2026 Memorial Day
Join the City of Lake Oswego and the Lake Oswego Veterans Memorial for a meaningful Memorial Day as we gather to honor and remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.
The program will be emceed by Officer Bryan Sheldon, a United States Marine Corps veteran and Lake Oswego Police Officer, guiding us through a morning of reflection and tribute. The ceremony will feature the Presentation of Colors by the Lake Oswego Honor Guard, followed by the National Anthem.
We are honored to welcome Colonel Mary Mayer, United States Air Force, as our keynote speaker. Colonel Mayer brings decades of distinguished military leadership and service, offering a powerful perspective on the history and significance of Memorial Day.
At 11:11 a.m., attendees will witness a special flyover by the West Coast Ravens. The program will also include patriotic musical selections performed by Maeve Stier, the dedication of a memorial wreath, a traditional 21-gun salute, and the playing of TAPS.
This commemorative event offers an opportunity for our community to come together in gratitude, reflection, and remembrance.
Biography of Colonel Mary Mayer, USAF (Ret)
A native of Portland (Oregon), Colonel Mayer received an undergraduate degree in Spanish and Secondary Education from the former Marylhurst University, located in Lake Oswego, OR, and taught Spanish and English for three years at St. Helens Junior High School—before being commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force in 1972. Throughout her 30+ year career, she served in a variety of intelligence, personnel policy, administration, contracting, program management, and special duty assignment positions--in the continental United States and overseas in Southeast Asia, Panama (two tours), and Spain.
She is an outstanding graduate of Air War College, Air Command and Staff College, and Squadron Officer School—and has a master’s degree in human resources management from Central Michigan University. Major military awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Meritorious Service Medal w/2OLC, Defense Superior Service Medal w/1OLC, Defense Meritorious Service Medal w/1OLC, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Organizational Excellence Award, and Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor.
After retiring from the Air Force in December 2002, Colonel Mayer went to work for industry as the Deputy Vice President and Senior Director for Global Procurement and Supply Management for KBR Government and Infrastructure, headquartered in Arlington, VA. She shared the responsibility for executive leadership, management, oversight, and support of the worldwide Procurement and Supply Management organization consisting of over 2,000 employees, a 300-million-dollar budget, and a spend of 6-8 billion dollars annually.
Colonel Mayer served her country with pride and honor throughout her illustrious military career and her time in industry. In retirement, she is making major contributions of her time, talent, and treasure in support of her community by serving on various boards associated with the aging, military, veterans, women’s issues, and the arts. She is especially proud to have been appointed by the Oregon Governor as a Commissioner on both the Governor’s Commission on Senior Services and the Oregon Home Care Commission, as a Vietnam War Veteran Representative on the Advisory Committee to the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs, and as a former member of the Oregon World War II Memorial Foundation Board of Directors. As Chair of the United Veterans’ Groups of Oregon (UVGO), she leads a group of 14 veterans’ organizations who lobby collectively for legislative issues of vital importance to veterans and their families in Oregon.
She also serves as the Oregon State President for the Air & Space Forces Association, President of the Portland Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), Secretary/Treasurer of the MOAA Oregon State Council of Chapters, President of the Gresham Area Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW), Inc., as an Ambassador for the Orchestra Nova Northwest, and a member of the Veterans’ Care Centers of Oregon (VCCO) Board that is responsible for managing the Oregon Veterans’ Homes in Lebanon and The Dalles.
Colonel Mayer has established the following scholarships:
- On 5 July 2016, she established the Colonel Mary J. Mayer, USAF Endowed Scholarship at the University of Portland, a scholarship for Air Force Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (AFROTC) cadets majoring in the STEM Education, Engineering, or Nursing fields.
- On 1 February 2018, she established the Colonel Mary J. Mayer, USAF (Ret) Designated Scholarship through the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) Scholarship Fund for children of retired, currently serving, or former officers—and the children of retired or currently serving enlisted personnel.
- In 2020, she established the Colonel Mary J. Mayer, USAF (Ret) Designated Scholarship at St. Mary’s Academy in downtown Portland for a high school student who is majoring in a STEM field and has a family member who is currently serving or has served in the military.
