Tomorrow, Josephine County will join the nation in honoring Veterans Day with community events celebrating veterans’ service and sacrifice. At Merlin Community Park, located at 100 Acorn Street, families and community members will come together to pay tribute, starting with a complimentary pancake breakfast and culminating in a program honoring veterans.
Festivities will begin at 9:00 a.m. with the pancake breakfast sponsored by the Rogue Valley Young Marines, held at the Merlin Community Center adjacent to the park. This breakfast offers veterans and their families an opportunity to gather, connect, and reflect before the main event. By 11:00 a.m., a formal Veterans Day program will commence, featuring Chris Barnett, County Commissioner “Select”, as the Master of Ceremonies. Eric Schoegl will deliver the keynote speech, bringing the day’s theme of gratitude and patriotism to the fore.
In a visual tribute, the Caveman Kiwanis Club will line downtown Grants Pass streets with American flags along 6th, 7th, and G Streets. This longstanding tradition provides a patriotic display for the community, reminding residents and visitors alike of the contributions made by local veterans. By transforming the town into a sea of red, white, and blue, the Kiwanis Club’s effort reinforces the importance of Veterans Day, ensuring that all who pass through Grants Pass share in the day’s meaning.
The Grants Pass Tribune will be on site to capture the events, covering both the stories of veterans and the efforts of local organizations dedicated to honoring them. In the days following, the Tribune will publish a recap of the day’s activities, along with reflections from veterans, community leaders, and participants.
Veterans Day in Josephine County serves as both a time to express gratitude and an opportunity to bring together the community in support of shared values. Through events like the breakfast, ceremony, and Field of Honor project, residents of Josephine County acknowledge the sacrifices of their veterans while educating younger generations on the principles that these veterans defended. In Merlin and Grants Pass, these displays of patriotism and unity help remind the community of the impact of military service and the ongoing importance of gratitude.
