Portland honors veterans despite parade cancellation
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More than 114,000 veterans call the Portland metro area home, according to census data.
- That's 5.6% of the region's adult (18+) population, the majority of which served during the Vietnam-era.
Why it matters: Tomorrow is Veterans Day, a chance to honor those who served in the armed forces.
The big picture: Nationwide, there isn't a strong enough safety net for the service people who risk their lives to keep us safe.
- In Oregon, more than 10% of those experiencing homelessness are veterans.
- About seven out of 100 veterans are living with PTSD.
The latest: Portland's annual Veterans Day parade will not take place this year due to lack of funding, organizers told the Oregonian.
Here are a few ways to support veterans, and their families, this holiday:
1. Donate. There are a slew of organizations that help veterans in big and small ways.
2. Volunteer. You can give rides to vets with disabilities via Disabled American Veterans, or write letters via Operation Gratitude.
3. Help families. There are hundreds of thousands of families dealing with the loss of an active-duty or veteran loved one. You can donate to many organizations, such as Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), that offer resources for those families.
4. Say thank you.
Go deeper: Businesses salute veterans with free meals, deals