Covering eight acres in Washington Park, Oregon Vietnam Veterans Living Memorial opened on Veterans Day in 1987. It is perhaps the most singularly beautiful war memorial in the state of Oregon, providing solace to thousands of Vietnam War veterans and their families and Oregonians each year. Designed by Doug Macy, the brilliant Portland landscape architect, this Memorial’s concept and history are equally important and inspiring.
See this video for a tour of the park and sense of parking.Each of the six alcoves along the Memorial’s spiral path convey profound loss and the history, both here and overseas, of key periods of Vietnam. The curved black granite walls list the names of all 809 Oregon residents who died in Vietnam or who are missing in action. The walls also chronicle three years of the conflict and concurrent local events, providing a poignant contrast. Before the Memorial Day ceremony begins every single name is read out loud.
Willamette National Cemetery Service
10:00 to 11:00am
Willamette National Cemetery 11800 SE Mt Scott Blvd Happy Valley, OR 97086
Thousands of people attend this event each year at the 307-acre cemetery which is on the National Register of Historic Places. Authorized in 1941 and completed in 1950, it was the first national cemetery in the northwest. More than 150,000 people are buried here.Memorial Day ceremony at Willamette National Cemetery, Portland, Oregon, May 27, 2019. (National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Brandon Boyd, 142nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs, available in public domain. The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement).
Memorial Day ceremony at Willamette National Cemetery, Portland, Oregon, May 28, 2018 (this photo, taken by Master Sgt. John Hughel of the Oregon National Guard Public Affairs Office, is available in public domain. The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD or Oregon National Guard endorsement).
15 thoughts on “”
My grandson was laid to rest this last December 2022 . He was only a few months into boot camp and came home for Christmas. He died of a fentanyl overdose on the 30th. 3 days before he was due to return. I cannot express the pain our family feels. The Army was exceptional in helping my daughter during the process. I will be there tomorrow!
My husband Dale was just laid to rest at Willamette on July 14 this year. Hope to be able to attend a military ceremony on Veterans Day or Memorial Day, as he was such a Proud Veteran and deserves the honor.
It’s been a tough year! A battle many were not prepared for. We are gaining on the recovery, even if we don’t agree with the freedoms we feel we deserve right now. We’ll get there, together!
I’ve attended Memorial Day tributes at Willamette National Cemetery (my father’s resting place) and Deschutes Memorial Gardens in Bend (my father-in-law’s resting place). Both WWII airmen, one a prisoner of war. They too were of the generation that did not speak of the war, loss, struggles and both carried much of if to their final resting place. Both were fortunate to have survived to live to 61 yrs of age and 82 yrs of age respectively.
Again, on Memorial Day 2021, The National Moment of Remembrance Memorial Taps at 3:00 your local time. Feel free to create a moment of rememberance.
Here is a link from Taps Across America 2020. It will happen again 2021. Watch CBS for updates, for now: https://www.tapsbugler.com/memorial-day-taps-national-moment-of-remembrance-2020/
The families of fallen soldiers never forget. Our hero never comes home. There’s not a day goes by that we don’t feel the absence of Rodney Dean Martinez who died December 2nd 1967. He was 21 years old. He volunteered to go to a war zone. His patriotism was sincere and pure and dedicated to the ideals of freedom and justice. He believed that his participation was in pursuit of a better world.
We now know that none of that was true. This young man (who gave all), gave all for no good reason.
It’s the saddest thing to know that a beautiful life ended in vain. Now multiply that one by 40,000.
We never forget.
Thank you so much, Paula, for sharing your thoughts. They shine a beautiful and moving light on Rodney and the nature and sacred task of remembering. May G-d bless Rodney and your family, this Memorial Day and always. He and each of you are not forgotten. -Marc
May he Rest In Peace. I am so sorry and can’t imagine the pain, I just know I have a small boy who dreams of being a soldier one day. And that breaks my heart to think of the ultimate sacrifice the men pay with. My grandma’s brothers some of them didn’t come back from WW II. Maybe they all RIP, they are not forgotten.
