Bend 22nd annual Veterans Day Parade brings out crowds to thank and honor those who served our country

(Update: Adding video, comments from veterans)

Navy Master Chief J.W. Terry serves as grand marshal on bright but blustery day

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) –  Veterans Day is a time we thank and honor America's veterans for their service to our country. The 22nd annual Bend Veterans Day Parade set off on a windy but bright Saturday morning, with dozens of entries and thousands of well-wishers lining the streets of downtown and the city's westside, many waving flags and saluting those who served our nation in times of peace and war.

J.W. Terry -- a local Vietnam veteran and retired U.S. Navy Command Master -- was the grand marshal for this year's parade.

"It's a very humbling, for starters, to be honored," Terry said Saturday. "It does come as a very big surprise, and also a lot of fun seeing the people, being able to talk to fellow veterans."

Many American flags on the rolling military and other vehicles or in the hands of all ages fluttered in the cool, stiff breeze as crowds applauded and cheered Bend's annual patriotic event, produced by Central Oregon Veterans Outreach (COVO) to honor and thank the region's veterans and military personnel for their service.

Over 400 volunteers and 2,000 participants help make Bend's parade one of the largest in the state and even west of the Mississippi, organizers say.

The theme for this year's parade was “Thank You for Your Service: Veterans Serve Their Country and Their Community.”

Hundreds of people lined the streets of downtown Bend to see the parade. And the importance of the day can bring about many feelings.

Terry said, "We run through all kinds of emotions, everything from sad to glad to happy, to just reflecting on our fellow veterans that we've lost."

 While we honor those with us who have served, we also honor those still serving.

Mid-Oregon Credit Union Vice President of Marketing Kyle Frick said, "I think the biggest thing I want to do is recognize that the veterans are here, and we're all celebrating veterans. But we also want to remember all of our active-duty people that are serving around the world right now. One of those is my daughter, and she's actually in the Air Force in Kuwait right now."

"This year, the Veterans Day parade gives everyone the opportunity to honor Veterans for their military service and for coming home and continue serving their communities in government, business, schools and social services," according to Les Bivens, U.S. Navy Vietnam Veteran and Board President of COVO.

Terry was nominated by Oregon Band of Brothers Bend Chapter and Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) Chapter #820 in Bend.

Terry did 32 years active service, served in Vietnam, had multiple shipboard deployments around the world, served as Master Chief of Great Lakes Naval Training Station and Command Master Chief of Naval Station New York.

He taught the NJROTC program at Mountain View High School in Bend for 13 years and is currently executive director of Central Oregon Veterans Outreach (COVO) and state president of the Oregon Band of Brothers. He serves as post commander of the Bend American Legion post, is a member of the Oregon Veteran Motorcycle Association High Desert Eagles and a life-long member of VVA.

Lyle Hicks, U.S. Navy Vietnam veteran and owner of Jake’s Diner, which hosts the weekly Band of Brothers chapter in Bend, noted that Terry exemplifies how veterans continue to serve others long after the military.

“J.W. has kept his Chief’s hat on all his life, so if there’s something that needs to be done for veterans, he does not give up,” said Hicks.

Parade entrants included veteran service groups, the Oregon Army National Guard, school bands, first responders, elected officials, local service and social organizations and businesses. Title sponsors for the fourth year were Gary Gruner Chevrolet Buick GMC and Mid Oregon Credit Union.

The Bend Parade of Flags, produced by Bend Heroes Foundation, displayed American flags along downtown Bend streets and the Veterans Memorial (Newport) Bridge.