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Spread the word about the Celebration of Honor
Each fall, the roar of motorcycle engines on Highway 101 signals the return of the Annual Celebration of Honor, Lincoln City’s solemn commemoration of military service.
As the event comes together, a motorcycle guard of honor escorts two traveling memorial walls to their temporary home at Chinook Winds Casino Resort — the Vietnam Veterans of America 805 Oregon Veteran Wall and the Vets Helping Vets HQ Wall of Honor.
The walls form the centerpiece of an event that Chinook Winds has spearheaded for the past 20 years, honoring active-duty personnel, military veterans and their families.
The Oregon Veteran Wall is a 24-by-8-foot replica of the national Vietnam War Memorial, engraved with the names of Oregon service members who died in the Vietnam War. The Vets Helping Vets HQ Wall of Honor carries the names of service members killed in more recent conflicts, including Desert Storm, Desert Shield, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn and Operation Enduring Freedom. Both will be available to view on the front lawn at Chinook Winds from Thursday, Sept. 12, through Saturday, Sept. 14.
Visitors can also view a display of vintage and current-day military vehicles, provided by the American Infantry Soldier Group, as well as an array of military flags.
The Veteran Services Tent is back this year, open from 10 am to 4 pm on Friday, Sept. 13, and from 10 am to 1 pm on Saturday, Sept. 14.
And at 2 pm on Saturday, Sept. 14, there will be a re-dedication ceremony for the Desert Storm memorial located in front of the casino.
Chinook Winds is also sponsoring movie tickets and popcorn for veterans and active-duty personnel at the Historic Bijou Theatre from Thursday, Sept. 12, through Thursday, Sept. 19. Just show your military ID for this additional thank you for your service.
Elsewhere in town, Explore Lincoln City is joining the celebration with a special Finders Keepers float drop. Stealthy volunteers will hide 50 red-white-and-blue glass floats on the beach for lucky searchers to find from Wednesday, Sept. 11, through Saturday, Sept. 14.
And Saturday will also see the Lincoln City Kiwanis Parade of Flags line Highway 101 with US flags in a colorful celebration of patriotic pride.
• “Chinook Winds Casino Resort is proud to continue the tradition of honoring our men and women who have served, and are serving, our country,” said Chinook Winds Public Relations Manager Heather Hatton. “By working together during this praiseworthy event, we maintain our distinguished reputation and provide a successful city-wide event.”
For information on how to get involved in next year’s event, contact Andy Lucich at 541-996-8515 or andy.lucich@chinookwinds.com. There are many ways for individuals, families, youth groups, businesses and organizations to become involved. A fund-raiser for a veterans’ group; a special or discount at your business for veterans and their families; red-white-and-blue decorations at your store; flying red-white-and-blue kites; displaying the US flag at your home or business; offering a veteran or active-duty person a “Welcome home” or “Thank you,” or planning an event are just a few ways you can become part of the celebration. Whether it’s a big event or a small fund-raiser — every effort contributes to making next year’s Celebration of Honor more meaningful and personal.