Memorial Day 2023: Where to go in the Mid-Valley to honor fallen US military members

Capi Lynn, Salem Statesman Journal
Updated ·4 min read

Memorial Day honors the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military.

It is observed the last Monday of May and falls this year on May 29.

The holiday originally was known as Decoration Day in the years following the Civil War, which claimed more lives than any conflict in U.S. history and led to the first national cemeteries.

Americans in various communities began holding tributes to fallen soldiers, decorating their graves with flowers.In 1971, Memorial Day became a federal holiday.

Many Americans today observe the holiday by visiting cemeteries or memorials, and local veterans' groups around the Mid-Valley host patriotic programs.

F-15 Eagle fighter jets from the Oregon Air National Guard's 142nd Wing are scheduled to conduct flyovers for ceremonies at locations throughout northwest Oregon and southwest Washington, including Mt. Angel's Calvary Cemetery at or around 10:53 a.m., Salem's City View Cemetery at or around 11:20 a.m. and Silverton's Paradis Vineyards at or around 11:22 a.m.

Here are some events around the Mid-Valley that recognize the day:

Oregon World War II Memorial, Salem

The Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs is hosting the annual statewide Memorial Day Ceremony at 11 a.m. at the Oregon World War II Memorial on the corner of Court and Cottage streets NE near the State Capitol.

The program will include guest speakers who served during Operation Iraqi Freedom, with special remembrance for the fallen soldiers, sailors, airmen, airwomen, Marines and Coast Guard members who did not return home to Oregon. This year observes the 20th anniversary of the start of the Iraq War.

The ceremony also will include a color guard ceremony, the national anthem, and the laying of a wreath followed by the playing of "Taps."

Limited seating will be available. Attendees are welcome to bring their own seating. The event will also be live streamed on ODVA's Facebook page, facebook.com/odvavet.

City View Cemetery, Salem

The Greater Salem Area Veterans Organization sponsors an annual program at City View Cemetery, 390 Hoyt St. S.

The 11 a.m. event includes speakers, a wreath presentation, special music, bagpipes and an echo 21-gun salute.

The cemetery features the Avenue of Flags display during the weekend. The more than 200 flags were donated by veterans' families and also line the cemetery roads on Flag Day, Fourth of July and Veterans Day.

Dallas Cemetery

American Legion Post 20 hosts its annual Avenue of Flags ceremony at noon at Dallas Cemetery, 2065 SW Fairview Ave.

About 800 American flags line the quiet lanes of the cemetery for about a week each year leading up to and after Memorial Day. Each is marked with a deceased veteran's name and donated by the veteran's family. Organizers report 34 new "fallen warriors" added since last year, bringing this year's total of flags to 821.

Several individuals will speak during the ceremony, with seating for about 300 people. American Legion and Auxiliary members will lead traditional tributes, including presenting the colors, folding the flag and playing "Taps." The Dallas High School choir will also perform.

Nearly 800 flags in memory of fallen service members are displayed throughout Dallas Cemetery each Memorial Day.
Nearly 800 flags in memory of fallen service members are displayed throughout Dallas Cemetery each Memorial Day.

Calvary Cemetery, Mt. Angel

American Legion Post 89 hosts its annual ceremony at 9:30 a.m. at Calvary Cemetery, 1015 N. Main St.

Activities include a patriotic music concert by the Marion County Citizens Band; veterans' march and presentation of colors; celebration of Mass and liturgical music by St. Mary Catholic Parish; POW/MIA remembrance; reading the names of the fallen; placement of memorial wreath; three-volley salute by the Legion Honor Guard; and sounding of "Taps."

Attendees are asked to bring their own lawn chairs. In the event of inclement weather, the service will take place in St. Mary Church.

Military flyovers, Oregon

F-15 Eagle fighter jets from the 142nd Wing are scheduled to conduct Memorial Day flyovers at nine locations in northwest Oregon and southwest Washington.

All passes will be approximately 1,000 feet above ground level and about 400 mph airspeed. Flights could be canceled or times changed due to inclement weather or operational contingencies.

The designated times and locations, according to a press release from the Oregon Military Department, are:

  • 10:45 a.m. Willamette National Cemetery, Portland.

  • 10:49 a.m. Mountain View Cemetery, Oregon City.

  • 10:53 a.m. Calvary Cemetery, Mt. Angel.

  • 11 a.m. North Plains Veterans Park, North Plains.

  • 11:10 a.m. Veterans Memorial Park, Beaverton.

  • 11:14 a.m. Forest View Cemetery, Forest Grove.

  • 11:20 a.m. City View Cemetery, Salem.

  • 11:22 a.m. Paradis Vineyards, Silverton.

  • 11:30 a.m. Touchmark Home Health & Home Care, Vancouver, Wash.

Capi Lynn is a senior reporter for the Statesman Journal. Send comments, questions and tips to her at clynn@statesmanjournal.com or 503-399-6710. Follow her work on Twitter @CapiLynn and Facebook @CapiLynnSJ.

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Memorial Day: Where to go to honor fallen in Salem, Oregon