Salem, Ore. – The Oregon National Guard participated in a ceremony to honor all military members today at the State Capitol Mall in Salem, Oregon.
The Armed Forces Day event included a flyover featuring two F-15 Eagles from the Oregon Air National Guard’s 142nd Fighter Wing and a howitzer salute by the Oregon Army National Guard’s Bravo Battery, 2-218 Field Artillery Battalion.
Mr. John Kroger, State Attorney General, representing Governor John Kitzhaber, spoke at the ceremony, joined by Oregon’s Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Raymond F. Rees, and the Commander of the Oregon Air National Guard, Brig. Gen. Steven Gregg.
Three Soldiers from the 3670 Maintenance Company, Oregon Army National Guard, were recognized during the ceremony. They returned in February from a year-long deployment to Iraq in support of Operation New Dawn.
Various units throughout the Oregon National Guard provided displays during the event. Music was provided by the Oregon Army National Guard’s 234th Army Band, and high school Junior ROTC teams from local communities provided a joint Color Guard for the ceremony.
Armed Forces Day was originally created in 1949 to honor Americans serving in all of the branches of the military, and was designated as an official holiday in 1962 by President John Kennedy.
Sgt. Joseph Cunningham talks to local children inside an Oregon Army National Guard UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter on display at the State Capitol Mall during Armed Forces Day, May 17, in Salem, Ore. (Photo by Staff Sgt. April Davis, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs Office)
Spc. Jason Bell of the 1186 Military Police Company, Oregon Army National Guard, shows local children a Highly Mobile Multi-Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) or "humvee" on display at the State Capitol Mall during Armed Forces Day, May 17, in Salem, Ore. (Photo by Staff Sgt. April Davis, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs Office)
Oregon's Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Raymond F. Rees (left); Mr. John Kroger (center), State Attorney General, and Brig. Gen. Steven Gregg, Commander of the Oregon Air National Guard, salute during the playing of the National Anthem at the Armed Forces Day ceremony, May 17, at the State Capitol Mall in Salem, Ore. (Photo by Staff Sgt. April Davis, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs Office)
Two F-15 Eagles from the Oregon Air National Guard's 142nd Fighter Wing fly over the State Capitol Mall as howitzers from the Oregon Army National Guard's 2-218 Field Artillery Battalion fire a salute in honor of Armed Forces Day, May 17, in Salem, Ore. (Photo by Staff Sgt. April Davis, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs Office)
Howitzers from the Oregon Army National Guard's 2-218 Field Artillery Battalion fire a salute as two F-15 Eagles from the Oregon Air National Guard's 142nd Fighter Wing fade into the distant skies following a fly over at the State Capitol Mall in honor of Armed Forces Day, May 17, in Salem, Ore. (Photo by Staff Sgt. April Davis, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs Office)
Oregon employers stand as they are recognized during Armed Forces Day, May 17, at the State Capital in Salem, for their continued efforts to hire Oregon National Guard Soldiers returning from overseas deployments. From left to right: Wyn Lohner, of the Baker City Police Department Chief; Ted Hausotter, of Natural Structures; Anna Goodman, of Century 21; Debbie Gargalis, of WorkSource Oregon; Tom Insko, of Boise Cascade. (Oregon Military Department Photo by Spc. Cory Grogan)
News Release and Photos from: Oregon Military Department