C.O. WWII vets heading to Salem to see new memorial
June 6 is the 70th anniversary of D-Day when our nation and allies invaded German occupied France subsequently causing our enemies to surrender in 1945.
About 30 local World War II veterans plus families and friends will depart Jake’s Diner in Bend at 8 a.m. next Friday to attend the long-awaited dedication of the Oregon WWII Memorial in Salem.
The Veterans and spouses will ride in two Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office buses, escorted by the Oregon Veterans Motorcycle Association and other patriots in private cars.
After the convoy leaves Jake’s, it will proceed west on Greenwood Avenue and head north on Third Street, then pass through Sisters at about 8:30-8:45 a.m.
Most of the WWII veterans, most in their 90s, enjoyed their four-day free trip of a lifetime visiting the WWII Memorial and 10 other veterans memorials in Washington, D.C. through the Bend Heroes Foundation’s Honor Flight of Eastern Oregon program. Jake’s Diner and Bend Band of Brothers raised funds to pay their expenses.
The public is encouraged to honor our local WWII heroes with a fine send-off at Jake’s and along Greenwood Avenue at 8 a.m. next Friday. The convoy will pass through Sisters, another opportunity to salute them.
