In a recent move to honor military service, Multnomah County officially declared November 11, as Veterans Day. This day is set aside to acknowledge the sacrifices made by the servicemen and women in the active, reserve, and National Guard components. Commissioner Sharon Meieran, in partnership with the Aging, Disability and Veterans Services Division, led the proclamation, noting her deepened appreciation for veterans through her role with the Multnomah County Veterans Task Force, according to a report by Multnomah County News.
Meieran shared her experiences of connecting with veterans on the task force, highlighting the need to continue to actively work to improve services for veterans, particularly in housing, mental health, and addiction services. She said in a statement released by Multnomah County News, "The role of the Veterans Task Force, established in 2010 by then-District 4 Commissioner Diane McKeel, is to “raise awareness and have a place for veterans to convene and be able to talk about issues themselves, and to have a space to talk about advocacy for veterans in our community."
As a sign of solidarity and support, Multnomah County participated in Operation Green Light, a national initiative to light buildings and bridges green to show appreciation for veterans. Meieran explained, "We let veterans know that they are seen, appreciated, and supported by lighting buildings and bridges green and to serve as a beacon to say we care about you, there are services for you, here’s what we have, please come to us."
During the proclamation, several speakers with connections to the Veterans Task Force detailed their commitment to serving veterans and their families. Nina Sparrs discussed the task force's progress on tackling veteran homelessness, while Kristine O’Brien mentioned the importance of community in suicide prevention efforts among veterans. Sheila Balbin, a program supervisor for Multnomah County's Veterans Services, shared a personal connection to the veteran community and detailed how her team secured $6.5 million in retroactive benefits for veterans, as highlighted by the official news release.
Additionally, personal testimonies from county officials further underscored the proclamation’s significance. Commissioner Lori Stegmann, American adoptee born in South Korea, expressed specific gratitude to Korean War veterans, while Chair Jessica Vega Pederson closed by emphasizing the vital nature of ensuring access to necessary resources for veterans. The day served not only to honor veterans but also to reaffirm the county's dedication to enhancing veterans' support in areas such as employment, benefits, housing, and health care.
