Willamette Valley News, Friday 5/23 – Have a Safe and Happy Memorial Day Weekend, Facts to Give the Holiday Some Perspective, Events in the Region

The latest news stories and stories of interest in the Willamette Valley from the digital home of Southern Oregon, from Wynne Broadcasting’s WillametteValleyMagazine.com

Friday, May 23, 2025

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Memorial Day 2025 – Monday, May 26.

The people of the United States of America have been observing Memorial Day since May 30, 1868. On that day flowers were placed on the graves of American soldiers at the Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

On Memorial Day, and all other days, we remember soldiers that have fallen, those that are missing and all of those that have served.

Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971.

Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings, and participating in parades.

In 1868, General Logan, a Civil War veteran who was then serving as commander-in-chief of a group of Union veterans, ordered the decoration of Union graves with flowers on May 30. The day would ultimately be known as ‘Memorial Day.’ It took a long time for Memorial Day to become a federal holiday.

Here are some facts to give the holiday some perspective.

MEMORIAL DAY BEGAN AS A RESPONSE TO THE CIVIL WAR.

Memorial Day was a response to the unprecedented carnage of the Civil War, in which a total of some 620,000 soldiers died. The loss of life and its effect on communities led to several spontaneous commemorations of the dead.

In 1864, women from Boalsburg, Pennsylvania, put flowers on the graves of their fallen soldiers from the just-fought Battle of Gettysburg. The next year, a group of women decorated the graves of soldiers buried in a Vicksburg, Mississippi, cemetery.

Two years later, women from Columbus, Mississippi, laid flowers on the graves of both Union and Confederate soldiers. In the same month, in Carbondale, Illinois, 219 Civil War veterans marched through town to Woodlawn Cemetery in memory of the fallen, where Union hero Major General John A. Logan delivered the principal address. The ceremony gave Carbondale its claim to the first organized, community-wide Memorial Day observance.

Waterloo, New York, began holding an annual community service on May 5, 1866. Although many towns claimed the title, it was Waterloo that won congressional recognition as the “Birthplace of Memorial Day.”

MEMORIAL DAY WAS ORIGINALLY KNOWN AS DECORATION DAY.

The holiday was long known as Decoration Day for the practice of decorating graves with flowers, wreaths, and flags. The name “Memorial Day” goes back to 1882, but the older name didn’t disappear until after World War II. It wasn’t until 1967 that federal law declared “Memorial Day” the official name.

The World War I poem “In Flanders Fields,” by John McCrea, inspired the Memorial Day custom of wearing red artificial poppies. In 1915, a Georgia teacher and volunteer war worker named Moina Michael began a campaign to make the poppy a symbol of tribute to veterans and for “keeping the faith with all who died.” The sale of poppies has supported the work of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

EACH MEMORIAL DAY IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT.

There’s no question that Memorial Day is a solemn event. Still, don’t feel too guilty about doing something frivolous (like hosting a barbecue) over the weekend. After all, you weren’t the one who instituted the Indianapolis 500 on May 30, 1911. That credit goes to Indianapolis businessman Carl Fisher. The winning driver that day was Ray Harroun, who averaged 74.6 mph and completed the race in six hours and 42 minutes.

Gravitas returned on May 30, 1922, when the Lincoln Memorial was dedicated. Supreme Court Chief Justice (and former president) William Howard Taft dedicated the monument before a crowd of 50,000 people, segregated by race, and which included a row of Union and Confederate veterans. Lincoln’s surviving son, Robert Todd Lincoln, also attended.

In 2000, Congress established a National Moment of Remembrance, which asks Americans to pause for one minute at 3 p.m. in an act of national unity. The time was chosen because 3 p.m. “is the time when most Americans are enjoying their freedoms on the national holiday.”

Not only is Memorial Day an important time to remember those who have given the ultimate sacrifice to protect our country, but it is a day to spend quality time with family and friends as a kickoff to summer. The holiday weekend is usually filled with large gatherings, parades, picnics, or weekend trips. 

As summer travel season starts full swing and as you make your plans, there are a few things to know before you hit the road. Make sure all of your travels will be safe and enjoyable this holiday weekend and beyond by knowing what the road ahead will bring.

To make a trip safer and less stressful:

*Plan ahead. Go to www.tripcheck.com to see the latest road conditions, closures, and delays. Make sure to check the entire route.

*Leave early and allow plenty of time to get to the destination.

*Follow the speed limit.

*Be alert. Be patient. Share the road.

*Remember to pack water, snacks and other emergency kit supplies in case the trip is delayed.

*Use special caution in work zones. Work crews may not be present during holiday weekends, but some work zones may remain set up for safety.

ODOT says Memorial Day weekend is expected to be one of the busiest on record with over 500,000 people in Oregon expected to drive to their holiday destination.

AAA projects 39.4 million people, including 506,000 Oregonians will travel by car over the holiday weekend. That’s the highest number since the agency started tracking in 2000.

The agency predicts overall about 617,000 Oregonians will travel over the long weekend.

It projects this will be the most crowded Memorial Day weekend at airports since 2005. Now air travelers need a REAL ID to fly. Those who don’t may still be able to fly but must go through additional screening.

Bend, Portland, Eugene, Boise and the Oregon Coast are the most popular regional destinations for members of AAA Oregon.

Memorial Day Oregon | May 26, 2024 — Guide to Observances Around the State

Oregon has a long, truly remarkable tradition of formal, civic observance of Memorial Day, the last Monday of every May set aside from work, under federal law, to remember those who have died during their U.S. military service.

