19th annual Bend Veterans Day Parade set

The 19 th annual Bend Veterans Day Parade will roll again through downtown Bend this Veterans Day, Sunday, Nov. 11 at 11.a.m.

This is Central Oregon Veterans Outreach’s (COVO) inaugural year as the new producer of our town’s traditional Veterans Day parade, touted as one of the state of Oregon’s largest parades.

“Our celebration is a mirror of thousands of communities across this nation that have parades for our veteran heroes,” says J.W. Terry, Executive Director, Central Oregon Veterans Outreach. “We are committed to ensure the parade continues every year to thank all veterans for their service.”

This year’s theme ‘Saluting our World War II Veterans’ honors those who are with us today and for veterans in memoriam.

Grand Marshal is Dick Higgins, U.S. Navy, Pearl Harbor survivor. He served as a Navy radio operator at Pearl Harbor during World War II. When Japanese planes flew over his barracks, he jumped out of his bunk and was sent through the smoke and gunfire to clear debris and get the Navy planes flyable.

The Bulletin article by Kyle Spurr – December 7, 2016, Bends’ Pearl Harbor survivors mark a solemn Anniversary – 75 years later, surprise attack remains a vivid memory.

Today at 97 years old, Dick Higgins is loved and honored as a member of Bend Chapter Band of Brothers and as our town’s living Pearl Harbor survivors.

The Bend Parade of Flags, founded by the Bend Heroes Foundation, will display 250 American flags throughout downtown Bend and on the Veterans Memorial Bridge.

A Civil Air Patrol High Desert Squadron flyover kicks off the parade promptly at 11 a.m. The “Rolling Thunder” made up of Oregon Veterans Motorcycles Association and the Patriot Guard will lead the procession of floats, Oregon Army National Guard military vehicles, school bands and businesses paying tribute to those who serve our country.

ADA parking is designated in the City Hall parking lot on Wall Street and an ADA roped-off seating area at corner of Franklin and Wall Street.

The parade route begins on NW Newport at Veterans Memorial Bridge – south on Wall Street – west on Franklin – along NW Riverside Drive – turning onto NW Galveston and end at NW Harmon Blvd.

Veterans of Foreign Post 1603 will host an Open House immediately following the parade. The public is invited. Refreshments will be served. 1503 NE 4 th Street, Bend. Contact: Bob Cusick, Commander: 541.389.0775