SALEM – Veterans Day, Nov. 11, marks the day set aside to remember America’s service men and women in the U.S. Armed Forces. In Salem, a ceremony will be held at the Afghan-Iraqi Freedom Memorial to pay tribute to all of Oregon’s fallen service members who have served in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
 
The public ceremony will begin at 2 p.m. and will commemorate the five Oregon service members who have been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan since May. Their names have been inscribed on the Memorial’s Wall of Honor, located on the grounds of the Oregon Veterans’ Building at 700 Summer Street N.E.
 
The ceremony is also dedicated to the families and survivors of those fallen service members.
 
The keynote speaker will be Col. Dan Hokanson, the commander of the Oregon Army National Guard’s 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team. Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs (ODVA) Deputy Director Paula Brown will serve as Master of Ceremonies and conduct the unveiling of the newly added names of the fallen.
 
Dedicated in November 2006, the memorial’s fountain surrounds an American serviceman who appears to be reaching out to a global map inside the pool. A decorative iron railing and walkways surround the memorial, and marble benches are located near the fountain.
 
A bronze plaque rests at the foot of the POW/MIA flagpole with the inscription, “All Gave Some, Some Gave All.”
 
This represents the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard and Reserve members who have voluntarily stepped forward to serve and protect their nation.
 
For more information contact ODVA at 1-800-828-8801, ext. 2390.

###