☰ Site menu Search
Oregon Convention Center
Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Flickr

Universal Links

  • Calendar
  • Parking
  • Accessibility
  • Eat now
  • 503-235-7575
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Attend
  • Plan
  • Exhibit
  • About
  • In the news
  • Covid-19

WE WELCOME EVERYONE

As hosts to the world, we deeply respect our guests and our community. We’re here to make sure everyone feels safe bringing their ideas, their passions and their hearts to the table. Because positive change can begin anytime, anyplace, with anyone. Like you. Right here. Right now.

  • Attend
  • Events
  • Know Before You Go
  • Parking & Directions
  • Guest Services & Amenities
  • Maps

GO

WE LIVE FOR MAGIC

We live for the lights, the music, the food, the learning, the inspiration, and the togetherness. We live for positive change and transformative experiences that blaze a path toward endless possibilities. The awesome potential of every event keeps us on our toes and, sometimes, knee-deep in caffeine. But the magic of pulling it all off? Totally worth it.

  • Plan
  • Book An Event
  • Floor Plans & Rates
  • Event Services
  • Catering Services
  • Client Services Guide

GO

WE GET IT DONE

Last minute request? Done. Idea about how to do something better? Done. Guest who wants something we’ve never heard of—now, if possible? Done. And done. YES is the answer. Determination, creativity and teamwork are how we deliver on it.

  • Exhibit
  • Order services
  • Load-In & Load-Out

GO

 

WE ARE FORWARD THINKING

Sustainability is in our DNA. It’s who we are and why we do what we do. We’re passionate about cultivating diversity, advancing equity and practicing inclusion in all of the work we do. People. Planet. Progress. It’s how we work toward a better tomorrow.

  • About
  • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
  • Sustainability
  • Staff Directory
  • Jobs
  • Public Art Collection
  • OCC Neighborhood

GO

 

In the news

  • Recent Stories
  • Sustainability News
  • Press
  • Our Community Stories

GO

  1. Home
  2. News
  3. Ceremony honors veterans, Native American Heritage Month
  • Ceremony honors veterans, Native...

Ceremony honors veterans, Native American Heritage Month

Nov. 11, 2015, news releases

Veterans come from every walk of life and work in nearly every profession imaginable.

Yet it's often a surprise to many that people they work with every day are veterans – whether they served in peacetime or at war, domestically or abroad.

On Tuesday, Metro recognized veterans on its staff with a Native American honoring ceremony in the lobby of the Oregon Convention Center. A Native American drum group from Warm Springs offered songs to bring in the Northwest Indian Veterans Association color guard, which led about 15 of Metro's veterans down the great hall to be recognized before Metro councilors and staff.

The ceremony – commemorating both Native American Heritage Month and Veterans Day – honored veterans including Metro Councilor Craig Dirksen, finance director Tim Collier, Oregon Zoo staffer Tom Rogers, hazardous waste technician Matt Holden and Oregon Convention Center operations manager Darryl Jones, among others.

Property and environmental services director Paul Slyman, a U.S. Coast Guard veteran and the father of an Air Force cadet, remarked on the significance of service.

“Service to our country runs in families,” Slyman said. “And it runs in communities. And we’re fortunate to be part of a very, very special community here.”

In a Nov. 2 message to Metro staff, chief operating officer Martha Bennett explained the connection between Native American Heritage Month and Veterans Day.

Native Americans have the highest per-capita participation in the U.S. military, she wrote, and honoring veterans is an important part of modern Native American culture – indeed, such recognition is included in every powwow.

"In the Native American community, warriors are honored by their family and their Tribe both before going into service and upon their return," Bennett wrote. "United States military service provides an outlet for Native Americans to fulfill a cultural purpose rooted in tradition – to fight and defend their homeland."

Metro councilors and staff will also participate in the Ross Hollywood Veterans Day parade at 9:45 a.m. Wednesday in Northeast Portland's Hollywood neighborhood.

From Metro News

Related 
Veterans Day Metro Native American Heritage Month

Share This Story

Subscribe to OCC News

OCC News Feed

Get In Touch

Our knowledgeable staff is ready to help. Chat with one of our experts now to find out why OCC is the perfect venue for your next event.

  • Give us a call
    503-235-7575
  • Chat with
    an expert
  • Drop us a line
    ask@oregoncc.org

Current events

  • Mar 20—Mar 252023 TESOL International Convention and English Language Expo
  • Mar 21—Mar 21INTERFACE 2023
  • Mar 25—Mar 29Mass Timber Conference 2023
See Full Calendar

Latest news

  • May. 19, 2021Oregon Convention Center proudly supports All4Oregon’s 500,000 vaccination milestone
  • Apr. 28, 2021Oregon’s Largest Vaccination Site is a Logistical Masterpiece. We Take You Inside.
  • Feb. 11, 2021Oregon Convention Center to Serve as Regional Severe Weather Shelter
See All News

Partners

  • TP-Logo.jpg

    TP-Logo.jpg

  • levy.png

    levy.png

  • edlen.png

    edlen.png

Oregon Convention Center
777 NE Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd
Portland, OR 97232

Footer Menu

  • 503-235-7575
  • Jobs
  • News
  • Contact
  • Privacy policy
Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Flickr

Terms of Service Menu

    Hello, we're Metro.

     
    Metro logo
    • Arts and event centers
    • Oregon Zoo
    • Parks and nature
    • Garbage and recycling
    • Land and transportation

    Oregon Convention Center

    Close menu
    Home Close
    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Flickr

    Main menu

    • Attend
      +− Submenu
      • Calendar
      • Know Before You Go
      • Parking & Directions
      • Guest Experience & Amenities
      • Maps
    • Plan
      +− Submenu
      • Book An Event
      • Floor Plans & Rates
      • Event Services
        +− Submenu
        • GO Production Services
        • Technology Services
        • Ticketing Services
        • Marketing & Branding
        • Spire Lighting Inquiry
        • Security Providers
        • More Services
      • Catering Services
        +− Submenu
        • Catering
        • Restaurants
      • Client Services Guide
    • Exhibit
      +− Submenu
      • Load-In & Load-Out
    • Covid-19
    • About
      +− Submenu
      • Staff directory
      • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
      • Sustainability
      • Jobs
      • Public Art Collection
      • Our Neighborhood
    • News
    Top