Published November 4, 2022
Ways to Honor Veterans in Portland & Vancouver
Veterans have given their lives to serving our country and have made many sacrifices along the way. With Veterans Day just around the corner on November 11th, many events and celebrations in Portland & Vancouver will honor its local veterans. Whether you are looking for a fun family outing to spend the holiday together or are seeking year-round opportunities to give back, there are several ways you can honor and support your local community of veterans. We’ve compiled a list of events that are held across Vancouver & Portland to honor the dedication and service of veterans, active-duty military members, and their families.
1. Visit Fort Vancouver
A fun family outing on Veterans Day can be a visit to Fort Vancouver, located on the north bank of the Columbia River, with a lovely view of the snowy mountains and sprawling urban landscape. From humble origins as a frontier fur trading post, it became an important military outpost in the Pacific Northwest and the center of Vancouver’s rich cultural history.
If you are looking for a fun outing or educational experience in Vancouver's military history, consider visiting Fort Vancouver. You can even bring your pets along for the day and enjoy the park grounds!
2. Veterans Day Parades
Established in 1974 by Vernon E. Ross – the proprietor of Ross Hollywood Funeral Chapel – Portland’s Veterans Day parade honors all past and present veterans. Organized by kind volunteers and generous sponsors, this parade offers a way to give back to veterans.
There is no better way to commemorate our veterans than by offering your time and energy to celebrate their dedication and service. If you are interested in learning more about the parade or signing up as a volunteer, pay a visit to their website today. The parade begins at 10 am on November 11th.
Vancouver has a long-established tradition of honoring its military history and its past and present military service members. This year marks the 34th annual Lough Legacy Veterans Parade to celebrate its community of veterans in partnership with the City of Vancouver and local donors. It is an opportunity to show your support for your family members, friends, and neighbors and come together as a community.
3. Free State & National Park Day
One of the many ways the country honors its veterans is by offering free admission to our great state and national parks. Furthermore, veterans, military members, and Gold Star families can receive free access to more than 2,000 parks, wildlife reserves, and other federal grounds year-round with the free annual interagency military pass.
Usually, the entry fee to state parks costs around $12 for a one-day pass or $30 for an annual pass, but on Veterans Day, the park will be open to the public for free. It is a fantastic opportunity to spend some time outdoors with your family or friends and enjoy the lush scenery together. Whether you are looking for a place to enjoy some outdoor activities or a quiet and relaxing place to work remotely or read a book, this is an opportunity you will not want to miss.
4. Oregon Zoo Veterans Day
Are you an animal lover? The Oregon Zoo is offering free admission on November 11th for military members, veterans, and their families to enjoy. Admission to the park includes up to six tickets per active duty member or veteran, with reservations beginning on November 2nd.
Tickets must be booked online with a veteran ID, discharge papers, or military ID for verification purposes. It can be an opportunity to spend some quality time with family and friends on this special occasion.
5. Fun Runs!
Race to Remember is partnering with the Fort Vancouver National Trust, sponsors of the Veterans Day Parade, again this year to honor past and present veterans by hosting a 5k and 11k race. After a cannon salute, the route will lead from the Veterans Day Parade at Fort Vancouver and over to the land bridge leading to the Columbia River Trail before finishing back at Fort Vancouver National Park.
For younger children who wish to join, there is also the Little Hero 1k race which is a perfect chance for children to honor local veterans. It is a family-friendly event that begins at 8:30 a.m. for a fun day of physical exercise!
Are you looking for an adrenaline rush? The National Veterans Day Run is being hosted on November 12th for all runners to participate and honor veterans through some physical exertion. It is an opportunity for everyone in the community to come together over a shared passion and activity, so be sure to sign up before it is too late!
If interested, head to the race entry page to create an account and register for the event. You can also check out any other races or running events throughout the rest of the year.
Last but not least, the 2022 Veterans Day 1M, 5K, and 10K races are a fun way for the community to come together and show gratitude for veterans and active duty service members. Registration for the race costs $18, but if you sign up early, you can register for just $16. They welcome people of all ages, meaning families can enjoy the races together.
There is also the option to run (or walk) virtually from any location you choose, whether it is on the sidewalk near your home, on a treadmill, or at your favorite race track. Fifteen percent of the proceeds will go to DAV (Disabled American Veterans) Charitable Service Trust – a program that provides physical and psychological rehabilitation to veterans in addition to direct service for the ill, injured and wounded.
Portland is hosting several events to honor local veterans, but there are abundant opportunities year-round to show gratitude. Consider joining in on any of these events, volunteering at the Veterans Affairs, or shopping at veteran-owned businesses this Veterans Day to give back to those who have sacrificed for this nation.
6. Volunteer
The Vancouver VA Medical Center is where local veterans receive medical care and treatment for health issues. By nature of their work, they are always grateful for volunteer assistance from the local community. There are a variety of ways to contribute, such as working as van drivers for outpatients who need help getting home after receiving treatment for chemotherapy, dialysis, radiation therapy, and other appointments.
You can work as an office assistant to help with different medical or administrative offices in the medical center by filing, answering the phone, and greeting and directing patients. By volunteering at the VA, you can help strengthen their efforts to support local veterans and show gratitude for their service.
Both facilities offer several events to honor local veterans, but there are also plenty of opportunities year-round to show gratitude. Consider joining in on any of these events, volunteering at the local VA, or shopping at veteran-owned businesses this Veterans Day to support your local veteran community.
7. Support Veteran-Owned Businesses
Another way you can help out your local veterans on Veterans Day and year-round is by shopping at a veteran-owned business and hiring veterans who’ve served our country. Check out Veteran Owned Businesses to find local businesses to support!
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