Oregon home to 266,000 veterans in 2026
The state’s military infrastructure supports a large veteran population, with 27 individuals featured in a new community profile.
By Ana Castro ·
Approximately 266,000 veterans currently reside in Oregon.
This figure represents a portion of the roughly 17.3 million living veterans across the United States. The state’s veteran population is substantial despite a limited number of active-duty military bases.
Oregon contains two major Coast Guard Air Stations and nine active Coast Guard Stations. The state also hosts two Air National Guard bases and 46 Army National Guard Armories. These facilities contrast with neighboring states, which possess active-duty military installations.
A new feature in the local newspaper profiles 27 veterans who have chosen Oregon as their home. The group includes men and women who served in the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines. Their service histories span multiple decades and branches of the military.
Among the featured individuals is a woman who served in the Women’s Army Corps during the 1950s. Another profiled veteran held the position of Director for the Oregon Department of Veteran Affairs. One man spied on East German and Soviet installations during the Cold War. A Navy Corpsman who deployed to Vietnam discussed his experiences in the feature.
The newspaper notes that many of these veterans continue to contribute to their communities after leaving the service. Local businesses sponsored the special section to help share these personal histories. The outlet cited the support of these advertisers as a factor in acknowledging the service of local residents.
The publication referenced a quote from Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address to frame the tribute. The text included a note that the address was delivered in 1864. The feature aims to remind readers to express gratitude to the veterans living in the area.
