Published on TaskandPurpose.com
Jake Evans, a National Guardsman from a three-Gold Star family, was named Soldier of the Year, following in the footsteps of his family’s long legacy of service. His journey is a testament to his bravery and commitment, not only to his country but to honoring the memory of those who came before him. Read more about Jake’s inspiring story here.
Content credit to TaskandPurpose.com
Published on RecordCourier.com
Jeff Evans, a Johnson Lane resident, traveled 8,000 miles to Vietnam to honor the memory of his uncle and father, both of whom were killed in the Vietnam War. His emotional journey led him through archives, jungles, and local villages, where he uncovered remarkable connections to the past.
Content credit to RecordCourier.com
Published on Legion.org
U.S. Highway 20 has officially been designated as the National Medal of Honor Highway, honoring America’s bravest heroes along its 3,365-mile coast-to-coast route from Newport, Oregon, to Boston. The initiative, led by Oregon veteran Dick Tobiason, commemorates Medal of Honor recipients and was finalized with President Biden’s approval.
Content credit to Legion.org
Published on PhilomathNews.com
Staff Sgt. Larry Gassner, a Philomath native, made the ultimate sacrifice during the Vietnam War, losing his life just 100 days after deploying to Vietnam. Honored by his family and the community, his story is a poignant reminder of the grief experienced by Gold Star families.
Content credit to PhilomathNews.com
Published on PhilomathNews.com
David Styles is remembered for his bravery, humor, and dedication as a combat medic in Vietnam. Killed in action on March 29, 1969, he left an indelible mark on his platoon, earning the trust and admiration of his fellow soldiers.
Content credit to PhilomathNews.com
Published on PhilomathNews.com
On the 54th anniversary of his half-brother Paul J. Cochran’s death, Fritz Baier visited Philomath to honor the soldier and learn more about the future veterans memorial park bearing his name.
Read the full story of his life and the efforts to preserve his memory.
Content credit to PhilomathNews.com
It’s official! The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is no longer an idea. Every day, we’re making serious strides toward building Oregon’s newest memorial for those who served bravely. But this is more than just a construction project — it’s a heartfelt tribute to the sacrifices, courage, and memories of those who risked and, in many cases, gave it all. As a community-funded project, the public deserves to be heard throughout the project. That’s why we’re answering some of the most common questions at this point in the project.
Right now, we’re in the early stages of Phase 1, and the team is making impressive headway every week. We officially broke ground on Vietnam Veterans Day, March 29, 2024, and several foundational features such as the sidewalk and retaining walls are already complete. You can catch up on the project by checking our weekly Vietnam Veterans Memorial update.
This is a question we hear all the time. We know you’re eager to see the final product (and so are we!). Currently, we’re aiming to complete Phase 1 of the memorial by November 2024. Our goal is to have Phase 1 open to the public by Thanksgiving Day with a dedication ceremony already in the planning stages. Of course, projects of this scale are subject to various unforeseen delays due to weather, supply chain issues, or resource disruptions. Rest assured our team is working hard daily to keep the project on track for timely completion.
Great question! Our decision to break ground before meeting our total funding goals was founded on a few principles. First and foremost, we believe so strongly in this project that we already figured out ways to fund the memorial if donations didn’t reach our goals. But, with the current funding process, it looks like that won’t be an issue! Another reason for the early start was to reduce overall project costs by securing materials, shipping, and construction before prices inevitably rose. That decision is already saving us money!
We couldn’t be happier with our progress so far! Thanks to our generous donors, Phase 1 is nearly 90% funded. We’ve secured $3,272,610 against a projected budget of $3,639,929. That leaves only $367,318 to go. The funds we’re currently raising are going toward Phase 1, also known as the Column Wall Phase. This section includes “A Soldier’s Return” sculpture, engraved granite columns, Brothers Benches, and so much more. Click here for a detailed description of everything going into Phase 1.
Yes, Phase 2 will take place once Phase 1’s costs are paid in full, and we have enough funds to confidently begin Phase 2. Part of the funding we’ll need is to update the construction documents and determine the actual costs for the next phase, which includes paying for a viability study.
So glad you asked! If you’re looking to support this meaningful project, please visit our donation page. Any amount helps, so don’t be shy about what you’re able to give. Every donation, whether it’s $1 or more, earns you a spot in our Welcome Home Club, with your name proudly displayed on our site — unless, of course, you’d prefer to keep it hush-hush. In that case, we’re happy to keep your contribution anonymous. If you prefer to donate your time, check out the next question about volunteering.
Absolutely not! We’re always looking for passionate volunteers to help bring this project to life. Whether you have specialized skills or simply want to lend a hand, we’re excited to bring you on board. Check out our volunteering page to see how you can get involved.
Got more questions? Great! We love talking about the project. You can contact us directly by calling 503-663-6271 — just ask for Steve Bates, our resident expert. Prefer snail mail? No problem. Send your letters to:
Vietnam War Memorial Fund
P.O. Box 1448
Boring, Oregon 97009
You can also visit our contact page to find other ways to get in touch.
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is a project deeply rooted in community, mutual respect, and honor – the values embodied by all who have donated to this meaningful project. From the beginning, we were confident that grassroots funding was the most appropriate way to offer the public a chance to give back to those who served. This project would not be possible without the generous contributions from our committed donors.
We’d like to take this chance to proudly acknowledge some of the most instrumental individuals, couples, families, fellow service members, organizations, and companies in bringing this project to life. Their contributions extend far beyond the completion of the memorial; they will provide a place for healing, remembrance, and education for decades to come. We hope this recognition will inspire others to join in this crucial endeavor.
