I-84 to become ‘Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway’

On Memorial Day, May 26, Interstate 84 from the Oregon/Idaho border to Portland will be dedicated as “Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway.” This is a project of the Oregon State Council, Vietnam Veterans of America.

Thanks to legislation passed by the Oregon legislature, and signed by Governor Kitzhaber on April, 11, 2013, fifteen signs will be placed along the highway, beginning near Ontario, and ending at I-205. There will be seven signs eastbound, and eight signs westbound.

The newest veterans highway in Oregon (Highway 97 is the WWII Veterans Memorial Highway) pays tribute to the 57,000 veterans who served during the Vietnam War, the 719 who lost their lives, and the 38 soldiers and one civilian who still remain Missing in Action. Approximately 118,000 Vietnam veterans call Oregon home. They represent 34% of all veterans living in Oregon.

The 370-mile Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway will be dedicated at 1:30 PM on Memorial Day, May 26, at the Oregon Veterans Home in The Dalles, overlooking the newly designated highway and the Columbia River. All Vietnam veterans, families and friends are invited. The dedication is open to the public.

If people would like to make a donation to help pay for the signs and their installation, or to help defray the cost of the dedication program, please make checks payable to VVA OSC, and mail to the Oregon State Council Treasurer, Clyde Evans, at Post Office Box 1221, La Pine, Oregon 97739.