BEAVERTON, Ore. (KOIN) — On this Memorial Day, crowds gathered at memorials across the country, including in the nation’s capital. But Beaverton resident Latessa Loveland said taking part in an event in her community meant extra.
“I’ve been to Arlington, and it’s a wonderful place to go, and it’s really solemn,” she said. “But it’s nice to see our own community come together and remember those that have served this community specifically. I’m not originally from Oregon, so it’s really fun to see members of the community come together.”
Hundreds gathered at Veterans Memorial Park to honor those who lost their lives defending our country. The American Legion partnered with the Tualatin Hills Parks and Reaction Department to hold this event.
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Beaverton Mayor Lacey Beaty — who is an Army veteran — said remembering those we lost on Memorial Day is not enough.
“We must act, we must lead, and we must defend freedom not just abroad, but home as well,” she said. “So today, this moment, it’s not about celebration. It’s not about remembrance. It’s about the recommitment to the values that make us worthy of their sacrifice.”
The event saw two separate flyovers with the American Legion Post #185 band playing each of the military branch anthems. Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici was also in attendance and spoke to the crowd. She said everyone knows the grief that comes with losing a friend or family member.
“Their lives and their service, their belief in this nation’s values of freedom, opportunity and democracy all of those are worth fighting for and all of them are worthy of protection,” she said.
