Memorial Day Ceremony at Washington County Fair Complex

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, May 08, 2012

The public is invited to a Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 28, from 2 to 3:30 p.m., at the Washington County Fair Complex.

The ceremony, which is a unique collaboration among Washington County, City of Hillsboro, Oregon National Guard, American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars, will honor our nation's brave service members who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

Program highlights include recognition of Purple Heart recipients, a prisoners of war ceremony, 21-gun salute, a flyover by the 142nd Fighter Wing of the Oregon Air National Guard and the re-dedication of the newly completed Veterans Gateway segment of Veterans Drive in Hillsboro.

Among the participants will be leaders from the Hillsboro VFW and American Legion, 2012 Outstanding Oregon Woman Veteran of the Year Betty Pomeroy, Hillsboro Mayor Jerry Willey, Board of Commissioners Chairman Andy Duyck, Sheriff Pat Garrett and Congresswoman Suzanne . A keynote address is planned by Brigadier General Steven Gregg, Commander, Oregon Air Guard.

The Veterans Gateway, first dedicated in December 2010, will eventually serve as a passage from the Fair Complex/Hillsboro Airport MAX Station and Park & Ride to a Veterans Memorial Plaza extending north towards the fairgrounds. Community input is being sought on the plaza design, which will be on display at the event and was developed pro-bono by LRS Architects.

Fundraising efforts for the plaza have begun and include the sale of paving stones that can be engraved to honor veterans with ties to Washington County. Information will be available at the event as well as on the County's website.

The Memorial Day Ceremony will take place rain or shine. Attendees may park in TriMet's lot at the Fair Complex/Hillsboro Airport MAX Station. For more information, call Washington County Disability, Aging and Veteran Services at (503) 846-3060.

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