SALEM, Ore. - Oregon National Guard Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen participated in several Memorial Day observances across the state on May 26, 2025, a day dedicated to honoring all those who died in service to the United States during both peacetime and war.

At Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, Brig. Gen. Alan R. Gronewold, Adjutant General, Oregon, delivered a Memorial Day address as the keynote speaker to those gathered for the 75th Annual Memorial Day Observance.

“On this solemn occasion of Memorial Day, we gather to honor and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our great nation,” Gronewold said. “They chose to serve willingly, full-heartedly, courageously, and for a greater purpose.”

While describing the loss of service members from Operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, Gronewold said that a portion of Willamette National Cemetery is especially meaningful.

“It’s a sobering feeling to walk among the headstones here, particularly in sections X and W, where our Soldiers from Operation Iraqi Freedom have been laid to rest,” he said. “Being here allows us all a time for quiet contemplation and an opportunity to gain perspective on life’s passage.”

Elsewhere in Oregon, other Oregon National Guard leaders spoke to those gathered on this significant day of national remembrance. Both the 142nd Wing out of Portland and the 173rd Fighter Wing out of Klamath Falls flew patriotic flyovers at multiple events.

In Salem at the State Capital grounds, Oregon Army National Guard Col. Russell Gibson, 82nd Troop Command Brigade Commander, Oregon Military Department Director of Government and Legislative Affairs, delivered remarks, honoring fallen service members who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the nation.

During a Memorial Day service held at the Restlawn Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home in Salem, retired Oregon Army National Guard Col. Kevin Dial addressed attendees gathered to remember fallen service members who have given their lives in defense of the nation.

The Oregon National Guard provides the citizens of the State of Oregon and the United States with a ready force of citizen Soldiers and Airmen, equipped and trained to respond to any contingency, natural or man-made. "Always Ready, Always There."

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Release Images:

250526-Z-CH590-1043: Chaplain (Col.) Jacob A. Scott, Oregon National Guard State Chaplain, delivers the Invocation at the start of the Memorial Day Observance at Willamette National Cemetery, Portland, Oregon, on May 26, 2025. This year marked the 75th annual Memorial Day Observance at Willamette National Cemetery, one of three national cemeteries in Oregon (the others being Roseburg and Eagle Point). (National Guard photo by John Hughel, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

250526-Z-CH590-1254 and 250526-Z-CH590-1262: Brig. Gen. Alan R. Gronewold, Adjutant General, Oregon, delivers a Memorial Day address as the keynote speaker to those gathered at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, Oregon, on May 26, 2025. This year marked the 75th annual Memorial Day Observance at Willamette National Cemetery, one of three national cemeteries in Oregon (the others being Roseburg and Eagle Point). (National Guard photo by John Hughel, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

250526-Z-CH590-1072: Military members of a Joint Service Honor Guard team prepare the Posting of Colors to begin the 75th Annual Memorial Day Observance at Willamette National Cemetery, Portland, Oregon, on May 26, 2025. The Honor Guard detail included service members from the Oregon Army and Air National Guard, and Navy and Marine Corps reservists in Oregon. (National Guard photo by John Hughel, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

250526-Z-CH590-1341: Military members of a Joint Service Honor Guard team perform a rifle salute during the Memorial Day Observance held at Willamette National Cemetery, Portland, Oregon, on May 26, 2025. This year marked the 75th annual Memorial Day Observance at Willamette National Cemetery, one of three national cemeteries in Oregon (the others being Roseburg and Eagle Point). (National Guard photo by John Hughel, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

250526-Z-CH590-1160: A ceremonial wreath is presented by the Gold Star Wives during the Memorial Day Observance held at Willamette National Cemetery, Portland, Oregon, on May 26, 2025. This year marked the 75th annual Memorial Day Observance at Willamette National Cemetery, one of three national cemeteries in Oregon (the others being Roseburg and Eagle Point). (National Guard photo by John Hughel, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

250526-Z-ZJ128-1001: Oregon Army National Guard Color Guard members salute during the presentation of colors at the 2025 ODVA Statewide Memorial Day Ceremony at the Oregon World War II Memorial on the Oregon State Capitol grounds in Salem, Oregon, May 26, 2025. Pictured is Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Cox, Staff Sgt. Steven Olson, Sgt. Wyatt Wampoer and Spc. Peter May. The ceremony honored fallen service members who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

250526-Z-ZJ128-1002 and 250526-Z-ZJ128-1003: Oregon Army National Col. Russell Gibson, 82nd Troop Command Brigade Commander and Oregon Military Department Director of Government and Legislative Affairs, delivers remarks during the 2025 ODVA Statewide Memorial Day Ceremony at the Oregon World War II Memorial on the Oregon State Capitol grounds in Salem, Oregon, May 26, 2025. The ceremony brought together Oregonians from across the state to honor fallen service members who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

250526-Z-ZJ128-1004: Oregon Army National Guard Color Guard members pose with Miss America pageant contestants during the 2025 ODVA Statewide Memorial Day Ceremony at the Oregon World War II Memorial on the Oregon State Capitol grounds in Salem, Oregon, May 26, 2025. The Miss America contestants, who helped with the ceremony by handing out programs, are pictured left to right: Kendra Huntington, Miss Majestic Lakes; Emily Redling, Miss Linn Benton 2025; Mila Pearl, Miss Portland Metro Teen 2025; and Em DeGraness, Miss City Bridges Teen 2025. The ceremony honored fallen service members who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

20250526-Z-UZ129-1001: Retired Oregon Army National Guard Col. Kevin Dial addresses attendees during a Memorial Day ceremony at Restlawn Memory Gardens and Funeral Home in Salem, Ore., May 26, 2025. Attendees gathered to remember fallen service members who have given their lives in defense of the nation. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Emily Simonson, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs Office)

20250526-Z-UZ129-1002: Oregon Army National Guard Funeral Honors Spc. Patrick Ruiz gives a folded flag to Susan Dougherty in honor of her husband, U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Patrick Dougherty, during a Memorial Day ceremony at Restlawn Memory Gardens and Funeral Home in Salem, Ore., May 26, 2025. Attendees gathered to remember fallen service members who have given their lives in defense of the nation. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Emily Simonson, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs Office)

20250526-Z-UZ129-1003: Attendees at a Memorial Day ceremony at Restlawn Memory Gardens and Funeral Home select roses in honor of loved ones who have passed, May 26, 2025, in Salem, Oregon.. Attendees gathered to remember fallen service members who have given their lives in defense of the nation. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Emily Simonson, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs Office)

20250526-Z-UZ129-1004: Attendees at a Memorial Day ceremony at Restlawn Memory Gardens and Funeral Home select roses in honor of loved ones who have passed, May 26, 2025, in Salem, Oregon.. Attendees gathered to remember fallen service members who have given their lives in defense of the nation. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Emily Simonson, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs Office)