Oregon's Fallen to be Honored With 5 Names Added to Afghan-Iraqi Freedom Memorial

The keynote speaker will be Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden.

Afghan-Iraq Freedom Memorial in Salem, Oregon Photo courtesy: Oregon Dept. of Veterans' Affairs

(SALEM, Ore.) - On the day set aside to remember America's service men and women in the U.S. Armed Forces, Veterans Day, a ceremony will be held at the Afghan-Iraqi Freedom Memorial to pay tribute to all of Oregon's fallen service members who have served in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

The public ceremony will be held Nov. 11, on the grounds of the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs, at 700 Summer St. N.E., at 3:00 p.m., and will commemorate the five Oregon service members who have been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan since May.

The names Oregon's recent fallen that have been newly inscribed on the Memorial's Wall of Honor include: 1st Lt. Michael E. Johnson, Cpl. Matthew R. Lembke, Cpl. Taylor D. Marks, Sgt. Jason A. Shaffer, and Sgt. Earl D. Werner.

The ceremony is also dedicated to the families and survivors of those fallen service members.

The keynote speaker will be Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden. ODVA Director Jim Willis will serve as Master of Ceremonies and conduct the unveiling of the newly added names of the fallen.

The memorial's fountain surrounds an American serviceman who appears to be reaching out to a global map inside the pool. A decorative iron railing and walkways surround the memorial, and marble benches are located near the fountain. It was dedicated in November 2006.

A bronze plaque rests at the foot of the POW/MIA flagpole with the inscription, "All Gave Some, Some Gave All." This represents the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard and Reserve members who have voluntarily stepped forward to serve and protect their nation.

News Release from: Oregon Dept. of Veterans' Affairs