During our annual Independence Days celebration, a rededication to our city’s Vietnam Veteran’s memorial drew a sizable crowd as they stood and listened to moving speeches from Mayor John McArdle and Billy Whisenant from the American Legion Post 33.
Serving as one of the very first Vietnam War memorials in the United States and the oldest in Oregon, the Independence City Council approved its construction in May of 1982. Originally standing about 50 feet from its current location, the monument was moved in 2004 to make room for the fountain that now sits at the entrance of Independence Riverview Park.
With the monument now rededicated, and history passing before us all, let us never forget the true heroes that allowed us to celebrate our Independence in Independence, Oregon. Thank you to all the veterans who helped make this event possible and continue to fight for the ideals of freedom this nation was built upon.
