Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in service of the United States of America. Please join the Community Military Appreciation Committee (CMAC) as they present Vancouver’s Memorial Day Observance on Monday, May 29, 2017, at 11 am, at the Bandstand on the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site Parade Ground.
The ceremony is scheduled to include the dedication of the 80-foot reconstructed garrison flagstaff on the Vancouver Barracks Parade Ground, which is located in the national park. The flagstaff will be dedicated to honor American servicemen and women from Clark County who have given their lives in service of their country. This National Park Service project has been two years in the making, requiring historical research and archaeological testing and excavation to determine the historic location of the flagstaff prior to installation.
Fort Vancouver National Historic Site Superintendent Tracy Fortmann said, “The National Park Service is proud to bring this iconic, highly visible feature back to Vancouver Barracks, and the flagstaff will surely become an important public and community venue in the national park. We greatly appreciate the support of our partners who chose to step forward to help us make the flagstaff a reality.” Fortmann added, “I am honored to serve our community in recreating this critical element of our past. The restored flagstaff will undoubtedly assist us in better understanding and connecting with our 19th and 20th century military history, which helped shape our city, region, and nation.”
Retired Army Colonel Larry J. Smith will be the Master of Ceremonies and features keynote speaker Colonel Duke A. Pirak, the commander of the 142nd Fighter Wing, Oregon Air National Guard, Portland. Vancouver Police Officer Rey Reynolds will sing the National Anthem. There will be a dove release and color guards, as well as military medleys played by the 204th Army Band.
There will be a National Park Service Soldiers’ Bivouac re-enactment on the Parade Ground after the ceremony until 3 pm. This re-enactment will showcase costumed volunteers portraying many periods in the site’s military history. Additionally, the Vancouver Barracks Military Association will display antique military vehicles.
Complimentary hot dogs and light lunch items will be available to the public, courtesy of the Vancouver Lions, Red Cross Cascades Region, and the Military Officers Association of America.
C-Tran busses #25, 32, and 37 will provide transportation directly to the Bandstand that day. Parking is available at Hudson’s Bay High School, where attendees may ride a C-Tran shuttle to and from the event site.
