Photo Source: Oregon State Capitol on Facebook A new memorial was unveiled at Willson Park on the Oregon State Capitol grounds earlier this month that marks a very important piece of our nation's history. Oregon's Governor John Kitzhaber joined state and community leaders along with hundreds of veterans and their families on the 70th anniversary of the D-Day invasion to dedicate the new Oregon World War II Memorial. Located at the corner of Cottage and State streets, the memorial covers a 75 by 75 foot area. At its center is a 33-foot-high obelisk, referring to Oregon being the 33rd state in the union. A world map is engraved on the memorial's footprint with markers for major battles and theaters of operation. Along the corner of a low wall are the engraved names of the Oregon service members who died in or as the result of combat. Two black granite benches will invite visitors to sit and reflect on our nation and state's shared sacrifice during wartime. World War II Memorial Foundation President Lou Jaffe said the purpose of the memorial is not only to honor that war's veterans, but to educate young people. “It was probably our nation's finest hour, coming together in a unified manner. And that's what we're trying to preserve. All will be acknowledged in a series of storyboards that highlight Oregon's involvement in the war on the home front and specific military units. The veterans, families and Oregonians who participated in World War II deserve to have a memorial,” Jaffe said. During the ceremony, Governor Kitzhaber spoke about the importance of the new memorial and the significance of the 70th anniversary of the D-Day invasion: Approximately 152,000 Oregonians served in World War II and of those, more than 3,700 gave their lives. There are more than 20,000 Oregonian World War II veterans still living. We hope that you will be able to pay this special monument a visit next time you are in Salem, Oregon. About Historical Outreach Foundation (HOF) The Historical Outreach Foundation (HOF), a 501(c)(3), honors the men and women who have served this state and nation in our armed forces, and provides a comprehensive educational resource for preserving and sharing Oregon's rich military history. For more information about how to support the ongoing educational efforts at the Oregon WWII Memorial, visit www.historicaloutreach.com or call (503) 705-5965. Alisha Hamel is the executive director of HOF.
