Multnomah County’s Board of Commissioners honored veterans for their service to the United States during its board meeting Thursday, Nov. 10.
Commissioner Diane McKeel introduced a proclamation thanking servicemen and servicewomen for their contributions. Since President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the first Armistice Day on Nov. 11, 1919, to commemorate the end of World War I a year earlier, the day has been set aside to remember the sacrifices of those who served. After the Korean War, Congress amended the legal holiday to Veterans Day to honor all U.S. veterans.
“Over the decades, the safety and security of our nation has been protected by the brave men and women who serve,” McKeel said at the board meeting. “To this day, our service members, who now all serve voluntarily, shoulder tremendous burdens and assume great risks to keep us safe.”
More than 59,000 veterans live in Multnomah County, or about 8 percent of the county’s population.
McKeel highlighted the county’s work to improve its services to veterans, including educating employers about the veterans’ experience.
Multnomah County also provides comprehensive assistance to veterans through the Veterans’ Services Office. Services include helping people to decipher benefits programs, file claims with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and recover lost military records.
The county has also formed a Veterans Employee Resource Group open to the more than 400 veterans and active duty military members who make up about 10 percent of the county’s workforce.
Army Capt. Eric Zimmerman, a county property appraiser and Iraq War veteran with the Oregon Army National Guard, said the employee group would examine the needs of service-oriented veterans and prepare the county to recruit and retain veterans who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
For more information:
Multnomah County Veterans’ Services, 503-988-3260, x25005, /ads/veterans-services-office