I so agree with you. 🙁
May they Rest In Peace and know they are not forgotten. I wanted to take my son who turned 10 years old to the ceremony, however there is none. Wished our fallen soldiers were given the respect they deserved, they made the ultimate sacrifice. RIP
We will miss attending your Memorial Day service again this year but are grateful for all you do to keep the Willamette National Cemetery so beautiful. We have family and friends for whom it is their final resting place.
I’m going there today to visit my father! I too don’t get there as often as I would like .but if you tell me the names of yours I will go and visit them for you! And anything you want me to say!
My grandson was laid to rest this last December 2022 . He was only a few months into boot camp and came home for Christmas. He died of a fentanyl overdose on the 30th. 3 days before he was due to return. I cannot express the pain our family feels. The Army was exceptional in helping my daughter during the process. I will be there tomorrow!
MEMORIAL DAY TRIBUTE https://youtu.be/GwPWzVJBF6Y
THE PROMISE BY JACK MURPHY, VIETNAM VETERAN.
My husband Dale was just laid to rest at Willamette on July 14 this year. Hope to be able to attend a military ceremony on Veterans Day or Memorial Day, as he was such a Proud Veteran and deserves the honor.
It’s been a tough year! A battle many were not prepared for. We are gaining on the recovery, even if we don’t agree with the freedoms we feel we deserve right now. We’ll get there, together!
I’ve attended Memorial Day tributes at Willamette National Cemetery (my father’s resting place) and Deschutes Memorial Gardens in Bend (my father-in-law’s resting place). Both WWII airmen, one a prisoner of war. They too were of the generation that did not speak of the war, loss, struggles and both carried much of if to their final resting place. Both were fortunate to have survived to live to 61 yrs of age and 82 yrs of age respectively.
Again, on Memorial Day 2021, The National Moment of Remembrance Memorial Taps at 3:00 your local time. Feel free to create a moment of rememberance.
Here is a link from Taps Across America 2020. It will happen again 2021. Watch CBS for updates, for now:
https://www.tapsbugler.com/memorial-day-taps-national-moment-of-remembrance-2020/
Thank you, Kristin!
The families of fallen soldiers never forget. Our hero never comes home. There’s not a day goes by that we don’t feel the absence of Rodney Dean Martinez who died December 2nd 1967. He was 21 years old. He volunteered to go to a war zone. His patriotism was sincere and pure and dedicated to the ideals of freedom and justice. He believed that his participation was in pursuit of a better world.
We now know that none of that was true. This young man (who gave all), gave all for no good reason.
It’s the saddest thing to know that a beautiful life ended in vain. Now multiply that one by 40,000.
We never forget.
Thank you so much, Paula, for sharing your thoughts. They shine a beautiful and moving light on Rodney and the nature and sacred task of remembering. May G-d bless Rodney and your family, this Memorial Day and always. He and each of you are not forgotten. -Marc
May he Rest In Peace. I am so sorry and can’t imagine the pain, I just know I have a small boy who dreams of being a soldier one day. And that breaks my heart to think of the ultimate sacrifice the men pay with. My grandma’s brothers some of them didn’t come back from WW II. Maybe they all RIP, they are not forgotten.
Why on earth not? OK to shop, OK to dine out but nothing (however modest) to remember those who gave their lives in there service of our nation.
I agree 100% with Michael. Even a modest memorial is better than none.
I am the sister of a 3 tour of duty Viet Nam and Gulf war Vet.
I so agree with you. 🙁
May they Rest In Peace and know they are not forgotten. I wanted to take my son who turned 10 years old to the ceremony, however there is none. Wished our fallen soldiers were given the respect they deserved, they made the ultimate sacrifice. RIP
We will miss attending your Memorial Day service again this year but are grateful for all you do to keep the Willamette National Cemetery so beautiful. We have family and friends for whom it is their final resting place.
Living In Connecticut I don’t get out to honor my mother and stepfather (WWII Vet) and my father (KIA 11/23/1944) who are all buried in your cemetery.
I’m going there today to visit my father! I too don’t get there as often as I would like .but if you tell me the names of yours I will go and visit them for you! And anything you want me to say!
Thanks to all the dedicated Cemetery staff that maintain such a beautiful and peaceful resting place for our loved ones.
Deen Thomas
Sgt. USA Vietnam