Everyone who donates to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial is automatically inducted into the Welcome Home Club. This ever-growing group is more than just a collection of donors; it’s a recognition of the heartfelt gratitude and deep respect the community has for those who served in Vietnam – a group that’s too often feels forgotten, isolated, and misunderstood. This collection of generous givers acts as a community-led “Welcome Home” to everyone who has served.
The Honor Circle is the highest level of giving. It recognizes those who have made a tremendous commitment to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. This project would not have been possible if not for the generous contribution from the State of Oregon. Our local government’s dedication to the project was clear from the beginning when it approved the construction of the memorial on State Capitol grounds. The State of Oregon provided a crucial financial foundation that let this project get off the ground confidently. Although this memorial is for everyone who fought in the war, it’s uniquely paying homage to Oregonians, and the state’s backing helps reinforce that focus.
Further Reading: What You Get When You Donate to the Vietnam Memorial
The aptly named Gratitude Circle holds a special place in our hearts, not only because of the sizeable contributions but also because the group has collectively generated the largest portion of funding. It’s not an exaggeration to say the Vietnam Veterans Memorial would still merely exist as an idea if not for these donors. We extend our deepest gratitude to the following members:
Next, we turn our attention to the Remembrance Circle to recognize those who have contributed $25,000 or more to the completion of the project. This giving tier represents a diverse array of organizations, tribal groups, individuals, and service members which demonstrates the widespread respect the community feels for veterans across the board. Their support plays a critical role in ensuring the completion of this project. We are honored to recognize the following donors:
Every donation moves the project closer toward its ultimate goal: To construct a permanent memorial on state grounds that honors the military members and families who served in the Vietnam War to bring peace, recognition, and honor to those who were initially rejected upon their return. As mentioned before, the Welcome Home Club is instrumental in making this overdue homecoming possible.
If you’re interested in contributing to this project, visit our donation page. Every amount is genuinely appreciated.
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is coming to life on the Oregon State Capitol! Work is officially underway, and we’re pleased to provide you with ongoing updates on the progress. Every “step” towards completing this project is another vital step in acknowledging the sacrifices made by the fearless men and women who served in the Vietnam War. This project isn’t just about creating a physical monument; it’s about providing a place for reflection, healing, and peace for veterans and their families.
Here’s what’s been happening over the past few weeks:
We kicked off the first week with a lot of groundwork…literally. Oregon’s own Andersen Construction – spearheading the prep – installed temporary irrigation to maintain a safe and clean site throughout the project. Next, we dove into the storm line excavation and area drain installation to further manage water runoff and prevent potential flooding. This first week wasn’t all about underground work, though. We also hung up new banners around the site with a glimpse of what the finished memorial will look like. If you live in the area, check them out!
The second week was an electrifying mix of boring pathways and laying wiring. These electrical components will keep the memorial well-lit and safe for visitors throughout all hours. This way, it can be enjoyed even when natural lighting isn’t available. Ensuring the entire site is well-connected will also fulfill various other electrical needs. We also installed and backfilled another storm line building on the previous week’s work to ensure the memorial stands strong for generations to come.
Further Reading: The Most Impressive Vietnam Memorials in the US & Worldwide
We got lucky in week three as it coincided with the 25th anniversary of the Oregon Specialty Group Hoopla tournament. The tournament is hosted every year on the grounds of the Oregon State Capitol, the future home of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. It was a great reminder of the community spirit that this project will embody. Once the games wrapped up, we got back to work backfilling trenches and laying the stone sub-base – key preparation for the sidewalks that will wind through the site.
In the fourth week, the sidewalk sub-base was graded to make for a comfortable and safe pathway throughout the memorial. Our team created the core holes that will hold the engraved granite columns for the Memorial Monument. This section will display the names of all Oregonians who died in Vietnam while saluting all military branches. The highly anticipated Diamond Pier delivery finally arrived. In an interesting turn, we unearthed some random artifacts during excavation.
Things were really starting to take shape by the end of week five. The team installed concrete foundations for the Diamond Pier. The rest of the work involved pouring concrete for the sidewalk and edge restraint. The edge restraint helps to define the memorial’s boundaries and keep everything in the right place as the project matures.
Currently, OM Stone in Hillsboro is hard at work engraving the black granite columns for the Memorial Monument. The 46 granite columns will be delivered to the memorial site in three different batches. The first batch is expected to be delivered on or before August 29th. The granite columns will be installed in September. These highly intricate and aesthetic pillars will serve as one of the most important features of the memorial.
There are plenty of exciting updates on the horizon as this meaningful project gets off the ground! We’ll continue updating this page as the project progresses. Stay tuned by signing up for our newsletter. Interested in donating? Click here! Every donation – no matter the size – gets us closer to our goal of honoring Vietnam veterans.
Help us ensure that Phase 1 is fully funded with your contribution today.
Artist: Libby Carruth
Artist’s Description:
Standing solemnly before the American flag, a young soldier is captured in bronze, framed by a wall of granite. From most angles, he remains obscured, a symbol of anonymity and the unseen struggles of veterans returning from war. Approaching the sculpture face-to-face invites a moment of deep reflection and empathy.
The soldier’s expression conveys angst and determination, revealing the “invisible wounds” of war—psychological scars like anxiety, alienation, and PTSD. These challenges underscore the profound difficulties veterans face upon returning to civilian life. In an era when mental health was often overlooked, these issues compounded the sense of abandonment felt by many soldiers, left to resume their lives as if unchanged by their experiences.
This sculpture serves as a catalyst for introspection and empathy, urging viewers to engage directly with the soldier’s story. It aims to illuminate the complexities of veteran experiences beyond visible battle scars, standing as a testament to the enduring impact of military service and advocating for recognition and support for those who have sacrificed for their country.
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