Mayors Message – Veterans Memorial
50 years ago, I volunteered to join the U.S. Coast Guard. The same week I reached this milestone, the City was awarded a grant to purchase and install a permanent art sculpture at the Veterans Memorial next to City Hall. In addition, the City’s plans call for a war timeline to be engraved on existing walls within the Memorial. I couldn’t be more humbled to honor local veterans with these additions.
Just last year, we celebrated the official opening of the Veterans Memorial. It was designed with significant input from local veterans, Parks Advisory Committee members, and Public Art Committee members. If you haven’t been already, the Memorial includes a labyrinth to signify a “walk with veterans.” Surrounding the labyrinth are benches and lighted flags for each branch of military.
Two years ago, the Oregon Parks and Recreation Commission provided $75,000 for the Veterans Memorial. Oregon Parks and Recreation has stepped up once again to provide $58,000 for a permanent veteran themed sculpture and help fund the war timeline engraving. On behalf of the City Council, I want to express my sincerest appreciation.
I’d also like to thank those who partnered in the City’s grant proposal to the Oregon Parks and Recreation Commission. Letters of project support were submitted by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 1324; Senator Chuck Thomsen, Oregon Senate District 26, co-chair of the Senate Committee on Veterans and Emergency Preparedness; Happy Valley City Council; Happy Parks Advisory Committee; Happy Valley Parks and Recreation Foundation; Happy Valley Public Art Advisory Committee; Clackamas County Arts Alliance; and the Rotary Club of Clackamas and its Happy Valley satellite club.
As a veteran, I have always found Happy Valley to be a welcoming and supportive community. It is my hope, as Mayor, that the Veterans Memorial will be an integral landmark in Happy Valley, ensuring that other veterans in our community are remembered. Join me this month in celebrating our local veterans and this new addition to our community! To find out more about the Happy Valley Veterans Memorial, go to happyvalleyor.gov.
Oregon Parks and Recreation Department Press Release – Grants awarded for veteran and war memorial projects throughout the state
