The Oregon National Guard honored the service of its military members with an Armed Forces Day celebration held yesterday at the State Capitol Mall in Salem. Another event is scheduled to take place on Saturday at the Major General Raymond F. Rees Training Center near Umatilla, officially commemorating the brave men and women who have served both at home and abroad.
This grand salute to service will see the inclusion of the 234th Army Band, known as "Oregon's Own," delivering a range of patriotic and contemporary musical pieces, and the day will wrap up with an F-15 Eagle streaking across the sky courtesy of the Oregon Air National Guard, giving attendees a spectacular airshow to complement the day's festivities, although making the event memorable yet ensuring that it does not overwhelm the senses of those in attendance.
According to a statement obtained by Oregon Military Department, Brig. Gen. Alan R. Gronewold stressed the importance of the event, saying "The Oregon National Guard has a long history of supporting an Armed Forces Day celebration," and despite the pressures of federal budget constraints and preparations for imminent mobilizations and domestic operational support, he emphasized that "it is important to recognize and celebrate our armed forces here in Oregon."
The Armed Forces Day event is not just a time of celebration but also reflection, and this year's event will hold special significance as the Oregon National Guard commemorates the 20-year anniversary of Oregon Soldiers' deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, a deployment that saw troops from the 3rd Battalion, 116th Cavalry Regiment and the 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment leave for distant lands in 2004, and safely return back to Oregon the following year, which in turn, embeds in the collective memory of the state, a profound sense of pride and a sobering reminder of the cost of liberty.
Adding a personal narrative to the event, soldiers who were deployed in 2004 and are still serving with the 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment will be specially recognized in Salem, while the narration responsibilities at the Rees Training Center will be helmed by 3rd Battalion, 116th Cavalry Commander, Lt. Col. Christopher Miller. Media interested in covering the event are encouraged to reach out to the Director of Public Affairs, Oregon Military Department, Lt. Col. Stephen S. Bomar for RSVP details, as reported in a media advisory released by the Oregon Military Department.
