to the ceremony.
 
For more information contact ODVA at 1-800-828-8801.

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