Each year on Nov. 11, Americans honor all those who have served in the armed forces. Here is the rundown on how some Oregon communities are celebrating the federal holiday — what’s free for veterans, and what’s closed on Friday.
Public transportation: TriMet buses, MAX and WES; C-Tran; and Portland Aerial Tram all follow regular schedules Friday, Nov. 11.
Government offices: Federal offices and courts — closed. Oregon and Washington state offices and courts — closed.
Multnomah, Clackamas, Washington and Clark county offices, city of Portland and Vancouver offices, Metro regional center — closed.
Portland parking meters: Free on Friday, Nov. 11, except in Washington Park and other city parks where there are pay meters.
Postal mail (USPS) will not be delivered Nov. 11, and post offices will be closed.
Most regional libraries are closed for the holiday. Check with your location branch.
National Parks are free on Veterans Day across the country. Gold Star Families and US military veterans are eligible to receive free access to more than 2,000 federal recreation areas, including national parks, wildlife refuges, and forests. Check here for a list of areas. nps.gov/planyourvisit
The Oregon Zoo will once again offer free admission Friday, Nov. 11 to military members, veterans and their families. Complimentary admission includes up to six tickets per active military personnel/veteran. I.D. is required. www.oregonzoo.org
Capitol Mall Veterans Day celebration
The Oregon Department of Veteran Affairs (ODVA) hosts its annual statewide Veterans Day Celebration on the Capitol Mall the day before Veterans Day. The event includes guest speakers, the singing of the national anthem, the pledge of allegiance, a tribal blessing, and other ceremonial elements. Flags will be passed out to attendees during the event. Note: The Capitol and its offices are closed on Nov. 11 in honor of the holiday.
11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 10, Oregon State Capitol Park on Court Street Northeast in downtown Salem; the event will also be livestreamed via Facebook; www.facebook.com/odvavet
Albany Veterans Day Parade 2018 Oregnian file photo. Mark Graves/Staff LC- (photo courtesy of Jamie Hale)
Albany Veterans Day Parade
After two years of “reverse” parades due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Albany returns to its tradition parade, called the largest such observance west of the Mississippi River.
11 a.m. Friday, beginning at Pacific Boulevard and continuing down the overpass on Lyon Street into downtown Albany, left onto Second Avenue, then to Ferry Street, where it turns left again onto Third Avenue and heads to the Linn County Courthouse. For more details and a map of the parade route visit: linncountyveteransdayparade.org/parade
The Portland Veterans Day Parade
The parade returns in 2022 with a new route.
10 a.m. Friday at the intersection of Northeast Beech Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and travels north to Sumner Street. Closing ceremonies will be held at the Natural Grocers parking lot at 5055 N.E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., veteransdaypdx.org
The Oregon Korean War Memorial and adjoining park in Wilsonville. LC- The OregonianLC- The Oregonian
Wilsonville Veterans Day ceremony
Wilsonville observes the holiday with a ceremony at the Oregon Korean War Memorial in Town Center Park. The program includes a welcome address, Presentation of Colors, speakers, and a flyover at 11:15 a.m.
Ceremony 11 a.m. Friday, at the park, 29600 Park Place, Wilsonville; free; www.ci.wilsonville.or.us/administration/page/veterans-day-observance-ceremony-0
Beaverton Veterans Memorial Park
The park will host a Veterans Day ceremony hosted by American Legion Post Number 124.
11 a.m. Friday, at the park, Southwest Seventh and Watson avenues, Beaverton; beavertonoregon.gov/442/Veterans-Memorial-Park
— Rosemarie Stein
503-221-4376, events@oregonian.com; @trafficportland
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