The 16th annual Veterans Day Parade will roll through downtown Bend on November 11 to honor veterans in our community.
“The parade shows respect for those here and those not here,” said WWII Parade Grand Marshal Col. John Turner, U.S. Air Force 1943-47 and U.S. Army 1947-75.
The parade will begin at 11am with a flyover by Civil Air Patrol High Desert Squadron. This year’s theme, Living Legacies, commemorates the 70th anniversary of World War II and the 40th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War. Vietnam Veterans of America, Bend Chapter 820, will join Turner as Grand Marshal and lead the processional of the parade.
The Bend Veterans Day Parade is the second largest parade in the state of Oregon with more than 120 organizations participating and thousands of spectators lining the streets of downtown Bend.
“It is truly an honor for us to sponsor the annual Veterans Day Parade,” said Robin Rogers, Bend Chamber senior vice president of programs and events. “The parade honors those men and women in uniform who have selflessly served our country and recognizes their families.
The parade will start at NW Harmon Boulevard. The participants will then travel east on NW Newport Avenue, south on NW Wall Street, west on NW Franklin Avenue along NW Riverside Boulevard, turn onto NW Galveston Avenue and end back at NW Harmon Boulevard.
ADA parking is designated in the City Hall parking lot on Wall Street.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1603 will host an open house immediately following the parade. The public is invited to meet veterans at 1503 NE 4th Street. Refreshments will be served.
Bend Parade of Flags will provide 250 American flags on display in downtown Bend and on Veterans Memorial Bridge installed by American Legion Post 4 and Bend Band of Brothers.
For more information, contact the Bend Chamber of Commerce at 541-382-3221 or visit http://business.bendchamber.org/events/details/2015-16th-annual-veterans-day-parade-948.
