20th annual Bend Veterans Day Parade set
The 20 th Annual Veterans Day parade will roll again through downtown Bend this Veterans Day, Monday, November 11 at 11.a.m.
This is Central Oregon Veterans Outreach’s (COVO) second year as the producer of our town’s traditional Veterans Day parade; touted as one of the State of Oregon’s largest parades. We thank our parade title sponsors, Gary Gruner Chevrolet Buick GMC and Mid Oregon Credit Union.
“This patriotic event promotes COVO’s mission to respect, advocate and support Veterans who have earned our undying gratitude for their service,” – COVO Board President, Brigadier General Dennis Merrill, USA (Ret)
“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 is ‘Saluting our Women Veterans’. Grand Marshals are Iola Shoemaker, Army World War II, Eileen Richardson, Navy, Korean War, Suci Sonnier, Air Force, Pam Mindt, Army, and Kristen Gyford, Air Force.
Bend Parade of Flags founded by Bend Heroes Foundation will display 250 American flags throughout downtown Bend and on Veterans Memorial Bridge.
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 – then south on Wall Street – west on Franklin – along NW Riverside Drive – turning onto NW Galveston and end at NW Harmon Blvd. For more information contact Kathy Skidmore at COVO: 541.383.2793 / Email: covo@covo-us.org
The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1603 will host an Open House immediately following the parade. The public is invited to meet veterans. Refreshments will be served. 1503 NE 4 th Street, Bend. Contact: Bob Cusick, Quartermaster; 541.389.0775
KTVZ 2019
