Memorial Day 2023: Where to go in the Eugene area to honor fallen US military members
Memorial Day honors the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military.
It is observed on the last Monday of May and falls this year on May 29.
The holiday originally was known as Decoration Day in the years following the Civil War, which claimed more lives than any conflict in U.S. history and led to the first national cemeteries.
Americans in various communities began holding tributes to fallen soldiers, decorating their graves with flowers.In 1971, Memorial Day became a federal holiday.
Many Americans today observe the holiday by visiting cemeteries or memorials, and local veterans' groups around the Mid-Valley host patriotic programs.
Here are some events in the Eugene area to mark the day:
Pioneer Cemetery: Memorial Day Observance
At 11 a.m. Monday, veterans will be recognized during a ceremony at Pioneer Cemetery, which is adjacent to the campus of the University of Oregon at 1001 E. 18th Ave.
At Pioneer Cemetery, 10% of the graves are those of veterans, including 145 Civil War veterans. The heart of the cemetery is the Grand Army of the Republic, which contains 51 Civil War veterans.
The ceremony will feature performances from the Shasta Middle School Choir, a black powder rifle salute, a performance by the Eugene-Springfield Fire Department bagpipe band and remarks from veterans and community members.
It will close with a retiring of the colors presented by Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War.
Eugene Masonic Cemetery: Art in the Cemetery
On Sunday and Monday, flags will fly over veterans' graves in honor of Memorial Day at the Eugene Masonic Cemetery at East 25th Avenue and University Street.
On both days, a solitary bugler or trumpeter will perform "Taps" at noon in the public square. Following the performance, a cemetery tour will begin at 12:30 p.m. in front of Hope Abbey Mausoleum, which will be open all day.
This year's Art in the Cemetery will feature works by six local artists, Patti McNutt, Suma Elan, Margaret Plumb, John Holdway, Tara Kemp and Helen Kauffman. The Hope Abbey Mausoleum will feature displays that illustrate the cemetery’s history and serve coffee and cake. History hunts for children and families will be offered all day with prizes for those who complete them.
There will also be a concert by Blugene Brass in the public square at 6 p.m. Sunday. All events are free and open to the public.
Eugene Scottish Festival
On Saturday, the 21st annual Eugene Scottish Festival takes place, with a special invitation to Vietnam War veterans to be honored for their service during a presentation at 10:35 a.m. It will be held at Irving Grange, 1011 Irvington Road.
Adult tickets for the festival are $5, children 12 and under enter for free. Group family tickets for up to six individuals cost $20.
Reporter Capi Lynn contributed to this article. Miranda Cyr reports on education for The Register-Guard. You can contact her at mcyr@registerguard.com or find her on Twitter @mirandabcyr.
This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Memorial Day 2023: Where to go in Eugene to honor the fallen