The diversity and depth of Memorial Day commemorations around the state are testaments to the power and dedication of people. Over the years, local veterans groups, supporting municipal governments and citizens in each area of Oregon have helped organize and attend these ceremonial Memorial Day events.

As a result, Oregonians are fortunate to have many Memorial Day observances across the State from which to choose. Each commemoration reflects a community’s unique local customs. Each is tinged with its own richness and meaning. MORE INFO: https://memorialdayoregon.com

Use the interactive State Map to find a Memorial Day event near you, get full details & directions, then go attend. https://memorialdayoregon.com/index.php/maps/

Memorial Day Parades in Oregon

There are not as many Memorial Day parades as in the past. However, on the morning of Memorial Day in Oregon, people in some cities (Klamath Falls, Prineville, Reedsport, Seaside, Wasco) still maintain the tradition, going back to the founding of Memorial Day, of having full-fledged parades. These processions wind their way through main streets and/or neighborhoods and are truly remarkable events to be a part of.

Oregonians who are physically challenged to get out to a parade, but want to experience one can tune into to the spectacular National Memorial Day Parade in Washington DC at 11:00am PST.

Memorial Day Services in Oregon

The bedrock Memorial Day event for most locales in Oregon is at least one solemn and inspiring public service. Honored citizens place beautiful wreaths. A bugler plays taps. A local band plays inspiring patriotic music. High-ranking military or government officials make speeches. Ceremonies are often highlighted by gun or canon salutes and/or military flyovers. Oh, and there are often food and drinks afterwards!

In Oregon, most (but certainly not all) Memorial Day services are held at cemeteries. As its original name, Decoration Day, implies Memorial Day has roots in the communal act of decorating the graves of fallen soldiers. That practice arose in various communities around the country during and just after the American Civil War. All these years and too many wars later, the tradition continues.

In cemeteries across Oregon on Memorial Day weekend you will come upon more flags than you may have ever seen placed by volunteers all along tree-lined roads and on the graves of veterans and set against often breathtaking natural backdrops. For example, more than 140,000 flags adorn Willamette National cemetery in east Portland on Memorial Day!

There are services at each of Oregon’s four national military cemeteries (Willamette National in Portland, Ft. Stevens National in Warrenton, Roseburg National, and Eagle Point National). There are also services at city-managed public cemeteries (Ashland, Astoria, Coos Bay, Oregon City, Pendleton, Redmond), private cemeteries (Baker City, Bend, Coos Bay, Gresham, Hood River, Junction City, Medford, Salem), as well as non-profit cemeteries (Eugene, Tigard, Mt. Angel).

In other locales around Oregon, Memorial Day services take place at a veterans memorial site. Such memorials are often located within public parks.

Many Oregon cities (Beaverton, Columbia City, Gresham, Klamath Falls, Lake Oswego, North Plains, Scappoose, Warrenton) have their own veterans memorial sites for services. A few Oregon counties also have veterans memorials where there are services on Memorial Day (Benton County/Corvallis). Finally, you can find a Memorial Day service at one of Oregon’s several beautiful state-themed war memorials. These are dedicated to all Oregonians who died in a particular war (Korean War/ Wilsonville, Vietnam War/Portland, World War II/Salem).

Why attending a Memorial Day commemoration matters

Your attendance at one of these formal observances each year matters for two reasons. First, Oregon history and American history matter. Part of our civic responsibility is understanding that history as it pertains to war and helping our children understand it. Attending a Memorial Day service is a powerful, hands-on way to gain some of that understanding. Second, Memorial Day is completely unique as a holiday, or any day we have really, in its particular focus: to get us to reflect on the nature of major sacrifice. What can we learn from and feel about those who died in war for our country and local communities? What does it mean to sacrifice for something bigger than oneself?

So make it a point to go. Take a family member or friend with you. Look at the smiles and feel the good will and togetherness of the people around you at the ceremony. You’ll be glad you made the effort.

Boatnik in Grants Pass – May 22, 2025 – May 26, 2025

Boatnik is an annual festival held in Riverside Park in Grants Pass, Oregon over Memorial Day Weekend for more than 60 years. There is no admission to attend Boatnik and there are many activities and shows for all ages. There are additional activities available for purchase including the Davis Shows Carnival, concert, and Boatnik Brewfest. The best part…ALL of the proceeds from the event are donated throughout the year to children and youth-based organizations in Josephine County!

The activities start Thursday evening with the Davis Shows Carnival featuring food, rides, games and family fun. The excitement continues Friday with the concert, a spectacular fireworks display on the river, midway vendors, and the carnival. Saturday morning features the well-known Boatnik parade that travels through downtown Grants Pass and ends at Riverside Park.

Throughout the weekend the festivities continue in the park where there are a whirlwind of activities that include: Sprint and Drag boat racing, carnival rides, arts and crafts, children’s activities, Bingo, food vendors, Monday Sundaes, the Boatnik Brewfest, the Chevy Drive It Home Golf Shoot Out and a second night of patriotic fireworks.

Monday is the highlight of Boatnik featuring the World Famous Tom Rice Memorial White Water Hydroplane Race, and the Memorial Day Service including a jet flyover. MORE INFO: https://www.boatnik.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawKa43hleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFOb3dKdmtBS1o4QnR2ZVpMAR7FWa1ZIWgLqviaiyNcSHURB2xKBmZiGs16H4-0TcAvGDhOxWJfOBoineT3Lg_aem_aTXiT7Vrf5EiALEL0Y6x5w

We Hope You Will Drive Safe and Have A Safe and Healthy Memorial Day Weekend!

We’ll be enjoying the long holiday weekend too and will be back in the office on Tuesday 5/27