On June 6, 1944, Allied forces landed on the beaches of Normandy in an operation that helped change the course of World War II. The courage displayed that day—and throughout the war by millions of service members and civilians—came at an extraordinary cost. More than eight decades later, D-Day remains a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made in defense of freedom and of our responsibility to remember those who served.
Here in Oregon, that remembrance has a permanent home on the grounds of the State Capitol in Salem.
A Lasting Tribute to Oregon’s World War II Veterans
The Oregon World War II Memorial was dedicated on June 6, 2014, exactly 70 years after D-Day. Created through the vision and dedication of veterans, families, donors, and community leaders, the memorial honors the thousands of Oregonians who served during World War II. It also commemorates the approximately 3,770 Oregonians who never returned home.
At the center of the memorial stands a 33-foot granite obelisk, representing Oregon as the 33rd state admitted to the Union. Surrounding it are engraved maps, inscriptions, and the names of Oregon’s fallen. Together, these elements tell a story not only of military campaigns and distant battlefields, but also of individual lives, families, and communities forever changed by war.
Connecting Generations Through Remembrance
What makes the memorial especially meaningful is its ability to connect generations. Veterans, students, families, and visitors can stand in the same space and reflect on the sacrifice represented by every name etched in stone. It serves as both a place of remembrance and a reminder that history is not abstract—it is personal.
We are grateful to have played a role in helping bring this memorial to life. More importantly, we are grateful for the opportunity to support a project whose purpose extends far beyond construction. The memorial belongs to the people of Oregon and to the legacy of the World War II generation it honors.
Preserving a Legacy for the Future
Today, visitors walking around the Capitol grounds encounter more than stone and inscriptions. They encounter a story of service, sacrifice, and remembrance. Veterans, families, students, and visitors are reminded that the freedoms we enjoy today were secured by a generation willing to answer an extraordinary call to duty.
As the World War II generation passes from living memory, places like the Oregon World War II Memorial help ensure that their stories, sacrifices, and service endure. Through remembrance, we honor their legacy and preserve it for future generations.
