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11-15-2024 6:54 pm • PDX and SEA Weather
MLK Breakfast
The Skanner honors and thanks all service men and women, both past and present on this Veteran’s Day.
Veterans Day originated as “Armistice Day” on Nov. 11, 1919, the first anniversary of the end of World War I. Congress passed a resolution in 1926 making it an annual observance, and it became a national holiday in 1938. Sixteen years later, then-President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed legislation changing the name to Veterans Day to honor all those who served their country during war or peacetime. On this day, the nation honors military veterans -- living and dead -- with parades and other observances across the country and a ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.
Veteran Population:
*Facts courtesy of the US Census Bureau. Source: 2021 American Community Survey 1-year estimates.
The Portland Veterans Day Parade is returning in 2022! Hosted by Veterans Day Portland, Inc., the parade kicks off at 10 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 11. The parade will march along a new route on NE MLK Blvd., starting at Beech St. and ending one block north of Alberta St. and concludes with a ceremony in the parking lot of Natural Grocers on NE MLK Blvd.
Portland’s only Veterans Day Parade was established Vernon E. Ross, owner of Ross Hollywood Funeral Chapel in 1974. The parade honors all veterans. The tradition and parade is carried on by Veterans Day Portland Inc. The parade is an inclusive, non-partisan, family-friendly event.
A 24-hour vigil to honor the service and sacrifice of veterans from multiple wars will conclude with a commemoration ceremony on Friday, November 11 at 11:00 a.m. at the University of Portland’s Praying Hands/Broken Wall Memorial on the East Quad of the UP campus.
University faculty, staff, students and members of the public are invited to attend Friday’s 11:00 a.m. Veterans Day ceremony. Held at the University for more than 60 years, the ceremony honors alumni who have served during times of war, including World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War and the Gulf Wars.
Air Force and Army ROTC cadets will stand constant watch at the Praying Hands/Broken Wall Memorial for 24 consecutive hours, starting at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 10.
The 24-hour vigil will conclude Friday at 11:00 a.m. with the retiring of the guard and posting of colors to begin the 45-minute ceremony.
The Broken Wall/Praying Hands Memorial is located on the East Quad of UP Campus, 5000 North Willamette Blvd.
GUEST SPEAKER: (at Friday’s 11:00 a.m. ceremony)
Brigadier General Donna M. Prigmore, Commander of the Oregon National Guard
General Prigmore is responsible for mission readiness and operational effectiveness of military and civilian personnel assigned to the 142nd Wing in Portland, the 173rd Fighter Wing in Klamath Falls, and Joint Forces Headquarters (Air) in Salem.
The original memorial was built by the University’s Class of 1948 and contained bricks inscribed with the names of the 69 University of Portland students killed in service during WWII. Later the memorial was expanded to include other wars and conflicts in which American service members and University of Portland students served, including World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and the Gulf Wars. The memorial now contains the names of 80 University of Portland students who lost their lives in service to the country.
In honor of Veterans Day, Multnomah County will light the Morrison Bridge green Monday, Nov. 7 through Thursday, Nov. 10, as part of Operation Green Light. The new national initiative of the National Association of Counties (NACo) is an effort to better support military veterans by raising awareness about the unique challenges faced by many veterans and the resources that are available at the County.
“Our nation’s voluntary military force members, and their families, have made immense sacrifices for our safety and security,” said Sheila Balbin, who manages Multnomah County’s Veterans’ Services Program. “We want to make sure our veterans and their families know that their service mattered, that we are grateful for their sacrifices, and that it is now our turn to make sure they are served by their county government and our community.”
In addition to lighting County buildings, residents and businesses are encouraged to participate by simply changing one light bulb in their house to a green bulb. This can be an exterior light that neighbors and passersby see, or an interior light that sparks a conversation with friends.
By shining a green light, neighbors can let our veterans know that they are seen, appreciated, and supported. While this event is focused around the week of Veterans Day (Nov. 7 to Nov. 13), participants are encouraged to continue shining the light year-round. Residents can share their participation on social media using the hashtag #OperationGreenLight.
Visit naco.org/operationgreenlight or multco.us/veterans for more information and links to resources available to veterans.
The Safeway Foundation announces its 22nd annual Safeway Truckload of Coats drive benefiting Transition Projects and will be held on Veterans Day, Friday, November 11, 2022. Two drive-in and drop-off Safeway locations are available to collect winter coats and cold weather items: NW Cedar Mill Safeway (13485 NW Cornell Rd) and SE Powell Safeway (3930 SE Powell Blvd) from 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Items collected are for the participants of Transition Projects programs and services – whether for those in permanent housing, in their shelter programs or for their Navigation Team to distribute to people they are working with who are currently experiencing homelessness. Transition Projects holds the largest grants to house vulnerable veterans experiencing, or on the verge of homelessness and will honor those who have served in the military this year at the event.
Donors will receive a $5.00 Safeway gift card and a Columbia Sportswear Company Employee Store shopping pass while supplies last.
Items most needed: adult - winter coats, raincoats, waterproof pants, durable pants, waterproof shoes and boots, hats, gloves, handwarmers, underwear, and blankets.
“Transition Projects is so proud to be a 22-year partner of Truckload of Coats with the Safeway Foundation supporting this critically important annual event. As the weather gets colder, warm, and waterproof coats and clothing from the community are more important than ever and immediately distributed to our most vulnerable citizens who are experiencing homelessness, in our shelter programs or newly housed. The donations make a huge difference!” says Roma Peyser, Director of Development for Transition Projects.
