PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) – Today is Veterans Day, a time to honor and thank those who have served and are actively serving in the armed forces.

Leaders from our region and across the country took the time today to recognize our nation’s soldiers.

President Biden made his first public appearance with Vice President Harris since last week’s election in honor of the holiday.

He and Harris participated in a wreath-laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.

In a speech, he thanked military families for their service. “For all military families, for everyone whose loved one is still missing or missing, for all Americans who are grieving the loss of a loved one who was in uniform, Jill and I want you to know that We see you. We thank you and we will never stop working to fulfill our sacred obligation to you and your families.”

Oregon is home to approximately 300,000 veterans.

Today the city of Portland held its annual Veterans Day Parade.

Many different organizations came together to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice and luckily the weather cooperated, the rain let up by the time the parade started…

Fredrick Nolan of the Marine Corps told us that veterans give up so much to protect our country and that for him it was a calling. “I felt I owed a debt to the country, so I enlisted while I was still in high school and, like I said, I enjoyed my time.”

The Oregon Air National Guard conducted flyovers today in observance of Veterans Day.

F-15 jets flew over Oregon and the flyovers were a tribute to those who served and sacrificed for the country. The passes occurred just 1,000 feet above the ground.

The University of Portland Army and Air Force ROTC held a 24-hour vigil and remembrance ceremony from 11 a.m. Sunday to 11 a.m. Monday.

KATU News spoke to the cadets yesterday and they told our crews they are doing this to be part of something bigger than themselves.

Resources are available to all Oregon veterans, family members and caregivers. Information is available at Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs website.