Oregon National Guard Helps Oregon Communities Honor Veterans

SALEM, Ore. - Oregon National Guard members joined veterans, students and community members at Veterans Day events across the state Nov. 10 and 11, 2026, taking part in ceremonies, parades and school programs in Albany, Salem, Echo and Beaverton.

In Albany, Brig. Gen. Alan R. Gronewold, The Adjutant General of Oregon, gave remarks at the 75th Annual Veteran of the Year Banquet on Nov. 10, where Anthony Tangermann, a U.S. Army Vietnam veteran, was recognized as the 2026 Veteran of the Year. On Veterans Day, Soldiers with Bravo Battery, 2nd Battalion, 218th Field Artillery Regiment, fired a howitzer salute during the morning memorial service at the Linn County Veterans Memorial. Gronewold, a color guard and the 234th Army Band then took part in the 75th Annual Linn County Veterans Day Parade through downtown Albany.

In Salem, Oregon Air National Guard F-15EX fighter jets from the 142nd Wing flew over the Oregon State Capitol at 11:11 a.m. to open the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Day Program. Brig. Gen. Russell W. Gibson, Assistant Adjutant General, Oregon, attended the program.

In Echo, Guard members joined a parade led by students from kindergarten through high school, followed by an afternoon assembly where Maj. Taylor Frye, an Oregon Army National Guard CH-47 Chinook pilot, addressed students and staff. In Beaverton, Maj. Ian Beaty of the Oregon Army National Guard delivered opening remarks and Lt. Col. Heather Bashor of the Oregon Air National Guard spoke at a Veterans Day observance hosted by American Legion Post 124.

Oregon National Guard members serve part-time, typically one weekend a month and two weeks a year, while maintaining civilian careers. They stand ready to respond to state emergencies such as wildfires and floods, while also training to defend the nation when called to federal service. Guard members live and work in the same communities they serve, creating a unique connection between military service and local communities.

Released Photos:

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Oregon Army National Guard Maj. Taylor Frye, a CH-47 Chinook pilot assigned to AASF in Pendleton, Oregon, addresses the Veterans Day assembly at the Echo School Gym on Nov. 11, 2026. Over the past 15 years, students and staff have dedicated Veterans Day to in-class activities that highlight military service and honor veterans in the community. (Oregon National Guard photo by John Hughel)

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Members of the Oregon National Guard took part in Veterans Day activities in Echo, Oregon, including a parade led by students from Kindergarten through High School, followed by an afternoon assembly on Nov. 11, 2026. Over the past 15 years, students and staff have dedicated Veterans Day to in-class activities that highlight military service and honor veterans in the community. (Oregon National Guard photo by John Hughel)

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Members of the Oregon National Guard took part in Veterans Day activities in Echo, Oregon, including a parade led by students from Kindergarten through High School, followed by an afternoon assembly on Nov. 11, 2026. Over the past 15 years, students and staff have dedicated Veterans Day to in-class activities that highlight military service and honor veterans in the community. (Oregon National Guard photo by John Hughel)

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Members of the Oregon National Guard took part in Veterans Day activities in Echo, Oregon, including a parade led by students from Kindergarten through High School, followed by an afternoon assembly on Nov. 11, 2026. Over the past 15 years, students and staff have dedicated Veterans Day to in-class activities that highlight military service and honor veterans in the community. (Oregon National Guard photo by John Hughel)

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Brig. Gen. Alan R. Gronewold, the Adjutant General, Oregon gives remarks during the 75th Annual Veteran of the Year Banquet held at the Mid-Willamette Family YMCA, November 10, 2026, in Albany, Oregon. Anthony Tangermann, a U.S. Army Vietnam Veteran and Treasurer of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 585 was recognized as the 2026 Veteran of the Year at the banquet. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. Leslie Reed, Oregon Military Department)

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Lebanon High School JROTC leadership, Lt. Col. Thomas Clifford (L) and Command Sgt. Maj. (Ret.) Christian Watts (R), stand alongside Col. (Ret.) Kevin Dial ahead of the start of the 2026 Veteran of the Year Banquet, held at the Mid-Valley Family YMCA, in Albany, Oregon, on November 10, 2026. Lt. Col. Clifford was a nominee for this year's Veteran of the Year. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. Leslie Reed, Oregon Military Department)

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Governor Tina Kotek speaks with Brig. Gen. Russ Gibson and his spouse Cindy Gibson ahead of the start of the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Day Program at the Oregon State Capitol, November 11, 2026, in Salem, Oregon. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. Leslie Reed, Oregon Military Department)

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Dr. Nakeia Council Daniels, Director, Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs, stands alongside Brig. Gen. Alan R. Gronewold, the Adjutant General, Oregon and his spouse, Rebecca Gronewold, as a wreath honoring POW/MIA service members is laid by Robert Gore at the 75th Annual Veteran of the Year Banquet held at the Mid-Willamette Family YMCA, November 10, 2026, in Albany, Oregon. Both Dr. Daniels and Brig. Gen. Gronewold gave remarks during the banquet honoring military service. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. Leslie Reed, Oregon Military Department)

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American Legion Post 124 hosted a Veterans Day observance at SW Bible Church in Beaverton, Oregon, Nov. 11, 2026. Guest speakers included Beaverton Mayor Lacey Beaty, a U.S. Army veteran; Ashley Taylor, commander of VFW Post 4362, a U.S. Army veteran; and Lt. Col. Heather Bashor of the Oregon Air National Guard. Maj. Ian Beaty, Oregon Army National Guard, delivered the opening remarks and also spoke on behalf of a local WW2 U.S. Marine Corp Veteran, John Samuelson, who was unable to participate in the ceremony. (Oregon National Guard photo by Aaron Perkins, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

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Oregon Air National Guard F-15EX Fighter Jets from the 142nd Wing, based out of the Portland Air National Guard Base fly over the Oregon State Capitol building at 11:11 to kick off the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Day Program at the Oregon State Capitol, November 11, 2026, in Salem, Oregon. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. Leslie Reed, Oregon Military Department)

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Sgt. 1st Class David Nelson, with Bravo Battery, 2nd Battalion, 218th Field Artillery Regiment, Oregon Army National Guard, signals his crews to fire during a howitzer salute at the Veterans Day memorial service at the Linn County Veterans Memorial in Timber Linn Memorial Park, Albany, Ore., Nov. 11, 2026. The salute honored the nation's veterans ahead of the 75th Annual Linn County Veterans Day Parade. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

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An Oregon Army National Guard color guard leads Guard vehicles along the route of the 75th Annual Linn County Veterans Day Parade in Albany, Ore., Nov. 11, 2026. Oregon National Guard members serve part-time while maintaining civilian careers, and they live and work in the same communities they serve. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

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Brig. Gen. Alan R. Gronewold, The Adjutant General of Oregon, waves to spectators from an Oregon Army National Guard vehicle during the 75th Annual Linn County Veterans Day Parade in Albany, Ore., Nov. 11, 2026. The Oregon National Guard joined veterans and community members for the parade, which followed a morning memorial service and howitzer salute. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

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The drum major of the Oregon Army National Guard's 234th Army Band leads the band past spectators during the 75th Annual Linn County Veterans Day Parade in Albany, Ore., Nov. 11, 2026. Oregon National Guard members serve part-time while maintaining civilian careers, and they live and work in the same communities they serve. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

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Soldiers with the Oregon Army National Guard's 234th Army Band march through downtown Albany, Ore., during the 75th Annual Linn County Veterans Day Parade, Nov. 11, 2026. The parade followed a morning memorial service and howitzer salute at the Linn County Veterans Memorial in Timber Linn Memorial Park. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)