Memorial Day Ceremony at Fort Vancouver

The Community Military Appreciation Committee will host a Memorial Day ceremony at 11 a.m. May 27 at the bandstand on the Vancouver Barracks Parade Ground to honor those who have lost their lives in service of our country. Visitors may view the garrison flag raising, Mountain Howitzer cannon firing and a wreath-laying ceremony in honor of fallen heroes. Retired Army Colonel Larry J. Smith will be the Master of Ceremonies. Speakers are Superintendent Tracy Fortmann and Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle with a keynote by wounded combat veteran, Staff Sergeant John Kaiser. U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel John Toll, Professor of Military Science at the University of Portland ROTC, will offer additional remarks. Liberty Middle School’s  Everleigh Paul will sing the National Anthem. Bagpiper John Goff will play “Amazing Grace.” There will be a dove release and color guards, as well as military medleys played by the 204th Army Band. Complimentary light lunch items will be available courtesy of the Vancouver Lions, Red Cross Cascades Region, and the Military Officers Association of America. Parking is available at Hudson’s Bay High School and the National Park Service south lot (located on Fifth Street), where attendees may ride the dedicated C-Tran shuttle to and from the bandstand.