Benton County will recognize local veterans and receive two national awards for supporting military service members during a Veterans Day ceremony Monday morning at the Kalapuya Building in Corvallis.
The event, scheduled to begin at 9 a.m., will include a proclamation reading during the Board of Commissioners meeting, followed by remarks from county leaders and special guests.
County Administrator Rachel McEneny will receive the Patriot Award from the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve for her support of a recently deployed employee serving in the Oregon National Guard. Board Chair Nancy Wyse will accept the Seven Seals Award on behalf of the county, recognizing Benton County’s commitment to service members and their families.
Col. Paul Dyer, commander of the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the Oregon National Guard, will attend the ceremony along with Mark Lapinskas, Benton County’s lead veterans service officer, and Cecil Owens, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve state chair.
Kenzie Singiser from the OSU music program will perform the national anthem.
The recognition comes as Benton County Public Information Officer Cory Grogan recently returned in September from a yearlong deployment in Kosovo with the Oregon National Guard.
“From the support I received from our finance department, human resources, and county commissioners and administrator before I left, to the send-off my coworkers organized, I always felt cared for,” Grogan said. “Knowing my job was secure while I was away allowed me to focus fully on my mission and serve more effectively.”
The Kalapuya Building is located at 4500 SW Research Way in Corvallis.