Memorial Day Commemoration 2025
Join the City of Lake Oswego and the Lake Oswego Veterans Memorial for a heartfelt Memorial Day observance at Foothills Park, 199 Foothills Road. This annual event honors the brave people who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation.
Event Highlights:
- Keynote Speaker – Captain Jonathan Puskas, commissioned through NROTC at the University of Notre Dame in 1994, holds an MBA (Magna Cum Laude) from Notre Dame and is a graduate of the U.S. Army Command & General Staff College, Joint Forces Staff College, and Harvard Kennedy School’s Senior Executive Fellows program. A career Surface Warfare Officer, he has held command at every senior officer level, most recently leading Navy Reserve Commander Seventh Fleet, and previously commanding Coastal Riverine Squadron Eleven and Maritime Expeditionary Boat Division 92. His diverse assignments include roles aboard USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Halyburton, and key active duty posts with U.S. Pacific and European Commands, meeting the requirements of a Joint Qualified Officer. He wears multiple warfare insignia and values most the unit commendations earned with his Sailors. In the civilian sector, Captain Puskas is a strategic business consultant with executive experience at Google, Nike, adidas, and Intel. More info on Captain Puskas below.
- Emcee – Bryan Sheldon, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and current School Resource Officer, will emcee the ceremony. Bryan's military background, combined with his dedication to community service, brings a heartfelt and respectful tone to this important event. His commitment to bridging the gap between law enforcement and young people makes him a vital member of our community.
- Flyover – West Coast Ravens. Experience a breathtaking flyover by the West Coast Ravens, a group of elite pilots known for their precision aerobatics. At 11:11 a.m. this ceremonial tribute from the skies will provide a moving moment of connection to those who have served.
- Presentation of Colors & 21-Gun Salute: The Lake Oswego Honor Guard will present the colors and lead a 21-gun salute, a time-honored tradition of military respect and remembrance. This ceremony is an enduring symbol of the sacrifices made by our fallen heroes.
- Taps: As the ceremony draws to a close, the haunting and beautiful sound of "Taps" will be played, a solemn tribute to those who gave their lives in defense of our freedoms.
This Memorial Day, we invite all members of the Lake Oswego community to join us in honoring the service and sacrifice of our nation’s fallen heroes. It will be a time of reflection, gratitude, and unity, as we remember and pay tribute to those who gave everything for our country.
Captain Puskas was commissioned through the NROTC program at the University of Notre Dame in May 1994 and returned to that institution to earn his Masters in Business Administration (Magna Cum Laude). He is an in-residence graduate of the U.S. Army Command & General Staff College. In addition, he attended the Harvard Kennedy School Senior Executive Fellows program as well as completed the Maritime Staff Officers Course (MSOC), Reserve Component National Security Course (RCNSC), and graduated with distinction from the Joint Forces Staff College.
A Surface Warfare Officer, he served as Combat Systems Division Officer, Flight Deck Lighting Branch Officer, and N7 Assistant Department Head aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) and USS Halyburton (FFG 40).
Captain Puskas held Commissioned Unit Command as a LCDR, CDR, and CAPT. He recently completed a tour as the Commanding Officer for Navy Reserve Commander Seventh Fleet where he was accountable for the training, readiness, and welfare of 402 personnel assigned to the largest forward deployed numbered fleet in the US Navy. He was previously the Commanding Officer of Coastal Riverine Squadron Eleven where he was responsible for all operational and administrative leadership of 740 Expeditionary Sailors. His CDR Command-at-Sea was completed with Maritime Expeditionary Boat Division 92 during its overseas deployment. He held Command Ashore with Inshore Boat Unit Eleven.
His diverse career is marked by NR Command tours with Military Sealift Command Expeditionary Port Unit 117, Littoral Combat Ship Surface Warfare Mission Module, Naval Surface Forces Reserve Headquarters, and Navy Experimental Diving Unit. In addition, he was the Officer-in-Charge of Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 17 DET 101.
Captain Puskas’ other Active Duty service includes Deputy Commander for Coastal Riverine Group ONE, Coastal Command Boat OIC, Chief Staff Officer at Coastal Riverine Squadron ELEVEN, Political Military Officer in the J5 Directorate at United States European Command, JOC Watch Officer at United States Pacific Command, and N5 at Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group ONE. He has met requirements as a Joint Qualified Officer.
In addition to designation as a Surface Warfare Officer, Puskas earned the right to wear the Command Afloat, Command Ashore, Combatant Craft Officer, and SCUBA pins. However, he is proudest of the Meritorious Unit Commendation and Battle Efficiency “E” awards earned by the dedicated Sailors with whom he has served.
Captain Puskas is a strategic business consultant who has held executive positions supporting Google, Nike, adidas, and Intel Corporation. He and his amazing wife City Councilor Rachel Verdick live in Lake Oswego, Oregon with their Old English Sheepdogs.