Veterans Day 2022: Here's how to celebrate in the Willamette Valley
Veterans Day, the day set aside to thank all those who served honorably in the military, originally was known as Armistice Day.
It marked the end of World War I in 1918 and the day the Allies and Germans signed the Armistice — on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.
Congress passed a resolution in 1926 for an annual observance, and Nov. 11 became a national holiday beginning in 1938. The name was changed in 1954 to Veterans Day to honor those who have fought in subsequent wars.
In Oregon, celebrating Veterans Day means thanking approximately 300,000 men and women across the state. One out of 14 Oregonians is a veteran, according to the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs, spanning four generations with service in five major wars.
Nov. 11 parade in Albany
The largest Veterans Day Parade West of the Mississippi returns to its original form in 2022.
The 71st annual event, now called the Linn County Veterans Day Parade, is Friday.
Organizers held what was called a "reverse parade" the past two years because of COVID-19 concerns. Instead of the usual route, floats and veterans were hosted by sponsors at sites around the city.
This year's parade, beginning at 11 a.m, will once again march through the streets of downtown Albany. The route begins on Pacific Boulevard, travels down the overpass to Lyon Street, then turns left onto Second Avenue and journeys to Ferry Street, where it again turns left and heads to the Linn County Courthouse.
A memorial service also will be held from 8:30-9:30 a.m. in Albany preceding the parade at Timber-Linn Memorial Park, 900 Price Road SE. The keynote speaker will be Randy Martinak of the Linn County Veterans Memorial Association. The ceremony will include the laying of wreaths and a 105-mm howitzer gun salute.
Nov. 11 quilt presentation in Salem
The Salem Star Valor Quilters of Oregon will celebrate Veterans Day by presenting 100 veterans in the community with a "Quilt of Valor" at noon Friday at the Salem Armory, 2320 17th St. NE.
"This event has been in the making for a year," Mary Williams, the group's leader and founder, said. She and her husband own Will-N-Bee'z Quilt and Coffee Shoppe, the group's sponsor.
The first quilt at the Veterans Day event will be presented to former Gov. Ted Kulongoski, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps. Kulongoski will then say a few words before the other presentations are made.
Nov. 11 fireworks in Dallas
Dallas will honor all veterans with a fireworks show scheduled to begin shortly after 7 p.m. Friday.
The fireworks will be launched from the ball fields at La Creole Middle School but can be seen from most anywhere in the city, according to the city's website.
Nov. 12 Veterans Ceremony
Hosted by the Veneta - Fern Ridge Chamber of Commerce, the ceremony at Veneta City Park, 25192 E. Broadway Ave., will honor veterans from the Veneta and Junction City area.
The event starts at 11 a.m. Saturday with an opening prayer, with Lane Fire Authority presenting Colors and the Pledge of Allegiance. Veneta Mayor Keith Weiss with speak and then at 11:30 a.m. Commander Kerry Shafer with VFW and Commander Michael Anderson with American Legion with deliver a veterans' message.
There will be hot dogs, chips, drinks and cupcakes provided by Sanipac and Rogers Towing that will be served by the Kiwanis Club of Fern Ridge.
Nov. 12 Emerald Valley Voices concert
Emerald Valley Voices will host Homeward Bound, a Veterans Day concert, at 7 p.m. Saturday at Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1155 President St. The concert will feature some patriotic numbers, as well as many other wonderful pieces.
Emerald Valley Voices is a 30-voice auditioned volunteer choir that performs music from a variety of genres.
Editor Michelle Maxwell contributed to this report.
Capi Lynn is a reporter and columnist 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: Veterans Day 2022: Here's how to celebrate in Oregon