The USDA Forest Service will recognize the service of America’s veterans by waiving standard amenity fees for all visitors to national forest and grassland day-use areas on Veterans Day, Nov. 11.
“Many veterans spend time with their families and connect with nature while hiking, hunting, boating, and exploring the range of outdoor recreation opportunities national forests and grasslands have to offer,” said Tracy Calizon, regional assistant director of recreation for the U.S. Forest Service in the Pacific Northwest.
On fee-free days, standard amenity fees normally charged for day use sites, such as picnic areas, developed trailheads, and destination visitor centers, are waived. The waiver does not apply to special recreation permits, cabin rentals, or campground reservations, nor does it include expanded amenity fees charged for certain highly-developed sites, service charges, or fees assessed by independent concessionaires operating on National Forest land.
Fee-free public lands access, including access to National Forests and Grasslands, is available year-round to U.S. military service members and their families, veterans, and Gold Star family members.
For more information about interagency passes valid on National Forests and Grasslands, visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/visit/passes-permits.
In a follow up to this summer’s dedication of the Oregon Nisei Veterans Highway Memorial, the Hood River American Legion Post 22 will be hosting a special Veterans Day Ceremony at Anderson Tribute Center, 1401 Belmont Ave, Hood River on Friday, Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. A tribute of respect to honor all Japanese American (Nisei) veterans statewide and to make amends and reconcile past actions will be the theme for the annual event.
That same day, American Legion Post 22 Commander Carl Casey will be donating a cache of letters to the Japanese American Museum of Oregon that the post received from around the nation in response to the removal of the names of 16 local Nisei veterans from an honor roll on the county courthouse during World War II. During the Veteran’s Day ceremony, Casey will address the discrimination that led to this act of removal.
Casey, an Army veteran, said this will be a time for Post 22 to acknowledge their past role, apologize for their actions and tell of their “desire to be leaders in establishing recognition and acceptance of all veterans and all people in Hood River, regardless of color or nationality, by presenting a new Post Resolutions rescinding past wrongs and promising a united future.
“We invite all Nisei veterans, their families and certainly the community to attend.”
On the evening of Nov. 29, 1944, members of Post 22 performed what they later described as a patriotic act. They went to the county courthouse and blacked out 16 men’s names on the plaques honoring local servicemembers. All 16 men of Japanese descent were still overseas fighting for the United States.
This Veterans Day and every day, honor the memory of those who have served and sacrificed with the Veterans Legacy Memorial (VLM). VLM is dedicated to the memory of nearly 4.5 million Veterans interred at state, territory and national cemeteries across the country. Learn more and honor a veteran, or add to their legacy with photos and memories.
Join the 69th annual National Veterans Day Observance Ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, Friday, Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. ET./8 a.m. PT. Livestream below:
Also check out the more than 500 FREE events nationwide celebrating Veterans and their families. The list is organized by state and will continue to be updated as we learn of more events.
More than 100+ Veterans Day discounts, free meals and services available to veterans this week! Restaurants, haircuts, bed and breakfasts, car washes, spas, travel, zoos, museums and more!
In addition to our Outreach and Community Relations efforts, NABVETS PDX works with our members, the community and our Community Partners to address the issues of:
There are many ways to join and support their mission. Find out more about volunteer opportunities, fundraising events, and ways that you can get their message to friends and family.
https://nabvetsportland.org/contact-us
The National Association for Black Veterans, Inc. Portland Oregon Chapter #0032
100 SW Main Street 2nd Floor
Portland, OR 97204 US
(503) 412-4159
Find a VA Facility near you: FACILITY LOCATOR
Wy’East Shelter
1415 SE 122nd Avenue, Portland 97233
Intake: Visit website to fill out an online referral form. Shelter intake times will vary as the shelter often maintains a waitlist. Please DO NOT show up at the shelter without an intake appointment. Once a space is reserved, the guest may continue to use the space until they no longer need it.
Hours: Shelter services: 24 hours per day / 7 days per week Shelter check-in: Varies based on intake appointment time. Referrals accepted: Monday-Friday 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Serves: Male-identifying veterans age 18 and older. Priority given to adults 55 and older, and individuals with disabilities. Animals that are well-behaved, safe, and housebroken are allowed.
For the below listed shelters:
Intake is done through the TPI Resource Center NOT through the shelter's physical location. If guests arrive at the shelter location without going through the reservation lottery intake, they will be turned away. Once a space is reserved, it is saved until the guest does not return.
TPI Resource Center
650 NW Irving Street, Portland
503-280-4700
7 Days per week 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., service intakes end 15 minutes before close.
Laurelwood Center
6130 SE Foster Road, Portland OR 97206
Shelter: 24 hours per day / 7 days per week
Serves: Female-identifying individuals and couples (any two people who present as a couple, regardless of gender) age 18 and older. Priority is given to people age 55 and older, adults with disabilities, and veterans. Pets allowed; must be well-behaved, safe, and housebroken.
Walnut Park Shelter
5329 NE Martin Luther King Junior, Portland OR 97211
Shelter: 24 hours per day / 7 days per week
Serves: Age 18 and older. Priority for individuals age 55 and older, adults with disabilities, and veterans.
River District Navigation Center
1111 NW Naito Parkway, Portland OR 97209
Shelter: 24 hours per day / 7 days per week
Serves: Age 18 and older. Priority for individuals age 55 and older, adults with disabilities, and veterans. Pets allowed; must be well-behaved, safe, and housebroken.
For additional resources or help, dial 211, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
